Training the New Radiologists: Approaches for Education.

The field of Radiology is continually changing, requiring corresponding evolution in both medical student and resident training to adequately prepare the next generation of radiologists. With advancements in adult education theory and a deeper understanding of perception in imaging interpretation, expert educators are reshaping the training landscape by introducing innovative teaching methods to align with increased workload demands and emerging technologies. These include the use of peer and interdisciplinary teaching, gamification, case repositories, flipped-classroom models, social media, and drawing and comics. This publication aims to investigate these novel approaches and offer persuasive evidence supporting their incorporation into the updated Radiology curriculum.

Comorbid diseases of vitiligo: A 10-year cross-sectional retrospective study of an urban US population.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is associated with medical conditions, primarily autoimmune disorders; however, only a few studies in the United States have investigated these associations. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the diseases associated with vitiligo in the New York, New York, population and evaluate if these associations differ by race/ethnicity and sex. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data collected from the medical records of 1487 vitiligo patients seen at New York University during a 10-year period. RESULTS: Vitiligo patients had a statistically significant higher prevalence of hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, seronegative arthritis, pernicious anemia, myasthenia gravis, inflammatory bowel disease, lymphoma, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Rates of comorbid autoimmune diseases varied by race and sex. LIMITATIONS: Medical charts did not consistently report race/ethnicity, type of vitiligo, and total body surface area affected. Information from nondermatology medical visits was also included. CONCLUSION: This study revealed multiple new disease associations for vitiligo, including multiple sclerosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and lymphoma, as well as confirmed previously reported associations with other autoimmune diseases, the most common being hypothyroidism followed by rheumatoid arthritis. Associations did vary by race/ethnicity and sex.

Eosinophils Among the Histological Features of Psoriasis.

"Eosinophils are absent in psoriasis" has been dogma for generations; yet, there is little published to support this statement. Two recent studies examining the presence of eosinophils in psoriasis came to contrasting conclusions. We reviewed skin biopsies from 50 patients with clinically confirmed cases of psoriasis vulgaris to characterize the histologic features, with a focus on the number of eosinophils in the dermis. We noted the presence of eosinophils in nearly half of our study population (n = 23, 46.0%). There was no significant association between the presence of eosinophils and degree of spongiosis (P = 0.405). Eosinophil density ranged from 0 to 8 per tissue section. The mean average eosinophil density was 1.04 (range: 0-8) per tissue section. Among cases with eosinophils, there were 73.9% (n = 17/23) of cases with 1-2 eosinophils, and 26.1% (n = 6) with 3-8 eosinophils. Mild to moderate spongiosis was noted in the majority of cases (n = 48; 96.0%). Eosinophils were only present in psoriasis cases with evidence of spongiosis (n = 23; 47.9%). We conclude that eosinophils are not an uncommon finding in the dermis of psoriasis vulgaris, although the number is often few. The presence of eosinophils should not preclude a diagnosis of psoriasis, particularly if other histologic features are supportive.

What's New in Dermatopathology: Inflammatory Dermatoses.

Inflammatory skin diseases encompass a vast array of conditions. The field continues to expand and evolve with resurgence of conditions, through newly recognized medication adverse effects, and via more detailed descriptions of known dermatoses. The importance of clinicopathologic correlation and an up to date knowledge of dermatologic conditions cannot be overstated. This review focuses on an array of recent important developments in the histologic diagnosis of inflammatory conditions that affect the skin.

Calciphylaxis with pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like changes: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Calciphylaxis and pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) are rare, clinically distinct disorders that share a common feature of cutaneous calcification and that vary widely in their cutaneous presentation. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective review of biopsy specimens collected over a 2-year period. Only specimens with a histologic and clinical diagnosis of calciphylaxis were included in the review. Specimens were then histologically examined for features of PXE in the dermis and/or subcutaneous fat, utilizing hematoxylin and eosin staining. Von Kossa and Verhoeff-Van Gieson special stains were also performed to examine calcification and elastic fibers, respectively. RESULTS: We reviewed 13 biopsy specimens from 9 patients with known clinical and histologic evidence of calciphylaxis, both uremic and non-uremic types. Upon re-examination, we found that 46.2% (n = 6/13) of the specimens showed concomitant PXE-like changes uniquely localized to the subcutaneous fat. CONCLUSION: The presence of PXE-like changes in the subcutis may heighten suspicion for a diagnosis of calciphylaxis in the appropriate clinical setting and be helpful when classic histologic features are subtle or absent.

