Dermatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dermatitis, including details on contact-, seborrheic-, atopic-, allergic-dermatitis, treatment.

Cone-beam CT assessment of interfraction and intrafraction setup error of two head-and-neck cancer thermoplastic masks.

Velec M, Waldron JN, O'Sullivan B, Bayley A, Cummings B, Kim JJ, Ringash J, Breen SL, Lockwood GA, Dawson LA

Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare setup error in standard thermoplastic masks and skin-sparing masks (SSMs) modified with low neck cutouts for head-and-neck intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty head-and-neck IMRT patients were randomized to be treated in a standard mask (SM) or SSM. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, acquired daily after both initial setup and any repositioning, were used for initial and residual interfraction evaluation, respectively. Weekly, post-IMRT CBCT scans were acquired for intrafraction setup evaluation. The population random (sigma) and systematic (Sigma) errors were compared for SMs and SSMs. Skin toxicity was recorded weekly by use of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. RESULTS: We evaluated 762 CBCT scans in 11 patients randomized to the SM and 9 to the SSM. Initial interfraction sigma was 1.6 mm or less or 1.1 degrees or less for SM and 2.0 mm or less and 0.8 degrees for SSM. Initial interfraction Sigma was 1.0 mm or less or 1.4 degrees or less for SM and 1.1 mm or less or 0.9 degrees or less for SSM. These errors were reduced before IMRT with CBCT image guidance with no significant differences in residual interfraction or intrafraction uncertainties between SMs and SSMs. Intrafraction sigma and Sigma were less than 1 mm and less than 1 degrees for both masks. Less severe skin reactions were observed in the cutout regions of the SSM compared with non-cutout regions. CONCLUSIONS: Interfraction and intrafraction setup error is not significantly different for SSMs and conventional masks in head-and-neck radiation therapy. Mask cutouts should be considered for these patients in an effort to reduce skin toxicity.

Published 17 February 2010 in Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 76(3): 949-55.
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Articles on Dermatitis published 3 February 2010:

Recognizing and treating toilet-seat contact dermatitis in children.   Pediatrics, 125(2): e419-22.

Toilet-seat contact dermatitis is a common condition around the world and is reemerging in the United States. It can be easily recognized and treated. However, few practitioners consider this diagnosis, which results in a delay in treatment and often exacerbation of the skin eruption. In the past, exposure to wooden toilet seats and associated varnish, lacquers, and paints led to the development of an allergic contact dermatitis on the buttocks and posterior thighs. In recent years, most public ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Role of intestinal Bifidobacterium pseudolongum in dietary fructo-oligosaccharide inhibition of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity in mice.   Br J Nutr, 103(4): 539-48.

Strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota have been explored for preventing allergy development. We previously showed that dietary supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) reduced 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in BALB/c mice. Because the CHS response was negatively correlated with the number of faecal bifidobacteria, particularly Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, the present study aimed to examine whether oral administration of B. pseudolongum ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Maternal consumption of fructo-oligosaccharide diminishes the severity of skin inflammation in offspring of NC/Nga mice.   Br J Nutr, 103(4): 530-8.

Strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota in infancy have been considered to prevent the development of allergic diseases later in life. We aimed to elucidate the effects of maternal dietary supplementation with a prebiotic oligosaccharide on gut microbiota and spontaneously developing atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in the offspring of NC/Nga mice. Female NC/Nga mice were fed diets either with or without fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation during pregnancy and lactation. After ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Dermatitis published 1 February 2010:

Transglutaminase II interacts with rac1, regulates production of reactive oxygen species, expression of snail, secretion of Th2 cytokines and mediates in vitro and in vivo allergic inflammation.   Mol Immunol, 47(5): 1010-22.

Transglutaminase II (TGase II) is a protein cross-linking enzyme with diverse biological functions. Here we report the role of TGase II in allergic inflammation. Antigen stimulation induced expression and activity of TGase II by activation of NF-kappaB in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL2H3) cells. This induction of TGase II was dependent on FcepsilonRI and EGFR. Interaction between TGase II and rac1 was induced following antigen stimulation. TGase II was responsible for the increased production of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate enhances skin sensitization to isocyanate haptens in mice.   Toxicol Lett, 192(2): 97-100.

Toxicological and epidemiological studies have suggested the involvement of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in increases in allergies. The effects of DEHP have been implicated in the deflection to T helper 2 (Th2)-biased immune responses. However, we could not observe an adjuvant effect of DEHP in a Th2-dominant fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) mouse model when applied epicutaneously together with a hapten. In the present study, we focused whether ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Minocycline-induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome with persistent myocarditis.   J Am Acad Dermatol, 62(2): 315-8.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare serious adverse effect associated with a variety of medications. We present a case of minocycline-induced DRESS syndrome, which resulted in acute renal failure, transient thyroiditis, and transaminitis, and a persistent lymphocytic myocarditis resulting in congestive heart failure. To our knowledge, this is the third reported case of minocycline-induced myocarditis. Additionally, we report successful plasmapheresis ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Infiltrative lymphocytic mural folliculitis: a histopathological reaction pattern in skin-biopsy specimens from cats with allergic skin disease.   J Feline Med Surg, 12(2): 80-5.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of infiltrative lymphocytic mural folliculitis (ILMF) in skin-biopsy specimens from 354 cats with various inflammatory dermatoses and from 33 cats with normal skin. Although ILMF was present in 33/47 dermatoses evaluated, the prevalence of ILMF in allergic dermatoses (116/172 cats; 67%) was significantly greater than that in non-allergic dermatoses (61/182 cats; 33%). Cats with allergic dermatoses had a 4.1 times greater odds of having ILMF ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Prevalence of digital dermatitis in first lactation cows assessed at breeding cattle auctions.   Vet J, 183(2): 161-5.

The prevalence of digital dermatitis (DD) in first lactation cows (FLCs) presented at 10 breeding cattle auctions was determined in a single auction centre in Austria over a period of 14 months. At each auction, FLCs were selected randomly for claw examination from the monthly auction catalogue. After obtaining owner consent, the hindclaws were examined in a walk-in crush. The type of lesion (M1-M4) and the diameter of DD lesions together with claw horn lesions and the trimming status of the ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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