Changing Dermatologic Procedural Patterns in the Medicare Population: A National Trend Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dermatologists are trained in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cutaneous lesions, yet comparative trends for basic dermatologic procedures across dermatology providers are lacking at the national level. OBJECTIVE: To trend common dermatologic procedures among general dermatologists, Mohs surgeons, primary care providers or primary care physicians (PCPs), and nonphysician clinicians (NPCs). METHODS: Longitudinal analysis of 2016 to 2021 Medicare Public Use Files. RESULTS: Aggregate dermatologic procedural volume decreased 3.0%. Procedural volume declined among general dermatologists (-11.7%), Mohs surgeons (-16.7%), and PCPs (-41.7%) but increased among NPCs (+57.5%). The proportion of procedures by general dermatologists decreased substantially for premalignant destructions (-6.2%), skin biopsies and shave removals (-4.7%), and malignant excisions (-4.1%) and more notably in counties that were nonmetro (-7.1%), low in income (-6.1%), and with <4.0 dermatologists per 100,000 population (-7.0%). CONCLUSION: Aggregate procedural volume decreased across the study period with general dermatologists, Mohs surgeons, and PCPs performing a progressively smaller proportion. The increase in procedures by NPCs may help to address demand but underscores the value of formalized procedural training. The procedural decline by general dermatologists in rural and low-income counties and those with baseline dermatologist shortages may exacerbate existing unmet need. Primary limitation included lack of commercial data.

Ethics of artificial intelligence in dermatology.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatology holds promise for enhancing clinical accuracy, enabling earlier detection of skin malignancies, suggesting potential management of skin lesions and eruptions, and promoting improved continuity of care. AI implementation in dermatology, however, raises several ethical concerns. This review explores the current benefits and challenges associated with AI integration, underscoring ethical considerations related to autonomy, informed consent, and privacy. We also examine the ways in which beneficence, nonmaleficence, and distributive justice may be impacted. Clarifying the role of AI, striking a balance between security and transparency, fostering open dialogue with our patients, collaborating with developers of AI, implementing educational initiatives for dermatologists and their patients, and participating in the establishment of regulatory guidelines are essential to navigating ethical and responsible AI incorporation into dermatology.

Double V-Y Island Pedicle Flap for Dorsal Hand Reconstruction Following Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Medium to large defects on the dorsal hand pose a reconstructive challenge following dermatologic surgery. Repairs in this location can be complicated by a paucity of adjacent tissue reservoirs, competing tension vectors, thin cutaneous tissue, and superficial tendons and vasculature. In such cases, a double V-Y island pedicle flap is an effective reconstructive solution. It preserves hand function, harnesses local tissue with a robust blood supply, facilitates complete closure, and provides skin that closely matches the original's color and texture. Here, we present the repair of a medium to large dorsal hand defect after Mohs micrographic surgery for melanoma in situ, using a double V-Y island pedicle flap.

Surface anatomy in dermatology: Part I - Clinical importance, diagnostic utility, and impact on medical management.

This continuing medical education (CME) series reviews updated Delphi consensus surface anatomy terminology through the lens of common medical and procedural dermatology scenarios, helping to underscore high-yield points that can be readily integrated into clinical practice to support patient care. Part I of this series will discuss the current state of surface anatomy terminology in dermatology, outline implications of precise and consistent terminology, provide an illustrative overview of high-yield consensus terminology, highlight prominent landmarks that can aid in critical diagnoses, and relate the importance of precise terminology to medical management. Part II will draw upon consensus terminology to inform management of cutaneous malignancies and support optimal outcomes in dermatologic procedures.

Investigation on the Performance of Coated Carbide Tool during Dry Turning of AISI 4340 Alloy Steel.

The machinability of materials is highly affected by their hardness, and it affects power consumption, cutting tool life as well as surface quality while machining the component. This work deals with machining of annealed AISI 4340 alloy steel using a coated carbide tool under a dry environment. The microhardness of annealed and non-annealed workpieces was compared and a significant reduction was found in the microhardness of annealed samples. Microstructure examination of the annealed sample revealed the formation of coarse pearlite which indicated a reduction of hardness and improved ductility. A commercially CVD multilayer (TiN/TiCN/Al2O3/ZrCN) coated cemented carbide cutting tool was employed for turning quenched and tempered structural AISI 4340 alloy steel by varying machining speed, rate of feed, and depth of cut to evaluate the surface quality, machining forces, flank wear, and chip morphology. According to the findings of experiments, the feed rate possesses a high impact on surface finish, followed by cutting speed. The prominent shape of the serrated saw tooth chip was noticed at a higher cutting speed. Machined surface finish and cutting forces during turning is a function of the wear profile of the coated carbide insert. This study proves that annealing is a low-cost and economical process to enhance the machinability of alloy steel.

