Outcomes and adverse effects of ablative vs nonablative lasers for skin resurfacing: A systematic review of 1093 patients

It is generally believed that ablative laser therapies result in prolonged healing and greater adverse events when compared with nonablative lasers for skin resurfacing. To evaluate the efficacy of ablative laser use for skin resurfacing and adverse events as a consequence of treatment in comparison to other modalities, a PRISMA‐compliant systematic review (Systematic Review Registration Number: 204016) of twelve electronic databases was conducted for the terms “ablative laser” and “skin resurfacing” from March 2002 until July 2020. Studies included meta‐analyses, randomized control trials, cohort studies, and case reports to facilitate evaluation of the data. All articles were evaluated for bias. The search strategy produced 34 studies. Of 1093 patients included in the studies of interest, adverse events were reported in a total of 106 patients (9.7%). Higher rates of adverse events were described in nonablative therapies (12.2% ± 2.19%, 31 events) when compared with ablative therapy (8.28% ± 2.46%, 81 events). 147 patients (13.4%) reported no side effects, 68 (6.22%) reported expected, transient self‐resolving events, and five (0.046%) presented with hypertrophic scarring. Excluding transient events, ablative lasers had fewer complications overall when compared with nonablative lasers (2.56% ± 2.19% vs 7.48% ± 3.29%). This systematic review suggests ablative laser use for skin resurfacing is a safe and effective modality to treat a range of pathologies from photodamage and acne scars to hidradenitis suppurativa and posttraumatic scarring from basal cell carcinoma excision. Further studies are needed, but these results suggest that ablative lasers are a superior, safe, and effective modality to treat damaged skin.     

New fillers for the new man

ABSTRACT:  Two new collagen-based lidocaine-containing dermal fillers, ArteSense™/ArteFill™ (Artes Medical, San Diego, CA) and Evolence® (Colbar LifeScience Ltd., Herzliya, Israel), have proved to be of particular interest to men, many of whom seek a long-lasting or permanent correction. ArteFill™ has been available in the United States since 2006, and it is expected that Evolence® will reach the American market in 2008. The properties of the two products will be described, and experience based on the administration of many hundreds of syringes of both products by a Canadian dermatologist will be detailed here, with tips and precautions to optimize patient outcomes.     

Genetic alterations in RAS‐regulated pathway in acral lentiginous melanoma

Studies integrating clinicopathological and genetic features have revealed distinct patterns of genomic aberrations in Melanoma. Distributions of BRAF or NRAS mutations and gains of several oncogenes differ among melanoma subgroups, while 9p21 deletions are found in all melanoma subtypes. In the study, status of genes involved in cell cycle progression and apoptosis was evaluated in a panel of 17 frozen primary acral melanomas. NRAS mutations were found in 17% of the tumors. In contrast, BRAF mutations were not found. Gains of AURKA gene (20q13.3) were detected in 37.5% of samples, gains of CCND1 gene (11q13) or TERT gene (5p15.33) in 31.2% and gains of NRAS gene (1p13.2) in 25%. Alterations in 9p21 were identified in 69% of tumors. Gains of 11q13 and 20q13 were mutually exclusive, and 1p13.2 gain was associated with 5p15.33. Our findings showed that alterations in RAS‐related pathways are present in 87.5% of acral lentiginous melanomas.     

Deutliche Einschränkung der Lebensqualität bei Patienten mit Pemphigus vulgaris: Ergebnisse der deutschen Bullous Skin Disease (BSD)‐Studiengruppe

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially life‐threatening autoimmune disorder of the skin and mucous membranes characterized by antibodies against epidermal adhesion molecules. Clinically characteristic are painful chronic blisters or erosions of mucous membranes and skin. There are no published studies on the impact o this disease on quality of life. Patients and methods: This registration was performed within the scope of the German BSD (Bullous Skin Disease) study group, from November 1997 until January 2002. A total of 36 patients with the first diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris were registered at the university hospitals of Dresden, Erlangen, Kiel, Mannheim, München and Würzburg. Thirty of the 36 (83 %) patients participated in the quality of life questionnaire utilizing the German version of ‘Dermatology Life Quality Index’ (DLQI) provided by A. Y. Finlay. The DLQI varies from 0 to 30 with an increased DLQI score indicating a decrease in quality of quality. Results: The overall DLQI total score of 10 ± 6,7 in the investigated pemphigus patients was significantly increased in comparison to other skin diseases. Conclusions: These results suggest that the DLQI can be a very useful additional outcome criteria for clinical studies with pemphigus vulgaris and in the treatment of these patients.     

