Subcutaneous dirofilariosis is a well-known disease caused mainly by Dirofilaria repens and described in several mammalian species including humans, dogs, and cats. Additionally, early developing stages of the heartworm Dirofilaria immitis are rarely reported in subcutaneous localization from humans and dogs. To our knowledge, confirmed clinical evidence of this condition has not been described in the cats yet, even if the feline hosts can be affected either by the classic adult-related heartworm form or heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) caused by immature stages. A 2 year old, spayed male cat was presented for three subcutaneous nodules on the head and trunk. The cat lived in Northern Italy and was regularly vaccinated and treated monthly with an antiparasitic spot on formulation containing selamectin. One of the three nodules was surgically excised and examined. Histology showed the presence of a nodular lesion in the subcutis characterized by a severe inflammatory infiltrate composed of macrophages, small lymphocytes, with fewer eosinophils, and mast cells, supported by a proliferation of mature fibroblasts (fibrosis). Inflammatory cells were multifocally surrounding sections of parasites identified as adult nematodes. Microscopic features were compatible with D. immitis, which has been molecularly confirmed (98.2% identity to D. immitis isolate OP107739). The cat tested negative for D. immitis antigenemia and the two remaining nodules disappeared spontaneously in a few months. In region where heartworm is prevalent, aberrant localization of D. immitis should be considered in the differential diagnoses of subcutaneous filarial worms in cats and dogs.

BACKGROUND: Kimura\'s disease is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology that is seen in people of Asian descent. It is characterized by head and neck subcutaneous nodules along with lymphadenopathy, which is usually solitary but can be generalized. It is diagnosed histopathologically by the proliferation of blood vessels and germinal centers in lymphoid follicles, along with variable degrees of fibrosis and extensive eosinophil infiltration. Its localized form is treated with surgical excision, while generalized lesions and those that do not respond to surgical excision can be managed with steroids or radiotherapy.
METHODS: In this report, we present the first case of Kimura\'s disease in the Ethiopian literature in a 40-year-old Ethiopian man that presented with generalized pruritic subcutaneous nodules and lymphadenopathy, which were effectively managed with a tapering course of prednisolone, and a relapse that showed good sustained response with slow steroid taper.
CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that, even though it is very rare in the African continent, Kimura\'s disease is to be considered as a differential diagnosis for patients that present with subcutaneous nodules and lymphadenopathy. We also have demonstrated that relapses can be effectively managed with reinitiation of the same dose of steroids but with a very slow taper.

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UNASSIGNED: Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a distinct clinical entity represented by a chronic, relapsing, benign course, with rare systemic involvement. Treatment is with CSs, CYC or other conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). In this case series, we aimed to share our varied clinical experience of successfully treating patients with CPAN, with tofacitinib in a refractory/relapsing course or as upfront monotherapy without CSs/csDMARDs.
UNASSIGNED: We report this retrospective case series managed at our rheumatology centre in Bangalore from 2019 to 2022. Four patients identified as CPAN on biopsy were able to achieve disease-free remission with tofacitinib as part of their treatment, with no relapse on further follow-up. Our patients presented with subcutaneous nodules and cutaneous ulcers. After systemic evaluation, all the patients underwent skin biopsy, which showed fibrinoid necrosis in the vessel walls of the dermis, with a histopathological impression of CPAN. They were initially treated with a conventional approach of CSs with/without csDMARDs. On experiencing a refractory/relapsing course, tofacitinib was tried in all the patients as either CS sparing or upfront monotherapy without concomitant csDMARDs.
UNASSIGNED: Use of tofacitinib resulted in improvement of ulcers and paraesthesia and in gradual healing of skin lesions, albeit with scarring, with no further recurrence or relapse over a follow-up period of 6 months for all the patients. The therapeutic effect of tofacitinib was consistent when used either as CS sparing or as upfront monotherapy, thereby proving the drug to be a promising option that warrants larger trials in future to treat the subset of patients with established CPAN.
UNASSIGNED: Tofacitinib could be used for disease-free remission as monotherapy for CPAN either upfront or as CS sparing, even without concomitant csDMARDs, in those patients who are dependent on CSs or multiple DMARDs.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune response that may occur after a group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection. Subcutaneous nodules are considered a rare manifestation of acute rheumatic fever with an incidence of 0%-10%. We present a case study of a 13-year-old girl who presented to us with subcutaneous nodules and articular involvement described as a non-migratory polyarticular joint pain involving the small joints of the hands, wrist, elbows, knees, and ankles for three months with poor response to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Ibuprofen. Accompanied with the presence of carditis, the patient fulfilled three major and two minor criteria of the revised Jones criteria 2015. Therefore, a diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever was made. The child was asymptomatic on subsequent visits, and although the subcutaneous nodules subsided, she will continue to receive penicillin every month for five years. We describe the successful diagnosis and management of a patient with ARF.

Xanthomas are papulonodular skin lesions present in lipoprotein metabolism disorders, which result in cholesterol deposits in subcutaneous tissue, tendons, ligaments, periosteum, etc. A 28-year-old male presented with multiple soft-tissue swellings, prominently over joints. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) from multiple sites had similar appearance with foamy histocytes and giant cells. We describe an unusual case of tendinous and tuberous xanthoma diagnosed by cytology. Acquaintance with FNA cytology findings in xanthomas can help to avoid the need of surgical biopsy, as xanthomas can regress on medical therapy alone.

Subcutaneous sarcoidosis is a rare variant of this disease, whose relationship with systemic disease is still controversial. Our objective was to describe the clinical characteristics of a series of patients with subcutaneous sarcoidosis and to investigate the relationship between these skin lesions and the disease\'s activity, severity, and prognosis. Nineteen patients with biopsy-confirmed subcutaneous sarcoidosis between 2009 and 2019 were selected. Mean age at diagnosis was 53 years. Lung involvement was detected in 10 patients (52.6%), mainly in stages I and II. Only two patients (10.5%) had additional systemic signs and five patients (26%) suffered from other autoimmune diseases simultaneously. Six patients (31.6%) had elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme levels (mean level 174.5 U/L). Eight patients (42%) received treatment, mainly systemic corticosteroids, and all patients except for one had a favorable clinical outcome. Subcutaneous sarcoidosis is frequently associated with a mild form of systemic disease, and the prognosis seems favorable regardless of treatment. Sarcoid nodules could be an early finding of systemic disease, allowing for less invasive procedures for histological confirmation.

Subcutaneous nodules are a rare adverse event following immunization frequently associated with suboptimal injection procedures and aluminium-containing vaccines. We present three cases of subcutaneous nodules following immunization describing their clinical signs, histopathological features and ultrasound findings and demonstrating the use of sonography as an aid to the diagnosis of this entity.

Anterior tibialis muscle herniation is an important diagnostic consideration in children and adolescents presenting with lower extremity subcutaneous nodules. We report four cases of teenagers presenting with asymptomatic nodules in the lower extremities and discuss diagnostic features and treatment recommendations.

Xanthomas are papulonodular skin lesions present in lipoprotein metabolism disorders, which result in cholesterol deposits in subcutaneous tissue, tendons, ligaments, periosteum, etc. A 11-year-old male presented with multiple soft tissue swellings, prominently over joints. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) from multiple sites had similar appearance with foamy histocytes and giant cells. Oil Red O and polarized microscopy were also positive for fat. We describe an unusual case of tendinous and tuberous xanthoma diagnosed by cytology. Acquaintance with fine-needle aspiration cytology findings in xanthomas can help to avoid the need of surgical biopsy, as xanthomas can regress on medical therapy alone.