Ayşe Esra Koku Aksu’s research while affiliated with Istanbul Training and Research Hospital and other places

BACKGROUND Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) lacks a gold-standard treatment. Recent studies show that intradermal Botulinum Toxin-A (BoNT-A) is effective for erythema, though objective data are limited. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of intradermal BoNT-A in patients with ETR. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, split-face study, 30 patients were enrolled. One side of the face received 15 units of BoNT-A, reconstituted in 10 mL of saline, while the control side received saline injections. Assessments were made at baseline and 1-month posttreatment. Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA) scale and Patient Self-Assessment (PSA) scores were recorded. Erythema and Melanin Index measurements using a Mexameter. Background erythema was assessed through dermatoscopy, while vascular structure and density were evaluated using Investigative Global Assessment (IGA) scores through videocapillaroscopy. RESULTS The BoNT-A-treated side demonstrated significant reductions in CEA scores, Erythema Index, and dermatoscopic background erythema, while no significant changes were observed on the saline control side. IGA scores indicated a significant response to treatment on the BoNT-A side. Patient Self-Assessment scores improved on both sides. No serious adverse events requiring hospitalization were reported. CONCLUSION Intradermal BoNT-A effectively reduces erythema and vascular density in patients with ETR and is well-tolerated.

Werner sendromu (WS), hızlandırılmış yaşlanmayı düşündüren klinik özellikler sergileyen nadir bir genetik hastalıktır. İlk olarak 1904'te Alman tıp öğrencisi Otto Werner tarafından tanımlanmıştır. Nadir ve otozomal resesif bir erken yaşlanma bozukluğu olan WS, boy kısalması, alopesi, iki taraflı katarakt, cilt ülserleri, diyabet, osteoporoz, arterioskleroz ve kromozomal instabilite gibi yaşlanmayla ilişkili hastalıkların erken başlangıcıyla karakterizedir. Bu makalede, erken yaşlanma, büyüme gelişme geriliği belirtileri taşıyan ve Werner Sendromu tanısı konulan 45 yaşındaki kadın olgu ele alınmıştır.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent form of skin cancer. The etiology of recurrent BCC is multifactorial, and the recurrence rate is variable. Objective: The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors of local recurrence after surgical excision in primary BCC. Materials and methods: In our study, 934 patients histopathological diagnosed with BCCs between January 2017 and June 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. Among these, patients who were regularly followed up for at least three years were included in the study. Patients who underwent non-excision treatment were excluded. All the patients who had pathologically confirmed, surgically excised BCCs with safety margins and those with a clinicopathological diagnosis of recurrent BCCs. Demographic and clinical features of 78 patients with non-recurrent primary BCC and 55 patients with local recurrent BCC were compared. Results: The mean age was 69.7±11.7 years. The gender distribution was M/F:1.3. The time from diagnosis to total surgical excision was 2.3±1.4 months, and the time of recurrence was 27.5±23.3 months. The age of the patients, the time from diagnosis to total excision, the lesion size > 2 cm, and the presence of risk factors (such as radiotherapy, malignancy, and immunosuppression) were higher in the recurrent group than in the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). Location (high/medium/low-risk area) and the presence of multiple lesions did not differ significantly between the recurrent and non-recurrent groups. Conclusion: In patients with BCC, recurrence is often detected in the first three years after diagnosis. Our study determined age, lesion size, accompanying risk factors, and the length of time until total excision as risk factors for recurrence in BCC patients. The histological subtype and lesion localization did not differ between the group with and without recurrence.

Background Childhood and adolescence are dynamic period in terms of nevogenesis, and the development and growth of new melanocytic nevus are frequently observed. In this study, the aim was to examine the pattern and diameter changes seen in the follow-up of pediatric melanocytic nevus. Objectives To describe the pattern and diameter changes seen in the follow-up of pediatric melanocytic. Methods Our study involved the assessment of 301 pediatric melanocytic nevi in 50 patients attended at the Dermatology Clinic of Istanbul Training and Research Hospital between January 2008 and 2022. The pediatric melanocytic nevi were diagnosed clinically and dermoscopically. Subsequently, we conducted video-dermoscopic monitoring of these nevi over a span of 3 months to 3 years. Results 46% of our patients were female (n = 23), with a mean age of 11.5 years. While the pattern of nevi was globular in 40% patients, the rate of globular pattern decreased to 30% in the follow-up. The basal homogeneous nevus pattern was seen in 10% patients, but was detected in 13.9% in the follow-up. Peripheral globules were observed in 19.3% of the cases, but in the follow-up, 61.1% of the globules regressed completely. Nevus excision was indicated in only 11 of 301 nevi. Study limitations Single-center study and a small of studies available on this subject. Conclusions Pediatric melanocytic nevi can show dynamic changes compared to nevi in adults. In this study, growth rates, dermoscopic features, and pattern changes seen in the follow-up of melanocytic nevi were evaluated. The globular pattern was observed most frequently. The presence of peripheral globules is frequently observed in pediatric melanocytic nevi with regression during the follow-up period.

Introduction: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease primarily affecting the oral mucosa. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics of PV patients with oral mucosal involvement and to assess the impact on their quality of life. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study among 106 patients diagnosed with PV and presenting oral mucosal involvement. Demographic data, clinical and treatment characteristics, and quality of life questionnaires were recorded. Results: The study included 106 patients, 55 (51.89%) were male and there was a predominance of the mucocutaneous subtype in 83 individuals (78.38%). Oral mucosa was the initial site of manifestation in 44 patients (41.51%). Bilateral buccal mucosa was the most frequently affected site. The predominant symptom reported was a burning sensation, noted in 91 patients (85.85%). Oral mucosal examination revealed erosions in 85.85% of the patients. Systemic steroids were the most commonly administered treatment, and rituximab was used in 18 patients (16.98%). A positive and significant correlation was found between pemphigus severity and Oral Health Impact Profile-14, Dermatology Life Quality Index and Dermatological Quality of Life Scale scores (P < 0.05). The presence of superficial ulcers, flaccid bullae, lesion diameter ≥1 cm, and >10 lesions were factors that markedly diminished quality of life. Complete response to treatment was noted in all patients administered rituximab. Conclusions: The most common area of involvement was bilateral buccal mucosa, and the severity of PV closely correlated with a decline in quality of life measures. These results highlight the need for careful clinical oversight of PV, taking into account its effects on patients quality of life.