Set-back versus buried vertical mattress suturing: results of a randomized blinded trial.

BACKGROUND: The set-back suture, an absorbable dermal suturing technique, purportedly improves wound eversion and cosmetic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to conduct a split-wound, prospective, randomized study to compare the cosmetic outcome and wound eversion achieved with the set-back suture and the buried vertical mattress suture (BVMS). METHODS: A total of 46 surgical elliptical wounds were randomized to subcuticular closure with the set-back suture on half and the BVMS on the other. Maximum eversion height and width were measured immediately postoperatively. At 3 months, 2 blinded observers evaluated each scar using a 7-point Likert physician global scar assessment scale. Subjects and observers also completed the validated Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, where a score of 6 represents normal-appearing skin and 60 represents worst imaginable scar. RESULTS: In all, 42 subjects completed the study. The set-back suture provided statistically significant wound eversion. On the Likert scale, observers rated the set-back suture side 1 point better than the BVMS side. Both patient and observer total Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores were significantly lower for the set-back suture side (subject mean 13.0 ± 8.7 vs 16.2 ± 12.0 [P = .039]; observer mean 24.5 ± 10.4 vs 27.7 ± 13.6 [P = .028], respectively). LIMITATIONS: Single institution experience and relatively short follow-up are limitations. CONCLUSION: The set-back suture provides superior wound eversion and better cosmetic outcomes than the BVMS.

Elastin staining patterns in primary cicatricial alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Most biopsy specimens of cicatricial (scarring) alopecia can be readily subclassified as lymphocytic versus neutrophilic, but specific diagnosis remains difficult, particularly when a late stage of the disease is sampled. OBJECTIVE: We sought to document patterns of scarring highlighted by elastic tissue staining in primary cicatricial alopecia. METHODS: We documented Verhoeff elastic van Gieson staining patterns in 58 routinely embedded (vertical) biopsy specimens of cicatricial alopecia. Patterns of fibrosis included perifollicular (wedge-shaped vs broad tree trunk-shaped) and diffuse. The patterns were compared against the diagnosis obtained by independent expert clinical review, including central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), lichen planopilaris, traction alopecia, frontal fibrosing alopecia, discoid lupus erythematosus, and tufted folliculitis. RESULTS: Wedge-shaped perifollicular fibrosis was seen in lichen planopilaris but also in CCCA. Broad tree trunk-shaped perifollicular fibrosis was most commonly encountered in CCCA. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature of the study precluded temporal staging of the disease process. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of fibrosis highlighted by elastin staining in primary cicatricial alopecia appear to be disease specific. Superficial wedge-shaped perifollicular fibrosis is associated with but may not be specific for lichen planopilaris. Broad tree trunk-like perifollicular fibrosis is specific for CCCA but not present in many cases. Elastin staining represents a useful ancillary study for the evaluation of late-stage scarring alopecia in routinely oriented punch biopsy specimens.

Cutaneous findings leading to a diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome: A case report and review of the literature.

Superior vena cava syndrome, which occurs in approximately 15,000 persons in the United States annually, consists of a collection of symptoms and signs resulting from the obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC). An early and prominent symptom of this condition is a constellation of superficial, dilated, vertically oriented and tortuous cutaneous venules or veins above the ribcage margins, often presenting as a blanchable violaceous eruption. Herein, we report a case of superior vena cava syndrome diagnosed in our dermatology clinic.

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis (Sneddon-Wilkinson disease) occurring in association with nodal marginal zone lymphoma: a case report.

Sneddon-Wilkinson disease or subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD) is a rare, benign inflammatory skin disorder of unknown etiology. SPD is associated with various systemic disorders, including immunoglobinopathies and lymphoproliferative disorders. The relationship between SPD and immune dysfunction is unlikely to be incidental, although it still remains a mystery whether the associated gammopathies are primary or secondary to the pathogenesis of the disease. Herein, we report the first case of SPD in association with marginal zone lymphoma.

Perceptions of Aesthetic Outcome of Linear vs Multiple Z-Plasty Scars in a National Survey.