The effects of alcohol and illicit drug use on the skin.

Early identification of cutaneous manifestations of alcohol and illicit drug use can aid in the diagnosis and management of these uses, as well as their sequelae. In addition, the effects of alcohol and illicit drug use on the skin can result in significant morbidity. Alcohol misuse can present with jaundice, pruritus, pigmentary alterations, urticaria, hair and nail changes, and oral changes. It is also a risk factor for skin cancer and infections. Vascular disturbances associated with alcohol misuse include telangiectasias, palmar erythema, caput medusae, and flushing. Diseases related to alcohol misuse include nutritional deficiencies, porphyria cutanea tarda, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, and rosacea. Other conditions seen in alcohol misuse include Dupuytren contracture, Peyronie disease, and pancreatitis. Dermatologists should also be aware of hepatotoxic medications that are commonly prescribed for skin diseases so as to avoid initiating hepatoxicity in patients who use alcohol. Illicit drug use can manifest with cutaneous fibrosis, scarring, granulomas, ulceration, pruritus, infections, cocaine-levamisole-induced vasculitis, tooth decay, and oral disease. By recognizing the cutaneous stigmata of alcohol and illicit drug use, dermatologists can aid in the identification and treatment of patients suffering from these addictions.

Giant omental fibromatosis presenting as pelvic mass.

Omental fibromatosis (abdominal desmoids) is a rare benign but locally aggressive neoplasm characterized by mass like or infiltrative growth of fibrous tissue. It usually arises from the abdominal wall or the extremities, however rarely it may also arise in the omentum, ileocolic mesentery, transverse or sigmoid mesocolon and ligamentum teres. Here, we present an 18-year-old male, who presented with lower abdominal pain and palpable lump in hypogastric region. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed large heterogeneous mass in lower abdomen, possibly arising from mesentery with regional adenopathy. Patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with a preoperative diagnosis of mesenteric tumour possibly gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). Histopathological examination revealed the lesion as omental fibromatosis. To the best of our knowledge, very few cases of omental fibromatosis are noted in literature. Here, we describe a rare case of giant omental fibromatosis which resembled mesenteric GIST clinically but finally diagnosed as fibromatosis by histomorphology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The present article describes fibromatosis of greater omentum and the difficulty in preoperative diagnosis, as it is frequently misdiagnosed as GIST.

Detection and Identification of Platelet-Associated Alloantibodies by a Solid-Phase Modified Antigen Capture Elisa (MACE) Technique and Its Correlation to Platelet Refractoriness in Multi platelet Concentrate Transfused Patients.

Platelets express glycoproteins (IIb/IIIa, Ib/IX, Ia/IIa, IV, and HLA-1) that are polymorphic and can become targets for antibody responses. Patients at threat are those who received multiple platelet transfusions. Modified antigen capture elisa (MACE) is a qualitative solid phase Elisa designed to detect IgG antibodies against platelet specific antigens. The study has been carried out over a period of 2 years. A total of 100 patients were selected, who had been transfused with at least 15 units of platelet concentrate. All patients were having either hematological malignancies or bone marrow failure syndromes. Platelet antibodies were identified using MACE-1&2. Data was analysed statistically, using odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval. 39 % of the patients were found to be alloimmunized against platelet antigens, of which eleven showed refractoriness. Six patients (54.5 %) with HLA-1, two patients (9.5 %) with GPIb/IX, two patients (40 %) with both HLA-1 and GPIIb/IIIa, and one patient with GPIIb/IIIa antibodies showed refractoriness. Production of HLA-1 antibody and the development of refractoriness was found to be significant with OR 14.05 and P value 0.0025. MACE-1&2 enabled specific detection and identification of platelet antibodies, which in turn correlated well with the development of refractoriness in multi transfused patients. GPIb/IX was detected as the commonest antibody in our patient population, which is in variance with Europian studies where it is GPIa/IIIa (HPA-1a/5b). This technique should be utilised in patients who are at an increased risk of developing alloimmunisation due to repeated platelet transfusions.