Artificial intelligence in dermatology: advancements and challenges in skin of color.

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses algorithms and large language models in computers to simulate human-like problem-solving and decision-making. AI programs have recently acquired widespread popularity in the field of dermatology through the application of online tools in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of skin conditions. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar analyzing recent literature (from the last 10 years through October 2023) to evaluate current AI programs in use for dermatologic purposes, identifying challenges in this technology when applied to skin of color (SOC), and proposing future steps to enhance the role of AI in dermatologic practice. Challenges surrounding AI and its application to SOC stem from the underrepresentation of SOC in datasets and issues with image quality and standardization. With these existing issues, current AI programs inevitably do worse at identifying lesions in SOC. Additionally, only 30% of the programs identified in this review had data reported on their use in dermatology, specifically in SOC. Significant development of these applications is required for the accurate depiction of darker skin tone images in datasets. More research is warranted in the future to better understand the efficacy of AI in aiding diagnosis and treatment options for SOC patients.

From Tugs to Treatments: A Systematic Review on Pharmacological Interventions for Trichotillomania.

Trichotillomania (TTM) is a psychiatric disorder with dermatologic consequences, characterized by recurrent hair-pulling. It affects 1-3% of the population, and often coexists with other psychiatric disorders, leading to emotional distress. Effective management of TTM can be challenging due to underdiagnosis, symptom heterogeneity, and stigma. Pharmacological interventions, including SSRIs and NAC are commonly utilized. The objective of this review is to assess the existing literature on pharmacotherapy for trichotillomania and identify potential avenues for future research and treatment advancements. A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed and Scopus databases within the last 10 years. Included studies assessed pharmacotherapy for trichotillomania and provided insights into current evidence and potential directions for future research and treatment advancements. In total, 23 articles were identified that met inclusion criteria. The most successful interventions were NAC, aripiprazole, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. NAC was identified as the most impressive adjunctive therapy in treatment through its mechanism of decreased glutamate-induced excitatory neuronal damage, with adjunctive antioxidant properties. Most of the other therapeutics that were identified require further research and controlled trials to validate their findings. Even if successful therapeutic outcomes are achieved, it is important to consider the patient's comorbidities and to combine pharmacologic interventions with behavioral therapy interventions to comprehensively manage TTM.

Cutaneous adverse effects associated with LAG-3 inhibitor use in cancer treatment: A systematic review.

Immunotherapy has become a mainstay of treatment for many cancers. Multiple immune checkpoint inhibitors have been used to treat malignancies, including anti-programed death-1 (PD1) and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (anti-CTLA4). However, a significant percentage of patients develop resistance to these immunotherapy drugs. Therefore, novel strategies were developed to target other aspects of the immune response. Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) is a cell-surface molecule found on natural killer cells and activated T-cells which negatively regulates T-cell proliferation and function. LAG-3 inhibitors interact with LAG-3 ligands on the surface of T-cells to block T-regulatory (Treg) cell activity, suppress cytokine secretion and restore dysfunctional effector T-cells which subsequently attack and destroy cancer cells. This review reports the dermatologic side effects associated with LAG-3 inhibitors used in the treatment of melanomas. Using PRISMA 2022 guidelines, a comprehensive literature review of PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases was conducted. Three studies were identified that demonstrated that the use of LAG-3 inhibitors, whether as a single agent or in combination with other immune checkpoint inhibitors, resulted in stomatitis, pruritus, rash, dry skin, erythema, and vitiligo. Further research is warranted to assess the cutaneous adverse events observed with LAG-3 inhibitors in treating melanoma and to identify populations most vulnerable to such side effects.

A Review of the Efficacy of Topical Statins for Treating Disseminated Superficial Actinic Porokeratosis.

