Spiky follicular mycosis fungoides and hidradenitis suppurativa-like lesions in a patient – complete remission with interferon alpha☆☆☆

iky follicular mycosis fungoides d hidradenitis suppurativa-like FMF represents less than 10% of patients with MF. This variant is more common in men, with an age of presentation similar to classic forms (around 55--60 years). Typically, it presents as hairless indurated plaques and tumors mainly on the head and neck, with severe pruritus. However, FMF is characterized by a broad clinical spectrum that comprises a variable combination of follicular lesions that may coexist.1,2 Among them, spiky FMF has recently been welldescribed in a series of eight cases.3 This peculiar clinical


Spiky follicular mycosis fungoides and hidradenitis suppurativa-like lesions in a patient ---complete remission with interferon alpha ଝ,ଝଝ
Dear Editor, Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a variant of mycosis fungoides (MF) with distinctive clinicopathologic features, in which the neoplastic T lymphocytes display tropism for the follicular epithelium. 1 The spectrum of the clinical manifestations is heterogeneous. 1,2 Among them, acneiform lesions are a common presentation, but hidradenitis suppurativa-like lesions (HSLL) are scarcely described in literature. Moreover, spiky follicular mycosis fungoides is an uncommon clinicopathologic presentation, characterized by multiple hyperkeratotic follicular papules.
A healthy 65-year-old man presented a six-month history of generalized cutaneous lesions, alopecia, and severe itching. Dermatological examination revealed numerous spiky follicular papules and alopecia of the scalp (Fig. 1), with follicular keratotic lesions in trichoscopy. Patchy alopecia of the body hair and multiple millimetric hyperkeratotic spicules the on trunk and limbs were present, giving the sensation of rough skin at palpation. Moreover, HSLL were observed in the axillary area. Palpable lymphadenopathy and visceromegalies were not present. The biopsy of scalp showed an infiltrate of atypical lymphocytes in the follicular epithelium, with epidermotropism ( Fig. 2). Immunohistochemically, follicular lymphocytes showed positivity for CD3 and CD4, with partial loss of CD7; CD30 was negative. Molecular analysis of TCR revealed a monoclonal population of lymphocytes. Laboratory tests were within normal limits (blood cell count, Sézary cells, biochemistry, electrophoresis, immunoglobulins, ␤-2 microglobulin) and no systemic involvement was detected in the body scan. A diagnosis of FMF was made. The patient received interferon alpha (IFN-␣, 3,000,000 units three times weekly) and topical clobetasol, achieving complete remission one year later without recurrences after three years of follow-up (Fig. 3).
FMF represents less than 10% of patients with MF. This variant is more common in men, with an age of presentation similar to classic forms (around 55---60 years). Typically, it presents as hairless indurated plaques and tumors mainly on the head and neck, with severe pruritus. However, FMF is characterized by a broad clinical spectrum that comprises a variable combination of follicular lesions that may coexist. 1,2 Among them, spiky FMF has recently been welldescribed in a series of eight cases. 3 This peculiar clinical   presentation has hardly received attention in the literature, since it is an unusual clinicopathologic presentation of FMF (prevalence of 7.8%). 3 It represents an early manifestation with a relatively favorable course, especially in the absence of more typical lesions. Clinically, it is characterized by disseminated or localized tiny, hyperkeratotic, spiky and/or cone-shaped follicular papules, giving a rough sensation at palpation. Trichoscopic findings include thick coats of keratinaceous debris around dilated openings and hair shafts, and multiple spicules and keratotic cone-shaped spicules surrounding follicular openings in dermoscopy. 4 Furthermore, the present case presented axillary HSLL at onset, with nodules and cysts, in the spectrum of acneiform lesions, which are common in FMF. However, HSLL are scarcely mentioned in the literature.
The formation of different follicular lesions in FMF is likely as a result of the extent and degree of infiltration of the hair follicle by the neoplastic infiltrate. The presence of atypical lymphocytes, especially forming collections within the follicular epithelium, is the key feature for the diagnosis. However, the infiltrate may be intermixed with other inflammatory cells and nuclear atypia may be slight, making diagnosis difficult. Moreover, the histopathologic features of hyperkeratotic follicular lesions such as keratosis pilaris like-lesions (KPLL) and spiky FMF may be subtle, with folliculotropic infiltrate of low density, suggestive of early FMF. Furthermore, in spiky FMF, an orthokeratotic or parakeratotic column protruding from the follicular plugging may be observed, and it is remarkable the absence of accompanying inflammatory cells and follicular mucinosis. 3 Folliculotropic lymphocytes are usually CD4+ (and frequently CD7−) and less commonly CD8+, with occasional T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement.
Although the course of FMF is found to be comparable with the tumor stage of classic MF, recent studies indicate a better prognosis for certain patients. Therefore, FMF can be divided into three subgroups considering clinicopathological criteria, with significantly different survival: (1) patients presenting with follicle-based patches and/or follicular papules often associated with alopecia, acneiform lesions, KPLL, or plaques with histologically sparse perifollicular infiltrates, as in the present case, have the best survival and an excellent prognosis (five year and ten year overall survival [OS], 92% and 72%, respectively); (2) patients presenting with infiltrated plaques, histologically characterized by dense perifollicular infiltrates containing many often medium-to-large-sized T cells, tumors, and erythroderma (advanced skin-limited disease) (five year and ten year OS, 55% and 28%); (3) FMF with extracutaneous disease has poor prognosis. Although the optimal treatment for these subgroups needs still to be defined, in the first subgroup, they may benefit from skin-directed therapies. 2,5 In conclusion, this report described a patient with two unusual manifestations of FMF, with excellent evolution.

