Seeking shade equity: Tree canopy coverage in public schools in Austin, TX.

Background/objectives: Tree canopies have dermatologic and environmental benefits, especially on school campuses. However, inequities likely exist, and tree planting initiatives may further exacerbate disparities. We sought to identify any relationship between tree canopy shade on public school campuses in Austin, TX and the socioeconomic makeup of the student population, as well as whether current initiatives appropriately address any inequities.

Blood Glucose Testing Lancet and Paper Clip as a Milia Extractor.

In low-resource settings, dermatologists may not have the preferred tools needed to evaluate a patient or perform a procedure. Commonplace affordable supplies can be substituted when needed. We describe the use of a blood glucose testing lancet and a paper clip for milia extraction.

Safety of Intradermal/Subcutaneous Lidocaine With Epinephrine Use in Dermatologic Surgery.

Background: Recently, the safety of lidocaine plus epinephrine use in outpatient surgery has come under scrutiny despite its long history of use in outpatient dermatologic procedures and surgeries.

Objective: To assess the frequency of crash cart and other emergency interventions during Mohs micrographic surgery when lidocaine plus epinephrine is used as a local anesthetic and evaluate patient comorbidities associated with these events.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in an outpatient Mohs micrographic surgery clinic.

Objective measurement of erythema in psoriasis using digital color photography with color calibration.

Traditional metrics for evaluating the severity of psoriasis are highly subjective, which complicates efforts to identify effective treatments in clinical trials. We propose a method for the objective measurement of the psoriasis severity parameter of erythema (redness). This procedure is standardized for different camera systems and lighting environments through the usage of a color card with predetermined color values in order to calibrate the images.

Acute methotrexate toxicity seen as plaque psoriasis ulceration and necrosis: A diagnostic clue.

In addition to the well-known signs of methotrexate toxicity, rare cutaneous side effects have been described. These cutaneous signs may provide a diagnostic clue into the diagnosis of toxicity as well as facilitate early and aggressive therapy. We describe the case of a 37-year-old male, with a diagnosis of psoriasis, who developed characteristic signs and symptoms of acute methotrexate toxicity after receiving an unknown amount of intravenous methotrexate.

Ipsilateral areolar hyperpigmentation following unilateral application of estradiol spray.

A 48 year old postmenopausal female noted hyperpigmentation of the left areola 3 months after beginning estradiol spray to her left forearm. She then applied the spray to the right forearm instead until the areolae were the same color again and then applied 1 spray to each forearm thereafter.

A review of the practices and results of the UTMB to South Pole teledermatology program over the past six years.

There is no place on earth more remote and inaccessible than Antarctica. In 2002, Raytheon Polar Services Co. (RPS) awarded The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston the contract to provide specialty medical services via telemedicine to the approximately 3,500 National Science Foundation (NSF) researchers and support personnel who rotate through Antarctica in a given year.

Dermal scatter reduction in human skin: a method using controlled application of glycerol.

Background And Objective: Previous studies in a hairless Guinea pig model showed that transdermal application of glycerol effected a temporary reduction in dermal scatter of light. This study focuses on the application of this protocol on human patients.

Study Design/materials And Methods: After stratum corneal removal, glycerol was applied to human subjects using a low pressure transdermal application device.

Topical imiquimod as an adjuvant to laser removal of mature tattoos in an animal model.

Background: Lasers are a commonly employed method of tattoo removal; however, numerous treatments are often needed and laser treatment may fail to eliminate the tattoo completely. It has been shown in animal studies that topical application of imiquimod cream, alone, fades tattoos. It is suspected that the combination of both imiquimod and laser treatment will result in enhanced tattoo pigment clearance.

Survey of antibiotic prescription use for inflamed epidermal inclusion cysts.

Background: Symptomatic epidermal inclusion cysts (EICs) are variously called "inflamed" or "infected," and the mechanism of inflammation or suppuration is controversial. Whether physicians routinely prescribe antibiotics for inflamed EICs is of concern owing to cost and bacterial resistance.

Objectives: To determine whether there is any difference in the diagnosis and treatment of EICs between primary care physicians and dermatologists and to estimate the rate and cost of antibiotic prescriptions for EICs.