Pili torti is a hair shaft disorder characterized by hair that does not grow long and is easily broken; the hair often has a coarse or spangled appearance. A diagnosis is made by light microscopy of flattened hair twisted 180 degrees along its axis.…
BACKGROUND. Split nails are a common problem originating in focal thinning of the nail matrix. OBJECTIVE. TO determine if cosmetically acceptable results could be achieved utilizing phenol alcohol partial nail maticectomy in patients with split…
Clinical situations that require the use of systemic antibiotic therapy are common. Because millions of women choose oral contraceptives for birth control, the potential for interaction between these drugs frequently has to be considered. We review…
Hand hygiene is a central factor in preventing the spread of disease in the dermatologist's office. The role of hand washing and alcohol-based hand rubs is considered with emphasis on compliance, effectiveness,side effects, and cost. Specific…
BACKGROUND. The removal of keratinous and pilar cysts by the punch incision technique is an alternative to traditional excision methods. It is easy to perform with commonly available instruments, and quick. Faster healing and less scarring are…
Seborrheic karatoses are benign lesions that are easily irritated and often cosmetically objectionable. Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy and other surgical methods are useful in treating these lesions, but are difficult to tolerate in patients who have…
Patients with anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and immunodeficiency (EDA-ID)) have mutations in the gene on the X chromosome encoding nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) essential modulator (NEMO), resulting in conical teeth, sparse hair, anhidrosis…
BACKGROUND. Surgical extirpation of lipomas that occur in cosmetically conspicuous areas of the body leaves a visible scar that is usually disfiguring. Minimal-scar segmental extraction (MSE) employs a much smaller incision and extraction and is…
BACKGROUND. The efficacy of acute tissue expansion (ATE) in achieving skin closure has been strongly debated. Proponents maintain that ATE is efficacious, whereas critics have argued for lack of supporting scientific data and that ATE is no more…
Oral lichenoid lesions caused by hypersensitivity to mercury in amalgam fillings may mimic oral lichen planus on clinical and histologic examination. A positive patch test reaction to more than one mercurial allergen increases confidence in the…
Alopecia universalis often responds poorly to standard therapies. We report how a novel treatment option, alefacept, was successfully used in the management of a 21-year-old woman with alopecia universalis. The patient responded with complete…
Background: The explosion of medical knowledge, the influence of( )communications technology, and the pressures for health care reform challenge dermatologists to learn efficiently and teach effectively. Observations: The vast body of material on…
Background: Psoriasis is a hyperproliferative and inflammatory skin disorder that affects roughly 2 percent of the worldwide population. Clobetasol propionate is the most common corticosteroid used to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis but the…
Genital warts (condyloma acuminatum, venereal warts) are common highly contagious benign epithelial lesions occurring on the genitals, perianal area, and inguinal folds, and are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Diagnosis is based largely on the…
