Electrosurgical debulking of pretibial myxedema of the foot.

Pretibial myxedema or thyroid dermopathy constitutes dermal deposition of mucin, primarily hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate. It is a manifestation of autoimmune thyroiditis, seen more in Graves disease than in Hashimoto thyroiditis. The time delay from treatment of hyperthyroidism to appearance of localized myxedema varies from one month to 16 years (mean 5.

Secukinumab emerges as a rapidly effective therapy for pityriasis rubra pilaris.

Refractory pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) often is treated off-label with the same biologic therapies that are approved for the treatment of psoriasis, most commonly tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α antagonists and ustekinumab; however, the IL-17A antagonist secukinumab also has shown efficacy in the treatment of PRP. We report 2 new cases of severe refractory PRP that responded rapidly to treatment with secukinumab.

Unique clinical presentations of pityriasis rosea: aphthous ulcers, vesicles and inverse distribution of lesions.

Pityriasis Rosea (PR) is a common skin disorderencountered in daily practice. Although its etiologyhas not been established, there has been widespreadresearch into possibilities. The lack of its characteristicmanifestations, specifically the herald patch andtruncal involvement, can lead to pitfalls in diagnosis.

The use of an imagery mnemonic to teach the Krebs cycle.

The Krebs Cycle is a highly taught biochemical pathway that is traditionally difficult to learn. Twenty-seven undergraduate students were randomized to a rote memorization arm or to a mnemonic arm. They were given a pre-test, then shown a lecture corresponding to their assigned method, and then given an immediate Week 0 post-test and a Week 4 post-test.

Understanding the logic of common suturing techniques in dermatologic surgery.

Although most trainees in dermatology learn that different suturing techniques are designated for a specific purpose (i.e., certain functional and cosmetic outcomes), students often have a difficult time visualizing how a given suture functions in its designated capacity.

Long-term durability and dose escalation patterns in infliximab therapy for psoriasis.

Background: Infliximab often requires dose escalation to maintain response. Studies regarding long-term durability and dose escalation patterns for psoriasis are few.

Objective: We sought to evaluate dose escalation patterns in psoriatic patients to identify factors of lack of optimal response to infliximab.

Combination use of ustekinumab with other systemic therapies: a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center.

Background: Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis may not respond adequately to single systemic agent and may require combination systemic therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, indications, and response to combination systemic therapy with ustekinumab for psoriasis in a tertiary referral center.

Methods: This retrospective study comprised 102 psoriasis patients treated with ustekinumab at a single tertiary care center.

Acquired perforating dermatosis: a clinical and dermatoscopic correlation.

Acquired Perforating Dermatosis (APD) is a perforating disease characterized by transepidermal elimination of dermal material [1,2]. This disease usually develops in adulthood. APD has been reported to occur in association with various diseases, but is most commonly associated with dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure (CRF) or diabetes mellitus (DM) [1,2,3,4].

Organizing a dermatology service mission.

Background: There are few published guidelines that describe the forethought and logistical considerations needed to create a dermatology-specific medical mission.

Objective: To report the experience of planning and executing a successful medical mission to an underserved community in Puerto Rico.

Methods: We identified an area of need and projected the volume of patients and diseases to be treated.

Practical use of biologic therapy in dermatology: some considerations and checklists.

Background: Practice varies with respect to biologic therapy counseling and monitoring of biologic therapy. Because of the complexity, many physicians shy away from prescribing biologic therapy.

Objective: To create checklists and discuss considerations behind various counseling and monitoring issues.

The sensitivity and specificity of potassium hydroxide smear and fungal culture relative to clinical assessment in the evaluation of tinea pedis: a pooled analysis.

Background. There are relatively few studies published examining the sensitivity and specificity of potassium hydroxide (KOH) smear and fungal culture examination of tinea pedis. Objective.

Practical aspects in the management of hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Management considerations in hypokalemic periodic paralysis include accurate diagnosis, potassium dosage for acute attacks, choice of diuretic for prophylaxis, identification of triggers, creating a safe physical environment, peri-operative measures, and issues in pregnancy. A positive genetic test in the context of symptoms is the gold standard for diagnosis. Potassium chloride is the favored potassium salt given at 0.