RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The treatment of choice for pilomatricomas is surgical excision; however, data for the optimal timing of treatment and cosmetic outcomes are limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the optimal timing of treatment in pilomatricomas by considering clinicopathological findings and cosmetic outcomes. METHODS: Seventy-three pilomatricomas patients aged ≤15 years were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into early excision (disease duration ≤12 months, group A) and delayed excision groups (disease duration >12 months, group B). Tumor characteristics, and histopathological features with evolutionary stages were assessed. Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated by the Modified Vancouver Scar Scale (MVSS), 5-point patient satisfaction score, and complication rates. RESULTS: Group A showed better cosmetic outcomes than group B in the MVSS (1.53±1.22 vs. 3.68±1.84), 5-point patient satisfaction score (4.08±0.89 vs. 3.18±1.01), and complication rates (11.8% vs. 36.4%), respectively (p<0.05). Secondary anetoderma, tent sign, calcification, and late regressive stage (evolutionary stage IV) were more common in group B, (p<0.05). Moreover, evolutionary stages showed a positive correlation with mean MVSS (r=0.670, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Early excision (disease duration ≤12 months) provides superior cosmetic outcomes compared to delayed procedures. Early recognition, diagnosis, and management for pediatric pilomatricomas is important to improve overall cosmetic outcomes.
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BACKGROUND: A recent study suggested a possible role of skin barrier dysfunction in the pathogenesis of rosacea, which leads to irritation symptoms. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential omega-6 fatty acid that is known to restore defective epidermal skin barrier. GLA supplementation has not previously been performed in rosacea patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of adding GLA to minocycline compared to minocycline alone in rosacea patients. METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 31 rosacea patients. They were randomly assigned to receive 320 mg/day of GLA (Evoprim®) (n=16) or placebo (n=15) in addition to 100 mg/day of minocycline for 8 weeks. Investigator's global assessment (IGA) and patient's global assessment (PGA) were used to assess clinical severity at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12. Biophysical parameters including melanin index, erythema index, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), lipid concentration, and stratum corneum hydration were measured. RESULTS: In the GLA group, a higher proportion of patients achieved treatment success (IGA≤1) at week 8 (68.75% vs. 33.33%) and patient satisfaction (PGA≥3) at weeks 8 (75.0% vs. 40.0%) and 12 (81.3% vs. 46.6%). Both groups, throughout 12 weeks of treatment, revealed a trend toward improvement in erythema index, melanin index, TEWL, and stratum corneum hydration. Particularly, there was a significant difference in TEWL and stratum corneum hydration over time between the two groups (p=0.033, p=0.003, respectively). No serious adverse event was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: GLA is beneficial as an additional therapeutic option for rosacea patients treated with minocycline.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Treatment of nevus sebaceus (NS) on the scalp is usually surgical excision, but the optimal timing is debatable. The scalp presents significant challenges to the reconstructive surgeon because the lack of elasticity of the scalp makes the repair of defects difficult. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal timing for surgical excision of NS on the scalp through postoperative outcomes. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the postoperative cosmetic results of patients with a follow-up period of 12 to 15 months. The variables analyzed were patient demographics, preoperative tumor size, location, operative time, cosmetic results, and complications. RESULTS: This study enrolled 62 patients, including 30 adults and 32 children. The main complications were hair loss, hypertrophic scar, and widening of the scar. The overall complication rate was 17.7%, and the complication rate in children (9/32, 28.1%) was higher than that in adults (2/30, 6.7%) (p < .05). Tumor location, shape, and size showed no association with complications. CONCLUSION: Complications after surgical excision of NS on the scalp are more likely to occur in children than in adults. On the basis of these findings, surgical excision of NS on the scalp can be delayed until after childhood.
