A Survey of Patient Attitudes Towards Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Hair Loss.

Hair loss, specifically androgenetic alopecia (AGA), is a common outpatient dermatology complaint. AGA occurs in men and women, results from the effect of dihydrotestosterone miniaturizing scalp follicles, and commonly presents with thinning of the bitemporal, frontal, and vertex scalp.

Retrospective review of insurance coverage for patch testing.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the burden of insurance limitations for patients undergoing patch testing. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the burden of insurance limitations and its impact on differences in management and execution of patch testing. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with a diagnosis of contact dermatitis (International Classification of Disease [ICD], Ninth Edition, code ICD 692) who received patch testing (Current Procedural Terminology code 95044) at the George Washington Medical Faculty Associates Dermatology Clinic between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2017. Variables including allergen limitations were compared between government-sponsored insurance and private insurance providers (eg, Insurers A, B, C, and D). RESULTS: A total of 371 records were identified. Government-sponsored insurance patients encountered allergen limitations more frequently than private insurance patients (86.8% vs 14.2%, P < .0001). Insurer C and D patients were least likely to encounter allergen limitations (1.2% vs 0%, P < .0001) and were tested to the most allergens (mean = 146 vs 152, P < .0001). Insurer A patients had the least allergens tested among those privately insured. CONCLUSION: Considering modification of insurance policies to allow patch testing with a larger number of allergens without restrictions is needed, with the goal of improving quality of life of these patients while saving costs from chronic use of topical corticosteroids.

A systematic review of evidence-based treatments for prurigo nodularis.

Prurigo nodularis is a chronic dermatologic condition involving the development of multiple cutaneous nodules in the setting of intractable pruritus. Given emerging treatment options for this difficult-to-treat condition, a current review of therapeutics is needed. A systematic review was performed for clinical studies investigating prurigo nodularis treatment published from 1990 to present including ≥5 subjects. A total of 35 articles were assigned a level of evidence according to the Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine. All 5 studies investigating topical agents, including corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, calcipotriol, and capsaicin, conveyed some beneficial effect with level of evidence 2b or higher. Six of 8 reports investigating photo- and photochemotherapy achieved levels of evidence 2b or greater and showed good partial response rates. Thalidomide was studied by 6 reports providing evidence of good symptom response, only 2 of which were rated level 2b or greater. Cyclosporine and methotrexate have demonstrated benefit in 4 combined studies, albeit with level 4 evidence. Pregabalin, amitriptyline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, and neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists have demonstrated promising evidence in 5 level 2b studies. Higher-powered studies and additional randomized controlled trials are needed for the evaluation of safe and efficacious systemic treatment options for prurigo nodularis.

Emerging Nonsteroid-Based Procedural Therapies for Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of patchy, nonscarring hair loss. Although intralesional steroid injections are currently the mainstay procedural therapy for AA, other nonsteroid-based procedural therapies, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and laser-based modalities, are emerging as practical options. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review nonsteroid-based procedural therapies for AA and recapitulate the available clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed searching PubMed/MEDLINE databases identifying studies investigating PRP, UVR, and laser-based modalities for AA treatment. RESULTS: Literature search yielded 644 articles encompassing PRP, UVR, and laser treatment modalities for AA. Of the 644 articles, 46 met inclusion criteria. Although numerous reports demonstrate strong potential for PRP, UVR, and laser modalities in treating AA, high-quality evidence supporting their efficacy is still lacking. CONCLUSION: There is an abundance of evidence for nonsteroid-based procedural therapies in the treatment of AA. Randomized control trials comparing these treatment options head-to-head should be performed to better understand the true efficacy of these treatments.

A Review of the Dermatologic Symptoms of Idiopathic Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Since the first reported cases in 2007, idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome has been increasingly recognized. Understanding of the cutaneous manifestations of this condition is imperative for dermatologists given the substantial clinical heterogeneity in its presentation and high estimated prevalence. A review of PubMed® and SCOPUS® databases was performed in order to investigate the most common dermatologic manifestations of idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome. Evidence to date suggests that flushing, pruritus, and clotting dysfunction or bleeding disorder are the most frequently observed dermatologic symptoms in idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome, while dermatographism has been identified as a common finding in patients as well. Mast cell activation syndromes have also been linked to connective tissue disorders, including an Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-like phenotype possibly mediated by matrix metalloproteinases and tryptase released by mast cells. Current literature regarding dermatologic manifestations of idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome is limited by the heterogeneity of studies including clinical descriptions, inconsistency of diagnostic criteria implemented, and a paucity of literature available. This work provides a guide for dermatologists to strengthen diagnostic acuity for idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome, therefore contributing toward a goal of helping patients to receive timely, effective, and targeted therapy. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(2):162-168.

