Letters to the Editor REFERENCES 8. Kato N. Vertically growing ectopic nail. J Cutan Pathol 1992;19:445‑7. 9. Nath AK, Udayashankar C. Congenital onychogryphosis: Leaning Tower nail. Dermatol Online J 2011;17:9. 1. Barad P, Fernandes J, Ghodge R, Shukla P. Vertically growing Nail. 10. Zaias N. The Nail in Health and Disease. 2nd ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton Indian Dermatol Online J 2015;6;288-9. and Lange; 1990. p. 164. 2. Fleckman P. Structure and function of the nail unit. In: 3rd, editors. Nails: 11. Ohata C, Shirabe H, Takagi K. Onychogryphosis with granulation tissue Therapy, Diagnosis and Surgery :Saunders; 2005. p. 13‑26. of proximal nail fold. Skin Res 1996;38:626‑9. 3. Kligman AM. Why do nails grow out instead of up? Arch Dermatol 1961;84:313‑5. 4. Kikuchi I, Ogata K, Idemori M. Vertically growing ectopic nail: Nature’s Access this article online experiment on nail growth direction. J Am Acad Dermatol 1984;10:114‑6. Quick Response Code: 5. Baran R. Nail growth direction revisited. Why do nails grow out instead of up? J Am Acad Dermatol 1981;4:78‑84. 6. Grover C, Bansal S, Nanda S, Reddy BS, Kumar V. En bloc excision of Website: www.idoj.in proximal nail fold for treatment of chronic paronychia. Dermatol Surg 2006;32:393‑9. 7. Hashimoto K. Ultrastructure of the human toenail. I. Proximal nail matrix. J Invest Dermatol 1971;56:235‑46.
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twice per year. Nothing in particular was noted in her family Two cases of lymphangioma history or her laboratory tests. circumscriptum successfully The dermatological examination showed vesicle‑like lesions treated with pulsed dye laser that began in the right gluteal region and extended to the inner side of the right femoral area. These were 1–5 mm in diameter, and cryotherapy had colors varying between yellowish pink and red, and while some had a tendency to form groups, other were dispersed throughout the area [Figure 1a and 2a]. A punch biopsy was Sir, taken from the patient, and histopathology revealed that Lymphangiomas are congenital malformations of the lymphatic there were many dilated lymphatic ducts and lymphocyte system due to hamartomatosis. They can be classified as groups around these ducts in the superficial dermis [Figure 3]. deep (macrocystic) or superficial (microcystic) according Because some lesions were hemorrhagic and others had to the depth of placement and size of the lymphatic ducts. a translucent yellowish color, a PDL was applied for the Lymphangioma circumscriptum has been placed in the hemorrhagic lesions and cryotherapy for the translucent superficial subgroup under the deep (macrocystic) group.[1,2] yellowish ones. PDL with a cap that is 5 mm in diameter, a In lymphangioma circumscriptum, vesicles that are 1–4 mm 350 ms pulse time, and 585 nm wave length was used on the in diameter can be clear, but depending on the amount of patient’s lesions. The laser treatment consisted of 5 sessions 2 blood in the lymphatic ducts, they can also be pink‑red in at 4‑week intervals, beginning with a dose of 7 J/cm , and 2 color.[1] in every session the dose was increased by 0.5 J/ cm , so that the final dose was 9 J/cm2. Meanwhile, cryotherapy was Various treatment options for lymphangioma circumscriptum applied to the translucent yellowish vesicles in 5 sessions include surgery, sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, and lasers. of double freeze–thaw cycles at 3‑week intervals. With the Although these treatment options may yield positive results combination of PDL and cryotherapy, the patient’s lesions in some cases, relapses are often reported due to the deep regressed [Figures 1b, and 2b]. We followed up this patient placement of the lesions.[1] Here, two cases of lymphangioma for nearly two years. Small sized new lesions measuring a circumscriptum successfully treated with a pulsed dye few millimetres appeared during this time and we performed laser (PDL) and cryotherapy are presented. cryotherapy (five sessions at three month intervals). After treatment, significant improvement was observed in the Case 1 patient’s lesions. A 31‑year‑old female patient presented to our clinic with pink‑red pimples that she had had since birth, and that were Case 2 dispersed throughout the right gluteal region, down to the right A 16‑year‑old female patient presented to our clinic with small femoral area, and had grown over time in both number and blisters that had existed since she was 1 year old. Dermatological size. The patient reported that her lesions became infected examination of the patient, whose family history and laboratory
