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This Month in Archives of Dermatology
Arch Dermatol. 2002;138:1289.
Treatment of Chronic Erosive Oral Lichen Planus With Low Concentrations
of Topical Tacrolimus: An Open Prospective Study
Chronic oral erosive lichen planus is a severe form of lichen planus
of the bucchal, gingival, and glossal mucosae. Although numerous therapeutic
modalities have been reported as useful, none has emerged as the gold standard
of treatment. In this open prospective study, Olivier et al demonstrate the
efficacy and safety of a topical 0.1 mg/100 mL tacrolimus suspension in treating
this often painful disorder.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Dermoscopic Examination of Nail Pigmentation
Early diagnosis of malignant melanoma offers the only possibility of
curative treatment. This holds true for melanoma of the nail apparatus, yet
diagnosis of melanoma at this site is complicated by the fact that biopsy
of the nail matrix is often painful and creates a nail dystrophy due to surgical
injury of the nail matrix. Ronger et al systematically assess the oil-immersion
dermoscopic features of nail pigmentation, describing a technique that may
allow differentiation between subungual melanoma and benign longitudinal melanonychia
with high diagnostic accuracy.
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Schematic representations of 2 of the dermoscopic patterns observed
in longitudinal melanonychia: A, brown coloration of the background; B, micro–Hutchinson
sign.
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(SEE ARTICLE)
Viral Disease Transmitted by Laser-Generated Plume (Aerosol)
There has been an increasing awareness of the potential health risk
of laser-generated plumes, including concerns regarding aerosolized carbonized
materials, viable tumor cell dispersion, and transmission of infectious agents.
Garden et al demonstrate that intact bovine papillomavirus may be recovered
from the plume of carbon dioxide laser–treated lesions, and that virally
induced tumors may be produced following inoculation with these laser plume
materials. These findings suggest that stringent safety precautions during
laser surgery should be strictly maintained.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Use of an 800-nm Pulsed-Diode Laser in the Treatment of Recalcitrant
Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp
Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp is an idiopathic follicular disorder
characterized by firm, fluctuant nodules on the scalp with subsequent sinus
tract formation and the potential for secondary infection and permanent scarring
alopecia. Treatment of this chronic disorder is often frustrating. Boyd and
Binhlam demonstrate the utility of laser-assisted epilation in this disorder
and suggest that for those patients who do not respond to more conservative
medical treatment, this modality represents an excellent therapeutic option.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Awareness of the Risks of Tanning Lamps Does Not Influence Behavior
Among College Students
Despite the well-publicized fact that the use of tanning lamps is associated
with nonmelanoma skin cancer and malignant melanoma, millions of Americans
continue to artificially tan every year. In this survey at a large midwestern
public university, Knight et al found young adult students to be exceptionally
knowledgeable about the risks of UV light exposure and tanning bed use. However,
almost half of those surveyed reported using tanning lamps despite this knowledge.
Cosmetic appearance seems to be the principal motivating factor for artificial
UV lamp use, suggesting that changing public opinion about the aesthetic appeal
of tanning and the belief that tans are attractive and healthy may be a more
effective deterrent to tanning bed use than traditional health educational
tools.
(SEE ARTICLE)
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