Porokeratosis is a rare group of acquired or hereditary dermatoses characterized by linear or annular plaques with a keratotic border. DSAP is the most common porokeratosis, and lesions range from asymptomatic to pruritic circular pink to brown macules, papules, or plaques surrounded by a raised border. DSAP carries about 7.5-10% risk of malignant transformation to SCC or BCC. While in the past DSAP has been widely treated with topical diclofenac, ingenol mebutate, topical vitamin D analog, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, photodynamic therapy, retinoids, cryotherapy, and laser therapy, these therapies have shown limited efficacy and have caused adverse effects including inflammatory reactions, hyperpigmentation, pain, and erythema. Recently, a formulation of topical statin and cholesterol has surfaced as a new and promising treatment for DSAP which has shown clinical improvement with a tolerable adverse effect profile when compared to the current therapies. Of the 8 case studies with a total of 20 patients with DSAP, 90% (18/20) reported clinical improvement with various forms of topical statin therapy. While promising, larger randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the long-term use of topical statins for DSAP. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(10):     doi:10.36849/JDD.7540.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for craniotomies in the treatment of brain tumors: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative complications after craniotomy for brain tumors include pain, nausea/vomiting, and infection. A standardized enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is not widely accepted for this common neurosurgical procedure. Few studies have explored its application. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases was performed between January 1992 and March 2023. Original studies that implemented an ERAS protocol for patients that underwent craniotomy for brain tumors were included. The following variables were evaluated: hospital length of stay (LOS), postoperative pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis, non-opioid analgesia, and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: Twelve studies with a total of 1309 patients met inclusion criteria, including ten randomized controlled trials, one nonrandomized controlled trial, and one quality control study. Most frequently assessed metrics included hospital LOS, PONV prophylaxis, and non-opioid analgesia. A significant reduction in postoperative LOS was observed in 7 studies with ERAS or ERAS components. ERAS was significantly associated with pain reduction on the visual analog scale and verbal numerical rating scale (n=8). Non-opioid analgesia in ERAS improved postoperative pain control (n=4) and decreased the duration of pain (n=1). Three of six studies found no difference in PONV in ERAS vs. control. No studies reported an increase in postoperative complications using ERAS vs. control. One study showed greater patient satisfaction at 30-day follow-up with improved QOL. CONCLUSION: Implementing ERAS protocol may enhance outcomes and quality of life in patients with moderate evidence for improved recovery in those undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors.

Psoriasiform Dermatitis in a COVID-19 Patient.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory papulosquamous disorder which affects around 2% of the world's population. A peak exacerbation in psoriatic symptoms was noted during COVID-19 due to lack of access to dermatological care mixed with heightened emotional stress during the pandemic. This case report describes a 52-year-old admitted male patient who sustained a diffuse rash on multiple areas of his body a week prior to testing positive for COVID-19. We explore plausible causes for the occurrence of the rash, discuss our treatment plan, include relevant clinical pictures, and review published literature to examine conditions that present similarly to the rash seen in our patient. It is crucial for dermatologists to be able to discern various systemic manifestations associated with cutaneous lesions, such as the one seen in this patient, in order to make an accurate and prompt diagnosis. A better understanding of the association between COVID-19 infection and psoriasiform lesions is needed for improving the prognostic and therapeutic outcomes in patients.

Neurosurgical management of patients with neurocutaneous melanosis: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Neurocutaneous melanocytosis (NCM), also referred to as neurocutaneous melanosis, is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by excess melanocytic proliferation in the skin, leptomeninges, and cranial parenchyma. NCM most often presents in pediatric patients within the first 2 years of life and is associated with high mortality due to proliferation of melanocytes in the brain. Prognosis is poor, as patients typically die within 3 years of symptom onset. Due to the rarity of NCM, there are no specific guidelines for management. The aims of this systematic review were to investigate approaches toward diagnosis and examine modern neurosurgical management of NCM. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using the PubMed database between April and December 2021 to identify relevant articles using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Search criteria were created and checked independently among the authors. Inclusion criteria specified unique studies and case reports of NCM patients in which relevant neurosurgical management was considered and/or applied. Exclusion criteria included studies that did not report associated neurological diagnoses and neuroimaging findings, clinical reports without novel observations, and those unavailable in the English language. All articles that met the study inclusion criteria were included and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 26 extracted articles met inclusion criteria and were used for quantitative analysis, yielding a cumulative of 74 patients with NCM. These included 21 case reports, 1 case series, 2 retrospective cohort studies, 1 prospective cohort study, and 1 review. The mean patient age was 16.66 years (range 0.25-67 years), and most were male (76%). Seizures were the most frequently reported symptom (55%, 41/74 cases). Neurological diagnoses associated with NCM included epilepsy (45%, 33/74 cases), hydrocephalus (24%, 18/74 cases), Dandy-Walker malformation (24%, 18/74 cases), and primary CNS melanocytic tumors (23%, 17/74 cases). The most common surgical technique was CSF shunting (43%, 24/56 operations), with tethered cord release (4%, 2/56 operations) being the least frequently performed. CONCLUSIONS: Current management of NCM includes CSF shunting to reduce intracranial pressure, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and palliative care. Neurosurgical intervention can aid in the diagnosis of NCM through tissue biopsy and resection of lesions with surgical decompression. Further evidence is required to establish the clinical outcomes of this rare entity and to describe the diverse spectrum of intracranial and intraspinal abnormalities present.