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a b a b Figure 1: (a) Vesicle-like, hemorrhagic, grouped lesions that began in (a) Grouped lymphangioma lesions extended to the inner the right gluteal area and extended to the inner side of the right femoral Figure 2: side of the right femoral area. (b) Post-treatment appearance area. (b) Posttreatment appearance
a
b c Figure 4: (a) Small lymphangiomas located on the arm, with colors varying from pink to dark red. (b) Post-treatment appearance. (c) Dilated lymphatic ducts and lymphocyte groups in the dermis (H and E, ×100)
structure.[3] Although it is characterized by translucent, pink‑red vesicle bundles with thin membranes sometimes filled with blood, the vesicles have clear edges, and can be scattered or in groups.[4] Figure 3: Dilated lymphatic ducts and lymphocyte groups in the superficial dermis (H and E, ×100) For the differential diagnosis of lymphangioma tests showed nothing significant, revealed vesicular lesions that circumscriptum, lymphangiectasia, hemangioma, were 1–4 mm in diameter (some in groups and some scattered), verruca, molluscum contagiosum, angiokeratoma, and which had colors varying from yellowish pink to red. These lymphangioendothelioma should be considered.[2] The blisters extended along on the medial side of her left forearm. risk of malignant conversion is very low for lymphangioma circumscriptum. In the literature, one case was reported The vesicles merged distally, forming a red plaque 4 × 7 cm in to develop squamous cell carcinoma, and one developed size [Figure 4a]. A punch biopsy was taken and revealed many lymphangiosarcoma.[5] dilated lymphatic ducts and lymphocyte groups around these ducts [Figure 4b]. Because the patient’s lesions were mostly Although the main objective of the treatment of lymphangioma pink‑red in color and hemorrhagic in appearance, the patient circumscriptum is cosmetic, treatment for constant lymphatic was started on PDL treatment. Laser treatment was begun at and blood leakage, pain, edema, and persistent infections is a dose of 7 J/cm2 with 0.5 J/cm2 increments over 5 sessions at also relevant. Many successful treatments, including surgical 4‑week intervals, to reach a final dose of 9 J/cm2. excision, incision and drainage, injection of sclerosant agents, electrocautery, cryotherapy, radiotherapy, and lasers After treatment, significant regression was observed in have been reported. The most common treatment with the the patient’s lesions, with a hemorrhagic appearance. lowest recurrence rate among these methods is surgical However, some translucent yellowish lesions did not treatment.[6] regress, so cryotherapy was applied for these lesions; after 3 sessions they completely regressed with postinflammatory For the treatment of lymphangioma circumscriptum, many hyperpigmentation [Figures 4c]. ablative and nonablative lasers have been used; however, there have been few reports in the literature. Although
Lymphangioma circumscriptum is a benign lymphatic ectasia successful results have been gained with CO2 lasers, it has with two components: A clinically apparent dermal vascular its disadvantages, such as the requirement of anesthesia, and component and a not so apparent deep subcutaneous cisternal the risk of scarring.[7]
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PDLs used for treating vascular lesions are also used for Address for correspondence: treating lymphangioma circumscriptum. PDLs, with higher Dr. Ayse Serap Karadag, Department of Dermatology, pulse durations, are more consistent with the thermal relaxation Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. time of the tissues. Therefore, PDLs carry a lower risk of E‑mail: [email protected] complication such as pigmentation or scarring.[8] PDLs cause selective vascular damage without harming the surrounding REFERENCES tissues; they can be used in all lesions having a vascular component, such as warts or hypertrophic scars.