Limiting Residency Applications to Dermatology Benefits Nearly Everyone.

With a 34-percent increase in dermatology residency applications in the past decade, residency programs are increasingly faced with the daunting task of reviewing more applications for a relatively fixed number of residency positions. Other specialty programs, including otolaryngology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and ophthalmology, have called for limiting the number of residency applications. Dermatology programs have developed various ways to decrease the number of reviewed applications, from cutoffs for Step 1 board scores to Alpha Omega Alpha membership to secondary applications.

AKT1 Activates Focal Adhesion Kinase and Promotes Melanoma Brain Metastasis.

Alterations in the PI3K/AKT pathway occur in up to 70% of melanomas and are associated with disease progression. The three AKT paralogs are highly conserved but data suggest they have distinct functions. Activating mutations of AKT1 and AKT3 occur in human melanoma but their role in melanoma formation and metastasis remains unclear.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns After Micrographic Surgery: A Follow-up Retrospective Chart Review.

Background: The abuse of opioids has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and leftover medications are a primary source for nonmedical pain relievers. A past study at the University of Utah showed that micrographic surgeons were likely overprescribing opioids, with 35% of patients receiving a postoperative prescription.

Objective: To examine the current opioid prescribing habits of the micrographic surgeons at the University of Utah compared with those in 2010.

Benign melanocytic lymph node deposits in the setting of giant congenital melanocytic nevi: the large congenital nodal nevus.

Background: Benign melanocytic rests are a frequent finding in superficial lymph nodes removed during sentinel lymph node biopsies for melanoma. Whereas the histopathology of these deposits is well understood, very little is known regarding melanocytic lymph node deposits in the setting of giant congenital melanocytic nevi.

Methods: We analyzed lymph nodes removed from the drainage basin of giant congenital melanocytic nevi in three patients who had developed melanoma within their giant congenital nevi.

Mohs appropriate use criteria: retrospectively applied to nonmelanoma skin cancers at a single academic center.

Background: In September 2012, appropriate use criteria (AUC) for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) were released by a collaboration of dermatology organizations including the American College of Mohs Surgery.

Objective: The group sought to determine adherence to the Mohs AUC at the academic institution.

Materials And Methods: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of all nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) treated within the University of Utah, Department of Dermatology, from January through March of 2012.

Secondary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia: looking for the unexpected diagnosis.

Development of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with immunosuppression has become more frequently reported. A patient with acute myeloid leukemia was treated to remission, when on follow-up 9 months after his initial diagnosis, he was noted to have a generalized rash and lymphadenopathy. Evaluation of skin and bone marrow biopsies was suggestive of a relapsed leukemia, and treatment was initiated.

Facial allergic granulomatous reaction and systemic hypersensitivity associated with microneedle therapy for skin rejuvenation.

Importance: Microneedle therapy includes skin puncture with multiple micro-sized needles to promote skin rejuvenation or increase transdermal delivery of topical medications. In cosmetic practices, various cosmeceuticals are applied before microneedling to enhance the therapeutic effects. This results in intradermal tattooing of the topical product.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma in pregnant women.

Background: The incidence of melanoma is rising in young women of childbearing age. Melanoma diagnosed during pregnancy presents unique challenges. This study was conducted to determine the effect of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for melanoma on maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women.

Cold panniculitis following ice therapy for cardiac arrhythmia.

Ice therapy has long been used as first line treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in neonates. We report a case of cold panniculitis developing in a 12-day-old neonate after ice therapy for cardiac arrhythmia. This is the first biopsy-proved case of cold panniculitis following ice therapy for supraventricular tachycardia in a newborn.

Nonmelanoma skin cancers of the ear: correlation between subanatomic location and post-Mohs micrographic surgery defect size.

Background: Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) of the ear can result in large defects with significant morbidity.

Objective: To determine whether subanatomic location of NMSCs, based on ease of visualization of the ear, correlated with post-Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) defect size.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 142 post-MMS ear lesions was performed and categorized according to subanatomic location: the helix, antihelix, and tragus (Location 1); retroauricular (Location 2); and conchal bowl, scapha, and triangular fossa (Location 3).