Simple Intraoperative Technique to Improve Wound Edge Approximation for Residents.

Among the variables associated with surgical outcomes, cosmesis is important to patients and challenging to the early-learning resident. We offer a technique that allows alignment of wound edges by intraoperatively using a suture to determine where to place the next needle bite. This technique can be used to correct for variation in surface angle and malalignment with altered skin tension that is encountered during routine surgery and can be applied to intermediate and complex closures.

Multiple Indolent Asymptomatic Yellow-Orange Patches and Plaques.

An 83-year-old Caucasian male presented with a history of asymptomatic yellow-orange macules and plaques concentrated on his trunk and proximal extremities that have been slowly progressing for the past three years. A punch biopsy revealed the presence of eosinophilic amorphous and fissured material within the superficial and interstitial dermis consistent with nodular amyloidosis. With the lack of concurrent systemic symptoms and negative systemic laboratory workup, the patient was diagnosed with disseminated primary localized cutaneous nodular amyloidosis (PLCNA). Due to the possibility of developing systemic progression, serial monitoring was recommended. This case highlights an under-reported and unusual presentation of a widely distributed form of PLCNA compared to the more common localized nodular and plaque variants.

Recurrent Erythema Multiforme Induced by the Combination of Pembrolizumab and Radiation.

Erythema multiforme is a self-limited condition that is characterized by the rapid onset of symmetric targetoid lesions. This hypersensitivity reaction is commonly triggered by herpes simplex virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. Pembrolizumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor that is associated with drug-induced erythema multiforme. Radiotherapy is a rarely reported trigger of erythema multiforme. We report a case of recurrent pembrolizumab and radiotherapy-induced erythema multiforme in a patient with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. This study aimed to highlight a unique cause of erythema multiforme and to review the common radiation-induced cutaneous reactions.

Primary cutaneous perivascular epithelioid cell tumors: two cases and a review of the literature.

Report _Case Presentation _Photo Vignette _Letter Authors declare that the contents of this article are their own original unpublished findings. Title: Primary cutaneous perivascular epithelioid cell tumors: two cases and a review of the literature Authors: Jennifer Wong1 DO, Jason Mammino2 DO, Jennifer Seyffert3 DO, Kristen Schmits4 MD, Etan Marks4 MD, Daniel Rivlin3 MD Affiliations: 1Department of Dermatology, LECOM- Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA, 2Department of Dermatology, KCUMB - Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, Orlando, Florida, USA, 3Department of Dermatology, LECOM- Skin and Cancer Associates, Miami Beach, Florida, USA, 4Department of Dermatopathology Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Pathology Laboratory, Delray Beach, Florida, USA Corresponding Author: Jennifer Seyffert DO, 4308 Alton Road, Suite 510, Miami Beach, FL 33140, Tel: 305-674-8865, Fax: 305-674-1459, Email: jseyf12@gmail.com Abstract: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors, also known as PEComas, are mesenchymal neoplasms which uncommonly originate within the skin, with only 23 cases documented within the literature. These rare neoplasms classically display epithelioid cells composed of granular or clear cytoplasm arranged in sheets, nests, or cords. Their immunoreactivity for melanocytic and smooth muscle markers makes these tumors distinct and unique.[1] We herein present two cases of primary cutaneous PEComas that clinically mimic other common cutaneous neoplasms and illustrate the necessity for clinical-pathologic correlation. A literature review is also presented to compare the different clinical and histological presentations of cutaneous PEComas.

Fungal Masquerader: A Case Report of Extramammary Paget's Disease Treated with Radiotherapy.

An 83-year-old Caucasian male presented with a pruritic erythematous patch to his right inguinal region, which he had contracted five months ago. After months of topical antifungal and steroid therapies, the patient was referred to dermatology due to a lack of lesion improvement. A 5.0 mm punch biopsy with immunohistochemical staining revealed the presence of pleomorphic nuclei with cytoplasm replete with mucin, suggestive of superficial extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD). As he was reluctant to undergo a surgical assessment, the patient underwent consultation and management with 30 sessions of superficial electron beam radiotherapy. A week after the completion of radiation therapy, the patient's skin exhibited minimal erythema with surrounding hyperpigmentation to the affected inguinal skin, suggesting clearance of the disease. This case highlights the importance of an accurate diagnosis in a timely manner as neoplastic cases have a metastatic risk with potentially devastating results.

Sarcoidosis Presenting as a Right Paraesophageal Mass Abutting the Left Atrium.

We herein report a unique case of sarcoidosis in a 44-year-old Caucasian female. The patient was initially evaluated for hematochezia and diagnosed with diverticulitis after computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis. This imaging also incidentally showed a large mass abutting the esophagus. Further imaging of the mass revealed widespread lymphadenopathy in the thorax without any respiratory or classic B symptoms present. The remaining workup caused concern for possible lung or hematologic malignancy. Following biopsy of a thoracic lymph node, the patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. This patient met only one of the usual demographic criteria associated with sarcoidosis and none of the lab criteria. While sarcoidosis is typically a benign disease, this case exemplifies how it may appear as a more sinister entity and warrants extensive workup to rule out malignancy.

Skin indentation firmness and tissue dielectric constant assessed in face, neck, and arm skin of young healthy women.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to test the hypothesis that skin firmness correlates with skin hydration. METHODS: Dermal water was assessed by tissue dielectric constant (TDC) at 0.5 mm (TDC0.5 ) and 2.5 mm (TDC2.5 ) depths on four face sites and two arm sites of 35 women (25.0 ± 1.6 years). Firmness was determined by force (mN) to indent skin to 0.3 mm (F0.3 ) and 1.3 mm (F1.3 ). RESULTS: F0.3 was similar among face sites (avg = 16.2 ± 7.2 mN) but F1.3 varied (avg = 32.5 ± 4.1 mN). TDC2.5 was similar among face sites (avg = 37.7 ± 4.2) but TDC0.5 varied (avg = 36.2 ± 4.8). F1.3 of arm sites was similar (avg = 60.2 ± 18.6 mN) and both greater than F1.3 of neck (28.3 ± 7.1 mN) and face. Regression analysis showed a near-zero correlation between forces and TDC at all sites. CONCLUSION: The near-zero correlation may be due to low skin interstitial hydraulic resistance to mobile water movement in healthy young skin. If true, then conditions in which dermal hydraulic conductance is reduced as in lymphedematous, diabetic, or aged skin are more likely show the hypothesized relationship. Our findings provide normalized reference values and suggest that such persons are an important population to study to test for a possible skin water-indentation force relationship and its utilization for early diagnosis.