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Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2018 Jun 20;16(1):38. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Background: Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare pediatric autoimmune disease with broad variations of the individual course. Data on the optimal management are mostly lacking. Currently treatment decisions are often based on experts' opinions. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2018 Jun;178(6):1243-1245

Dermatology Administration, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 7th Floor, South Tower, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.

Acta Derm Venereol 2018 Jun;98(6):614-615

Department of Dermatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan.

Reumatol Clin 2018 May 21. Epub 2018 May 21.

Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, España.

Heterotopic ossification is an uncommon disorder that consists of deposition of ectopic bone outside the extraskeletal tissues. In the skin, it can be primary, in association with genetic syndromes, or be secondary to different disorders. The latter include subcutaneous ossification of the legs in chronic venousinsufficiency, an infrequent and unrecognized complication. Read More

J Dermatol 2018 May 14. Epub 2018 May 14.

Department of Dermatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.

Neurology 2018 Jun 4;90(23):e2068-e2076. Epub 2018 May 4.

From the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R.D.L., I.P.-F., W.H., J.C.M., M.C.-D., A.L.M.), NIH, Bethesda; and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (I.P.-F., J.A., E.T., C.J., M.C.-D., A.M.C., S.K.D., L.C.-S., J.J.P., A.L.M.), Baltimore, MD.

Objective: To define the clinical features of myositis patients with anti-PM/Scl-75 and/or anti-PM/Scl-100 autoantibodies at disease onset and during the course of disease and compare them to patients with other forms of myositis.

Methods: In this longitudinal cohort study, the prevalence and severity of clinical features at disease onset and during follow-up were compared between anti-PM/Scl-positive patients and those with the antisynthetase syndrome (AS), dermatomyositis (DM), and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).

Results: Forty-one anti-PM/Scl-positive, 132 AS, 178 DM, and 135 IMNM patients were included. Read More

Malays Orthop J 2018 Mar;12(1):66-68

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia.

Calcinosis cutis is a rare presentation and not many cases have been reported especially of idiopathic type. We are reporting a case of idiopathic calcinosis cutis of lower limbs in a 33-year old female who presented to our clinic for multiple painless swellings over her lower limbs for the past six months, without any history of trauma or infection. We have decided to observe her condition on regular follow-up and conservative management. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2018 Jun;43(6):550-557

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address:

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disorder that often affects the hands. Manifestations in the hands include calcium deposits within the soft tissues that cause pain and may ulcerate through the skin, digital ischemia resulting in chronic wounds and digital gangrene, and joint contracture. Because of the underlying disease, patients with scleroderma have poorly vascularized tissue and a deficient soft tissue envelope, which make surgery particularly challenging. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2018 05;66(5):720-722

Govindram Seksaria Institute of Dacryology, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Calcinosis cutis is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by cutaneous and subcutaneous deposition of insoluble calcium salts. Ocular adnexal involvement is uncommon but mostly seen in males and in the upper eyelid. Solitary lesions are more common than multiple. Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2018 Feb 14. Epub 2018 Feb 14.

Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK; Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (at Royal United Hospitals), Upper Borough Walls, Bath, Bath BA1 1RL, UK. Electronic address:

Background: Nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) is an important diagnostic tool in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Confirmation of NC as a prognostic factor could facilitate earlier intervention and slow disease progression in SSc. We undertook a systematic literature review to evaluate the prognostic value of NC in predicting SSc disease progression. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2018 Mar 26. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, España.

Wounds 2018 Mar;30(3):E32-E35

Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Queens, NY.

Calcinosis cutis (CC), or calcium deposition in soft tissue, can cause significant morbidity associated with arthralgias and ulceration. This condition has an elusive pathophysiology and is often associated with autoimmune disorders, significantly impacting the disease burden. The clinical presentation of CC varies, and there is no gold standard treatment modality. Read More

Presse Med 2018 Apr 17;47(4 Pt 1):410-411. Epub 2018 Mar 17.

University Mohamed V of medicine, Ibn Sina Hospital, Internal medicine department, rue Lamfadel Cherkaoui, BP 6527, Rabat, Morocco. Electronic address:

Clin Rheumatol 2018 Jun 10;37(6):1555-1561. Epub 2018 Mar 10.

Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Division, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Skin ulcers in scleroderma (SSc) patients are considered a major challenge, both in clinical assessment and treatment decisions. The objective of our study is to assess ultrasonographic (US) morphology of skin ulcers in SSc patients and evaluate if US will be of value in enhancing our clinical information and influence our management plans. We examined a convenience sample of 21 skin ulcers reported in 10 SSc patients by US. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2018 Mar 6. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Dermatology Unit "Daniele Innocenzi", Dept of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, Terracina, Italy -

J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2017 Oct-Dec;10(4):223-225

Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, Indira Gandhi E.S.I.C Hospital, Jhilmil, New Delhi.

Asymptomatic, juxta-articular nodules are an uncommon morphology, which is usually diagnosed as xanthomas, calcinosis cutis or rheumatoid nodules. This study was represented as a case of gout, which is a disorder of purine metabolism resulting in elevation of serum uric acid and deposition of monosodium urate crystals within and around joints and manifests clinically as inflammatory arthritis. Urate crystal deposits have also been found in tendons, ligaments, viscera, and the skin, with the term "tophi" being used for the non-articular deposits. Read More

Biochemistry (Mosc) 2017 Dec;82(12):1504-1512

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow, 119991, Russia.

The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber, Rüppell, 1842) is a unique eusocial rodent with unusually long lifespan. Therefore, the study of spontaneous and experimentally induced pathologies in these animals is one of the most important tasks of gerontology. Various infections, noninfectious pathologies (including age-dependent changes), and tumors have been described in the naked mole rat. Read More

Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2018 Jan 10;6(1):108-109. Epub 2018 Jan 10.

University of Rome, Institute of Deramtology, Rome, Italy.

Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a rare disorder presenting with firm and painless nodules on the scrotal skin. The most common site is the frontal aspect of the scrotum whereas the dorsal aspect with the transition to the perineum is rarely involved. Surgery is the gold standard of treatment. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 15;44:51-53. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Dept. of Plasticsurgery, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address:

Introduction: Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a rare benign condition which presents with asymptomatic multiple nodules on the scrotal skin.

Presentation Of Case: Our patient, a 64-year-old Indian male with Fitzpatrick skin type 4, presented with multiple nodules, which were completely surgically excised with no complications. Histological examination reveals extensive intradermal deposition of calcium surrounded by histiocytes and without cystic structure. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2018 May-Jun;84(3):353-354

Department of Dermatology, Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and CSM Hospital, Thane, Maharashtra, India.

Dermatol Online J 2017 Nov 15;23(11). Epub 2017 Nov 15.

Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Houston, Texas.

Eruptaneous metastasis is an uncommon presentation of colorectal adenocarcinoma that can occur years after diagnosis of the primary cancer or manifest as the first sign of malignancy. It is essential to diagnose these metastases immediately, as this late-stage development carries a poor prognosis. The scalp is one of the less common sites for skin metastases and nodules may be mistaken for benign entities. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2018 Feb 12. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK.

Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Dec;96(51):e8980

Division of Rheumatology, University of California San Francisco, CA.

Racial differences exist in the severity of systemic sclerosis (SSc). To enhance our knowledge about SSc in African Americans, we established a comprehensive clinical database from the largest multicenter cohort of African American SSc patients assembled to date (the Genome Research in African American Scleroderma Patients (GRASP) cohort).African American SSc patients were enrolled retrospectively and prospectively over a 30-year period (1987-2016), from 18 academic centers throughout the United States. Read More

G Ital Nefrol 2018 Feb;35(1)

SOC Nefrologia e Dialisi Firenze II.

Disorders of calcium-phosphate-parathormone balance, are very important issues in ESRD patients, that may lead to severe complications, as dystrophic calcinosis cutis, a rare disease, caused by calcium salt deposits in cutaneous or subcutaneous tissues and many organs. We present the case of a 47 years old woman, in ESRD due to membranous glomerulopathy, treated by peritoneal dialysis, who, after 7 months of dialysis, developed painful masses on second finger and fifth metacarpus of the right hand. Laboratory and instrumental data showed hyperparathyroidism with a parathyroid mass consistent with adenoma. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Dec;96(48):e8948

Department of neurosurgery.

Rationale: Hemangiomas are benign tumors characterized by an abnormal proliferation of blood vessels, most often occur in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, intramuscular hemangioma, a distinctive type of hemangioma within the skeletal muscle, account for <1% of all hemangiomas, temporalis muscle is a very uncommon site, cavernous hemangioma of the temporalis muscle with prominent formation of phleboliths is rare reported.

Patient Concerns: A 62-year-old man presented with a slowly increased mass in his right temporal fossa.

