Artificial intelligence: Its role in dermatopathology

Artificial intelligence (AI), a major frontier in the field of medical research, can potentially lead to a paradigm shift in clinical practice. A type of artificial intelligence system known as convolutional neural network points to the possible utility of deep learning in dermatopathology. Though pathology has been traditionally restricted to microscopes and glass slides, recent advancement in digital pathological imaging has led to a transition making it a potential branch for the implementation of artificial intelligence. The current application of artificial intelligence in dermatopathology is to complement the diagnosis and requires a well-trained dermatopathologist’s guidance for better designing and development of deep learning algorithms. Here we review the recent advances of artificial intelligence in dermatopathology, its applications in disease diagnosis and in research, along with its limitations and future potential

Vitamina D intralesional em múltiplas verrugas plantares recorrentes - Um estudo cego, prospectivo e controlado por placebo / Intralesional vitamin D in multiple recurrent plantar warts - A single, blind, prospective, placebo-controlled study

Introdução: As verrugas, são proliferações epidérmicas benignas da pele. A maioria dos pacientes procura orientação médica, pois as verrugas são cosmeticamente inaceitáveis e podem ser dolorosas. As verrugas plantares, em particular, são tipicamente refratárias ao tratamento que requer várias sessões. As modalidades terapêuticas disponíveis são limitadas pela alta taxa de recorrência, dor e cicatrizes. Em contraste, as abordagens imunoterapêuticas estimulam o sistema imunológico do hospedeiro, aumentando a imunidade celular para eliminar o vírus. Objetivo: Avaliar a segurança e eficácia da injeção intralesional de vitamina D3 no tratamento de múltiplas verrugas plantares recorrentes. Métodos: Um total de 60 pacientes com verrugas plantares múltiplas recorrentes, foram divididos em dois grupos de 30. No grupo 1, 0,5ml de vitamina D intralesional foi injetado na base da maior verruga e no grupo 2, injetou-se 0,5ml de solução salina normal. As sessões foram repetidas a cada 2 semanas por no máximo 4 sessões e os pacientes foram acompanhados por um período de 12 meses. Resultados: No grupo de estudo, a eliminação completa foi observada em 73,3% (22) e nos controles, 70% dos pacientes não apresentaram resposta. Conclusão: A vitamina D3 intralesional é uma opção de tratamento segura e eficaz em verrugas plantares.

Introduction: Warts or verrucae, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), are a benign epidermal proliferation of the skin. Most patients seek medical advice as warts are cosmetically unacceptable and can be painful. Plantar warts, in particular, are typically refractory to treatment requiring multiple treatment sessions. High recurrence rates, pain, and scarring limit the available therapeutic modalities. In contrast, immunotherapeutic approaches stimulate the host immune system by enhancing cellular immunity to eliminate the virus. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of intralesional vitamin D3 injection to treat multiple recurrent plantar warts. Methods: 60 patients with multiple recurrent warts were divided into two groups of 30 each. Group 1 received 0.5 ml intralesional vitamin D in the base of the largest wart, and Group 2 received 0.5 ml of normal saline. The sessions were repeated every two weeks for a maximum of four sessions, and patients were followed up for 12 months to detect any recurrences. Results: The study group showed complete clearance in 73.3% (22) individuals, while most controls (70%) showed no response. Conclusion: Intralesional vitamin D3 is a safe and effective treatment option for multiple recurrent plantar warts.