Giorgio Leigheb

Amedeo Avogadro University of Eastern Piedmont italy · dermatology

Background: Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCCs) are common cutaneous neoplasms that mainly affect fair-skinned subjects, in sun-exposed areas of the body. The treatment of choice of BCCs is represented by surgical excision and different techniques are available, in order to allow the complete eradication of the tumour with the best cosmetic results. In t...

The pathogenicity of Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer) is closely associated with the secretion of exotoxin mycolactone. The cytotoxicity of mycolactone has been linked to its apoptogenic activity. We explored if low mycolactone concentrations, which are not able to induce apoptosis, can influence other essential activities on two primary human...

Buruli ulcer (BU) is an infected cutaneous lesion, the etiological agent of which is Mycobacterium ulcerans. Diagnosis is confirmed by the identification of acid-fast bacilli and culture. In clinically suspicious forms with negative bacteriological or Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) findings, molecular tests are used. This study compared the concordance of nest...

To investigate the presence and pathogenetic role of apoptosis in Buruli ulcer (BU), a highly destructive skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Forty-five skin biopsies obtained from 30 Beninese patients affected by BU, in different clinical and therapeutic periods, were analysed for the main histopathological features (inflammatory infilt...

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a non-melanocytic skin tumour with a high risk of recurrence after incomplete treatment, especially the aggressive subtypes (basosquamous, micronodular and morphea BCC). The percentage of recurrence also depends on the anatomical site of the tumour. Nose-cheek fold, paranasal fold, retroauricular fold and internal cant...

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The pathogenicity of Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer) depends on cytotoxic effect of its exotoxin mycolactone. Since epidermis represents a barrier against infectious agents and balanced apoptosis is essential in epidermal homeostasis, we explored if mycolactone A/B induces apoptosis on two human keratinocyte populations, stem cells (KSC) and...

Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a severe cutaneous and subcutaneous disease due to Mycobacterium ulcerans infection, mainly distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical areas. The role of T helper (TH) cytokines in the development and clinical course of the disease has been previously studied by investigating the in vitro immune response of lymphocytes from...

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon skin tumour characterized by a slow, infiltrative growth and marked tendency towards local recurrences. Wide surgical excision of 3-5 cm from the margins including the fascia is the recommended treatment. Mohs Micrographic Surgery has been shown to afford lower rates of recurrence. The Mohs-Tübi...

Darier disease (DD) is a relatively common genodermatosis characterized by impaired differentiation and abnormal cell-to-cell adhesion. Haploinsufficiency of the ATP2A2 gene product, sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase isoform 2 (SERCA2), is the underlying cause of most cases. Although DD may have a papillomatous appearance, few and controver...

In recent years, vitamin D3 analogues have become one of the most widely prescribed topical treatments for mild or moderate chronic plaque psoriasis. These molecules are effective and safe, but their exact mechanism of action is not completely understood. In vitro studies have shown that D3 analogues decrease proliferation and induce differentiatio...

Epidermolytic PalmoPlantar keratoderma (EPPK) Vörner-type is an autosomal dominantly inherited skin disease, characterized by severe thickening of the palms and soles, caused by mutations in the keratin K9 (KRT9) gene. To date, a number of KRT9 mutations have been detected, most of which affect the highly conserved 1A region of the central alpha-he...

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare disease, characterized by cutaneous warts and associated with a strong predisposition to beta-genus human papillomavirus (HPV). Earlier studies reported high copy numbers of HPV-DNA in nearly all skin tumors from EV patients, but neither HPV replication status in non-lesional skin nor anti-HPV seroreac...

We used ultrasonography to evaluate the nature and the extent of subcutaneous damage provoked by Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans) and to investigate the possible involvement of the tributary lymph nodes during the various stages of progression of Buruli ulcer. Nineteen patients affected by M. ulcerans infection in Benin, West Africa, were studi...

In previous studies, etanercept 25 mg twice weekly (BIW) or 50 mg BIW significantly reduced disease severity in patients with plaque psoriasis and demonstrated a favourable safety profile. To assess the efficacy and safety of etanercept 50 mg administered once weekly (QW) compared with placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis ov...

Chronic venous leg ulcers represent an urgent and increasing problem for public health. The use of skin autografts results in a greater therapeutic success in healing chronic ulcers. A simple method of skin autografting that could permit a wider use of skin grafts in outpatients is needed. A new technique allowing skin autografting in a simple one-...

The guidelines of the British Photodermatology Group for topical treatment with psoralen and ultraviolet light (PUVA) recommend starting UVA doses between 0.2 and 0.5 J/cm(2), according to the phototype. Our purpose was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of bath PUVA, with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), by using lower UVA doses, rega...

