Clinical Characteristics of Marginally Recurrent Melanoma After Primary Excision: A Multisite Retrospective Analysis of 140 Cases Referred for Mohs Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Marginally recurrent melanoma (MRM) manifests immediately adjacent to or within a scar and arises from incomplete tumor clearance after primary treatment. Little is known about the progression and treatment of MRM after all forms of excision. OBJECTIVE: To determine the invasive growth potential, tumor-stage progression, and outcomes of those with MRM. METHODS: One hundred forty patients with MRM were collected from 5 practice databases. All patients were treated with Mohs micrographic surgery. They were evaluated for Breslow depth and tumor stage change from the time of primary treatment and recurrent treatment. RESULTS: Of 101 cases initially treated as melanoma in situ, 13 (12.9%) marginally recurred with invasive disease at the time of Mohs micrographic surgery. The median thickness of these recurrent melanomas was 0.58 mm. Of 39 cases initially treated as invasive melanoma, 10 (25.6%) marginally recurred with a greater Breslow depth. The median increase in thickness from initial treatment to recurrence was 1.31 mm. CONCLUSION: Marginally recurrent melanoma retains its invasive growth potential. This can lead to Breslow depth increase, tumor-stage progression, and a worse prognosis on recurrence. Obtaining tumor-free margins is critical in initial and recurrence treatments.

Evaluating Dermatology Residency Program Websites.

BACKGROUND: Internet resources play an important role in how medical students access information related to residency programs.Evaluating program websites is necessary in order to provide accurate information for applicants and provide information regarding areas of website improvement for programs. To date, dermatology residency websites (D  WS) have not been evaluated.This paper evaluates dermatology residency websites based on availability of predefined measures. METHODS: Using the FREIDA (Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database) Online database, authors searched forall accredited dermatology program websites. Eligible programs were identified through the FREIDA Online database and had a functioning website. Two authors independently extracted data with consensus or third researcher resolution of differences. This data was accessed and archived from July 15th to July 17th, 2015.Primary outcomes measured were presence of content on education, resident and faculty information, program environment, applicant recruitment, schedule, salary, and website quality evaluated using an online tool (WooRank.com). RESULTS: Out of 117 accredited dermatology residencies, 115 had functioning webpages. Of these, 76.5% (75) had direct links found on the FRIEDA Online database. Most programs contained information on education, faculty, program environment, and applicant recruitment. However, website quality and marketing effectiveness were highly variable; most programs were deemed to need improvements in the functioning of their webpages. Also, additional information on current residents and about potential away rotations were lacking from most websites with only 52.2% (60) and 41.7% (48) of programs providing this content, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of dermatology residency websites contained adequate information on many of the factors we evaluated. However, many were lacking in areas that matter to applicants. We hope this report will encourage dermatology residencyprograms to improve their websites and provide adequate content to attract the top residents for their respective programs.

Intralymphatic histiocytosis treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and pressure bandage.

Intralymphatic histiocytosis is a rare disorder associated with a variety of inflammatory conditions. We report the case of an 89-year-old woman with a history of a right knee replacement and a ruptured popliteal cyst who developed an erythematous indurated plaque over the surgical scar. Histopathology revealed fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and histiocytes within the lymphatics consistent with intralymphatic histiocytosis. The plaque flattened following intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide 10 mg/cc×1.6 cc once monthly for 2 consecutive months and application of a pressure bandage, with no recurrence after 4 months. This treatment may be useful for recalcitrant disease.

Cost analysis of objective resident cataract surgery assessments.

PURPOSE: To compare 8 ophthalmology resident surgical training tools to determine which is most cost effective. SETTING: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA. DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of technology. METHODS: A cost-analysis model was created to compile all relevant costs in running each tool in a medium-sized ophthalmology program. Quantitative cost estimates were obtained based on cost of tools, cost of time in evaluations, and supply and maintenance costs. RESULTS: For wet laboratory simulation, Eyesi was the least expensive cataract surgery simulation method; however, it is only capable of evaluating simulated cataract surgery rehearsal and requires supplementation with other evaluative methods for operating room performance and for noncataract wet lab training and evaluation. The most expensive training tool was the Eye Surgical Skills Assessment Test (ESSAT). The 2 most affordable methods for resident evaluation in operating room performance were the Objective Assessment of Skills in Intraocular Surgery (OASIS) and Global Rating Assessment of Skills in Intraocular Surgery (GRASIS). CONCLUSIONS: Cost-based analysis of ophthalmology resident surgical training tools are needed so residency programs can implement tools that are valid, reliable, objective, and cost effective. There is no perfect training system at this time.