Clinical features and management of eyelid margin nevi.

PURPOSE: Acquired melanocytic nevi are common eyelid lesions; however, their clinical presentation is not well documented. METHODS: In this retrospective study, clinical records were reviewed in patients evaluated between 2005 and 2022. RESULTS: Eyelid margin nevi (n = 150) were more commonly excised in female (78%) and Caucasian (86%) patients. Change in appearance/size were frequent presenting complaints, and 17% experienced ocular symptoms. Referring diagnosis included other benign lesions (11.3%), and concern for malignancy (16.7%). Many individuals (38.7%) noted their lesion for ≤5 years. Nevi were distributed across the 4 margins (9% peripunctal), and 88% had a regular base. Visible pigmentation was more common in non-Caucasians (95.2%) than Caucasians (41.1%). Lashes grew through 60.7% of nevi and were often misdirected.Nevi were treated with superficial excision and cauterization. Histologic subtypes included: dermal (86.6%), compound (9.4%), blue (2.7%), junctional (0.7%), lentiginous dysplastic (0.7%). An irregular base (p=0.042) and pigmentation (p=0.056) were more common in compound than dermal nevi. Lash line quality and appearance were improved in the majority of patients returning for follow-up, although postoperative trichiasis, marginal erythema, and residual pigmentation were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Melanocytic nevi commonly involve the eyelid margins and have a variety of presentations and appearances. Existing nevi can change, and new lesions appear throughout adulthood. Stable, benign appearing nevi can be observed. Shave excision provides a diagnosis and improved appearance for symptomatic or suspicious lesions, with few serious complications. Malignant transformation is rare, although evidence for recurrence warrants further evaluation.

Pure and Mixed Variants of Desmoplastic Melanoma: A Single-Center, Retrospective, Clinicopathologic Review.

BACKGROUND: Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare melanoma variant. Prognostic indicators and survival vary widely and are further confounded by the histopathologic distinction between pure DM (pDM) and mixed DM (mDM) subtypes. The utility of current treatment guidelines is limited by the lack of evidence-based recommendations. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinicopathologic characteristics of pure and mixed subtypes of DMs. METHODS: All cases of DM were identified from the Washington University in St Louis institutional pathology database between January 2000 and September 2022. Fifty-two cases were identified and subsequently categorized as pure ( n = 26) or mixed ( n = 26). Clinical and histopathologic data were collected and compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in demographics or tumor location between pure and mixed subtypes. Patients with mDM were more likely to have mitoses present ( p = .03). There were no differences in Breslow depth, tumor diameter, level of invasion, ulceration, and lymphovascular or perineural invasion. The utilization of sentinel lymph node biopsy ( p = .17) and sentinel lymph node positivity ( p = .67) were also similar. CONCLUSION: Despite histopathologic distinction between pDM and mDM, these subtypes were found to have similar clinicopathologic characteristics, including similar rates of sentinel lymph node metastasis.

Identifying critical quality metrics in Mohs Surgery: A national expert consensus process.

BACKGROUND: Amid a movement toward value-based healthcare, increasing emphasis has been placed on outcomes and cost of medical services. To define and demonstrate the quality of services provided by Mohs surgeons, it is important to identify and understand the key aspects of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) that contribute to excellence in patient care. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to develop and identify a comprehensive list of metrics in an initial effort to define excellence in MMS. METHODS: Mohs surgeons participated in a modified Delphi process to reach a consensus on a list of metrics. Patients were administered surveys to gather patient perspectives. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the original 66 metrics met final inclusion criteria. Broad support for the initiative was obtained through physician feedback. LIMITATIONS: Limitations of this study include attrition bias across survey rounds and participation at the consensus meeting. Furthermore, the list of metrics is based on expert consensus instead of quality evidence-based outcomes. CONCLUSION: With the goal of identifying metrics that demonstrate excellence in performance of MMS, this initial effort has shown that Mohs surgeons and patients have unique perspectives and can be engaged in a data-driven approach to help define excellence in the field of MMS.

Primary Cutaneous Mucinous Carcinoma: A Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) is an exceedingly rare, low-grade tumor that histologically resembles mucinous carcinoma from other primary sites, such as the breast, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to review the current literature on PCMC as it relates to epidemiology, clinical presentation, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, treatment, and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE to identify articles related to PCMC. RESULTS: Several hundred cases have been reported in the medical literature, and surgical resection, whenever feasible, is the standard of care. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma is one of exclusion, requiring a metastatic work-up to rule out distant primary. Mohs micrographic surgery is a tissue sparing technique that allows complete margin control of these rare neoplasia.

Treatment of penoscrotal basal cell carcinoma - an institutional retrospective review.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the sun-protected genital region is rare. We examined all penoscrotal BCC at a single institution over an 18-year period. A total of 7 cases were identified, 5 scrotal and 2 penile. Four cases (57%) were treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and 3 cases (43%) with conventional excision. A prior retrospective review of vulvar BCC at our institution during the same time period showed that MMS was utilized in 4 (11%) of 35 cases. Functional preservation is vital when performing surgery on the genitals and tissue-sparing MMS provides optimal tumor clearance and outcomes for both males and females.