Diagnoses: Computed tomography (CT) scan showed the lesion across the zygomatic arch, with many calcified nodules differ in sizes and no erosion to the bone, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an oval lesion with hypointense and isointense on T2-weighted imaging within the temporal muscle, and preoperation diagnosis was hemangioma. Read More

J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2018 Jan/Feb;45(1):83-86

Debra Netsch, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN, WEB WOC Education Programs, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia, Minnesota.

Background: Calcinosis cutis is characterized by deposition of calcium in the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. This condition may be initially identified by the WOC nurse, and its management requires a team approach. Calcinosis cutis is a debilitating and painful condition; it is difficult to manage, and widely agreed-upon standards for treatment have not been established. Read More

Case Rep Dent 2017 2;2017:3514936. Epub 2017 Nov 2.

Bristol Dental School, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY, UK.

Calcinosis cutis is a condition of accumulation of calcium salts within the dermis leading to the formation of a calcified mass. This complication has been reported in acne vulgaris and other systemic metabolic disorders. This paper presents a rare case of calcinosis cutis in a 14-year-old male which was found at a routine orthodontic assessment. Read More

BMC Genet 2017 Dec 8;18(1):105. Epub 2017 Dec 8.

Department of Internal Medicine-Section on Nephrology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.

Background: Coronary artery calcified atherosclerotic plaque (CAC) predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite exposure to more severe conventional CVD risk factors, African Americans (AAs) are less likely to develop CAC, and when they do, have markedly lower levels than European Americans. Genetic factors likely contribute to the observed ethnic differences. Read More

Autoimmun Rev 2018 Feb 2;17(2):155-164. Epub 2017 Dec 2.

Chair and Rheumatology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Medical School, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: Skin ulcers (SU) are one of the most frequent manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc). SSc-SU are very painful, often persistent and recurrent; they may lead to marked impairment of patient's activities and quality of life. Despite their severe impact on the whole SSc patient's management, the proposed definition, classification criteria, and therapeutic strategies of SSc-SU are still controversial. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2017 Nov 5;11(1):312. Epub 2017 Nov 5.

Urology Unit, Inrerior security forces hospital, La Marsa, Tunisia.

Background: Scrotal calcinosis is a rare and benign condition. It usually gives rise to few symptoms, and the impact is mainly functional and aesthetic. It is considered part of dystrophic calcinosis cutis. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2017 ;161(0):D1715

Catharina Ziekenhuis, afd. Dermatologie, Eindhoven.

A 36-year-old man came to the outpatient dermatology department with asymptomatic, skin-coloured to white/yellow, firm papules on his prepuce. Over the last 10 years he had received different treatments for condylomata accuminata, with no effect. After shave excision, the diagnosis of idiopathic calcinosis cutis was made. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2017 Dec 26;56(12):1464-1465. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Hemodial Int 2017 10;21 Suppl 2:S62-S66

Methodist Dallas Medical Center and Dallas Nephrology Associates, Dallas, Texas, USA.

A 60-year-old African American man with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis (HD) for the past 2.5 years developed severe hyperparathyroidism. Other past medical history included atrial fibrillation, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gout, pericardial effusion needing pericardial window, deep vein thrombosis, mitral insufficiency, and cardiomyopathy with implantable cardioversion device placement. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2017 Nov;39(11):795-802

*Medical Student, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; †Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; ‡Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; §Biostatistician, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and ‖Professor, Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Calciphylaxis is a rare, painful, and life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. Although the etiology of calciphylaxis is not well understood, it has been proposed that calcium deposition within and around subcutaneous vessels restricts blood flow chronically, thereby predisposing the patient to acute pannicular and dermal thrombosis. Given increasing recognition of the role of hypercoagulability in calciphylaxis, this retrospective cohort study sought to evaluate the presence of thromboses and dermal angioplasia in calciphylaxis. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2017 09;56(suppl_5):v67-v71

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy.

This article discusses points to consider when undertaking a clinical trial to test therapy for skin ulcers in SSc. A validated definition of skin ulcers should be used if available. Defining a uniform SSc patient population, including consideration of disease duration, history of digital ulcers and capillaroscopic patterns, is important. Read More

J Med Invest 2017 ;64(3.4):308-310

Department of Dermatology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Medical Science.

Calcinosis cutis can be classified into four subtypes: dystrophic, metastatic, idiopathic, and iatrogenic. Of these subtypes, dystrophic calcinosis (DC) is the most common, and is most frequently associated with connective tissue disease, particularly dermatomyositis and systemic sclerosis, and less commonly with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, DC associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is extremely rare. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2017 Sep 9;3(5):460-463. Epub 2017 Sep 9.

