Impact of a cybertutor in dermatological teaching.

BACKGROUND: The potential value of multimedia programs as an accessory instrument for medical education has already been demonstrated in several areas. However, most of them lack adequate validation. The authors proposed this study in order to develop and evaluate a computer multimedia program, aiming at providing a more attractive and state of the art learning tool in dermatology. METHODS: The cybertutor was developed containing clinical cases, self-education classes, and short video presentations. In order to evaluate its impact, 50 undergraduate students attending the third year of Medical School at UFRGS were randomized into two groups: group 1 was submitted to a multimedia program on a specific dermatological subject - parasite infestations, and group 2 to standard classes on the same subject. Both classes were taught by an experienced teacher, on the same subject and at the same time. In the end, the level of knowledge acquisition for the two groups was evaluated by a multiple choice test. RESULTS: The average of correct answers was 11.16 (SD = 1.625) in group 1 and 11.96 (SD = 1.645) in group 2. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.09). The majority (80%) of the students who attended the cybertutor group showed interest in taking part in similar activities. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, multimedia programs may be used for undergraduate education in Dermatology as a complementary educational tool. Contact with an instructor is still considered to be important and should be offered simultaneously.

Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis with intravenous immunoglobulin: a series of three cases.

Stevens-Johnson's syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening dermatoses, that lead to keratinocyte apoptosis induced by interactions between Fas (cell death receptor) and soluble Fas-ligand, present in serum of Stevens-Johnson's syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis patients. Anti-Fas antibodies in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) would block the apoptosis cascade. Three cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis occurred in one male and two female patients, after use of allopurinol, leprosy multidrug therapy concomitant with dipyrone, and diclofenac. The cases were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin 2-3 mg/kg and prednisone 20-50 mg/day. The interruption of new lesions outbreak and reepithelization were extremely fast after the use of intravenous immunoglobulin, without adverse effects. Controlled studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in Stevens-Johnson's syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis, but the results seem promising.

Reconstrução complexa em hemiface direita: o desafio de dois carcinomas basocelulares sincrônicos / Complex reconstruction in the right hemiface: the challenge of two synchronous basal cell carcinomas

O carcinoma basocelular é o tumor maligno de pele mais frequente, e sua incidência está aumentando, emergindo como um problema de saúde pública. O frequente atraso na busca de tratamento dificulta a remoção tumoral. Reportam-se um caso de dois carcinomas basocelulares sincrônicos na face e o desafio de sua resolução cirúrgica. Foi obtido bom resultado estético e funcional por meio da técnica de rotação de retalho e reconstrução complexa da hemiface. A reconstrução cirúrgica constitui um desafio para o cirurgião, que deve priorizar a cura oncológica, preservando a funcionalidade e o aspecto estético quando possível.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant skin tumor. Its incidence has been increasing, leading to the emergence of a public health problem. The common delay in seeking treatment hampers tumor removal. The objective of this paper was to report a case of two synchronous basal cell carcinomas on the face and the challenge of their surgical resolution. Good aesthetic and functional outcomes were obtained using the rotation flap technique and a complex reconstruction of the hemiface. Surgical reconstruction constitutes a challenge for the surgeon, who should prioritize the oncologic cure while preserving the functionality and aesthetic appearance, when possible.

Cybertutor: a teaching tool in Dermatology.

It was developed a teaching tool in Dermatology for undergraduate medical students, using an interactive website, the Cybertutor. Clinical cases, lectures and updated bibliography were selected. Photographies of dermatological lesions were taken from ambulatory patients. The topics of the lectures were based on the current curriculum of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. The Cybertutor is a dynamic and modern teaching tool, allowing constant innovation.

Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis with intravenous immunoglobulin: a series of three cases / Tratamento da necrólise epidérmica tóxica com imunoglobulina endovenosa: uma série de três casos

Stevens-Johnson's syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening dermatoses, that lead to keratinocyte apoptosis induced by interactions between Fas (cell death receptor) and soluble Fas-ligand, present in serum of Stevens-Johnson's syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis patients. Anti-Fas antibodies in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) would block the apoptosis cascade. Three cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis occurred in one male and two female patients, after use of allopurinol, leprosy multidrug therapy concomitant with dipyrone, and diclofenac. The cases were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin 2-3 mg/kg and prednisone 20-50 mg/day. The interruption of new lesions outbreak and reepithelization were extremely fast after the use of intravenous immunoglobulin, without adverse effects. Controlled studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin in Stevens-Johnson's syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis, but the results seem promising.

A Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson e a Necrólise Epidérmica Tóxica são dermatoses graves, que levam à apoptose dos queratinócitos induzida pela interação entre Fas (receptor de morte celular) e Fasligante solúvel, presente no soro de pacientes com Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson e Necrólise Epidérmica Tóxica. Anticorpos anti-Fas contidos na imunoglobulina endovenosa podem bloquear esta cascata apoptótica. Três casos de Necrólise Epidérmica Tóxica são descritos, ocorrendo após uso de alopurinol, diclofenaco e poliquimioterapia para hanseníase concomitante com dipirona. Os três casos foram tratados com imunoglobulina endovenosa 2-3 mg/kg, divididos em 4 ou 5 dias e prednisona 20-50 mg/dia. A interrupção no surgimento de novas lesões e a repitelização foram extremamente rápidas, sem ocorrência de efeitos adversos. Estudos controlados são necessários para confirmar a eficácia da imunoglobulina endovenosa na Síndrome de Stevens-Johnson e Necrólise Epidérmica Tóxica, porém, seus resultados parecem ser promissores.

Cybertutor: um objeto de ensino na Dermatologia / Cybertutor: a teaching tool in Dermatology

Foi desenvolvido um objeto de ensino em Dermatologia voltado para a graduação, que utiliza um web site interativo, o Cybertutor. Selecionaram-se casos clínicos didáticos, aulas teóricas e referências bibliográficas atualizadas. As fotografias das lesões foram obtidas pela seleção de pacientes atendidos no ambulatório de Dermatologia. Os temas das aulas se basearam no currículo vigente da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). O Cybertutor é um objeto de ensino dinâmico, moderno e atual, que possibilita constante inovação.

It was developed a teaching tool in Dermatology for undergraduate medical students, using an interactive website, the Cybertutor. Clinical cases, lectures and updated bibliography were selected. Photographies of dermatological lesions were taken from ambulatory patients. The topics of the lectures were based on the current curriculum of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. The Cybertutor is a dynamic and modern teaching tool, allowing constant innovation.

Dermatoscopia como ferramenta na detecção de margens pré-cirúrgicas de carcinomas basocelulares / Dermatoscopy as a tool in the detection of presurgical margins of basal cell carcinomas

Introdução: O carcinoma basocelular (CBC) é um tumor malignoepitelial de pele que tem como característica o crescimentofrequentemente assimétrico, emitindo prolongamentos deextensão variável ao longo de suas bordas. Esta particularidadefaz com que a extensão real do tumor seja maior do que a lesãoclinicamente sugere, o que leva a exéreses incompletas. Nosúltimos anos, têm-se observado que a dermatoscopia, técnica nãoinvasiva de exame para lesões cutâneas, é uma ferramenta valiosapara se aumentar a capacidade de delimitação das margenslaterais tumorais, principalmente em lesões não pigmentadas.Método: relato de dois casos clínicos de CBC com margenssomente definidas através da dermatoscopia. Discussão: Adermatoscopia é técnica prática, de fácil aprendizado e utilização.Permite ao cirurgião visualizar nuances de cor e estruturas nãodistinguíveis a olho nu, o que traz elementos adicionais paraum planejamento cirúrgico mais consistente, podendo aumentara probabilidade de exérese tumoral completa com margensseguras. Comentários finais: Os dados de literatura suportamque a aplicação da dermatoscopia na delimitação das margens deCBCs, pode levar a uma maior taxa de exérese tumoral completa,principalmente nos casos de lesões extensas, irregulares e comlimites mal definidos a olho nu.