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Dear Editor,
A rare disorder, anetoderma describes a disorder of elastic fibers of the skin, characterized by circumscribed areas of atrophy and hypopigmentation. It still has an unknown etiology and may be associated with genetic causes, autoimmune mechanisms, infectious diseases, or elastophagocytosis. In addition, prothrombotic phenomena and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies have been observed in these patients.
This case report describes a patient with primary anetoderma and antiphospholipid syndrome (AS). In many cases of AS, anetoderma may be the first or the most evident manifestation of the disease. This association, however, is often overlooked, and the actions that could prevent an episode of thrombosis do not occur.
The case of a 43-year-old male patient from Taciba, São Paulo, Brazil, with skin lesions on the arms and trunk for three years, is reported. He was previously epileptic and had history of deep venous thrombosis one year previously. He made continuous use of phenobarbital and carbamazepine. The dermatological examination showed rounded, hypochromic plaques with atrophic appearance and central flaccidity, distributed throughout the dorsal region and arms bilaterally ( Figs. 1 and 2). The hypothesis of anetoderma was made and the biopsy showed disorganized collagen fibers and ruptured elastic fibers in the superficial and middle dermis, as well as a mild superficial perivascular lymphomononuclear infiltrate in the dermis (Fig. 3). Hemogram, electrolytes, and hepatic and renal function were normal. A laboratory investigation was performed for thrombotic disorders, with three antiphospholipid antibody reagents (anti-cardiolipin, lupus anticoagulant, and anti-␤2glycoprotein-I) and thus the diagnostic criteria for AS were met. Finally, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor were normal; serologies for HIV, hepatitis, and VDRL were negative. The patient was ଝ How to cite this article: Genta MP, Abreu MA, Nai GA. Anetoderma: an alert for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. An Bras Dermatol. 2020;95:123---5. ଝଝ Study conducted at the Hospital Regional de Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil. referred to the rheumatology and hematology service where he remained under medical monitoring.
Anetoderma is a disorder in which loss of elastic fibers occurs in the papillary or reticular dermis. It presents as papules or rounded, hypopigmented plaques with a subcutaneous hernia sensation. Its etiopathogenesis remains uncertain, and it can be classified according to the triggering conditions as primary or secondary. Primary anetoderma