A comparative study on the efficacy of treatment with 585 nm pulsed dye laser and ultraviolet B-TL01 in plaque type psoriasis.

Background: Narrow-band ultraviolet-B and pulsed dye laser (PDL) affect psoriasis but via different pathways.

Objective: To compare the results of PDL with ultraviolet-B light therapy (UVB) and to look for synergism of both therapies in patients with plaque type psoriasis.

Methods: In each eligible individual, four similar target plaques were selected, and halves of these plaques were treated using PDL, UVB, or a combination of PDL and UVB or were not treated.

Correlation between the static and dynamic stiffness indices of medical elastic compression stockings.

Background: Compression therapy with medical elastic compression stockings (MECS) has been used effectively for treating patients with chronic venous insufficiency for many years.

Objective: To study the correlation between static stiffness and the dynamic stiffness index of 18 different brands of MECS.

Methods: In all, 18 different brands of MECS were divided into 5 categories (class II round-knit, class II flat-knit, class III round-knit, class III flat-knit, and class IV flat-knit) and tested.

Efficacy of 25% diluted fluticasone propionate 0.05% cream as wet-wrap treatment in cutaneous mastocytosis.

Background: Mastocytosis is a disorder that can be subdivided into two forms: cutaneous and systemic. Patients with cutaneous mastocytosis only may suffer from cosmetic problems. Topical steroid application has been shown to be effective in cases of limited skin lesions.

A comparison of treatment of oral lichen planus with topical tacrolimus and triamcinolone acetonide ointment.

Treatment of symptomatic oral lichen planus remains a challenging problem. This study compared the efficacy of topical tacrolimus ointment with triamcinolone acetonide ointment in patients with oral lichen planus. Twenty patients (group I) were treated with topical tacrolimus 0.

Concomitant treatment of psoriasis of the hands and feet with pulsed dye laser and topical calcipotriol, salicylic acid, or both: a prospective open study in 41 patients.

Background: Psoriasis of the hands and feet is a chronic disease which is often resistant to the usual topical therapies. It has considerable morbidity and seriously affects the quality of life of patients.

Objective: We sought to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment of psoriasis of the hands and feet.

Calculating the pressure and the stiffness in three different categories of class II medical elastic compression stockings.

Background: Medical elastic compression stockings (MECSs) are currently classified according to the pressure they exert at the ankle at the point of its minimum girth (B level). Despite this classification, there are considerable differences between MECSs belonging to the same compression class from the same manufacturers and between different manufacturers. This makes it difficult for the clinician to choose the most suitable MECS for the patient.

Premalignant nature of oral lichen planus.

The issue as to whether oral lichen planus is a premalignant disorder is still controversial. This study aimed to examine oral malignancies associated with oral lichen planus and to investigate whether oral lichen planus has an intrinsic malignant potential or whether there are also contributing external risk factors. A retrospective cohort study in 200 Caucasian patients with oral lichen planus was conducted between 1991 and 2003.

Oral lichen planus in childhood.

Oral lichen planus is rare in childhood, and only a few reports on this subject have appeared in the literature. Our objective was to report individual cases of oral lichen planus in childhood from our practice and to review the literature on this subject. We recruited patients younger than 18 years with oral lichen planus and documented several clinical aspects, the histopathology, patch tests, and blood examination findings.