Anca Chiriac - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Anca Chiriac

International journal of dermatology, Jan 17, 2015

Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 2014

Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 2014

Nail bracing is a safe, simple, and inexpensive treatment option that avoids surgery, requires no... more Nail bracing is a safe, simple, and inexpensive treatment option that avoids surgery, requires no anesthetic, requires no recovery period, allows wearing the existing shoes, offers immediate relief from pain, and allows the practice of daily activities. Braces can be used for prolonged periods of times. If recurrence occurs, reapplication of bracing is usually required.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness usually occurring during the summer months... more Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness usually occurring during the summer months in children younger than 5 years of age. In the North-East area of Romania the incidence is usually low, each dermatologist reporting 1-2 cases or even less per year. The diagnosis is usually based on the characteristic clinical aspect: vesicles and papules on the hands and feet and superficial oral ulcers. HFMD is typically a benign and self-limiting disease that resolves in approximately 7 days; in Asia there have been few reported severe cases that developed neurological complications and even death, while in certain areas of China this disease is a more and more serious public health problem. In the summer of 2012 in NorthEast Romania numerous cases of disease have been reported, some with atypical clinical manifestations and most of them with mild or moderate forms of disease. The present article is a discussion on one of these cases. The diagnosis was made based on lesions locatio...

Erythema annulare centrifugum Darier: is it an umbrella term for inflammatory clinical patterns o... more Erythema annulare centrifugum Darier: is it an umbrella term for inflammatory clinical patterns of the skin in response to disparate infectious, immune, allergic, malignant or toxic factors? Could it be a warning signal for an underlying disease? Abstract We present two cases of Erythema annulare centrifugum Darier (EACD) in order to point out the little knowledge concerning this disorder, in present. The two cases, one female and the other one male, presented with multiple annular plaques, with a thin scale at the inner border of the erythema widely distributed upon abdomen and trunk (the first case) and annular erythematous oral lesions -face and cervical area (in the second case). Clinical and histopathological reports stated the diagnosis, treatment options including topical applications of steroids resulting in no response in the first case, while slight improvement of the condition were accomplished after phototherapy in the second (male) case. Follow up was not available in a...

Eponyms are used almost daily in the clinical practice of dermatology. And yet, information about... more Eponyms are used almost daily in the clinical practice of dermatology. And yet, information about the person behind the eponyms is difficult to find. Indeed, who is? What is this person’s nationality? Is this person alive or dead? How can one find the paper in which this person first described the disease? Eponyms are used to describe not only disease, but also clinical signs, surgical procedures, staining techniques, pharmacological formulations, and even pieces of equipment. In this article we present the symptoms starting with (O) and other. The symptoms and their synonyms, and those who have described this symptom or phenomenon.

Our Dermatology Online, 2014

Eponyms are used almost daily in the clinical practice of dermatology. And yet, information about... more Eponyms are used almost daily in the clinical practice of dermatology. And yet, information about the person behind the eponyms is difficult to find. Indeed, who is? What is this person's nationality? Is this person alive or dead? How can one find the paper in which this person first described the disease? Eponyms are used to describe not only disease, but also clinical signs, surgical procedures, staining techniques, pharmacological formulations, and even pieces of equipment. In this article we present the symptoms starting with (M) and other. The symptoms and their synonyms, and those who have described this symptom or phenomenon.

Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 2015

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare malformation characterized by localized congenital absence of t... more Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare malformation characterized by localized congenital absence of the skin. It rarely occurs on the trunk and limbs, and can occur in isolation or as part of a heterogeneous group of syndromes. We report a case of a 4-day-old boy with a 5.6-cm-diameter tumor, with a central crust, non-indurate and no inflammatory rim; localized on the scalp and a small, atrophic hairless scar appeared 6 months later (approximately 5cm in length) at the site of the previous tumor.

Dermatology Review, 2014

Introduction. Pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), which is a benign eruption with lymphocytic ... more Introduction. Pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), which is a benign eruption with lymphocytic infiltrates of the skin, presents as a persistent, erythematous, papular eruption with scale. Patients may have guttate, hypopigmented macules with scale in addition to papules. It is related histopathologically to pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA), which presents as a recurrent papulonecrotic eruption. The PLC is a cutaneous disease of unknown etiology that most commonly affects children and young adults. The highly variable presentation of this condition often poses a diagnostic challenge. Objective. Presentation of two adults with PLC probably induced by infectious agents. Case reports. A woman presented with scaly, pruritic, erythematousto-brown flattened papules, which varied in size from 3 mm to 1 cm, on the trunk and extremities, being first diagnosed as guttate psoriasis. A man sought medical advice for a disseminated eruption on the trunk and extremities, observed for 2 months before the consultation. He was in a good medical state, with no comorbidities and no medication. He complained of discrete pruritus and urethral discharge for many days. Conclusions. Pityriasis lichenoides may have arisen secondarily to these infections or there were two simultaneous diseases. Further studies must elucidate the role of infectious agents in this pathology.