Generalized essential telangiectasia.

The pathophysiology of generalized essential telangiectasia is not well understood. Generalized essential telangiectasia is an uncommon disorder in which widespread telangiectasias of unknown cause develop without associated systemic or antecedent dermatologic disease. We report a case of generalized essential telangiectasia in an otherwise healthy 49-year-old man.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related epidemic Kaposi sarcoma.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm that is one of the most common human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related malignancies. We present the case of a 42-year-old man with a new diagnosis of HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related epidemic KS.

Necrobiosis lipoidica.

We present a case of necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) of the right abdomen in a 75-year-old man. A skin biopsy performed showed a layered infiltrate of mono and multinucleated histiocytes palisaded around degenerated collagen bundles. Laboratory workup was unremarkable. The patient was treated with topical corticosteroids with cessation of progression of his disease, although the eruption did not resolve. There are a number of treatments for NL reported in the literature, all with varying efficacy. Although NL lesions are usually asymptomatic, patients with NL must be monitored closely for signs of ulceration or malignant transformation, in which case more aggressive treatment options may be warranted.

Cutaneous Crohn disease without gastrointestinal involvement in a 9-year-old boy.

Cutaneous Crohn disease (CCD) is a rare dermatologic manifestation of Crohn disease and is defined as noncaseating, granulomatous skin lesions noncontiguous with the gastrointestinal tract. It most commonly affects the skin of the legs, although genital CCD is the most common presentation in children. Diagnosis of CCD is made by a combination of clinical and histopathological findings. Therapeutic options include topical, intralesional, and systemic corticosteroids as well as topical and systemic immunosuppressants and immunomodulators. Surgical excision may be considered for refractory cases. We report CCD in a 9-year old boy with penile swelling, granulomatous cheilitis-like lesions, and perianal plaques.

De Novo vs Nevus-Associated Melanomas: Differences in Associations With Prognostic Indicators and Survival.

BACKGROUND: Although 20% to 30% of melanomas are histopathologically 'nevus associated,' the majority of melanomas arise de novo, ie, in clinically normal skin with no associated nevus. We examined whether these forms of melanoma differed in their associations with clinical and histopathologic features and patient survival. METHODS: We analyzed two prospective cohorts from our institution with protocol-driven follow-up information (NYU1, n = 1024; NYU2, n = 1125). We used univariate and multivariable analyses to examine associations between de novo vs nevus-associated melanoma classification and age, anatomic site, tumor thickness, tumor ulceration, mitotic index, histological subtype, clinical stage, and survival. We tested the associations identified in NYU1 using NYU2 as a replication cohort. All tests of statistical significance were two-sided. RESULTS: In NYU1, de novo melanomas were associated with tumor thickness greater than 1.0 mm (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43 to 2.70, P < .001), ulceration (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.10 to 2.54, P = .02), nodular subtype (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.70 to 7.11, P = .001), greater than stage I (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.65 to 3.40, P < .001), older age (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.18 to 2.30, P = .004), and shorter overall survival (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.22 to 2.18, P < .001). In NYU2, de novo melanoma was again statistically significantly associated with thickness greater than 1.0 mm (OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.72 to 2.93, P < .001), ulceration (OR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.95 to 4.37, P < .001), nodular subtype (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.75 to 3.37, P < .001), greater than stage I (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.80 to 3.29, P < .001), older age (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.31 to 2.17, P < .001), and shorter overall survival (HR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.78 to 3.56, P < .001). In multivariable analysis, de novo classification was an independent, poor prognostic indicator in NYU2 (HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.19 to 2.44, P = .004). Male patients had a statistically significantly worse survival than female patients if their melanoma was de novo (NYU1, P < .001; NYU2, P < .001); unexpectedly, there was no sex difference in survival among patients with nevus-associated tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that de novo melanomas are more aggressive than nevus-associated melanomas. This classification scheme may also provide a useful framework for investigations into sex differences in melanoma outcomes.

