Current practices for pediatric phototherapy: Findings from a cross-sectional study.

Phototherapy is broadly utilized for treatment of inflammatory skin conditions affecting pediatric patients. However, there are no specific guidelines or recommendations for implementing phototherapy in pediatric populations leading to variability in treatment procedures. Here, we present findings from a cross-sectional, survey-based study investigating the implementation of phototherapy in pediatric patients across the United States. A total of 39 sites from 19 different states identified via the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Health Care Provider Directory responded. Common practices included a signed informed consent prior to performing phototherapy (86.4%, n = 32), no minimum age requirement for pediatric patients (91.8%, n = 34), the use of Fitzpatrick skin type to determine dosing protocol (100%, n = 37), and allowing parents to accompany their children into the lightbox (65%, n = 20). Our results provide insights into current common practices and themes for further study.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome precipitated by Moderna Inc. COVID-19 vaccine: a case-based review of literature comparing vaccine and drug-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccination was approved for use in the United States in December of 20201 and since that time massive public health efforts have been made to vaccinate patients against the COVID-19 infection. Adverse reactions from the vaccination are well-reported and include both local skin reactions, such as pain, swelling, and erythema at the injection site, as well as systemic reactions including fever, malaise, headache, muscle aches, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. While severe serious cutaneous adverse reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), remain rare; two cases of SJS/TEN related to COVID-19 vaccination have been reported. We herein review the two previously reported cases of SJS/TEN and report the first case of SJS precipitated by the Moderna Inc., MRNA 1273 COVID-19 vaccination in the United States. Although we review potential adverse reactions to vaccination, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks based on current data. Cases should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (https://vaers.hhs.gov/) to help public health officials recognize and track these severe but rare adverse events.

Patient Quality of Life Improvement in Bullous Disease: A Review of Primary Literature and Considerations for the Clinician.

Autoimmune and inherited bullous disorders are rare skin diseases that may have a profound negative impact on quality of life (QOL). Common symptoms include pain, pruritus, and scarring, and complications may result in the loss of the ability to perform daily tasks. Diagnosis may have a negative psychological impact, and ongoing management may require a significant allocation of time and resources by both patients and providers. To provide patient-centered care, consideration of these factors is of utmost importance for the dermatologist treating patients with bullous disorders. Herein, we present a review of the primary literature evaluating QOL in autoimmune and inherited bullous disorders, including pemphigus, pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa, and Hailey-Hailey disease.

Paraneoplastic myopathy in pancreatic cancer: a case report and literature review.

Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are both immune-mediated inflammatory myopathies known to occur in paraneoplastic syndromes associated with a new diagnosis of malignancy, most commonly breast, ovarian, lung, pancreatic, stomach, colorectal, and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma1 in DM and breast, lung, bladder cancer, and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in PM. 2,3,4 While inflammatory markers such as creatine kinase (CK) may be elevated with either DM or PM, marked elevation is rare. Herein, we report a case of newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer presenting with inflammatory myopathy and marked CK elevation. We review the frequency of PM as a paraneoplastic syndrome, the association with marked CK elevation, and the association with pancreatic cancer.

Polymyalgia rheumatica: An updated review.

Polymyalgia rheumatica should be suspected in older patients with bilateral shoulder and hip stiffness that is worse in the morning and improves with use. An array of nonspecific musculoskeletal complaints, constitutional symptoms, and elevated serum inflammatory markers may be present, so other conditions should also be considered. Prolonged glucocorticoids with patient-tailored dosing and duration are the mainstay of treatment. Corticosteroid-sparing therapy with adjunctive methotrexate may benefit select patients.

Correction to: IgG4 sclerosing disease of the esophagus: a case­based review.

In the original article published, the name of the second author is incorrect.

IgG4 sclerosing disease of the esophagus: a case-based review.

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an inflammatory and fibrosing disease which causes tumor-like swelling of organs and commonly mimics symptoms of malignancy. It has been increasing in prevalence in the last decade, but esophageal involvement remains rare. IgG4-RD was first known to involve certain organs, such as the pancreas. It has, since, been described as a systemic disease process. IgG4-RD should be considered in patients presenting with dysphagia. Initiation of appropriate treatment with corticosteroids can avoid unnecessary procedures and improve outcomes. The aim of this review is to discuss 17 cases of IgG4-RD of the esophagus. Literature review was conducted using NCBI database (PMC and PubMed filters) using the keywords "IgG4 disease," "sclerosing," "esophagus" and "gastrointestinal." The search was narrowed to include cases describing IgG4 disease of the esophagus using the same filters. Literature review identified 16 documented cases of IgG4-RD involving the esophagus. Upon literature review, it remains clear that it is extremely rare for IgG4-RD to affect the esophagus. Sixteen cases have been reported. We present a 17th case and discuss the implications of IgG4-RD. It is important to keep a broad differential diagnosis that includes IgG4-RD for patients presenting with dysphagia, especially when symptoms are refractory.