A Head-to-Head Comparison of Topical Collagen Powder to Primary Closure for Acute Full-Thickness Punch Biopsy-Induced Human Wounds: An Internally Controlled Pilot Study

Background: Collagen-based products have been implemented in wound healing due to collagen's hemostatic properties, low antigenicity, and poor culture ability. Objective: To compare the rate and quality of full-thickness wound healing for topical collagen powder and primary closure. Methods: Eight volunteers received one 4 mm punch biopsy on each thigh. One wound was managed with primary closure while the other received daily collagen powder. Wounds were biopsied at four weeks for histopathological analysis. Subjects rated itch, pain, and treatment preferences at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12. Results: Six out of eight collagen-treated wounds were completely healed 4 weeks after initial wounding. Histologic analysis of the wounds revealed epidermal re-epithelization in both groups. More organized granulation tissue was noted in collagen-treated wounds and confirmed using Masson trichrome and CD31 staining for collagen and neoangiogenesis, respectively. Subjects reported similar itch and pain metrics between wounds. Both subjects and blinded dermatologists preferred the early cosmetic appearance of collagen-treated wounds over primarily closed wounds. Limitations: Small sample size, absence of negative control. Conclusion: These data suggest that collagen powder is non-inferior to primary closure at the macro- and microscopic levels, while possibly leading to superior early cosmetic outcomes and accelerated histologic wound maturation. Ethics/Clinical Trials Registration: Study was approved by the George Washington University Institutional Review Board (IRB protocol #121745). ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03481907. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(7):667-673.

Anterior segment ultrasound biomicroscopy image analysis using ImageJ software: Intra-observer repeatability and inter-observer agreement.

PURPOSE: In this novel study, we demonstrate a standardized imaging and measurement protocol of anterior segment (AS) structures with reliability analysis using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and ImageJ software. METHODS: Ten pediatric and young adult patients undergoing examination under anesthesia for AS pathology were imaged using UBM. Four trained observers analyzed 20 images using ImageJ. Forty-five structural parameters were measured. Those that relied on the trabecular-iris angle (TIA) as a reference landmark were labeled TIA-dependent (TD) and all others were labeled non-TIA dependent (NTD). Intra-observer repeatability (IOR) and inter-observer agreement (IOA) of measurements were determined using coefficient of variation (CV) and intra-class correlation (ICC) followed by assessment of Bland-Altman plots (BAP) for each pair of observers, respectively. RESULTS: For NTD parameters, non-ciliary body (CB) related measurements showed CV range 0.60-16.22% and ICC range 0.84-0.89, whereas CB-related parameters showed CV range 2.86-23.40% and ICC range 0.29-0.92. For TD parameters, parameters < 2 degrees removed from reference showed CV range 0.02-5.40% and ICC range 0.89-1.00, whereas parameters > 1 degree removed showed CV range 0.63-27.44% and ICC range 0.22-1.00. No systematic proportional bias was detected by BAPs. CONCLUSIONS: Preplaced landmarks yielded good IOR and IOA in quantitative assessment of AS structures that were NTD and non-CB-related or less removed from the reference. CB-related NTD measurements varied greatly in IOR and IOA, indicating protocol modifications or CB qualitative assessments needed to improve accuracy. Variability in TD measurements increased the further removed from the reference, which supports implementation of a reliable reference landmark to minimize variation.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: What the Dermatologist Should Know.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a subtype of complex regional pain syndrome, a condition characterized by persistent post-injury extremity pain. Temperature and sweating changes, edema, mobility changes, and a variety of hair, nail, and skin sequelae have been described. Only 23 articles published since 1990 describe dermatologic changes in CRPS. Given this paucity of literature, we present a case to further elucidate cutaneous manifestations of CRPS. Our patient is a 52-year-old Caucasian woman with a 19-year history of reflex sympathetic dystrophy who has presented with several dermatologic complaints. She was first referred to the clinic due to episodic, mildly tender, clustered, non-blanching, and non-palpable petechiae on the legs bilaterally, which was histologically consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. No systemic involvement was identified and symptoms resolved with topical steroids. The patient was also noted to have severe ten toenail dystrophy without any evidence of onychomycosis based on multiple cultures and PAS staining of clipped nails. Avulsion of the great toenail was performed to provide symptomatic relief. Incidentally, the patient was found to have lower extremity and facial hypotrichosis on physical exam. Further, she required increased lidocaine administration in addition to pre and post-procedure lidocaine and prilocaine 5% emulsion cream for various office procedures, suggestive of lidocaine insensitivity. This case captures previously described cutaneous manifestations of CRPS such as vasculitis, nail dystrophy, extremity hypotrichosis, and telangiectasia, along with newly described potential manifestations about which dermatologists should be aware, including facial hypotrichosis and lidocaine insensitivity. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(5):532-536.

