Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Analysis of a Large Size Retrospective Series.

BACKGROUND: One of the most important prognostic factors for mortality in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the development of nodal metastasis. There is no consensus regarding which patient with cSCC should be offered sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish the rate of positive SLNBs among patients with high-risk cSCCs and to identify which high-risk features are associated with a positive SLNB. METHODS: Five-year retrospective case series in an academic tertiary care center reviewing 93 SLNBs. RESULTS: Of the 93 SLNBs performed, 5 (5.4%) were positive. Three patients (3/5) had neck dissection and one (1/5) had radiation therapy, with no recurrence at the time of last follow-up. A tumor diameter ≥2 cm, a tumor depth >6 mm or below subcutaneous fat, perineural invasion of nerves with a diameter ≥0.1 mm, moderate or poor histological differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, and immunosuppression were associated with a positive SLNB. All tumors with a positive SLNB were classified as T2b according to the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) tumor staging. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study and absence of a control group. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be considered for BWH T2b and T3 tumors. However, more randomized controlled studies are needed.

Prospective Clinical Trial Comparing Curettage and Cryosurgery to Curettage and Electrodesiccation in the Management of Minimally Invasive Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas [Formula: see text].

BACKGROUND: Basal and squamous cell carcinomas represent the most common cancers in North America. Their management is an important issue. OBJECTIVES: The evaluation of cure rates of minimally invasive cutaneous carcinomas with curettage-cryosurgery compared to curettage-electrodesiccation, as well as the assessment of the aesthetic appearance of scars. METHODS: This prospective trial randomized 117 patients 1:1 to treatments of curettage-cryosurgery or curettage-electrodesiccation. They were then followed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. RESULTS: At 12-month follow-up, only one (1/49) patient had a recurrence of cutaneous carcinoma in the curettage-cryosurgery group and none (0/43) in the curettage-electrodesiccation group. Farrington-Manning analysis with a 5% margin of error showed the non-inferiority of the first method (P = .04). For the aesthetic appearance of scars after 12 months, better results with curettage-cryosurgery procedure has been observed, but this was not statistically significant (P = .80 and P = .27 for evaluations of patients and clinicians respectively). LIMITATIONS: This study was mainly limited by its small sample size. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that curettage-cryosurgery compared to curettage-electrodesiccation for the treatment of minimally invasive carcinomas is noninferior (comparable) with regards to cure rates at 12-month follow-up. No significant difference has been demonstrated for the appearance of scars.

Continuous versus interrupted sutures for facial surgery repair: a randomized prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The cosmetic appearance of a facial scar is a concern for patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Although suturing technique may influence scar cosmesis, few studies have been published comparing suturing methods for MMS repair. OBJECTIVE: To compare the cosmetic appearance of facial MMS scars sutured with either continuous or interrupted percutaneous nylon sutures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with facial MMS defects were randomized to have half their scar sutured with interrupted 5-0 nylon stitches, whereas the other half of the scar was closed with running 5-0 nylon stitches. The appearance of each half of the scar was assessed at 1 week, 8 weeks, and 6 months by the principal investigator. Blinded photographic evaluation at 1 week and 6 months was completed by a plastic surgeon and general dermatologist. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were entered into the trial, and 101 completed all time point assessments. There was no statistically significant difference in scar outcome using each of the 3 scar assessment scales, at any time point, for any assessor (blinded and nonblinded). CONCLUSION: Interrupted and continuous 5-0 nylon sutures result in an equivalent final cosmetic appearance of facial MMS scars. Given its advantages, running sutures may be the preferred closure technique for facial repair.

Bleeding in congenital hemangiomas: crusting as a clinical predictive sign and usefulness of tranexamic acid.

We present two case reports of CH in which severe bleeding episodes occurred during the first weeks of life and report the use of topical tranexamic acid to control bleeding in this setting. Patient 1 was a full-term female infant who presented at birth with a large 7- by 6-cm CH of the forehead showing a few millimeter-sized crusts. No active treatment except close follow-up was advised. At 10 weeks of age, the size of the lesion having spontaneously decreased more than 50%, she presented with severe bleeding from a small crusted area. The bleeding was controlled using topical tranexamic acid, and except for a few minor, easily controlled bleeding episodes in the following weeks, the lesion regressed more than 80%. Patient 2 was a full-term male infant seen at 1 day of life for a 14- by 10-cm CH of the right knee with a few small, dark, superficial crusts. At 3 weeks of age, he was hospitalized after severe bleeding from one of the crusted areas, with a drop in hemoglobin from 131 to 114 g/L. Bleeding was controlled using topical tranexamic acid, and compressive dressing. Because the lesion was clinically a rapidly involuting CH, there was no need for embolization or surgery. The presence of crusting in CH, even in the absence of frank ulceration, is an ominous sign and can precede serious bleeding. Tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent that helps stabilize the clot, has proved useful topically in controlling bleeding in CH.

Intralesional cidofovir in the treatment of cutaneous warts in a renal transplant patient.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous warts are often recalcitrant to conventional therapy in immunocompromised patients. Cidofovir is a potent antiviral agent shown to have a broad spectrum of action against DNA virus, including human papillomavirus. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of intralesional cidofovir in the treatment of florid warts in an immunocompromised renal transplant patient. METHOD: The patient received seven injections of intralesional cidofovir at 4 week intervals in his numerous palmar warts. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, intralesional cidofovir is a promising therapeutic modality in the treatment of cutaneous warts in the renal transplant population.