ALPS, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome; EV, epidermodysplasia verruciformis; HPV, human papillomavirus; IL, interleukin; PRF1, perforin gene

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare cutaneous sarcoma that progresses slowly. Although it exhibits pronounced local aggressiveness, it rarely metastasises. The condition is difficult to treat on account of asymmetric and unpredictable growth as well as the frequency of relapse. Treatment is primarily surgical. We report 31 cases of dermatofib...

Background Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare cutaneous sarcoma that progresses slowly. Although it exhibits pronounced local aggressiveness, it rarely metastasises. The condition is difficult to treat on account of asymmetric and unpredictable growth as well as the frequency of relapse. Treatment is primarily surgical.Patients and methodsWe...

Mohs surgery is a surgical and anatomo-pathological technique that permits complete eradication of malignant skin tumors, namely basal cell carcinomas, with an extensive local growth and without metastatic diffusion. This is obtained through an examination of the whole perimeter thanks to horizontal sections of the specimen after careful mapping. T...

Thysanoptera dermatitis is caused by the bite of small (1-2 mm) insects (generally thrips). Thrips usually feed on the juices of vegetables but if they reach human skin they can suck the epidermal lymph after biting. The cutaneous lesions formed are small pink and itchy papules localized mainly on the trunk and the arms. Diagnosis is only possible...

IntroductionChordomas are rare extradural bone tumors arising from notochord remnants, the embryonic structure forming the original axis of the spine. They represent 0.1p. 100 of all intra-cranial tumors. The chordoma is a locally malignant cancer that tends to invade the surrounding tissues. Its localization in the skin is exceptional.ObservationA...

Chordomas are rare extradural bone tumors arising from notochord remnants, the embryonic structure forming the original axis of the spine. They represent 0.1p. 100 of all intra-cranial tumors. The chordoma is a locally malignant cancer that tends to invade the surrounding tissues. Its localization in the skin is exceptional. A 56 year-old man devel...

An 11-year-old girl presented asthenia, arthralgies, photosensibility, Raynaud's phenomenon, erythematous spots on the zygomatic-malar area and on the back of the nose, erythemato-edematous and cyanematous spots with ulcerations and crusts on the finger-tips, erythematous lesions and keratotic follicular papulae on the gluteal region and the arms a...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of appropriate use of dermatologist consultants, in order to identify its determinants and to define its economic impact. We analysed 1750 dermatological procedures performed in the emergency room of the Azienda Ospedaliera "Maggiore della Carità" in Novara. The 87,64% of the procedures were inappropria...

When the tension obtainable with an elliptical excision of a skin lesion would be excessive, instead of resorting to skin grafts or flaps, it is possible to apply an alternative plastic that reduces the length of the suture by approximately one third and assumes a curved lazy-S profile, also improving aesthetic result. This is obtained with a modif...

BACKGROUND: When the tension obtainable with an elliptical excision of a skin lesion would be excessive, instead of resorting to skin grafts or flaps, it is possible to apply an alternative plastic that reduces the length of the suture by approximately one third and assumes a curved lazy-S profile, also improving aesthetic result. METHODS: This is...

The bilobed transposition flap is usually used to fill losses of tissue by shifting a portion of the tissue from an elastic and mobile region of the skin to another relatively distant, more adherent and fixed area impossible to reach with a normal rotation or transposition flap. The distal flap is used to cover the excision while a second flap cove...

Rhomboid exeresis usually represents the easiest method for the removal of cutaneous lesions, but it is not always suitable either when best cosmetic results are desirable or when cutaneous resilience is lacking. In particular, in the case of two close lesions, a simultaneous double rhomboid excision often seems impossible to use. In such cases, an...

Many types of flap variants have been suggested for the repair of skin defects in the region of the nose, as it is often impossible to perform a direct excision and a skin graft may be unsatisfactory (1).

Otitis externa is one of the most common diseases in ORL practice, during summer; the treatment of otitis externa may be simple and easy or protracted and frustrating, also with fatal outcome. Many local factors may interfere with the normal defences against infections in the external auditory canal. Removing or dissolving the cerumen by water or o...

The simplest way to remove a cutaneous lesion is with the elliptical excision, because it is quicker and easier and it leaves a smaller wound than any other technique. When two lesions are too near to one another to be excised with an elliptical incision because of the resulting excessive tension, it is possible to use two Burow’s triangle advancem...

We investigated the superficial microtopography of the normal skin of 11 volunteers (not exposed to sunlight during the last 4 months), before and after sun exposure for 5 days at high altitudes of 2900-4559 m. The experiments were carried out on Mount Rosa in Italy, and cutaneous replicas using silicone resin were taken every day after 7 h of sun...