Comparison of stricture rates using three different gastrojejunostomy anastomotic techniques in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

INTRODUCTION: No single gastrojejunostomy anastomosis technique (GJA) in Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is currently preferred over another. Bendewald et al. confirmed that there was no difference in anastomotic stricture rates when comparing hand-sewn (HS), linear-stapled (LS), and circular-stapled (CS) GJA techniques. We present and analyze our own institutional data to readdress stricture rates. METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2013, 860 consecutive patients underwent LRYGB using HS, LS, and CS anastomotic techniques at a single institution. All patients in this study were followed to see if they had a complication of a stricture within this time period. Hospital records were retrospectively reviewed and those who had stricture complications shown on endoscopy requiring intervention were compiled and compared using univariate analysis. RESULTS: Patient demographics did not differ substantially between the three groups. The most common technique employed was LS (n = 429, 49.8%), followed by CS (n = 254, 29.5%) and HS (n = 177, 20.6%), respectively. Using multivariate analysis, there was a significant difference in the rate of strictures between the anastomotic techniques (LS 4.42%, HS 2.82%, CS 1.18%, p = 0.0163). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the discussion of which anastomotic technique is superior should be reopened given the statistically significant low rate of strictures in patients who underwent LRYGB with a CS anastomosis in comparison with LS and HS anastomoses.

Postoperative symptoms of psychosis after deep brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECT: Cases of postoperative psychosis in Parkinson's disease patients receiving deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment have previously been published. However, the magnitude of symptom incidence and the clinical risk factors are currently unknown. This retrospective study sheds light on these issues by investigating psychosis in a group of 128 Parkinson's disease patients who received DBS implants. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to obtain surgery dates, follow-up clinic visit dates, and associated stimulation parameter settings (contacts in use and the polarity of each along with stimulation voltage, frequency, and pulse width) for each patient. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale II Thought Disorder scores, used as a clinical assessment tool to evaluate the presence of psychosis at each visit, were also collected. The data were compiled into a database and analyzed. RESULTS: The lifetime incidence of psychosis in this cohort of patients was 28.1%. The data suggest that risk of psychosis remains fairly constant throughout the first 5 years after implantation of a DBS system and that patients older at the time of receiving the first DBS implant are not only more likely to develop psychosis, but also to develop symptoms sooner than their younger counterparts. Further analysis provides evidence that psychosis is largely independent of the clinically used electrode contact and of stimulation parameters prior to psychosis onset. CONCLUSIONS: Although symptoms of psychosis are widely seen in patients with Parkinson's disease in the years following stimulator placement, results of the present suggest that most psychoses occurring postoperatively are likely independent of implantation and stimulation settings.

Iris Heterochromia in Acquired Horner Syndrome Following Surgical Excision of Parapharyngeal Neuroblastoma.

This report describes an infant who developed iris heterochromia 2 years after presenting at age 2 months with acquired Horner syndrome following excision of a parapharyngeal neuroblastoma. Iris heterochromia is classically associated with congenital, not acquired, Horner syndrome due to a disruption of the oculosympathetic pathway early in life that alters iris melanocyte migration, leading to an ipsilateral lighter colored iris compared to the fellow iris. In the case reported here, the disruption to the oculosympathetic pathway occurred so early in life that normal iris melanocyte migration was impacted on the affected side, leading to eventual iris heterochromia that was noted almost 2 years later.

Anterior chamber fluorescein leakage in a child with intraocular pressure elevation and vitreous hemorrhage.

