Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans in a family.

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD) is a rare condition characterized by diffuse keratosis pilaris with a scarring alopecia of the scalp and associated photophobia, facial erythema, and palmoplantar keratoderma. Although initially described as a sex-linked disorder, several different inheritance patterns have been observed. We describe a patient whose father and sister were also affected with this condition, consistent with an autosomal dominant genetic transmission.

Longitudinal diminution of tumor size for basal cell carcinoma suggests shifting referral patterns for Mohs surgery.

Background: The Mohs technique for removal of cutaneous malignancies offers tissue-sparing benefits compared with other treatment methods. With wider acceptance and availability of Mohs surgery, referral patterns may be shifting toward the treatment of smaller, lower-risk tumors.

Objective: The objective was to examine whether referral patterns for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) at an academic Mohs surgery practice have shifted over recent years toward referral for smaller, lower risk tumors.

Evaluation of a novel technique for wound closure using a barbed suture.

Background: Suture knots present several disadvantages in wound closure, because they are tedious to tie and place ischemic demands on tissue. Bulky knots may be a nidus for infection, and they may extrude through skin weeks after surgery. Needle manipulations during knot-tying predispose the surgeon to glove perforation.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are at heightened risk for the development of cutaneous malignancies, especially squamous cell carcinoma. These tumors portend a worse prognosis than is typically seen in immunocompetent patients. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who develop squamous cell carcinoma are more likely to develop multiple tumors, recurrences after treatment, and regional or distant spread of their tumor.

Topical 5-fluorouracil is ineffective in the treatment of extensive alopecia areata.

We report the results of a pilot study of topical 5% 5-fluorouracil (FU) cream for the treatment of alopecia areata, an immunologically modulated disorder of hair growth. Patients with extensive (>50% scalp surface area involvement) alopecia areata that was refractory to previous treatments applied 5-FU to one side of their scalp twice daily for 3 to 6 months. In all, 9 patients enrolled, and 8 completed the study.

The incidences of chondritis and perichondritis associated with the surgical manipulation of auricular cartilage.

Background: The cartilage and soft tissues of the ear are frequently employed as donor sites for tissue used in the repair of defects of the nose and external ear after Mohs surgery. Enthusiasm for using these auricular donor sites is occasionally tempered by surgeons' concerns for the development of Pseudomonal suppurative chondritis, a complication that has been described to follow cartilage manipulation.

Objective: To quantify the incidence of postoperative perichondritis and chondritis after Mohs reconstructions involving auricular cartilage manipulations.

Multiple fixed drug eruption with interferon/ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C virus infection.

Interferon/ribavirin combination therapy is the treatment of choice for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Cutaneous reactions to inferferon therapy, both local and distant from the injection site, are not uncommon. Eczematous and lichenoid reactions are most commonly reported.