Treatment of pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis with nonablative fractional resurfacing laser resulting in clinical and histologic improvement in elastin and collagen.

Objective: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis (PXE-PDE) is a rare skin condition seen predominantly in elderly females. These asymptomatic lesions are brought to the dermatologist's attention due to patient's displeasure in their appearance. We report a case of a 28-year-old female with PXE-PDE on the right neck treated with nonablative fractional resurfacing (NAFR).

Acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis in a 60-year-old male: a case report and review of the literature.

Acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis is an acquired pigmentary disorder that has been described in only 20 patients but likely affects many more. This case of a man with acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis is unique as most reports are in women. We report the case of a 60-year-old male who presents with an asymptomatic eruption characterized by hyperpigmented and telangiectatic macules coalescing into patches on the bilateral extensor aspects of the forearms which is consistent clinically and histopathologically with acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis.

Characterization of clinical photosensitivity in cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Background: Photosensitivity (PS) in lupus erythematosus (LE) is frequently determined by patient report.

Objective: We sought to characterize self-reported PS in cutaneous LE (CLE).

Methods: The PS survey was used to classify subject responses into 5 phenotypes: direct sun-induced CLE flare (directCLE); general exacerbation of CLE (genCLE); polymorphic light eruption-like reactions (genSkin); general pruritus/paresthesias (genRxn); and sun-induced systemic symptoms (genSys).

Impact of smoking in cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To investigate cigarette smoking in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE).

Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: Urban cutaneous autoimmune disease clinic.

Response to antimalarial agents in cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a prospective analysis.

Objective: To demonstrate response to antimalarial agents in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) using activity scores from the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index, a validated outcome measure.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: University cutaneous autoimmune disease clinic.

Prevalence of self-report photosensitivity in cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of self-reported photosensitivity (PS) and its effects on quality of life in a US cutaneous lupus population.

Objective: We sought to determine the prevalence of self-reported PS among a cutaneous lupus population and to examine its impact on quality of life.

Methods: A total of 169 patients with lupus were interviewed about PS symptoms and completed the modified Skindex-29+3, a quality-of-life survey.

Quality of life in dermatomyositis.

Background: Quality of life (QoL) for patients with inflammatory skin disease can be significant, but has been evaluated in just one study in dermatomyositis (DM).

Objective: We sought to examine the relationship between the Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Area (CDASI) and Severity Index, a DM-specific cutaneous severity instrument, and various QoL study instruments and to determine the impact of DM on QoL.

Methods: Skin-specific QoL instruments, the Skindex and the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and global medical QoL instruments, the Short Form 36 and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, were used.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon inflation with syringes: who needs an inflator?

Purpose: High pressures are important in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, particularly in hemodialysis access. Although many operators rely on commercially available inflators, small syringes can deliver high pressures, which might make inflators unnecessary. Recently introduced polycarbonate (PC) syringes may allow higher pressure delivery than traditional polypropylene (PP) ones, so the present study was performed to determine predictors of inflation pressures achievable with various syringe designs.