Using the ultra-long pulse width pulsed dye laser and elliptical spot to treat resistant nasal telangiectasia.

Thick linear telangiectasia on the ala nasi and nasolabial crease can be resistant to treatment with the potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser and the traditional round spot on a pulsed dye laser (PDL). We evaluated the efficacy of a 3 mm x 10 mm elliptical spot using the ultra-long pulse width on a Candela Vbeam(R) PDL for treatment of PDL- and KTP laser-resistant nasal telangiectasia. Nasal telangiectasia resistant to PDL (12 patients) and KTP laser (12 patients) in 18 patients were treated with a 3 mm x 10 mm elliptical spot on the ultra-long pulse pulsed dye laser (ULPDL) utilising long pulse width [595 nm, 40 ms, double pulse, 30:20 dynamic cooling device (DCD)].

Defining cancer risk in dermatomyositis. Part I.

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) comprise polymyositis, myositis overlapping with another connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis (DM) and inclusion-body myositis (IBM). IIMs are characterized by the presence of proximal muscle weakness, increased levels of muscle-specific enzymes, specific electromyographic abnormalities, and the presence of inflammatory cell infiltrates in skeletal muscle. Clinical, serological and histological criteria can be used to define individual IIM subtypes.

Defining cancer risk in dermatomyositis. Part II. Assessing diagnostic usefulness of myositis serology.

In part 1 of this review, we examined the evidence behind the association between idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and cancers. In view of the well-recognized association between cancer and myositis (hence the term cancer-associated myositis, or CAM), clinicians responsible for the management of patients with myositis must make important decisions regarding how intensively they undertake searches for malignancy. Clinicians must also decide how often such searches are repeated, and again how intensively, to optimize both cancer detection and treatment, and thus patient survival.

Outcomes of treatment of nine cases of recalcitrant severe hidradenitis suppurativa with carbon dioxide laser.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and often a recalcitrant inflammatory skin condition.

Objectives: To present the results of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment of recalcitrant HS in nine patients who had failed to improve on medical and other surgical treatments.

Methods: HS lesions consisting of abscesses, sinuses and granulation tissue were completely excised using the cutting mode of a CO2 laser, leaving only healthy residual subcutaneous fat.

Magnetic resonance imaging: advances in the investigation of atheromatous renovascular disease.

Prediction of renal functional outcome following revascularization procedures in atheromatous renovascular disease (ARVD) has remained a challenge. In considering the etiology of renal impairment, researchers have shifted their focus now from the influence of degree of renal artery stenosis (RAS) to the importance of intrinsic parenchymal damage caused by hypertension, atheroemboli, downstream cytokine and/or cholesterol crystal release, as well as indicators of tissue viability. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques and MR-based indices are able to provide a detailed assessment of the morphologic and functional aspects of the ARVD kidney.

Variability in cognitive presentation of Alzheimer's disease.

The aim of the present study was to explore the nature and prevalence of phenotypic variations in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neuropsychological profiles of a large cross-sectional cohort of patients with a clinical diagnosis of the disease were examined. All tests distinguished the AD group from controls confirming their sensitivity to the presence of early AD.