The psychological burden associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are disorders of connective tissue that lead to a wide range of clinical presentations. While we are beginning to understand the association between EDS and psychological manifestations, it is critical that we further elucidate the relationship between the two. Understanding the correlation between EDS and mental health will better ensure swift diagnosis and effective treatment for patients. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to systematically examine and report the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the EDS population. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched on June 14, 2021 for articles published from January 2011 to June 2021. We included original, evidence-based, peer-reviewed journal articles in English that reported information on psychiatric disorders among EDS patients. Psychiatric disorders and psychological conditions were limited to those included in the "psychology" and "mental disorders" Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) search terms defined by the National Library of Medicine. Publications identified utilizing this search strategy by M.K. were imported into the Covidence system, where they first underwent a title and abstract screening process by three independent reviewers (M.K., K.L., H.G.). During the full-text review, two independent reviewers read the full text of the questionable articles to assess their eligibility for inclusion. Studies were excluded if they did not meet our target objective or if they were not in English or if they were opinion pieces, conference abstracts, or review articles. Data were extracted from the shortlisted studies by reviewers. During the data extraction phase, the quality and risk of publication bias were assessed by two independent reviewers utilizing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tools. Any disagreements in study selection, data extraction, or quality assessment were adjudicated via discussion between the two reviewers, utilizing a third reviewer as a decider if necessary. RESULTS: Out of 73 articles identified, there were no duplicates. A total of 73 records were screened, but only 40 articles were assessed in full text for eligibility. A total of 23 articles were ultimately included, which collectively discussed 12,298 participants. Ten (43.5%) of the included studies were cross-sectional in design, three (13.0%) were case reports, and three (13.0%) were retrospective chart reviews. The remaining seven (30.4%) articles were either case-control, cohort, qualitative, controlled observational, or validation studies. Twelve (52.2%) of the studies reported data on depression disorders, six of which reported prevalence data. Nine (39.1%) of the studies reported data on anxiety disorders, five of which reported prevalence data. Studies that reported nonprevalence data presented odds-ratio, mean scores on psychiatric evaluations, and other correlation statistics. Psychiatric disorders that were most reported in these articles were mood disorders (n=11), anxiety disorders (n=9), and neurodevelopmental disorders (n=7). Although the reports varied, the highest psychiatric prevalence reports in EDS patients involved language disorders (63.2%), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (52.4%), anxiety (51.2%), learning disabilities (42.4%), and depression (30.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Although mood disorders were cited in more articles, the highest reported prevalence was for language disorders and ADHD. This discrepancy highlights the importance of performing more research to better understand the relationship between EDS and psychiatric disorders.

The Psychosocial Burden Associated With and Effective Treatment Approach for Atopic Dermatitis: A Literature Review.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is chronic relapsing inflammatory skin condition that is marked by a high degree of psychosocial and emotional burden in both pediatric and adult populations. In addition to physical symptoms of pruritus and visible skin lesions, AD is associated with decreased quality of life, psychosocial stress, low self-esteem, low work productivity, irritability, decreased physical intimacy, disturbed sleep, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Since AD is a chronic disease, treatment includes achieving long-term disease control for noticeable symptom reduction. For mild symptoms of AD, dermatologists should recommend basic skin care maintenance, use of emollients, and avoidance of triggers. If that fails, treatment with TCS, TCIs, phototherapy, and systemic immunosuppressants is generally advised. Dupilumab is the most effective immunomodulating therapy available for treating moderate-to-severe symptoms associated with AD, including itching, poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Topical agents and phototherapy have been shown to be less efficacious and more suited for achieving remission in mild-to-moderate disease. Overall, the treatment of emotional and psychosocial factors linked with moderate to severe AD remains challenging and calls for more research. The purpose of our review is to explore the extent and severity of psychosocial and emotional burden that patients with atopic dermatitis may potentially experience, and list up-to-date treatment choices available for symptoms associated with AD. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(10): 1046-1050.doi:10.36849/JDD.6328.

Identification of skin signs in human-trafficking survivors.

Human-trafficking survivors suffer significant physical, mental, and social health consequences, prompting them to seek health care services. Although there is research regarding identification protocols for human-trafficking victims, there is no framework outlining the dermatologic patterns of survivors of human trafficking. We sought to identify the dermatologic signs reported in human-trafficking victims to create a framework for dermatologists and the broader medical community to appropriately screen patients at risk. After screening 577 pertinent records in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for information about the physical signs of human trafficking in health care, 10 final studies were selected. Significant findings of rashes and brandings, such as tattoos, were more likely in sex-trafficked patients, whereas burns, injuries, and deep cuts were more likely to be found in labor-trafficked patients. This review outlines important identification guidelines that dermatologists and the broader medical community can use to recognize victims and take appropriate action while also raising awareness of human trafficking as an emerging public health issue.