Discovering Dermatology Times: July 2024 Challenging Atopic Dermatitis Cases Supplement

The July Case-Based Peer Perspective supplement of Dermatology Times includes a collection of thought-provoking discussions and strategies surrounding how to address difficult atopic dermatitis cases from Matthew Zirwas, MD; Mona Shahriari, MD; and Robert Posnick, MD. Be sure to read the highlights from the supplement below. Also, don’t miss a moment of Dermatology Times by signing up for our eNewsletters and subscribing to receive the free print issue and supplement each month.

Part 1

In a series of Dermatology Times Case-Based Roundtable events, leading dermatologists and their local peers tackled some of the most challenging cases of atopic dermatitis (AD). These gatherings provided an invaluable platform for collaborative discussion, innovative problem-solving, and the exchange of cutting-edge treatment strategies. Each session featured in-depth case presentations, allowing participants to delve into the complexities of atypical AD presentations and explore various diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. These clinical insights from Ohio, Connecticut, and New Hampshire showcased the dermatology community’s collective expertise and dedication to improving patient care.

Matthew Zirwas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based at DOCS Dermatology in Bexley, Ohio, hosted a Case-Based Roundtable discussion in Columbus.

Engaging With Physician Assistants

Zirwas welcomed 12 physician assistants in central Ohio to evaluate AD cases. Their insights and responses impressed him. “Anyone who doubts the quality of care provided by physician assistants hasn’t met these 12 professionals. Their thoughts and questions were phenomenally good,” he remarked.

Case 1: A 63-Year-Old Man With Persistent Itchy Spots

The first case involved a man aged 63 years with intensely itchy spots on his back, proximal arms, and legs. The spots had been intermittent for several years but became constant over the past 3 months. Despite lacking a personal or family history of atopy and having no rashes as a child, the man struggled with severe itching that disrupted his sleep. He had been tested for food allergies and was found to be allergic to corn, but avoiding corn did not improve his condition.

Diagnostic Challenges and Criteria

Zirwas highlighted the initial diagnostic challenges: “Based on his age and presentation, it would be reasonable to diagnose him with nummular eczema or AD at the first visit.” The discussion then shifted to the diagnostic criteria for AD established by the American Academy of Dermatology in 2014, which the FDA has endorsed.

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Part 2

Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and associate director of clinical trials at Central Connecticut Dermatology Research, hosted a Case-Based Roundtable discussion in New Haven.

Case 1: Adolescent Female With Severe Itch Impacting Sleep

The first case concerned a girl aged 12 years with an intensely itchy rash, primarily in the bilateral, antecubital, and popliteal fossae. She had a history of AD since birth; it recently started affecting her sleep and social interactions due to discomfort and visible symptoms. Clinically, she showed patches and plaques on her antecubital and popliteal fossae and buttocks, with excoriation and yellow crusts in some areas, covering about 8% of her body surface area (BSA) with moderate inflammation.

Diagnosis Considerations

Shahriari discussed the importance of keeping a broad differential and considering biopsies when standard treatments are ineffective, especially in skin of color where diseases may manifest differently. The panel noted that postinflammatory pigment changes, like hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, can significantly affect quality of life and should be addressed early in treatment planning.

Individualized Treatment

Previous therapies had not fully worked, with some causing adverse events, prompting consideration of newer treatments like ruxolitinib (Jakafi; Incyte). The patient could safely use the cream in other areas and see itch relief in as fast as 15 minutes. The panel discussed some factors noted in caution labels but ultimately decided to move forward, considering supporting research that found no adverse events in patients with similar experiences. Shahriari noted that the panel hoped the drug would soon be approved for patients as young as 2 years.

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Part 3

Robert Posnick, MD, a board-certified medical dermatologist with Nashua Dermatology Associates in Nashua, New Hampshire, hosted a Case-Based Roundtable discussion in Merrimack.

Case 1: Adolescent Male With Hyperpigmentation Issues

The first case involved a male aged 13 years with Fitzpatrick skin type IV, a skin of color patient with eczema since childhood. His primary complaint was hyperpigmentation in typical areas: the antecubital fossae and behind the knees, neck, and face. His primary care provider had prescribed triamcinolone cream, a common topical steroid, but the patient and his mother were concerned about persistent hyperpigmentation. Additionally, he had white patches on his face, initially misdiagnosed as a fungal infection but correctly identified as pityriasis alba, another manifestation of AD.

Treatment Considerations

To avoid chronic use of topical steroids, particularly on the face, Posnick decided to treat the patient with a topical calcineurin inhibitor. The safety issues of topical steroids vs topical calcineurin inhibitors were discussed, highlighting the risks of hypopigmentation and skin thinning from overuse of topical steroids. Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% was chosen for his treatment. The rare but potential risk of malignancies associated with topical calcineurin inhibitors was also addressed, although studies show this is very unlikely.

Plan Adjustments

The patient initially experienced stinging and burning from the topical calcineurin inhibitor and the PDE4 inhibitor crisaborole, leading him to revert to using topical steroids on his face. Posnick then recommended ruxolitinib cream as the next-best choice. The safety profiles of topical and oral JAK inhibitors were compared, emphasizing that the lymphoma and cancer risks associated with oral JAK inhibitors are not as pronounced with topical applications.

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