Surgical Technique Notes of Arterial Vascular Reconstruction During Kidney Transplantation: Personal Experience and Literature Review

Background

Arterial vascular anomalies in patients undergoing kidney transplantation (KT) are correlated with a higher incidence of early surgical complications, potentially causing graft loss. Arterial reconstruction allows patients to overcome these surgical challenges, thus minimizing the risk of poor outcomes. The aim of the present study is to retrospectively investigate the safety and effectiveness of the multiple arterial reconstruction technique with a Teflon patch in case of an unavailable aortic patch: to do so, surgical complications, graft function, and patient survival were evaluated.

Are Dermatophytid Reactions in Patients with Kerion Celsi Much More Common Than Previously Thought? A Prospective Study

Dermatophytid reactions are secondary eruptions in response to dermatophytosis. Only a few cases demonstrating an association between dermatophytid reactions and tinea capitis have been reported. Dermatophytid reactions were evaluated in patients diagnosed with kerion celsi. Patients admitted to the dermatology clinic of Van Regional Training and Research Hospital between November 22, 2012, and July 1, 2013, diagnosed with kerion celsi were evaluated for dermatophytid reactions. Six girls (32%) and 13 boys (68%) were included in this study. Dermatophytid reactions were detected in 13 of the 19 patients (68%). Seven patients (36.84%) had eczematous patches or plaques and three (15.8%) had papules. Eczematous lesions, papules, and pustules were noted in two patients (10.5%) and one (5.3%) had signs of an angioedema‐like reaction. Dermatophytid reactions in all patients were observed before the initiation of therapy. According to our clinical experiences, dermatophytid reactions in patients with kerion celsi were more common than reported. Eczematous scaly patches or plaques were the most frequently seen forms of dermatophytid in patients with kerion celsi. Dermatophytid reactions may occur before or after initiation of systemic antifungal therapy. Recognition of this reaction is important so that dermatophytids can be distinguished from drug reactions and the decision can be made whether to continue or to stop the systemic antifungal treatment.     

Correction to: Psoriasis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a single-center experience

Clinical Rheumatology - Prof. Ari Polachek on of the author of the published version of this article missed to add his second affiliation which is the Department of Rheumatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky...     

Widely Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Originating from Malignant Transformation of Hypertrophic Lichen Planus in a 24‐Year‐Old Woman: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hypertrophic lichen planus (HLP) is a T‐cell‐mediated process typically presenting with hypertrophic or verrucous plaques on the lower limbs. We report the case of a 24‐year‐old woman with a history of HLP since age 3 years presenting with rapid malignant transformation of one lesion into a large squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Subsequent examination revealed progressive, widespread metastatic involvement, and the patient ultimately died from her disease. SCC associated with HLP is rare, with a review of the literature revealing fewer than 50 cases. This case highlights the need to be aware of suspicious changes in HLP and to educate patients as to when to be reevaluated.     

Secretion,blood levels and cutaneous expression of TL1A in psoriasis patients

TL1A is a TNF‐like cytokine which has been shown to co‐stimulate TH1 and TH17 responses during chronic inflammation. The expression of this novel cytokine has been investigated in inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, but little is known about expression and induction in psoriasis. Indeed, the pathogenesis in psoriasis is still not fully understood and it is speculated that cytokines other than TNF‐α are important in subsets of patients. Also, for patients with severe disease that are treated with systemic anti‐TNF‐α blockade, novel candidates to be used as disease and response biomarkers are of high interest. Here, we demonstrate TL1A expression in biopsies from psoriatic lesions. Also, we investigated spontaneous and induced TL1A secretion from PBMCs and blood levels from a cohort of psoriasis patients. Here, increased spontaneous secretion from PBMCs was observed as compared to healthy controls and a small subset of patients had highly elevated TL1A in the blood. Interestingly, activation of PBMCs with various cytokines showed a decreased sensitivity for TL1A activation in psoriasis patients compared to healthy controls.TL1A levels in blood and biopsies could not be correlated with disease activity with this patient cohort. Thus, additional large‐scale studies are warranted to investigate TL1A as a biomarker.