[8,9] Many 1. Patel GA, Schwartz RA. Cutaneous lymphangioma circumscriptum: parameters determine the effectiveness of treatment, such as Frog spawn on the skin. Int J Dermatol 2009;48:1290‑5. 2. Kwon C, Cho SH, Eo SR. Surgical resection of acquired vulvar localization, depth, and hemorrhagic content of the vascular lymphangioma circumscriptum. Arch Plast Surg 2014;41:183‑6. [9] lesion. 3. Omprakash HM, Rajendran SC. Lymphangioma circumscriptum (microcystic lymphatic malformation): Palliative coagulation using Railan et al. reported the treatment of two cases of lymphangioma radiofrequency current. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2008;1:85‑8. circumscriptum with PDL; though successful results were 4. Niti K, Manish P. Microcystic lymphatic malformation (lymphangioma gained, recurrence was observed in one case after 3 years.[7] circumscriptum) treated using a minimally invasive technique of radiofrequency ablation and sclerotherapy. Dermatol Surg 2010;36:1711‑7. We too had successful results using a combination of PDL 5. Amouri M, Masmoudi A, Boudaya S, Amouri A, Ben Ali I, Bouassida S, and cryotherapy. The lesions in our patient 1 were very large et al. Acquired lymphangioma circumscriptum of the vulva. Dermatol plaques; therefore, we could not rely on only one method of Online J 2007;13:10. treatment. As she had many lymphangiomas, we performed 6. Bond J, Basheer MH, Gordon D. Lymphangioma circumscriptum: Pitfalls and problems in definitive management. Dermatol Surg 2008;34:271‑5. PDL on the hemorrhagic lesions, and cryotherapy on the other 7. Railan D, Parlette EC, Uebelhoer NS, Rohrer TE. Laser treatment of lesions. She responded well to a combination of PDL and vascular lesions. Clin Dermatol 2006;24:8‑15. cryotherapy. 8. Barčot Z, Zupančić B. Pulsed dye laser treatment of vascular lesions in childhood. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2010;18:201‑8. Clinicians should therefore not overlook nonsurgical 9. İlknur T, Akarsu S, Bıçak MÜ, Özer E, Fetil E. A case of lymphangioma treatment methods such as PDL and cryotherapy in cases of circumscriptum treated with pulsed dye laser. Turkderm 2012;46:107‑9. lymphangioma circumscriptum, which could be both effective Access this article online and recurrence‑free. Quick Response Code: Ayse Serap Karadag, Emin Ozlu, Seyma Özkanlı1, Website: www.idoj.in Tugba Kevser Uzuncakmak, Necmettin Akdeniz 1 DOI: Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, 10.4103/2229-5178.160283 Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Commentary excision, laser therapy, sclerotherapy, electrocoagulation, Treatment options and cryosurgery. of lymphangioma Carbon dioxide laser vaporizes the underlying tissues and seals the lymphatic channels.[3] If the laser energy does not penetrate circumscriptum deep enough into the dermis and/or subcutaneous tissue, the patient will only achieve shortterm palliative symptomatic Sir, relief and will have lesion recurrence. Furthermore, energy The article by Ayse Serap Karadag, Emin Ozlu, Seyma delivered into deeper structures requires large amounts of local [1] Özkanlı, Tugba Kevser Uzuncakmak, Necmettin Akdeniz is anesthesia (injection or tumescent) because of pain during interesting. Lymphangiomas are uncommon, hamartomatous delivery and may be followed by prolonged healing times with the malformations of the lymphatic system that involve the skin potential for scarring, prolonged erythema, or postinflammatory and subcutaneous tissues.[2] These lesions are divided hyperpigmentation. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) emits highenergy into two major groups based on the depth and the size of laser light in ultrashort pulse durations, allowing for specific these abnormal lymph vessels. The group with superficial targeting of the chromophore hemoglobin (585–595 nm) in and vesicles is called lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC), and around vessels without damaging the surrounding tissues.[4] The the deep‑seated group includes cavernous lymphangioma effectiveness of PDL in the treatment of LC can be limited by and cystic hygroma. Various modalities include surgical the minimal hemoglobin as a chromophore, because the dilated
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