Purpose: To report a case of a child with neovascular and ghost cell glaucoma in the setting of previously treated vitreous hemorrhage with unique fluorescein leakage from abnormal iris vessels ultimately preventing successful fluorescein angiography. Observations: A 3-year-9-month-old female with a medical history of very high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with eye pain and was noted to have a complete vitreous hemorrhage and intraocular pressure elevation in the right eye which was refractory to maximum medical therapy and vitrectomy. Following vitreous hemorrhage resolution, an examination under anesthesia with fluorescein angiography was found to have diffuse leakage of fluorescein into the anterior chamber, presumably due to the active iris neovascularization. This anterior chamber fluorescein signal prevented visualization of the retinal vasculature. The patient was diagnosed with mixed mechanism glaucoma (neovascular and ghost cell) due to a resolved vitreous hemorrhage in the setting of a presumed prior ischemic event. Conclusions and Importance: We report a case of an unsuccessful fluorescein angiogram in the setting of anterior chamber fluorescein leakage due to active iris neovascularization, and review considerations for the differential diagnosis and useful diagnostic tests in this clinical scenario.

A rare presentation of Horner syndrome due to internal jugular phlebectasia.

Horner syndrome occurs due to disruption of the oculosympathetic pathway. We present a case of acquired Horner syndrome in a 30-month-old boy due to phlebectasia of the internal jugular vein. To our knowledge, this rare entity has been reported only once before.

Repeatability and Reliability of Quantified Ultrasound Biomicroscopy Image Analysis of the Ciliary Body at the Pars Plicata.

Most of the ciliary body and ciliary processes of the eye cannot be directly visualized in vivo because of the posterior location of the pars plicata to the posterior chamber and iris. However, ciliary anatomy can be effectively imaged using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) by placing the probe close to the limbus, perpendicular to this structure. Previous studies measuring ciliary body parameters in meridian UBM images found that these parameters were measured with poor reliability and repeatability. This study evaluates the intra-observer reliability and inter-observer agreement of a standardized protocol for measuring six ciliary parameters in transverse or quadrant UBM images that capture an entire row of ciliary processes. All six ciliary parameters have high intra-observer reliability, with ciliary body thickness, ciliary process length and ciliary process density measurements being the most consistent for each observer. The coefficient of variation for each observer ranged from 1.4%-15%. Inter-observer agreement was also high for all six parameters, with an intra-class correlation coefficient >0.8. Utilizing transverse UBM images of the pars plicata allows for consistent quantitative analysis in control subjects.

Pediatric Corneal Structural Development During Childhood Characterized by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively describe the structural corneal changes from infancy to early adulthood using ultrasound biomicroscopy. METHODS: In this prospective study, 168 ultrasound biomicroscopy images were obtained from 24 healthy eyes of 24 patients who consented and enrolled in the Pediatric Anterior Segment Imaging Innovation Study. Their ages ranged from birth to 26 years. An established ultrasound biomicroscopy imaging protocol including seven views of one eye per patient were obtained and measured using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health). Twelve corneal structural parameters were measured. Means were compared between younger and older groups. RESULTS: Among the 12 measured structures, 5 demonstrated statistically significant differences (P < .05) between patients younger than 1 year and patients older than 1 year. The mean values for corneal cross-sectional width and length, central corneal thickness, and radii of curvature (anterior and posterior) were significantly different in patients younger than 1 year. Curvature and limbus-to-limbus dimensions changed more dramatically than thickness and tissue density. When comparing the youngest to oldest subgroups, anterior curvature flattened (6.14 to 7.55 radius), posterior curvature flattened (5.53 to 6.72 radius), angle-to-angle distance increased (8.93 to 11.40 mm), and endothelial cross-sectional distance increased (10.63 to 13.61 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric corneal structures change with age. The most significant changes occur in the first months of life, with additional changes later in childhood. This study further demonstrates the importance of age in pediatric corneal imaging analysis. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(4):238-245.].

Comorbidities in Dermatology: What's Real and What's Not.

Comorbidities affecting dermatologic patients are of significant importance to providers and highly relevant for appropriate patient counseling, screening practices, prevention, and treatment. This article seeks to highlight several of the newest findings in the literature regarding comorbidities associated with dermatologic diseases including atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, alopecia areata, chronic urticaria, and the pemphigus family of immunobullous diseases. Further investigation is needed for associations between atopic dermatitis and pancreatic cancer and pemphigus family diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in order to better characterize the strength of these associations and clinical relevance.