Clinical interventions in aging, 2015

Green nails, also known as chloronychia or green nail syndrome, are characterized by green discol... more Green nails, also known as chloronychia or green nail syndrome, are characterized by green discoloration of the nail plate (greenish-yellow, greenish-brown, greenish-black), proximal chronic non-tender paronychia, and distolateral onycholysis. The cause is Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the nail plate in persons whose hands are constantly exposed to water, soaps, and detergents or are subject to mechanical trauma, especially in the elderly. Green or black coloration of the nails should raise suspicion for Pseudomonas infection and be treated with an oral quinolone (ciprofloxacin), particularly in aged patients. We present three cases of green nails in elderly persons.

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2015

The prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among dermatological patients is high but frequently un... more The prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among dermatological patients is high but frequently unreported because of difficulties in diagnosing and treating this patient group. Psychiatric and psychological factors may play different roles in the pathogenic mechanism of some skin diseases. The mainstay of diagnosis and treatment is the differentiation between skin disorders associated with psychiatric illness and those of a purely psychiatric nature. Dermatologists and psychiatrists should be aware of this pathology and work together as a team to resolve difficult cases, especially in children. The present paper highlights the psychocutaneous diseases most frequently seen by dermatologists in pediatric population.

Nigerian medical journal : journal of the Nigeria Medical Association, 2014

Diaper dermatitis is the most common cutaneous diagnosis in infants. Most cases are associated wi... more Diaper dermatitis is the most common cutaneous diagnosis in infants. Most cases are associated with the yeast colonisation of Candida or diaper dermatitis candidiasis (DDC). It is an irritating and inflammatory acute dermatitis in the perineal and perianal areas resulting from the occlusion and irritation caused by diapers. Autoeczematization to a distant focus of dermatophyte infection very rarely presents as DDC. We present a 1-month-old boy with lesion on diaper area (gluteal area, perineum, groin and genitalia) and with clusters of pustules and vesicles on a large erythematous base over the dorsal area of both hands.

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 2014

Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2014

The factitious disorders, more commonly known in daily practice as pathomimia, are expressed in d... more The factitious disorders, more commonly known in daily practice as pathomimia, are expressed in dermatology units by skin lesions induced voluntarily by the patient, in order to draw attention of the medical staff and/or the family members. The disorder is often challenging to diagnose and even more difficult to document in front of the patient or relatives. It represents a challenge for the physician, and any attempt at treatment may be followed by recurrence of the self-mutilation. This paper describes two cases of pathomimia diagnosed by dermatologists and treated in a psychiatry unit, highlighting the importance of collaboration in these situations. Patients and methods: Two case reports, describing old female patients with pathomimia, hospitalized in a department of dermatology for bizarre skin lesions. Results: The first case was a 77-year-old female with unknown psychiatric problems and atrophic skin lesions on the face, self-induced for many months, with multiple hospitalizations in dermatology units, with no response to different therapeutic patterns, and full recovery after psychiatric treatment for a major depressive syndrome. The second case was a 61-year-old female patient with disseminated atrophic scars on the face, trunk, and limbs. She raised our interest because of possible psychiatric issues, as she had attempted to commit suicide. The prescription of antidepressants led to a significant clinical improvement. Conclusion: These cases indicate that a real psychiatric disease may be recorded in patients suffering from pathomimia. Therefore, complete psychiatric evaluation in order to choose the proper therapy is mandatory for all these cases. Dermatologists and all physicians who take care of old patients must recognize the disorder in order to provide optimum care for this chronic condition. We emphasize therefore the importance of psychiatric evaluation and treatment to avoid the major risk of suicide. Skin lesions must be regarded as an alarm signal in critical cases, especially in senior people.

Sir, Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common benign proliferation of the sebaceous glands seen during t... more Sir,
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common benign proliferation
of the sebaceous glands seen during the first weeks of
life and in middle-aged and elderly people. Clinical
picture is quite different in neonatal period compared
to adulthood.
In neonate the lesions are small, tiny yellow papules
distributed on the nose [1].