Gender Differences in Clinical Practice and Medicare Reimbursement Among Mohs Surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Medicare reimbursement and clinical activity between male and female dermatologic surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment data from 2018 was performed for all dermatologists performing MMS. Provider gender, place of service, number of services, and average payment per service was recorded for all relevant procedure codes. RESULTS: Women represented 31.5% of the 2,581 surgeons who performed MMS in 2018. Women were paid significantly less than men (mean difference, -$73,033). On average, women performed 123 fewer cases than their male counterparts. When surgeons were stratified by productivity, remuneration was the same. CONCLUSION: Remuneration from CMS was disparate between male and female dermatologic surgeons, which may be attributed to submission of fewer charges by women. Further efforts are necessary to better evaluate and address causes for this discrepancy, because greater parity of opportunity and pay would greatly benefit this subspecialty of dermatology.

Impact of COVID-19 on dermatologic surgery: experience of a Midwestern academic practice.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted clinical practice everywhere. The aim of this study was to quantify the specific impact of COVID-19 on skin cancer treatment at an academic dermatologic surgery practice. We conducted a retrospective chart review to compare metrics such as patient visits, histological upgrading, and Mohs stages per tumor between 60-day periods immediately before and after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Out of 1138 total encounters, decreases of 58% in total in-person visits and 38% in Mohs surgeries performed were observed following declaration of the pandemic. More squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCC/SCCIS) and less basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumors were treated post-declaration compared to pre-declaration. There was a significantly higher histological upgrade rate for total tumors, as well as for the BCC subgroup, but not the SCC/SCCIS subgroup. While the overall number of dermatologic surgeries decreased after declaration of the pandemic, the higher histological upgrade rate reflects an appropriate triage of higher risk skin cancers. These findings may be useful both to assess the effectiveness of protocols for COVID-19 and to prepare for future resource-limited scenarios.

Clinical Characteristics of Basal Cell Carcinomas of the Vulva: An Institutional Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the etiology, clinical characteristics, and optimal treatment of vulvar basal cell carcinoma (BCC). OBJECTIVE: This retrospective review may aid in treatment decisions for vulvar BCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of our institutional CoPath database was performed, using search terms to identify cases of vulvar BCCs from 2000 to 2018. RESULTS: A total of 35 cases of vulvar BCC were included. Patient age ranged from 33 to 97 years with a mean age of 70 years. Of the 35 cases, 28 (80%) involved the cutaneous vulva, 6 (17%) involved the suprapubic area, and 1 (3%) involved the clitoris. Most vulvar BCCs were treated by wide local excision (46%) and vulvectomies (37%), with 3 cases treated with Mohs (11%) and 2 with electrodesiccation and curettage (6%). Preoperative tumor sizes were 0.86 cm2 for Mohs, 0.94 cm2 for excision, and 1.54 cm2 for vulvectomy. The mean margins were 3 mm for Mohs, 4.4 mm for wide local excision, and 6 mm for vulvectomy. Most cases (77%) were identified and treated by gynecology. CONCLUSION: Mohs micrographic surgery should be considered for the advantages of being tissue sparing, evaluating the complete peripheral and deep margin, and avoiding the costs and risks of general anesthesia.

Needs and Gaps in Resident Trainee Education, Clinical Patient Care, and Clinical Research in Cosmetic Dermatology: Position Statement of the Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology.

Cosmetic dermatology is a key subspecialty of academic dermatology. As such, academic centers are expected to demonstrate excellence in the teaching of cosmetic dermatology skills to trainees, the clinical delivery of cosmetic dermatology services to patients, and the performance of clinical research that advances knowledge and uncovers new therapies in cosmetic dermatology. The Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology (AACD), a newly formed medical professional society, includes as its principal aims the support of all of these areas. AACD is comprised of group of board-certified dermatologists who teach cosmetic and laser dermatology at US dermatology residency programs. An expert panel constituted by the AACD recently convened a workshop to review gaps pertaining to academic cosmetic dermatology. This panel considered needs and potential corrective initiatives in three domains: resident education, patient experience, and clinical research. The work of the panel was used to develop a roadmap, which was adopted by consensus, and which will serve to guide the AACD moving forward.

The Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology: improving cosmetic dermatology education through collaboration, research, and advocacy.

Cosmetic and laser procedures are increasingly popular among patients and are skills in which dermatologists are regarded as well trained. Most dermatology residents intend to incorporate cosmetic procedures into their practice and prefer to learn such procedures during residency through direct patient care. However, there are notable challenges in optimizing how residents are trained in cosmetic and laser dermatology. To address these barriers and elevate the practice of cosmetic dermatology in academic medicine, the Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology (AACD) was founded in 2021 as the lead professional society for dermatologists who direct the education of resident trainees in cosmetic and laser dermatology. The AACD, a group of board-certified dermatologists who teach cosmetic and laser dermatology to residents, aims to improve cosmetic dermatology education through collaboration, research, and advocacy.