Examining the Relevance to Patients of Complications in the American College of Mohs Surgery Registry: Results of a Delphi Consensus Process.

Background: Surgical registries are valuable tools for tracking outcomes. Incorporating patient input allows registries to address the interests of this important stakeholder group.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify a list of "patient-selected complications" and to explore the relevance to patients of previously published physician-identified complications.

Photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate for primary nodular basal cell carcinoma: results of two randomized studies.

Background: Data suggest that photodynamic therapy using topical methyl aminolevulinate (MAL PDT) may be a noninvasive alternative to excisional surgery for nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In the studies described here, we investigated the histologic response, tolerability, and cosmetic outcome with MAL PDT for primary nodular BCC (
Methods: Two multicenter, randomized, double-blind studies with similar design and procedures were conducted.

Diagnosing xeroderma pigmentosum group C by immunohistochemistry.

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a group of rare inherited human neurocutaneous diseases, and the group C (XPC) is the major group of patients with XP in Europe, North America, and South America. Current molecular diagnostic methods for XP require specialized, expensive, and time-consuming UV sensitivity and DNA repair assays followed by gene sequencing. To determine whether immunohistochemistry (IHC) would be a robust alternative method to diagnose patients with XPC, we stained sections of paraffin-embedded skin biopsies for XPC by IHC, using 69 archived blocks from confirmed or clinically suspect patients with XPA, XPC, XPD, XPE, and without XP.

Comparative efficacy of nonpurpuragenic pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.

Background: Erythematotelangiectatic (ET) rosacea is commonly treated with a variety of laser and light-based systems. Although many have been used successfully, there are a limited number of comparative efficacy studies.

Objective: To compare nonpurpuragenic pulsed dye laser (PDL) with intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment in the ability to reduce erythema, telangiectasia, and symptoms in patients with moderate facial ET rosacea.

Hypertrophic scarring of the neck following ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing.

Background: Ablative fractional carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser treatments have gained popularity due to their efficacy, shortened downtime, and decreased potential for scarring in comparison to traditional ablative CO(2) resurfacing. To date, scarring with fractional CO(2) lasers has not been reported.

Objective: Five patients treated with the same fractional CO(2) laser technology for photodamage of the neck were referred to our practices 1-3 months after treatment.

Fatal diffuse alveolar damage in two lung transplant patients treated with cetuximab.

Organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) that recur and metastasize despite treatment with surgery, radiation, or both. Therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are being explored as treatments for metastatic cSCC. We describe our experience with two single-lung transplant patients who developed metastatic cSCC; failed surgical resection, radiation or chemoradiation therapy; and were ultimately treated with an EGFR inhibitor, cetuximab.

Mohs micrographic surgery for lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma using Mel-5 immunostaining: University of Minnesota experience.

Background: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) continues to become a more common and accepted treatment for lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). The primary difficulty encountered lies in the accurate identification of atypical single melanocytes to determine tumor-free margins. Numerous methods have been used to better visualize single melanocytes, with varying results.

Chemoprevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer with systemic retinoids: practical dosing and management of adverse effects.

Background: In patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer that is high risk or characterized by numerous tumors, chemoprevention with systemic retinoids may effectively decrease the number of new tumors whereas the chemosuppressive effects may reduce the risk of recurrence or disease progression. A patient's intolerance of the mucocutaneous effects of retinoid therapy or abnormal laboratory findings may hamper continuous therapy.

Objective: To present a method for optimizing tolerance of systemic retinoids for chemoprevention and for monitoring and managing adverse events.

Cardiac devices and electromagnetic interference revisited: new radiofrequency technologies and implications for dermatologic surgery.

Background And Objective: As the number of patients with implantable cardiac devices escalates, inadvertent electromagnetic interference (EMI) by electrosurgery carries increasing concern for patient safety. Given the trend for dermatologic care delivery by nonphysician providers, supervising physicians must carefully consider the adequacy of perioperative evaluation in elective or cosmetic settings. Rapidly evolving technology also calls into question potential EMI of new therapeutic modalities (radiofrequency resurfacing, electrochemotherapy, and endovenous ablation).

Practical retinoid chemoprophylaxis in solid organ transplant recipients.

Solid organ transplant recipients are at a significantly increased risk of developing skin cancer. Both systemic and topical retinoids are useful for chemosuppression of skin cancer in this patient population. These drugs can reduce both the present extent and the future development of premalignant and malignant skin lesions.

Surgical treatment of obstructive palpebral tumors in d'emblee variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Background: Our patient presented with an unusual case of rapidly growing palpebral tumors, which obstructed his vision and caused professional and social impairment.

Objectives: The objective was to report the role of surgical management in a case of the d'emblee variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and to provide a literature review.

Methods: Tumors of the eyelids previously treated with topical and oral retinoids, indomethacin, dapsone, systemic chemotherapy, and high-dose systemic corticosteroids respond finally to conservative excision and second intention healing.

Pulsed dye laser treatment of rosacea improves erythema, symptomatology, and quality of life.

Background: Persistent erythema and dysesthetic symptoms are typical manifestations of rosacea.

Objective: We sought to assess improvement in erythema, symptoms, and quality of life after pulsed dye laser treatment.

Methods: Sixteen patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea participated.

Effectiveness of microporous polysaccharide hemospheres for achieving hemostasis in mohs micrographic surgery.

Background: Microporous polysaccharide hemospheres consist of controlled-porosity spherical particles manufactured from bioinert plant polysaccharide. Microporous polysaccharide hemospheres facilitate hemostasis by rapidly absorbing the fluid component of blood, concentrating platelets and clotting factors to accelerate blood clotting.

Objective: The objective was to compare a microporous polysaccharide hemosphere bandage and electrocautery in achieving hemostasis.

Effect of acitretin on wound healing in organ transplant recipients.

Background: Systemic retinoids possess significant benefits in cutaneous malignancy chemoprevention; however, retinoids have been associated with excessive granulation tissue and hypertrophic scarring.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess wound healing outcomes in organ transplant recipients, both with and without the concomitant use of systemic acitretin chemoprophylaxis.

Methods: Twenty-nine immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients underwent treatment of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma by Mohs or excisional surgery, with a total of 85 wounds.

Guidelines for the management of squamous cell carcinoma in organ transplant recipients.

Background: Solid-organ transplant recipients have a high incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and often develop multiple and aggressive tumors. There are few published studies or reviews, which provide guidance to the clinician in the treatment of these patients.

Objective: The objective was to develop useful clinical guidelines for the treatment of skin cancer in organ transplant recipients (OTRs).

Photodynamic therapy of multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers with verteporfin and red light-emitting diodes: two-year results evaluating tumor response and cosmetic outcomes.

Background: Efficient treatment of patients with multiple synchronous nonmelanoma skin cancers represents a therapeutic challenge.

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin and red light in the treatment of multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Design: Open-label, randomized, multicenter, dose-ranging phase 2 study conducted at 4 North American university-based dermatology clinics.

Neurocutaneous melanosis in association with encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis.

We describe a white female infant with neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) and encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL). Multiple, giant and small congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) were observed on the head, neck and trunk and involved 70% of body surface area. Histologic examination of several CMN revealed atypical nodular proliferations of dermal nevomelanocytes.

Magnetic resonance imaging and permanent cosmetics (tattoos): survey of complications and adverse events.

Purpose: To use a survey to determine the incidence of complications and adverse events in individuals with permanent cosmetics (e.g., tattooed eyeliner, eyebrows, lips, cheeks, etc.