Emerging Trends in Nonsurgical Female Genital Rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: Aging, childbearing, and hormonal changes can lead to vulvovaginal laxity and mucosal atrophy that negatively affect a woman's quality of life. As more minimally and noninvasive options for genital rejuvenation become available in the outpatient setting, it becomes increasingly important for the dermatologic surgeon to be familiar with these popular procedures. OBJECTIVE: To familiarize dermatologists with the nonsurgical options available for female genital rejuvenation, patient motivations for pursuing these procedures, relevant anatomy, and potential adverse events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search was performed on nonsurgical female genital rejuvenation from 1989 to 2015, and results are summarized. RESULTS: Reports of nonsurgical female genital rejuvenation procedures using fractional carbon dioxide lasers, nonablative lasers, monopolar radiofrequency devices, hyaluronic acid fillers, and fat transfer are concisely summarized for the practicing dermatologist. CONCLUSION: Review of the literature revealed expanding options for nonsurgical female genital rejuvenation.

Neck Rejuvenation Using a Combination Approach: Our Experience and a Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Aging of the neck is characterized by changes that include skin dyspigmentation, laxity, rhytides, loss of the mandibular contour, widening of the cervicomental angle, accumulation of submental fat, volume loss and prominence of the platysmal bands. Many cosmetic options exist to address these changes individually, but little literature exists about the safety and efficacy of combining such procedures and devices. OBJECTIVE: To review the existing literature and the authors' experience in safely and effectively combining aesthetic rejuvenation modalities for the neck. METHODS: A Medline search was performed on combination treatments for neck rejuvenation, and results are summarized. Practical applications for combining these procedures are discussed. RESULTS: Studies examining the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light, ablative fractional lasers, nonablative fractional lasers, microfocused ultrasound with visualization, thermistor-controlled subsurface monopolar radiofrequency, cryolipolysis, ATX-101, liposuction, laser lipolysis, neuromodulators, and hyaluronic acid dermal fillers in the neck were found. The authors review their experience in combining these techniques. CONCLUSION: Review of the literature revealed options for non- and minimally-invasive rejuvenation of the skin and volume restoration of the neck, but little literature was found on the safety and efficacy of combining such procedures. The authors' experience in clinical practice is that many neck rejuvenation techniques can be combined safely. A combination approach often produces the most optimal outcome for the patient seeking neck rejuvenation.

Complications in the Cosmetic Dermatology Patient: A Review and Our Experience (Part 1).

BACKGROUND: Over recent decades, the options available to patients for cosmetic rejuvenation have expanded dramatically. The range of options commonly available to patients now includes neuromodulators, fillers, sclerotherapy, chemical peels, liposculpture, lasers, and lights and other energy devices and continues to grow. As with all therapeutic interventions, these cosmetic dermatologic procedures are not without risk. Timely recognition of complications and intervention are paramount for optimal patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Part 1 of this review will focus on the common complications of injectable cosmetic procedures, such as neuromodulators, fillers, and sclerotherapy. The second part will discuss the complications of chemical peels, lasers, light and energy devices, and fat removal procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search was performed on cosmetic dermatology complications from 1989 to 2015, and results are summarized. Practical considerations of these complications are also provided. RESULTS: Reports of complications after neuromodulator, injectable hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, sclerotherapy, fat transfer, liposuction, cryolipolysis, chemical peels, lasers, and light sources, such as Q-switched laser, intense pulsed light, nonablative and ablative resurfacing lasers, were found. CONCLUSION: Review of the literature revealed multiple management options for potential complications of the multitude of cosmetic dermatology procedures now available to patients.

Complications in the Cosmetic Dermatology Patient: A Review and Our Experience (Part 2).

