Building successful culture, mission, and vision in dermatology.

Building a successful culture in academic dermatology is necessary now more than ever, but this problem is compounded by the shortage of dermatologists, especially academicians. This dearth of academic dermatologists raises questions about who will train future generations of physicians and who will drive innovative research to advance the field and improve patient care. Recruitment and retention of dermatologists in academia faces steep challenges posed by increasing demands within academic medicine and the draw of the private sector. It is important to address barriers to a career in academia. Efforts should be focused on modifiable aspects of dermatology residency experiences to promote a career in academic dermatology. Of equal importance is the retention of faculty already in academia because midcareer shifts from academic settings to private practice can result in a significant leadership gap.

Building successful culture, mission, and vision in dermatology.

Building a successful culture in academic dermatology is necessary now more than ever, which is compounded by the shortage of dermatologists, especially academicians. This dearth of academic dermatologists raises questions concerning who will train future generations of physicians and who will drive innovative research to advance the field and improve patient care. Recruitment and retention of dermatologists in academia faces steep challenges posed by increasing demands within academic medicine and the draw of the private sector. It is important to address barriers to a career in academia. Efforts should be focused on modifiable aspects of dermatology residency experiences to promote a career in academic dermatology. Of equal importance is the retention of faculty already in academia because midcareer shifts from academic settings to private practice can result in a significant leadership gap.

Annular bullous diseases.

Annular bullous dermatoses represent an etiologically diverse group of cutaneous phenomena that present with a figurate morphology in association with vesicles and bullae. This group of diverse conditions consists of bullous pemphigoid; pemphigoid gestationis; epidermolysis bullosa simplex, Dowling-Meara type; linear immunoglobulin A bullous dermatosis; chronic bullous disease of childhood; anti-p200 pemphigoid; subcorneal pustular dermatosis; and immunoglobulin A pemphigus. Astute examination of clinical, histopathologic, and serologic features is crucial in distinguishing these bullous dermatoses. We review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, histopathology, and treatments for each bullous annular disease to aid physicians in their recognition, diagnosis, and management.

Chronic Pruritus Responding to Dupilumab-A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pruritus is defined as itch lasting for greater than six weeks. Pruritus is a burdensome manifestation of several internal and external disease states with a significant impact on quality of life. Dupilumab has shown promise in treating a number of conditions including atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma. Its success in reducing pruritus in AD has generated interest regarding its potential application in other pruritic conditions, such as chronic pruritus of unknown origin, uremic pruritus, and pruigo nodularis. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we present a series of 20 recalcitrant pruritus patients seen at a tertiary center treated with off-label dupilumab at standard AD dosing. RESULTS: Dupilumab was successful at reducing itch in all treated patients, leading to complete resolution in 12/20 patients and an overall mean NRSi reduction of 7.55. Dupilumab was well tolerated with no significant adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our case series suggests dupilumab may be a safe and efficacious therapeutic option in several pruritic conditions and demonstrates the need for further studies to better ascertain its place in the pruritus treatment armamentarium.