International journal of dermatology, Jan 17, 2015

Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 2014

Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 2014

Nail bracing is a safe, simple, and inexpensive treatment option that avoids surgery, requires no... more Nail bracing is a safe, simple, and inexpensive treatment option that avoids surgery, requires no anesthetic, requires no recovery period, allows wearing the existing shoes, offers immediate relief from pain, and allows the practice of daily activities. Braces can be used for prolonged periods of times. If recurrence occurs, reapplication of bracing is usually required.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness usually occurring during the summer months... more Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness usually occurring during the summer months in children younger than 5 years of age. In the North-East area of Romania the incidence is usually low, each dermatologist reporting 1-2 cases or even less per year. The diagnosis is usually based on the characteristic clinical aspect: vesicles and papules on the hands and feet and superficial oral ulcers. HFMD is typically a benign and self-limiting disease that resolves in approximately 7 days; in Asia there have been few reported severe cases that developed neurological complications and even death, while in certain areas of China this disease is a more and more serious public health problem. In the summer of 2012 in NorthEast Romania numerous cases of disease have been reported, some with atypical clinical manifestations and most of them with mild or moderate forms of disease. The present article is a discussion on one of these cases. The diagnosis was made based on lesions locatio...

Erythema annulare centrifugum Darier: is it an umbrella term for inflammatory clinical patterns o... more Erythema annulare centrifugum Darier: is it an umbrella term for inflammatory clinical patterns of the skin in response to disparate infectious, immune, allergic, malignant or toxic factors? Could it be a warning signal for an underlying disease? Abstract We present two cases of Erythema annulare centrifugum Darier (EACD) in order to point out the little knowledge concerning this disorder, in present. The two cases, one female and the other one male, presented with multiple annular plaques, with a thin scale at the inner border of the erythema widely distributed upon abdomen and trunk (the first case) and annular erythematous oral lesions -face and cervical area (in the second case). Clinical and histopathological reports stated the diagnosis, treatment options including topical applications of steroids resulting in no response in the first case, while slight improvement of the condition were accomplished after phototherapy in the second (male) case. Follow up was not available in a...

Eponyms are used almost daily in the clinical practice of dermatology. And yet, information about... more Eponyms are used almost daily in the clinical practice of dermatology. And yet, information about the person behind the eponyms is difficult to find. Indeed, who is? What is this person’s nationality? Is this person alive or dead? How can one find the paper in which this person first described the disease? Eponyms are used to describe not only disease, but also clinical signs, surgical procedures, staining techniques, pharmacological formulations, and even pieces of equipment. In this article we present the symptoms starting with (O) and other. The symptoms and their synonyms, and those who have described this symptom or phenomenon.

Our Dermatology Online, 2014

Eponyms are used almost daily in the clinical practice of dermatology. And yet, information about... more Eponyms are used almost daily in the clinical practice of dermatology. And yet, information about the person behind the eponyms is difficult to find. Indeed, who is? What is this person's nationality? Is this person alive or dead? How can one find the paper in which this person first described the disease? Eponyms are used to describe not only disease, but also clinical signs, surgical procedures, staining techniques, pharmacological formulations, and even pieces of equipment. In this article we present the symptoms starting with (M) and other. The symptoms and their synonyms, and those who have described this symptom or phenomenon.

Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 2015

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare malformation characterized by localized congenital absence of t... more Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare malformation characterized by localized congenital absence of the skin. It rarely occurs on the trunk and limbs, and can occur in isolation or as part of a heterogeneous group of syndromes. We report a case of a 4-day-old boy with a 5.6-cm-diameter tumor, with a central crust, non-indurate and no inflammatory rim; localized on the scalp and a small, atrophic hairless scar appeared 6 months later (approximately 5cm in length) at the site of the previous tumor.

Dermatology Review, 2014

Introduction. Pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), which is a benign eruption with lymphocytic ... more Introduction. Pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), which is a benign eruption with lymphocytic infiltrates of the skin, presents as a persistent, erythematous, papular eruption with scale. Patients may have guttate, hypopigmented macules with scale in addition to papules. It is related histopathologically to pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA), which presents as a recurrent papulonecrotic eruption. The PLC is a cutaneous disease of unknown etiology that most commonly affects children and young adults. The highly variable presentation of this condition often poses a diagnostic challenge. Objective. Presentation of two adults with PLC probably induced by infectious agents. Case reports. A woman presented with scaly, pruritic, erythematousto-brown flattened papules, which varied in size from 3 mm to 1 cm, on the trunk and extremities, being first diagnosed as guttate psoriasis. A man sought medical advice for a disseminated eruption on the trunk and extremities, observed for 2 months before the consultation. He was in a good medical state, with no comorbidities and no medication. He complained of discrete pruritus and urethral discharge for many days. Conclusions. Pityriasis lichenoides may have arisen secondarily to these infections or there were two simultaneous diseases. Further studies must elucidate the role of infectious agents in this pathology.