BACKGROUND: Over recent decades, the options available to patients for cosmetic rejuvenation have expanded dramatically. The range of options commonly available to patients now includes neuromodulators, fillers, sclerotherapy, chemical peels, lasers, lights and other energy devices, and liposculpture and continues to grow. Like all therapeutic interventions, these cosmetic dermatologic procedures are not without risk. Timely recognition of complications and intervention are paramount for optimal patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Part 1 of this review focused on the common complications that may result from injectable cosmetic procedures. The second part will discuss the complications of chemical peels, lasers, light and energy devices, and fat removal/sculpture procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search was performed on cosmetic dermatology complications from 1989 to 2015, and results are summarized. Practical considerations of these complications are also provided. RESULTS: Reports of complications after neuromodulator, injectable hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, sclerotherapy, fat transfer, liposuction, cryolipolysis, chemical peels, lasers, and light sources, such as Q-switched laser, intense pulsed light, and nonablative and ablative resurfacing lasers, were found. CONCLUSION: Review of the literature revealed multiple management options for potential complications of the multitude of cosmetic dermatology procedures now available to patients.

Décolletage: Regional Approaches with Injectable Fillers.

BACKGROUND: Patients increasingly request rejuvenation of the aging and photodamaged décolletage. Rhytides in this area can be addressed with injectables such as poly-L-lactic acid and hyaluronic acid products and energy-based devices, such as fractionated ablative and nonablative lasers and microfocused ultrasound with visualization. METHODS: This article will review the anatomy of the chest wall as it pertains to injectables that can be utilized in this area and injection technique. A review of the literature and the authors' experience will be discussed. CONCLUSION: Cosmetic injectables can be utilized safely and effectively to improve the appearance of rhytides on the décolletage.

Bone morphogenetic proteins and degenerative disk disease.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are involved not only in osteogenesis but also in chondrogenesis. They play an important role in the development and maintenance of the intervertebral disk (IVD). For this reason, an increasing amount of research has been performed to examine the relationship between BMPs and degenerative disk disease (DDD). Moreover, researchers are examining the safe use of BMPs as a potential treatment for diskogenic back pain. We performed a literature search using databases from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health to identify studies relating BMPs to DDD. According to in vitro and in vivo studies in different animal and human IVDs, BMP-2 and BMP-7 are upregulated with aging and with induced disk injury; this represents an anabolic response. Direct administration of BMP-2 to IVD cells results in increased production of components of the extracellular matrix. Upregulation of the BMP pathway via other agents, namely simvastatin and LIM mineralization protein-1, has resulted in similar outcomes. Adenoviruses loaded with BMPs, transfected either directly to IVD cells or via articular chondrocytic vectors, also resulted in reversal of the typical findings in DDD. We conclude that the use of BMPs to treat DDD has a promising future. Further studies are indicated to determine optimal delivery and efficacy in humans.

Torticollis associated with neonatal brachial plexus palsy.

We investigate the incidence of torticollis associated with neonatal brachial plexus palsy, whether the severity of brachial plexus palsy affects outcomes and the rate of recovery. We performed a retrospective review of 128 consecutive neonatal brachial plexus palsy patients evaluated at the University of Michigan from 2005-2009. Patients were followed for at least 3 months, with regular physical examinations and imaging. Forty-three percent presented concurrently with torticollis. Significant differences were evident in mean age at first brachial plexus examination, suggesting that patients with concurrent torticollis present earlier for clinical examination. Recovery from torticollis was evident in 62% of patients by 23 ± 12 weeks with conservative management. No statistically significant differences were evident between torticollis and nontorticollis groups after reviewing their severity of neonatal brachial plexus palsy (Narakas score), recovery from neonatal brachial plexus palsy (biceps function at 6 months), need for nerve repair or reconstructive procedures, or infant, maternal, or other factors associated with labor. Results suggest that although torticollis occurs with increased frequency in children with brachial plexus palsy, its presence is not related to severity and does not affect the probability of recovery from brachial plexus palsy. Conservative management for torticollis yields reasonable recovery.

Optic nerve ultrasound for the detection of raised intracranial pressure.