IMPORTANCE: The process of Z-plasty scar revision breaks up a linear scar into multiple parts with the purpose of camouflage and improvement of the cosmetic appearance of surgical scars. Although this postulation guides the practices of many reconstructive surgeons, few studies support improved aesthetic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To compare the perceived cosmetic appearance of linear scars vs zigzag scars by the general public. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A computer-generated image of a mature scar was designed in linear and zigzag configurations and overlaid on the faces of standardized headshots of 4 white individuals. Twelve sets of images of linear vs zigzag scars were arranged in side-by-side comparisons in an Internet-based national survey. Respondents rated each scar on the 10-point Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, where a lower score indicated likeness with normal skin and a higher score, the worst scar imaginable. Data were collected from May 1 through June 30, 2013, and analyzed from July 31 to September 1, 2013. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Aesthetic rating of scars by the survey respondents. RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-six participants responded to the survey (24.5% response rate); of these, 810 completed the survey (379 men [46.1%] and 443 women [53.9%]; 148 [18.0%] were 18 to 29 years, 171 [20.8%] were 30 to 44 years, 290 [35.3%] were 45 to 60 years, and 213 [25.9%] were older than 60 years). Significantly lower scores and better perceived cosmetic outcomes were found for linear scars compared with zigzag scars in every assessed group of images on the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (mean [SD] scores, 2.9 [1.6] vs 4.5 [2.2], respectively; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The lay public has a significantly better perception of the appearance of linear scars compared with zigzag scars in 3 facial locations (temple, cheek, and forehead) of white patients in various age groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Scope of physician procedures independently billed by mid-level providers in the office setting.

IMPORTANCE: Mid-level providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) were originally envisioned to provide primary care services in underserved areas. This study details the current scope of independent procedural billing to Medicare of difficult, invasive, and surgical procedures by medical mid-level providers. OBJECTIVE: To understand the scope of independent billing to Medicare for procedures performed by mid-level providers in an outpatient office setting for a calendar year. DESIGN: Analyses of the 2012 Medicare Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master File, which reflects fee-for-service claims that were paid by Medicare, for Current Procedural Terminology procedures independently billed by mid-level providers. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Outpatient office setting among health care providers. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The scope of independent billing to Medicare for procedures performed by mid-level providers. RESULTS: In 2012, nurse practitioners and physician assistants billed independently for more than 4 million procedures at our cutoff of 5000 paid claims per procedure. Most (54.8%) of these procedures were performed in the specialty area of dermatology. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings of this study are relevant to safety and quality of care. Recently, the shortage of primary care clinicians has prompted discussion of widening the scope of practice for mid-level providers. It would be prudent to temper widening the scope of practice of mid-level providers by recognizing that mid-level providers are not solely limited to primary care, and may involve procedures for which they may not have formal training.

Acute polyarticular synovitis as a rare presentation of Kaposi sarcoma.

Patients with HIV are prone to a number of unusual infectious and malignant conditions, typically resulting from declining immune function. However, there are also a few of reports of HIV associated conditions potentially created by viral release of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Herein, we present a case of HIV IL-6-related systemic inflammatory syndrome, a Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-associated syndrome in the absence of multicentric Castleman disease (MCD).

Impact of live interactive teledermatology on diagnosis, disease management, and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of live interactive teledermatology consultations on changes in diagnosis, disease management, and clinical outcomes. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1500 patients evaluated via live interactive teledermatology between 2003 and 2005 at the University of California, Davis. We compared diagnoses and treatment plans between the referring physicians and the teledermatologists. Patients with 2 or more teledermatology visits within a 1-year period were assessed for changes in clinical outcomes. SETTING: Academic medical center with an established teledermatology program since 1996. PARTICIPANTS: Medical records were evaluated for 1500 patients who underwent live interactive teledermatology consultation. Patients seen for more than 1 teledermatology visit were included in the clinical outcome assessment. INTERVENTION: Live interactive teledermatology consultation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in diagnosis, disease management, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Compared with diagnoses and treatment plans from referring physicians, the 1500 live interactive teledermatology consultations resulted in changes in diagnosis in 69.9% of patients and changes in disease management in 97.7% of patients. Among 313 patients with at least 2 teledermatology visits within 1 year, clinical improvement was observed in 68.7% of patients. Multivariate analysis showed that changes in diagnosis (P = .01), changes in disease management (P < .001), and the number of teledermatology visits (P < .001) were significantly associated with improved clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Live interactive teledermatology consultations result in changes in diagnosis and disease management in most consultations. The numbers of live interactive teledermatology visits and changes in diagnosis and disease management are significantly associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Disseminated granuloma annulare: a cutaneous adverse effect of anti-tnf agents.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, such as etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab, bind to TNF-α and thereby act as anti-inflammatory agents. This group of drugs has been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spodylitis, Crohn disease, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We describe a 56-year-old woman who developed an erythematous pruritic rash on both arms-diagnosed as granuloma annulare by skin biopsy-approximately 22 months after initiating adalimumab for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. On stopping adalimumab there was total clearance of the skin lesions, but a similar rash developed again when her treatment was switched to another anti-TNF agent (etanercept). This clinical observation supports a link between TNF inhibition and the development of granuloma annulare.