The Photodynamic Therapy Experience of a High Volume Laser and Dermatologic Surgery Center.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an FDA approved treatment for actinic keratoses (AK's) although multiple off-label indi- cations are reported. Despite frequent use for AK's, no clear consensus exists regarding protocols for overall treatment parameters. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 1,491 subjects who underwent PDT between 2007 and 2011 at a high volume laser surgery center. Demographic information, clinical history, treatment data, and subsequent diagnosis of skin cancers were recorded. An ex- ploratory subgroup analysis was performed for patients treated for AK and/or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that developed SCC or remained SCC-free one year after treatment. RESULTS: The most common indications for PDT were actinic keratoses (n=1404, 94.9%) then NMSC (n=45, 3.0%) The most common treatment site was the head and neck (n=1274, 86.1%). Blue light activation (405-420nm) was used more frequently than red light and visible light. (73.8% vs. 22.8% vs. 6.8%). The most commonly used photosensitizer was aminolevulinic acid (ALA) (98.6%, n=1456). Topical application (97.7% n=1437) of photosensitizer was used more frequently than intralesional administration (2.0%, n=29). 580 patients met subgroup analysis criteria. 66 developed SCC at treatment site (11%). Factors associated with developing SCC were older age, SCC history, Fitzpatrick skin-type 1, and sixty-minute or less incubation times (P less than 0.05 for all factors). The SCC subgroup had a unique distribution of treatment sites (P less than.001). No statistically significant differences were observed for gender or wavelength. CONCLUSION: There are differences in protocols based on indication and location of lesion. Blue light is preferable for superFIcial lesions and red light for deeper lesions. Intralesional delivery is used more commonly for NMSC. Extremities require longer incubation times. PDT may be more effective with younger patients and longer than sixty-minute incubation times. PDT chemoprevention is independent of light source used. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(11):1420-1426..

Diffuse sebaceous-gland hyperplasia.

Diffuse sebaceous-gland hyperplasia is a rarevariant of sebaceous-gland hyperplasia that isdistinct from the well-known circumscribed type.The term presenile sebaceous hyperplasia has beenutilized to describe this entity that is distinguishedby specific features, which include confluence oflesions that results in the formation of large plaqueson the face, the sparing of periorificial regions, andhighly functional glandular hyperplasia that resultsin excessive sebaceous secretion. We present a43-year-old woman with monomorphous, skincoloredand yellow, smooth 1- to-3-mm papules,some with central umbilication, that spare theperiorificial zones. Histopathologic examination wassuggestive of diffuse sebaceous-gland hyperplasia.Differential diagnosis of this condition is broad andincludes syndromes that are associated with multiplefacial papules and malignant conditions, such asMuire-Torre syndrome and Cowden syndrome. Itis important to be aware of this condition in orderto consider appropriate treatment options, such asisotretinoin and to avoid unnecessary diagnostictests.

Acral lentiginous melanoma of the foot misdiagnosed as a traumatic ulcer. A cautionary case.

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is rising faster than that of almost any other cancer in the United States. Acral lentiginous melanoma is a subtype of melanoma that involves the palms, soles, and nail beds. Although it is one of the rarer types of melanoma, it has a poorer prognosis than other more common subtypes. We describe a case of plantar acral melanoma in a 66-year-old woman that was initially misdiagnosed as a traumatic foot ulcer. We highlight this case to emphasize the importance of close observation and biopsy of ulcerative lesions of the foot that have atypical features or are refractory to standard treatment.

Eosinophilic dermatitis of hematologic malignancy.

Eosinophilic dermatosis of hematologic malignancy is a rare, paraneoplastic phenomenon that presents as a pruritic papular or vesicular eruption that is clinically and histopathologically similar to insect bites. We present a 56-year-old man with multiple relapses of diffuse large B cell lymphoma with a typical presentation of pruritic papules and vesicles on the extremities that correlate with a recent relapse of his lymphoma.