BACKGROUND: Optic nerve ultrasonography (ONUS) may help identify raised intracranial pressure (ICP). The optimal optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) cut-off for the identification of intracranial hypertension has not been established, with some clinical studies suggesting a higher cut-off than may be expected on the basis of prior laboratory investigation. OBJECTIVE: To validate ONUS performed by neurointensivists as a technique for the detection of intracranial hypertension and identify the optimal ONSD criterion for the detection of ICP > 20 mmHg. METHODS: Prospective blinded observational study. Patients in the ICU with either external ventricular drains or intraparenchymal ICP monitors at risk for intracranial hypertension were enrolled. The ONSD was measured by neurointensivists at the bedside with simultaneous invasive ICP measurement. An ROC curve was constructed to determine the optimal ONSD for the detection of ICP >  20 mmHg. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A total of 536 ONSD measurements were performed on 65 patients. Diagnoses included subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke and brain tumor. ROC curve analysis revealed area under the curve (AUC) = 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-0.99; P < 0.0001 for AUC = 0.5). Optimal ONSD for detection of ICP > 20 mmHg was ≥0.48 cm sensitivity 96% (95% CI 91-99%); specificity 94% (92-96%). Sensitivity of the higher cutoff of ≥0.52 cm proposed by some authors was only 67% (58-75%), with specificity 98% (97-99%). CONCLUSIONS: Bedside ONSD measurement, performed by neurointensivists, is an accurate, non-invasive method to identify ICP > 20 mmHg in a heterogeneous group of patients with acute brain injury. ONSD ≥0.48 cm has the greatest accuracy, however, internal validation of ONSD criteria may be required.

Pediatric and inherited neurovascular diseases.

Pediatric and inherited neurovascular syndromes have diverse presentations and treatments. Although many of these diseases are uncommon, they must be included in the differential diagnosis for children with strokes or hemorrhages. In neurosurgical practice, familial cavernous malformations, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), and moyamoya are the most frequently encountered of these diseases. In this article, we will discuss familial cavernomas and HHT, as well as more unusual entities such as PHACE(S) syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, Wyburn-Mason syndrome, sinus pericranii, radiation-induced vasculopathy, and blue rubber bleb nevus (BRBN) syndrome. Moyamoya disease is covered in several other articles in this volume.

Utility of a cervical spine clearance protocol after trauma in children between 0 and 3 years of age.

OBJECT: Cervical spine clearance after trauma in children 0-3 years of age is deceptively difficult. Young children may not be able to communicate effectively, and severe injuries may require intubation and sedation. Currently, no published guidelines are available to aid in decision-making in these complex situations. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a safe and effective protocol-driven system could be developed for clearance of the cervical spine in noncommunicative children between 0 and 3 years of age. METHODS: Children 0-3 years of age, including intubated patients, who were admitted after trauma activation at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City or the Children's Hospital of New York from 2002 to 2006 were managed according to a cervical spine clearance protocol. Data were collected in a prospective fashion. Radiographic and clinical methods of clearing the cervical spine, as well as the type and management of injuries, were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 2828 pediatric trauma activations required cervical spine clearance during the study period. Of these, 575 (20%) were children

Correlation between ventriculomegaly on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging and the need for postnatal ventricular shunt placement.

OBJECT: Pediatric neurosurgeons are increasingly called on to provide prognostic data regarding the antenatal diagnosis of ventriculomegaly. This study was designed to determine if there is a correlation between prenatal MR imaging results and the need for ventricular shunt placement during the neonatal period. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the prenatal MR imaging data of 38 consecutive patients who had been referred for neurosurgical consultation following the diagnosis of ventriculomegaly. The outcome measure was placement of a ventricular shunt. Assessed parameters included prenatal atrial diameter (AD), gestational age at MR imaging, time between imaging studies, presence of concomitant CNS anomalies, laterality of ventriculomegaly, fetal sex, and temporal evolution of ventriculomegaly. Logistic regression analysis was completed with the calculation of appropriate ORs and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Six patients (16%) required shunt placement, all with an AD > or = 20 mm (mean 23.8 mm) at the time of imaging. Eight patients had presented with an AD > or = 20 mm. Atrial diameter was the only presenting feature that correlated with shunt placement (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.10-2.25, p = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed no statistical correlation between the need for ventricular shunting and gestational age at MR imaging, time between imaging studies, fetal sex, presence of additional CNS anomalies, and laterality of the ventriculomegaly. CONCLUSIONS: When assessed using MR imaging, an AD > or = 20 mm at any gestational age is highly associated with the need for postnatal shunting. Patients with concomitant CNS anomalies did not require shunts at a greater rate than those with isolated ventriculomegaly. Further studies are required to assess the long-term outcome of this patient population.