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Other Skin Diseases (other + skin_diseases)
Selected AbstractsUVB phototherapy and skin cancer risk: a review of the literatureINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Ernest Lee MD Background, UVB phototherapy is a common treatment modality for psoriasis and other skin diseases. Although UVB has been in use for many decades, many clinicians are hesitant to use this type of phototherapy because of concern over increasing the skin cancer risk. Over the past 20 years, numerous studies have been published examining this issue, but a consensus or analysis of the skin cancer risk is required for the dermatologist to make an educated risk,benefit analysis. Objective, To assess the risk of skin cancer associated with UVB phototherapy. Methods, All prospective or retrospective studies were identified in MEDLINE from 1966 to June 2002. Bibliographies were searched to identify any additional studies examining this issue. All studies that attempted to quantify or qualify any additional skin cancer risk from UVB phototherapy were included. Study selection was performed by two independent reviewers. Results, Eleven studies (10 of which concerned psoriasis patients), involving approximately 3400 participants, were included. Of note, three of the studies involved the same cohort: members of the 16-center US Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) Follow-up Study. Other than the most recent Finnish study, all studies eventually showed no increased skin cancer risk with UVB phototherapy. One of the PUVA cohort studies examined genital skin cancers, and found an increased rate of genital tumors associated with UVB phototherapy, although this study has not been duplicated. Conclusion, The evidence suggests that UVB phototherapy remains a very safe treatment modality. [source] Skin biopsy for inflammatory and common neoplastic skin diseases: optimum time, best location and preferred techniques.JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2009A critical review The diagnosis of skin diseases, particularly inflammatory dermatoses, is based primarily on clinical information. Pathologic examination of the biopsied specimen often serves as a complementary or confirmative part of the diagnosis. However, the clinical diagnosis of skin diseases may be challenging, as the clinical information and appearance of skin lesions invariably overlap. Evidence for a correct diagnosis may be lacking without histopathologic examination of skin biopsies. It is well known that the histologic diagnosis of inflammatory and other skin diseases requires clinicopathologic correlation, and there is evolution of skin lesions into different stages as the diseases progress. Other factors important for accurate dermatopathologic diagnosis are optimum time, best location and preferred techniques of skin biopsy. In searching for available information concerning when, where and how to take skin biopsies, it is noted that there are only limited practical guidelines currently available. We present this review article in hopes that our collective dermatopathologic and dermatologic experience can provide a quick reference for accurate diagnosis and proper management of skin diseases. [source] Bullous pemphigoid detection by micro-Raman spectroscopy and cluster analysis: structure alterations of proteinsJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 11 2005Erez Azrad Abstract In this study, micro-Raman spectroscopy was used, for the first time, to detect spectral changes between healthy and diseased skin tissues with bullous pemphigoid (BP). The spectral changes provide information about the biochemical alterations between normal skin and blistered and nonblistered regions in samples diagnosed histopathologically as BP. Raman spectra, characterized by many peaks, revealed the molecular composition of the different skin layers, stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis of normal skin. Comparison of spectra monitored at the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ) of healthy skin with those of blisters caused by BP showed evidence for large variations in the amide I and III regions. The alterations of the protein content, amide I and III, are a result of the appearance of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and fibrin, characteristics of BP. Indication for the disease at early stages was obtained from changes in protein content, evidenced in the measured spectra assisted by cluster analysis. The method employed here can contribute to the nearly real-time diagnosis and to a better understanding of the physical and biomolecular processes effected by BP, and might have implications on other skin diseases. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Grover's disease: 34 years onAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Christopher J Quirk SUMMARY Grover's disease is an entity reported worldwide and recognized as a common disease since Grover first described it in 1970. Its cause remains obscure, but hospitalized, febrile and sun-damaged patients are particularly prone. It is frequently associated with some other skin diseases, including eczemas, psoriasis and solar keratoses. Acantholysis is the universal histological finding in all the varying clinical presentations. Treatment in the past has been ad hoc, but topical therapy, acitretin and phototherapy can suppress symptoms. [source] Evaluation of diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis: validity of the criteria of Williams et al. in a hospital-based settingBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2001H. Gu Background Surveys of the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) have been carried out world-wide, but the results vary widely. The differences probably result from the use of different diagnostic criteria. Williams et al. proposed minimum, simplified, diagnostic criteria that require no invasive test and are easy to use. Pilot studies in European countries showed their suitability for implementation both in hospitals and in the community, and their high sensitivity and specificity. Objectives To evaluate the potential practical value of the criteria of Williams et al. in the Chinese population. Methods The criteria of Hanifin and Rajka (gold standard), Williams et al. and Kang and Tian were applied and compared in 111 patients with AD and 121 control subjects with other skin diseases in three out-patient centres in China. Results The criteria of Williams et al. showed a similar diagnostic efficiency to that of the gold standard, with the sensitivity, specificity and , value reaching 95·50%, 97·52% and 0·93, respectively. No significant difference was found between the criteria of Williams et al. and those of Kang and Tian (,2 = 0·69, P > 0·05). ,Onset under the age of 2 years', a criterion of Williams et al. could be used in subjects of any age. Conclusions The diagnostic efficiency of the criteria of Williams et al. was basically similar to those of Hanifin and Rajka and of Kang and Tian in our out-patient settings. However, those of Williams et al. were easier to apply and required no invasive tests. [source] | ||||||||||