Clinical interventions in aging, 2015

Green nails, also known as chloronychia or green nail syndrome, are characterized by green discol... more Green nails, also known as chloronychia or green nail syndrome, are characterized by green discoloration of the nail plate (greenish-yellow, greenish-brown, greenish-black), proximal chronic non-tender paronychia, and distolateral onycholysis. The cause is Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the nail plate in persons whose hands are constantly exposed to water, soaps, and detergents or are subject to mechanical trauma, especially in the elderly. Green or black coloration of the nails should raise suspicion for Pseudomonas infection and be treated with an oral quinolone (ciprofloxacin), particularly in aged patients. We present three cases of green nails in elderly persons.

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2015

The prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among dermatological patients is high but frequently un... more The prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among dermatological patients is high but frequently unreported because of difficulties in diagnosing and treating this patient group. Psychiatric and psychological factors may play different roles in the pathogenic mechanism of some skin diseases. The mainstay of diagnosis and treatment is the differentiation between skin disorders associated with psychiatric illness and those of a purely psychiatric nature. Dermatologists and psychiatrists should be aware of this pathology and work together as a team to resolve difficult cases, especially in children. The present paper highlights the psychocutaneous diseases most frequently seen by dermatologists in pediatric population.

Nigerian medical journal : journal of the Nigeria Medical Association, 2014

Diaper dermatitis is the most common cutaneous diagnosis in infants. Most cases are associated wi... more Diaper dermatitis is the most common cutaneous diagnosis in infants. Most cases are associated with the yeast colonisation of Candida or diaper dermatitis candidiasis (DDC). It is an irritating and inflammatory acute dermatitis in the perineal and perianal areas resulting from the occlusion and irritation caused by diapers. Autoeczematization to a distant focus of dermatophyte infection very rarely presents as DDC. We present a 1-month-old boy with lesion on diaper area (gluteal area, perineum, groin and genitalia) and with clusters of pustules and vesicles on a large erythematous base over the dorsal area of both hands.

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 2014

Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2014

The factitious disorders, more commonly known in daily practice as pathomimia, are expressed in d... more The factitious disorders, more commonly known in daily practice as pathomimia, are expressed in dermatology units by skin lesions induced voluntarily by the patient, in order to draw attention of the medical staff and/or the family members. The disorder is often challenging to diagnose and even more difficult to document in front of the patient or relatives. It represents a challenge for the physician, and any attempt at treatment may be followed by recurrence of the self-mutilation. This paper describes two cases of pathomimia diagnosed by dermatologists and treated in a psychiatry unit, highlighting the importance of collaboration in these situations. Patients and methods: Two case reports, describing old female patients with pathomimia, hospitalized in a department of dermatology for bizarre skin lesions. Results: The first case was a 77-year-old female with unknown psychiatric problems and atrophic skin lesions on the face, self-induced for many months, with multiple hospitalizations in dermatology units, with no response to different therapeutic patterns, and full recovery after psychiatric treatment for a major depressive syndrome. The second case was a 61-year-old female patient with disseminated atrophic scars on the face, trunk, and limbs. She raised our interest because of possible psychiatric issues, as she had attempted to commit suicide. The prescription of antidepressants led to a significant clinical improvement. Conclusion: These cases indicate that a real psychiatric disease may be recorded in patients suffering from pathomimia. Therefore, complete psychiatric evaluation in order to choose the proper therapy is mandatory for all these cases. Dermatologists and all physicians who take care of old patients must recognize the disorder in order to provide optimum care for this chronic condition. We emphasize therefore the importance of psychiatric evaluation and treatment to avoid the major risk of suicide. Skin lesions must be regarded as an alarm signal in critical cases, especially in senior people.

Sir, Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common benign proliferation of the sebaceous glands seen during t... more Sir,
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common benign proliferation
of the sebaceous glands seen during the first weeks of
life and in middle-aged and elderly people. Clinical
picture is quite different in neonatal period compared
to adulthood.
In neonate the lesions are small, tiny yellow papules
distributed on the nose [1].