Recurrent malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor as a friable nodule within a scar.

This case enforces the importance of a patient's medical history in assisting with the diagnosis of nonspecific cutaneous lesions. Also, other types of lesions occurring within a scar are reviewed.

What's eating you? bedbugs.

Bedbugs are a known household scourge that also have become an increasing problem in the corporate space. These pests have adapted to the office environment, finding new harborages in which to thrive and devising new ways to obtain blood meals during the day. Bedbugs pose a considerable public health problem, and managing the epidemic will require vigilance by health care professionals as well as patient education on prevention.

Skin cancer in military pilots: a special population with special risk factors.

Military pilots may be at greater risk for skin cancer, particularly melanoma. Military-specific studies are limited, but skin cancer rates in civilian pilots and aircrews have previously been examined. Risk factors for all pilots may include exposure to UV radiation (UVR) at higher altitudes, cosmic radiation, and electromagnetic energy from cockpit instruments, as well as altered sleep-wake cycles.

How to teach the potassium hydroxide preparation: a disappearing clinical art form.

Using potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations in the diagnosis of superficial fungal infections is a technique that has been handed down from teacher to apprentice for more than 100 years. The technique is simple, accurate, and inexpensive; however, there is reason to believe it is falling to the wayside in favor of empiric treatment, especially in primary care settings. To continue the use of this valuable diagnostic aid, a system of teaching the KOH preparation to the next generation of physicians (ie, medical students, residents) is proposed with emphasis on facilitating the process by storing viable skin samples infected with dermatophytes for long periods of time.