D. Ioannides

Accuracy of dermoscopic criteria for the diagnosis of psoriasis, dermatitis, lichen planus and pityriasis rosea

Background  Dermoscopy is useful in evaluating skin tumours, but its applicability extends also to the field of inflammatory skin disorders. Plaque psoriasis (PP), dermatitis, lichen planus (LP) and pityriasis rosea (PR) are common inflammatory skin diseases, but little is currently known about their dermoscopic features.

Photodynamic therapy for distal and lateral subungual toenail onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum: Preliminary results of a single-centre open trial.

. A combination of topical and systemic thera-pies seems to be the ideal approach in the treatment (1). However, as many patients have conditions that contra-indicate the administration of systemic anti-fungals, and as topical treatments alone are able to control cases of only mild to moderate severity, it is necessary to develop new safe and effective strategies for the treatment of onychomycosis. The use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has ex-tended in many fields, including that of antimicrobial chemotherapy (1).

Skin cancer: preventive photodynamic therapy in patients with face and scalp cancerization. A randomized placebo-controlled study.

Background  Patients with a previous medical history of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) often develop multiple or recurrent malignant lesions around the site of the primary tumour. This finding led to the field cancerization theory, which suggests that the entire epithelial surface of the regional skin has an increased risk for the development of malignant lesions. Management of field change is challenging, taking into account the high impact of NMSCs on public health and healthcare costs.

Pimecrolimus cream 1% vs. betamethasone 17-valerate 0·1% cream in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis. A randomized open-label clinical trial

Background  Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with remissions and exacerbations, characterized by erythema, scaling and pruritus primarily on the face, scalp and chest. Corticosteroids and antifungals are the mainstay of therapy. However, chronic use of corticosteroids is associated with side‐effects such as skin atrophy and telangiectasia. Pimecrolimus, an inhibitor of calcineurin, has been used successfully in one patient with seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Management of bullous pemphigoid: the European Dermatology Forum consensus in collaboration with the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Bullous pemphigoid is the most common autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes. This disease typically affects the elderly and presents with itch and localized or generalized bullous lesions. In up to 20% of affected patients, bullae may be completely absent, and only excoriations, prurigo‐like lesions, eczematous lesions, urticated lesions and/or infiltrated plaques are observed. The disease is significantly associated with neurological disorders. The morbidity of bullous pemphigoid and its impact on quality of life are significant. So far, a limited number of national treatment guidelines have been proposed, but no common European consensus has emerged. Our consensus for the treatment of bullous pemphigoid has been developed under the guidance of the European Dermatology Forum in collaboration with the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. It summarizes evidence‐based and expert‐based recommendations.

Pemphigus. S2 Guideline for diagnosis and treatment – guided by the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) in cooperation with the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV)

Pemphigus encompasses a group of life‐threatening autoimmune bullous diseases characterized by blisters and erosions of the mucous membranes and skin. Before the era of immunosuppressive treatment, the prognosis of pemphigus was almost fatal. Due to its rarity, only few prospective controlled therapeutic trials are available.

Intraindividual, right–left comparison of topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy vs. 5% imiquimod cream for actinic keratoses on the upper extremities

Backround  Actinic keratoses (AKs) are considered as in situ squamous cell carcinoma. Early and effective treatment is important.

The potential role of microorganisms in the development of rosacea.

Rosacea is a chronic cutaneous disorder characterized by centrofacial persisting erythema, telangiectases, papules, pustules, edema, phymas and ocular involvement. Despite being one of the most common skin disorders, its pathogenesis remains unclear and controversial. Although the disease triggering factors are well recognized, the underlying causes of rosacea have not yet been identified. Several different postulates about its pathogenesis can be found in the medical literature. Abnormalities of the pilosebaceous unit, as well as genetic, vascular, inflammatory, environmental and microbial factors have been described. The microorganisms that have been associated include Helicobacter pylori, Demodex folliculorum, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Chlamydia pneumonia; all the studies have been inconclusive. We review currently available scientific data on the potential pathogenetic role of microorganisms in the development of rosacea.

Clinical and laboratory study of rosacea in northern Greece

Background  Numerous factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rosacea, which remains obscure.

Treatment of nail psoriasis with adalimumab: an open label unblinded study

Background  Despite numerous advances in the therapeutic management of cutaneous psoriasis, there is a lack of standardized therapeutic regimens for psoriatic nail disease.