Wound complications following diagnostic skin biopsies in dermatology inpatients.

Objectives: To prospectively determine the wound complication rate for dermatology inpatients undergoing diagnostic skin biopsies during their admission and to determine significant host and procedural risk factors.

Design: Prospective assessment, by a single observer, of 100 postdiagnostic skin biopsy wounds in dermatology inpatients. The following data were recorded for each patient: age and sex, presence of comorbidities, smoking status, dermatologic diagnosis, use of immunosuppressive or antibiotic therapy, place of biopsy (whether in the operation theater or in the ward), grade of physician performing biopsy, biopsy site on the body, type of biopsy (whether elliptical incision, punch, shave, or curettage), and wound closure technique.

Plasticity of rodent and human hair follicle dermal cells: implications for cell therapy and tissue engineering.

The dermal components of the hair follicle exhibit a number of stem cell properties, including regenerative potential, roles in wound healing and the ability to produce a functional dermis. Here we examine the stem cell phenomenon of plasticity, focusing on recent observations of in vitro plasticity of dermal papilla and sheath cells, including previously unpublished data of neuronal-like differentiation. We then briefly address the implications of the stem cell potential of hair follicle dermal cells for the field of tissue engineering.

Neonatal giant congenital nevi with proliferative nodules: a clinicopathologic study and literature review of neonatal melanoma.

Background: Review of the literature reveals that congenital malignant melanoma is an exceptionally rare occurrence and has a generally poor prognosis when it does occur. However, benign proliferative melanocytic lesions are known to occur within giant congenital nevi (GCN). This entity is not well recognized and can be confused clinically and histologically with malignant change.