Mutations in mevalonate pathway genes in patients with familial or sporadic porokeratosis

Porokeratosis comprises heterogeneous keratinization disorders that are characterized by one or more atrophic patches surrounded by a ridge‐like cornoid lamella. In this study, we evaluated seven families affected by porokeratosis and five sporadic patients of the disease in a Chinese population. We performed Sanger sequencing of exons and flanking intron–exon boundaries of mevalonate pathway genes (MVD, MVK, PMVK and FDPS) and of SLC17A9. In five familial and three sporadic patients, we detected six variations, including four novel mutations (MVD c.1A>G; p.Met1?, c.916G>A; p.Ala306Thr, c.1013+1G>A, and PMVK c.65A>G; p.Lys22Arg) and two recurrent mutations (MVD c.746T>C; p.Phe249Ser, and MVK c.1028T>C; p.Leu343Pro). We then applied I‐TASSER and iGEMDOCK to assess these variants for probable functional impacts. The findings of this study extend the mutation spectrum of porokeratosis and provide further evidence for the genetic basis of this disease.     

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by decorative plants

12 cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by decorative plants were diagnosed in a 14-year period. The patients were middle-aged, and their average exposure time was 13 years. The plant families and plants causing occupational contact dermatitis were Compositae (5 patients: chrysanthemum, elecampane, gerbera, feverfew), Alstroemeriaceae (5 patients, Alstroemeria ), Liliaceae (4 patients; tulip, hyacinth). Amaryllidaceae (2 patients: narcissus) and Caryophyllaceae (2 patients; carnation, cauzeflower). The known chemical allergens causing dermatitis were tuliposide-A and sesquiterepene lactones, such as alantolactones and parthenolide, in the Liliaceae and Compositae families. 7 of the 12 patients were able to continue their work; 5 were not because of severe relapses of skin symptoms. The plant allergen and extract series currently available are of great help in the diagnosis.     

[Translated article] Pruritus in Dermatology: Part 1—General Concepts and Pruritogens

Pruritus is the most common symptom of dermatologic and systemic diseases. The diagnosis of pruritus is clinical, although additional tests may be necessary to identify or confirm the cause. Translational medicine has led to the discovery of new mediators of itch, or pruritogens, as well as new receptors. Knowing how to properly recognize the main pathway that mediates itch in each patient is the key to successful treatment. Although the histaminergic pathway predominates in conditions like urticaria or drug-induced pruritus, it is the nonhistaminergic pathway that predominates in nearly all other skin diseases covered in this review. Part 1 of this 2-part review discusses the classification of pruritus, additional testing, the pathophysiology of itch and the pruritogens implicated (including cytokines and other molecules), and central sensitization to itch.     

Anästhesieverfahren in der Dermatologie

Zusammenfassung Die Verfahren der Lokalanästhesie sind integraler Bestandteil der operativen Dermatologie. Sie gewährleisten eine effiziente und sichere Analgesie in umschriebenen Haut- und Weichteilregionen und ermöglichen, einen sonst schmerzhaften diagnostischen oder therapeutischen Eingriff bei erhaltenem Bewusstsein zu tolerieren. Einzelne Methoden der Applikation sind "konkurrenzlos", wie die topische Applikation von EMLA^® oder die Kryoanästhesie, andere bieten alternative Optionen zur Allgemeinanästhesie. Die Tumeszenzlokalanästhesie wurde—jenseits der kosmetischen Liposuktion—zu einer effizienten Anästhesieform für größere Operationen bei Tumoren der Haut, plastische Rekonstruktionen und in der Phlebochirurgie weiterentwickelt. Die Wahl des Verfahrens im Einzelfall wird vom Alter, der Kooperationsfähigkeit und der Komorbidität des Patienten bestimmt. Für Infiltrationsanästhesien werden heute vorwiegend Lokalanästhetika vom Amidtyp eingesetzt. Fundierte Kenntnisse über die Anatomie der sensiblen Nerven sind Voraussetzung für erfolgreiche operationsfeldnahe periphere Blockaden. Wenn die Wirkungsweise der Lokalanästhetika, ihre toxischen Effekte und potenzielle Arzneimittelinteraktionen bei ihrem Metabolismus in der Praxis beachtet werden, dann ist das Risiko von Komplikationen relativ gering. Es sollte dennoch nicht unterschätzt, und adäquate Notfallmaßnahmen im Operationsteam sollten regelmäßig trainiert werden.     

