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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

[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.     

Evidence‐based skin care in preterm infants

Most guidelines on neonatal skin care emphasize issues pertaining to healthy, term infants. Few address the complex task of skin barrier maintenance in preterm, very preterm, and extremely preterm infants. Here, we provide an evidence‐based review of the literature on skin care of preterm neonates. Interestingly, the stratum corneum does not fully develop until late in the third trimester, and as such, the barrier function of preterm skin is significantly compromised. Numerous interventions are available to augment the weak skin barrier of neonates. Plastic wraps reduce the incidence of hypothermia while semipermeable and transparent adhesive dressings improve skin quality and decrease the incidence of electrolyte abnormalities. Tub bathing causes less body temperature variability than sponge bathing and can be performed as infrequently as once every four days without increasing bacterial colonization of the skin. Topical emollients, particularly sunflower seed oil, appear to reduce the incidence of skin infections in premature neonates—but only in developing countries. In developed countries, studies indicate that topical petrolatum ointment increases the risk of candidemia and coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus infection in the preterm population, perhaps by creating a milieu similar to occlusive dressings. For preterm infants with catheters, povidone‐iodine and chlorhexidine are comparably effective at preventing catheter colonization. Further studies are necessary to examine the safety and efficacy of various skin care interventions in premature infants with an emphasis placed on subclassifying the patient population. In the interim, it may be beneficial to develop guidelines based on the current body of evidence.     

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices

About 1000 patients were investigated at our clinic during 1991 for occupational skin disease. and 5 had occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. The patients were chefs, or kitchen, coffee room, and restaurant workers. All patients had hand (or finger) dermatitis. The causative spices were: garlic, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and clove, The same patients also had allergic patch test reactions to foods: tomato, lettuce and carrot. Paprika elicited a weak allergic patch test reaction in 2 patients. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices is relatively rare, but needs to be taken into consideration in patients who have hand dermatitis, and work with spices and foods, Patch testing with spices as is useful, but testing with dilutions in pet, may be needed to confirm that the patch test reactions are allergic. Patients also need to be prick tested with spices and foods.     

Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery

Chronic venous insufficiency is a tremendous health care problem in western societies. Venous disease can affect any combination of the superficial, deep, and perforator venous systems of the lower extremities. Generally the superficial venous deficits are addressed through sclerotherapy, enovenous ablation, stab phlebectomy, and or stripping. Patients with advanced clinical sequelae (lipodermatosclerosis or ulceration) of CVI should also be evaluated for the presence of incompetent perforating veins. Open surgical approached to the calf perforating veins (ie. Linton procedure) were complicated by significant wound complications and have largely been replaced by the less invasive Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (SEPS). The use of SEPS in patients with ulceration has been shown to be safe and to reduce the time that patients will have ulcers during follow-up. This chapter will review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of incompetent perforating veins of the legs with particular attention to surgical issues.     

Sensitization and cross-reaction patterns in Danish Compositae-allergic patients

Results of aimed patch testing with constituents of sesquiterpene lactone (SL) mix, Compositae mix (CM) and other Compositae extracts and allergens in 190 Compositae-allergic patients detected in an 8-year period are presented. Feverfew of CM elicited positive reactions most frequently, followed by tansy, wild chamomile, yarrow and arnica, whereas dehydrocostus lactone of SL was the most frequent elicitor of positive reactions, followed by alantolactone and costunolide. Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema) and marguerite (Argyranthemum frutescens) were the most important suspected sensitizers in both occupationally and nonoccupationally exposed, and cross-reactions between chrysanthemum and feverfew/tansy/chamomile may partly explain the high prevalence of positive reactions to the 3 last mentioned. In the nonoccupationally sensitized group, garden plants such as feverfew, blanket flower (Gaillardia), elecampane (Inula helenium), large yellow ox-eye (Telekia speciosa) and cosmea (Cosmos) were additional important allergenic plants. The 3 last mentioned were picked up by SL mix. Most of the lettuce-sensitized persons were CM-positive. 19% of the occupationally sensitized group were negative to both SL and CM, making very aimed patch testing necessary, notably when suspecting rare sensitizers such as Gerbera and star of the veldt (Osteospermum). The significance of the weeds dandelion, dog fennel and ox-eye daisy as sensitizers is not clarified, but they are probably less important than cultivated plants.