Eccrine porocarcinoma presenting as a recurrent wart

Eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC) is an exceedingly rare sweat gland tumor most commonly seen in older patients. Diagnosis of EPC is rare, representing a small percentage of cutaneous malignancies. In the absence of established guidelines, wide local excision (WLE) has traditionally been considered the standard treatment. However, there is growing evidence of increased local recurrence and nodal metastasis associated with WLE. More recently, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is emerging as an effective treatment method with higher cure rates. We report a case of EPC presenting as a recurrent wart in a 36-year-old man that was successfully treated with MMS.

Cadaveric simulation for improving surgical training in dermatology

Simulation models are rapidly changing medical education, especially the training of dermatology residents. Various models are available, including cadaveric simulations. Our study evaluates the impact of a cadaveric simulation on the training of dermatology residents. Over a period of three years, cadaveric simulation was shown to increase the surgical knowledge of residents. Residents were more confident in their knowledge of surgical anatomy and also surgical skills. Cadaveric simulation may offer a positive impact on resident training in dermatology.

An atrophic plaque on the breast six years after breast reconstruction surgery

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a cutaneous disease entity that typically manifests as atrophic yellow plaques with telangiectasias on the anterior tibial region. Although NL is commonly associated with diabetes mellitus, the role of trauma in disease development is less commonly emphasized. The relationship between NL and the Köbner phenomenon has been established, as a few cases of NL occurring in surgical scars have been reported in the literature. We report the first case of NL occurring in a mastectomy scar on the breast in a non-diabetic female, and explore the relationship between NL, diabetes mellitus, and trauma.

Lasers in tattoo and pigmentation control: role of the PicoSure(®) laser system

Background and objectives

The use of picosecond lasers to remove tattoos has greatly improved due to the long-standing outcomes of nanosecond lasers, both clinically and histologically. The first aesthetic picosecond laser available for this use was the PicoSure^® laser system (755/532 nm). Now that a vast amount of research on its use has been conducted, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature to validate the continued application of the PicoSure^® laser system for tattoo removal.

Study design and methods

A PubMed search was conducted using the term “picosecond” combined with “laser”, “dermatology”, and “laser tattoo removal”.

Results

A total of 13 articles were identified, and ten of these met the inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of studies showed that picosecond lasers are an effective and safe treatment mode for the removal of tattoo pigments. Several studies also indicated potential novel applications of picosecond lasers in the removal of various tattoo pigments (eg, black, red, and yellow). Adverse effects were generally mild, such as transient hypopigmentation or blister formation, and were rarely more serious, such as scarring and/or textural change.

Conclusion

Advancements in laser technologies and their application in cutaneous medicine have revolutionized the field of laser surgery. Computational modeling provides evidence that the optimal pulse durations for tattoo ink removal are in the picosecond domain. It is recommended that the PicoSure^® laser system continue to be used for safe and effective tattoo removal, including for red and yellow pigments.

Non-ablative fractional resurfacing in the treatment of scar contracture

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A 28-year-old female presented with extensive scarring after a traumatic injury to her right lower extremity. She had been hit by a vehicle one year prior to presentation and had several open fractures with extensive overlying cutaneous damage, which required multiple surgeries and skin grafts. She had limited range of motion of the affected limb secondary to scar contracture.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patient received 6 treatments with a non-ablative fractional resurfacing (NAFR) device with two wavelengths (Fraxel DUAL, Solta Medical, Hayward, CA) spaced 4-8 weeks apart. The patient received two treatments with the 1927 nm NAFR thulium laser (10 mJ, 30% density, 8 passes) and two treatments with the 1550 nm NAFR laser (40 mJ, 17-26% density, 8 passes). Before and after treatment photographs were taken, as well as range of motion measurements with respect to her right ankle.

RESULTS

The patient had 50-75% improvement in the texture and discoloration. There was both subjective and objective improvement in the range of motion of her right lower extremity. The patient experienced mild erythema and edema, both of which resolved after 7-10 days.

CONCLUSION

Recent studies have shown great functional improvement in scar contractures with ablative fractional laser treatments; however, these treatments are accompanied by significant downtime along with risk of further scarring and infection. NAFR is an accessible treatment with a low side effect profile and to our knowledge has not been reported as efficacious in the treatment of scar contracture. This case report is novel in its demonstration of the utility of a dual wavelength NAFR in the treatment of scar contracture and functional impairment.

Mutations Affecting Keratin 10 Surface-Exposed Residues Highlight the Structural Basis of Phenotypic Variation in Epidermolytic Ichthyosis

Epidermolytic ichthyosis (EI) due to KRT10 mutations is a rare, typically autosomal dominant, disorder characterized by generalized erythema and cutaneous blistering at birth followed by hyperkeratosis and less frequent blistering later in life. We identified two KRT10 mutations p.Q434del and p.R441P in subjects presenting with a mild EI phenotype. Both occur within the mutational "hot spot" of the keratin 10 (K10) 2B rod domain, adjacent to severe EI-associated mutations. p.Q434del and p.R441P formed collapsed K10 fibers rather than aggregates characteristic of severe EI KRT10 mutations such as p.R156C. Upon differentiation, keratinocytes from p.Q434del showed significantly lower apoptosis (P-value<0.01) compared with p.R156C as assessed by the TUNEL assay. Conversely, the mitotic index of the p.Q434del epidermis was significantly higher compared with that of p.R156C (P-value<0.01) as estimated by the Ki67 assay. Structural basis of EI phenotype variation was investigated by homology-based modeling of wild-type and mutant K1-K10 dimers. Both mild EI mutations were found to affect the surface-exposed residues of the K10 alpha helix coiled-coil and caused localized disorganization of the K1-K10 heterodimer. In contrast, adjacent severe EI mutations disrupt key intermolecular dimer interactions. Our findings provide structural insights into phenotypic variation in EI due to KRT10 mutations.

Cantharidin: a comprehensive review of the clinical literature

BACKGROUND

Cantharidin is a topical vesicant that causes intraepidermal acantholysis with clinical application that includes the removal of warts, molluscum contagiosum (MC), calluses, and acquired perforating dermatoses.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive literature review of the efficacy and safety of cantharidin in the management of various cutaneous conditions.

METHODS

A PubMed search was conducted using the term "cantharidin" combined with "warts", "plantar warts", "verruca vulgaris", "periungal", "subungual", "topical treatment", "topical therapy for warts", molluscum contagiosum", "perforating collagenosis," and "acantholysis."

RESULTS

A total of 749 articles were identified and 37 articles met inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of studies show that cantharidin is an effective and safe treatment for removal of warts and MC. Several studies also show potential novel applications of cantharidin in acquired perforating dermatosis, acute herpes zoster, and leishmaniasis. Adverse effects are generally mild but common and should be monitored, particularly in the pediatric population.

LIMITATIONS

There is a paucity of high-powered clinical studies involving the use of cantharidin.

CONCLUSION

Topical cantharidin is a safe and effective treatment for warts, molluscum contagiosum, and callus removal, with promising uses in perforating dermatoses and leishmaniasis.