Self‐resolving superficial primary cutaneous mucormycosis in a 7‐week‐old infant

A 7‐week‐old girl, born at 30 weeks' gestational age, presented to clinic for evaluation of a crop of vesicular lesions that were noted after removal of a bandage that had been in place for 4 days. A punch biopsy of the lesion revealed fungal elements that were later identified as Rhizopus spp. The lesion began to self‐resolve, and no further treatment was needed, with full resolution of the lesion by 1 month after presentation. Clinicians should be aware of the variable presentations of mucormycosis and consider fungal infection in the differential diagnosis when evaluating vulnerable patients with skin eruptions.     

Pathogenic role of IL-17 in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder resulting from a complex network of cytokines and chemokines produced by various immune cell types and tissue cells. Emerging evidence suggests a central role of IL-17 and IL-23/T17 axis in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, giving a rationale for using IL-17-blocking agents as therapeutics.Three agents targeting IL-17 signaling are being studied in Phase III clinical trials: secukinumab and ixekizumab (IL-17 neutralizing agents), and brodalumab (IL-17 receptor antagonist). Preliminary results are highly promising for all anti-IL17 agents, creating fair expectations on this class of agents as the new effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of psoriasis.     

Combined effects of irritants and allergens. Synergistic effects of nickel and sodium lauryl sulfate in nickel- sensitized individuals

Knowledge of the combined effects of irritants and allergens is of interest with respect to accurate risk assessment. The threshold for elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis in previously sensitized individuals may theoretically be markedly influenced by the simultaneous presence of irritants and allergens. Combined exposures have, however, only been studied infrequently. In the present study, the combined effect of an irritant and an allergen was evaluated in a dose-response designed experimental study. 20 nickel-sensitized subjects were exposed to patch testing with varying concentrations of NiCl2 (nickel chloride) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) alone and in combination. Evaluation of skin reactions was performed by colorimetry, measurement of transepidermal water loss and clinical evaluation, and the data were analyzed by logistic dose-response models. A synergistic effect was found of combined exposure to NiCl2 and SLS, as compared to each of the substances applied separately, as evaluated by colorimetry and clinical scoring. This means that the effect produced by the combined exposure was substantially greater than the effect produced by either of the substances alone. A synergistic effect of combined exposure on skin barrier impairment was not found, since the barrier function is significantly influenced by SLS-exposure only and not by NiCl2. Concentration limits are used by industry and government agencies to protect consumers. The present results clearly illustrate that elicitation thresholds and concentration limits may be influenced considerably by combined exposure to allergens and irritants.     

Compound heterozygous mutations in desmoplakin associated with skin fragility,follicular hyperkeratosis,alopecia, and nail dystrophy

Desmoplakin mutations are associated with a wide variety of phenotypes affecting the skin, nails, hair, and heart. A 21‐month‐old boy was born with multiple erosions resembling epidermolysis bullosa, complete alopecia, nail dystrophy, palmoplantar keratoderma, and areas of follicular hyperkeratosis. He was found to have two heterozygous mutations in the desmoplakin gene: c.478 C>T in exon 4 (p.Arg160X) and c.3630T>A in exon 23 (Tyr1210X). This case expands the clinical spectrum associated with desmoplakin mutations and highlights a mutation in exon 23 that has not been previously reported in the literature.