Dermatology Consultation Service, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.

J Clin Rheumatol 2017 Dec;23(8):445

J Zoo Wildl Med 2017 Sep;48(3):813-817

Three juvenile, genetically related African lions (Panthera leo) were evaluated for discrete dome-shaped subcutaneous masses present over the proximal lateral metatarsal-tarsal area. The lesions measured 3-8 cm in diameter, were fluctuant to firm, nonulcerated, and attached to underlying structures. On radiographic evaluation, the lesions were characterized by well-circumscribed punctate mineralizations in the soft tissue surrounded by soft tissue swelling without evidence of adjacent bony involvement. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2017 Sep 12. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, España.

Juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare systemic connective tissue disease with onset during childhood. It presents clinically with proximal muscle weakness and characteristic skin involvement. Diagnosis is based on the Bohan and Peter criteria, though many authors are now substituting biopsy with muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for both diagnosis and follow-up. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2017 Sep 11;18(9). Epub 2017 Sep 11.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, 06107 Nice, France.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited metabolic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance caused by mutations in the gene. Since the first description of the disease in 1896, alleging a disease involving the elastic fibers, the concept evolved with the further discoveries of the pivotal role of ectopic mineralization that is preponderant in the elastin-rich tissues of the skin, eyes and blood vessel walls. After discovery of the causative gene of the disease in 2000, the function of the ABCC6 protein remains elusive. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2017 Oct 30;56(10):1065-1070. Epub 2017 Aug 30.

Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Background: Recent studies suggest that calciphylaxis is a thrombotic condition in which arteriolar thrombosis leads to painful skin infarcts and consequent morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, warfarin is implicated as a risk factor for calciphylaxis. Our objective is to report the use of oral direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors (termed direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs]) in patients with calciphylaxis. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2017 Oct 22;37(10):1651-1657. Epub 2017 Aug 22.

Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Considering the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in tissue remodeling and fibrosis during the development of scleroderma as well as the effect of α-Klotho in pathogenesis of calcinosis and/or endothelial cell injury and its correlation with severity of disease, this study aimed to evaluate serum ET-1, α-Klotho and 25(OH) vitamin D levels in patients with limited and diffuse scleroderma compared to healthy subjects. In this cross-sectional study, 60 scleroderma patients according to the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. In patients, clinical examination was performed and Medsger severity scale was assessed. Read More

J Cardiothorac Surg 2017 Aug 8;12(1):65. Epub 2017 Aug 8.

Second Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.

Background: Heyde syndrome is known as a triad of calcific aortic stenosis, anemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding from angiodysplasia, and acquired type 2A von Willebrand disease. This acquired hemorrhagic disorder is characterized by the loss of the large von Willebrand factor multimers due to the shear stress across the diseased aortic valve. The most frequently observed type of bleeding in these patients is mucosal or skin bleeding, such as epistaxis, followed by gastrointestinal bleeding. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 2017 Sep 2;34(5):e241-e244. Epub 2017 Aug 2.

Department of Dermatology, SMS Medical College & Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Idiopathic calcinosis cutis is very rare and difficult to treat. Various medical modalities of treatment described with inconsistent results include chelating agents, colchicine, and probenecid. Calcium channel blockers are known to work by inhibiting intracellular entry of calcium. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017 Aug 15;9(33):27544-27552. Epub 2017 Aug 15.

Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester , 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, U.K.

This paper sets out in vitro protocols for studying the relative effectiveness of chelators used in the dissolution-based treatment of hard calcinosis. Pulverized hard calcinosis samples from human donors or synthetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were deposited by electrophoretic deposition on the surface of a quartz crystal microbalance sensor. Over 150 deposits of <20 μg were dissolved over the course of 1 h by aliquots of buffered, aqueous solutions of two calcium chelators, EDTA and citrate, with the surface-limited dissolution kinetics monitored with <1 s time resolution. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2018 Feb 20;59(1):63-64. Epub 2017 Jul 20.

Department of Dermatology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.

J Cutan Pathol 2017 Oct 25;44(10):887-891. Epub 2017 Jul 25.

Department of Dermatology, Adesh Institute of Medical Science & Research, Bathinda, India.

Lipoid proteinosis is a rare inherited genodermatosis characterized by hyaline deposits in various tissues. Clinically, it manifests with cutaneous as well as extracutaneous features. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-reactive hyaline deposits in the upper dermis, with localization around blood vessels and eccrine sweat glands, in particular, is the histopathological hallmark finding. Read More