Gaia Fasano

Unwanted abdominal fat is a common aesthetic concern treated through various interventions, including surgical and energy-based devices, often leading to inconsistent results. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a localized, non-invasive microwave (MW) device for preferential heating of subcutaneous adipose tissue using a controlled electromagnetic field. Five female volunteers scheduled for abdominoplasty were enrolled, each undergoing a single MW treatment session five days prior to surgery. Histological analyses of adipose tissue and skin samples were conducted using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for Perilipin-1 and CD68. Epidermal and dermal layers remained unaffected, as evidenced by unaltered morphology in treated samples. In contrast, the absence of Perilipin-1 expression in disrupted fat cell membranes indicated adipocyte non-viability and irreversible injury. Inflammatory responses, including CD68-positive macrophages surrounding damaged adipocytes, were observed, suggesting the activation of the monocyte/macrophage system for the clearance of adipocyte residues. Microscopic and immunohistochemical findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the MW device in reducing subcutaneous fat. This study also discussed the underlying mechanisms involved in macrophage recruitment and the removal of adipocyte residues.

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a skin infection caused by several Leishmania parasites transmitted through sandfly bites, characterized mostly by skin nodules and ulcers in affected individuals. Leishmaniasis is present in the tropical and subtropical temperate areas of the world and throughout the Mediterranean region, particularly in the southern Italian regions such as Calabria and Sicily.

Scleromyxedema (SMX), the generalized and sclerodermic form of lichen myxedematous (LM), is a chronic mucinosis characterized by cutaneous manifestation and several systemic comorbidities. Treatment options are limited and there are no definitive therapeutic guidelines. We report a case of a 48-year-old man with scleromyxedema, associated with monoclonal gammopathy and arthritis, who has been successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), oral corticosteroids, and methotrexate (MTX). IVIg is the most used first-line therapy for SMX based on its efficacy and well-tolerated nature and has been used for a growing number of skin disorders. In our case, combining IVIg with oral prednisone and MTX allowed better control of skin disease and extra-cutaneous manifestations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a successful treatment for SMX with a combination of therapeutic strategies and a good safety profile.

Background and Objectives: Asian patients with Fitzpatrick skin type III–IV are a less studied subtype of patients in the medical literature. Q-Switched, 1064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser with a fractionated beam profile (QSF) is a new modality that was reported to be effective in the treatment of scars. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of QSF Nd: YAG laser in treating scars in Asian patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 29 Subjects were treated with 1064 nm QSF laser. Each patients had three treatments with a fractionated microlens array handpiece every 8 weeks). Efficacy of treatment was evaluated using the Goodman and Baron’s quantitative grading scale before and 3 months after the last treatment. Results: All 29 patients treated had significant improvement of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron’s Quantitative Global Acne Scarring Grading System. No side effect has been observed except some minor erythematous reactions in three patients. Conclusions: Our results confirm that the 1064 nm QSF Nd: YAG laser is a safe and effective technique for treating scars in Asians.

COVID Vaccine Arm (CVA) is an adverse drug reaction from mRNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. CVA is characterized by erythema and edema on the vaccination site (usually deltoid area) that appears from 5 to 10 days after vaccination and is sometimes associated with itching or pain. The exact etiology of CVA is still unclear, but delayed hypersensitivity against an excipient seems to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This work performs a systematic literature review on CVA using three different databases containing articles published until 10 November 2021. The literature review includes eight papers reporting single cases or case series of CVA. Moreover, it also addresses, other cutaneous reactions following COVID 19 vaccinations as well as possible differential diagnosis. CVA migrans-like erythema is characterized by a ring-shaped rash in the injection area, which appears some days after the injection and disappears in about 10 days. This reaction may appear more rapidly in subsequent doses.

Background and Objectives: Warts are benign lesions of viral etiology characterized by a hyperkeratotic appearance tending to spread across the skin surface. Various treatments have been proposed to manage this condition, such as acids, imiquimod, photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy, and various lasers. Materials and Methods: In this paper, we describe a combination protocol using CO₂ laser prior to Nd:YAG laser for lesions interesting the palmoplantar areas or dye laser for lesions on other skin surfaces in the management of non-facial warts resistant to traditional therapies. In total, 34 patients with 103 warts suffering from wart infection resistant to traditional therapies treated from 1 January 2019 to 1 June 2020 were retrospectively enrolled at the Dermatological Unit of Magna Graecia University (Catanzaro, Italy). Two dermatologists measured clinical results, classifying lesions with complete resolution, partial resolution, or non-responding. Patients at four months follow-up were asked to evaluate their degree of satisfaction with a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Almost all patients reported the complete resolution of lesions, with no patient reporting scarring. Five patients reported hypopigmentation in the treated areas. The mean satisfaction level was high. Only three patients experienced a relapse of the condition. Conclusions: Using a vascular laser following a CO₂ superficial ablation of warts may help reduce the risk of scarring and decrease the incidence of relapses for lesions resistant to traditional therapies. Therefore, more extensive studies will be necessary to confirm the obtained results.