Background. Eosin, in 2% water solution, is frequently employed in the topical treatment of psoriasis. The study bad the purpose of checking if the 2% eosin-0,3% chloroxylenol combination, in water-glycol solution, caused different effects versus those of 2% eosin solution in the treatment of psoriasis. Methods. To this purpose, 40 patients of both...

The most frequent collateral effects observed during cyclosporin A (CyA) treatment take the form of systemic manifestations linked to hepatonephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, chronic infection or benign proliferative cutaneous and mucosal lesions (gingival hyperplasia, multiple keratosis, facial papilloma, periungual granuloma). The collateral effects...

The Burow's triangle advancement flap can be adapted to simultaneously remove two closely approximated cutaneous lesions. Possible technical variants and their limitations are discussed. Four clinical cases are presented. This technique gives good cosmetic results and reduces operating time.

Cutaneous and subcutaneous infections by Mycobacterium fortuitum are caused by colonisation of the tissue following accidental trauma, injection of drugs (cortisone), mesotherapy, surgical procedures or domestic animal bites. M. fortuirum is only occasionally associated with primary cutaneous infections in immunocompetent people. Rarely disseminate...

Cutaneous and subcutaneous infections by Mycobacterium fortuitum are caused by colonisation of the tissue following accidental trauma, injection of drugs (cortisone), mesotherapy, surgical procedures or domestic animal bites. M. fortuirum is only occasionally associated with primary cutaneous infections in immunocompetent people. Rarely disseminate...

We describe the case of an eighteen year-old boy with very numerous nodules, varying in size from a pinhead to a lentil on the inferior left limb. These nodules, slightly raised on the skin, appeared gradually from the onset of puberty. The lesions are sensitive to touch and often spontaneously painful. Histological examination shows a proliferatio...

The increased incidence of scabies infestation and resistance to the usual forms of treatment with increasingly frequent therapeutic failures have prompted dermatologists to look for more efficient forms of acaricide therapy which are more acceptable to patients. Although traditional galenical topical treatments, including polysulfurs, possess an u...

Present knowledge of the distribution of Pseudophilotes barbagiae De Prim and van der Poorten, 1982 in Sardinia (Italy) and of the different species of plants and lepidoptera associated with it is presented. The ethology of the species is discussed. The scanning electron microscopic structure of the ovum is described in detail for the first time.

The geographical distribution of Erebia christi Ratzer, 1890 in the southern valleys of the Italian Pennine and Lepontine Alps was investigated. It was found that E. christi is much more widely distributed in Italy than in Switzerland. Besides the Alpe Veglia and the Antrona Valley, where it was reported by G. Leigheb in 1976, it is also present in...

Background. Pityriasis rotunda (PR) is a dischromic and squamous dermatosis of unknown aetiology. At present we think that at least two different clinical-evolutive forms of this entity are described in the literature. The adult form is frequently associated with malignant tumours and/or infections and is more frequent in blacks. The classic form o...

The aim of the study was to determine 'outdoor' the sun protection factor (SPF) of a high SPF suncreen and to compare it with the claimed 'indoor' SPF. Methods. An 'outdoor' study on the efficacy of a high SPF sunscreen has been carried out at 3200 m a.s.l.. Eleven healthy volunteers, with fair skin, have been enrolled: all of them were skilled mou...

The Authors report two cases of bullous lichen sclerosus et atrophicus in the male genitalia. The first patient is a young man who developed white guttate lesions on the glass, preputial stenosis, and bullae around the meatal area. Improvement of bullous lesions is obtained with bland antiseptic lotions and soia avocado extracts. Wide circumcision...

A healthy 58-year-old woman had a small nodular, tender, erythematous lesion on the tip of her left third toe for 2 months. The lesion was diagnosed as an abscess and was lanced. A few days later, in spite of antibiotic treatment given after a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis was found in the wound, the clinical picture worsened: the whole toe...

We describe a case of a 80 year old woman with adenoma of the nipple of her right breast. There was an area of erosion on the surface. Excision of the lesion revealed the histopathologic features of a non invasive papillary adenoma of the nipple. Six months postoperatively there has recurrence of the tumour. Papillary adenoma of the nipple is a rar...

The authors describe a case of a twenty-eight year old patient, observed in the Dermatology Division in Novara, for an ulcerated perianal lesion resistent to every type of treatment. Routine and bacteriological exams (direct and culture) and the research of the Kochs bacillus, are normal. Other evidential examinations show an increase in the humora...

Erythematous-oedematous-bullous skin lesions with necrotic vegetating and haemorrhagic evolution evocating atypical pemphigur or bullous reticulosis, revealed acute promyelocytic leukaemia. Histologically, vesicles and bullae were observed in the Malpighian layer and a dense infiltrate with atypical blasts in the dermis. Atypical promyelocytes (22%...