Elio Kechichian

Comparison of microwave ablation, botulinum toxin injection, and liposuction-curettage in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis: A systematic review

Background: Primary focal axillary hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive sweating that can strongly impact quality of life. Objective: The objective if this study was to compare microwave ablation (MA), botulinum toxin (BT) injection, and liposuction-curettage (LC) in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis based on subjective and objective criteria. Methods: A systematic review of the literature published in French or English between 1 January 1991 and 1 February 2015 was completed using PubMed and Embase databases. Results: 16 of 775 articles were selected based on relevance and criteria of inclusion and exclusion. The three methods proved to be efficient and safe; however, MA and BT had better results when compared to LC in the short term. Both MA and LC showed longer lasting results when compared to BT. However, in the long term, MA was superior to LC. Conclusion: MA, LC, and BT injections are safe and efficient minimally invasive alternatives for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to further compare the efficacy of these techniques.

Pediatric pyoderma gangrenosum: a systematic review and update

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a sterile neutrophilic disorder that rarely affects children. Clinical, epidemiological, and therapeutic data on pediatric PG is poor as there are many newly reported associated diseases and drugs. This paper aims to review all recent available data on pediatric PG. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases. A total of 132 articles were included in the review. The most commonly reported underlying diseases in pediatric PG are inflammatory bowel diseases followed by hematologic disorders, vasculitis, immune deficiencies and Pyogenic Arthritis, Pyoderma gangrenosum and Acne (PAPA) syndrome. More than half of the cases occur with no underlying disease. The most frequently reported clinical presentation is multiple disseminated ulcers. Treatment should be tailored according to the underlying etiology. It includes systemic steroids, corticosteroid sparing agents such as dapsone and cyclosporine, and TNF‐alpha inhibitors such as adalimumab and infliximab. Response to treatment is high with cure rates reaching 90%. A high index of suspicion and a thorough workup are mandatory in the management of pediatric PG.

Labia Majora Augmentation: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background Currently, there is no standardized approach for labia majora augmentation and controversies still exist regarding this subject. Objectives This systematic review aimed to assess the evidence in the literature regarding labia majora augmentation. Methods On November 20, 2016, we conducted an online search of published articles in the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. All articles describing labia majora augmentation were included in this review. Results Nine studies were selected for inclusion in the systematic review. Only 2 studies were prospective trials. The most commonly used technique was fat grafting with a total of 4 articles and 183 patients. The mean total injected fat volume ranged from 18 mL to 120 mL per session. Two articles described hyaluronic acid injection techniques. The total injected volume of hyaluronic acid ranged from 2 to 6 mL per session. Three articles used surgical techniques for labia majora augmentation. All included articles did not report any major or life-threatening complications. All techniques demonstrated high satisfaction rates. Conclusions Labia majora augmentation appears to be a safe, efficient technique with a high satisfaction rate and no reported major complications. However, further randomized controlled trials are warranted. Level of Evidence 4.

Splinter hemorrhages of the nails: a systematic review of clinical features and associated conditions

Splinter hemorrhages (SHs) of the nails represent a frequent although not specific clinical finding that has been associated with conditions of varying severity. However, to date, there is no single report of their characteristics and etiologies. The aim of this study is to guide clinical practice by reviewing all of the data concerning SH of the nails that have become available since the first description of this condition was published in 1923, with particular reference to all clinical features, associated medical conditions, pathogenesis, and necessary workup. PubMed and EMBASE were searched using the keywords “splinter” AND “hemorrhage*”; the only articles excluded were those studying SHs of the retina. Splinter hemorrhage is a frequent nail disorder that may be idiopathic, drug‐induced, or a sign of a dermatological disease, such as psoriasis and lichen planus, or a wide range of systemic disorders, the most important of which are infections and vasculitis. Clinicians and dermatologists should be aware of all the clinical features of both SH and associated medical conditions.

Botulinum Toxin for Neck Rejuvenation: Assessing Efficacy and Redefining Patient Selection

Background: The “Nefertiti lift” consists of injecting the platysmal bands and the inferior border of the mandible with botulinum toxin. No clinical trial has evaluated its effect on the different lower face and neck aging components, and little is known about the clinical characteristics that predict treatment success. Methods: Patients were injected with abobotulinumtoxinA along the inferior border of the mandible and into the platysmal bands. Using standardized preinjection and postinjection photographs, the jowls, marionette lines, oral commissures, neck volume, and platysmal bands at maximal contraction and at rest were assessed with validated photonumeric scales. In addition, the overall appearance of the lower face and neck was evaluated by the Investigators and Subjects Global Aesthetic Improvement Score. Pain and patient satisfaction rates were also evaluated. Results: Thirty patients were injected with a mean dose of 124.9 U of abobotulinumtoxinA per patient. Platysmal bands at rest and with maximal tension reached a statistically significant improvement. The other components showed a tendency for improvement but did not reach statistical significance; 93.3 percent of investigators and patients rated the overall results as improved, and 96.6 percent of patients were satisfied with their results. When comparing the patients who improved the most to all the other patients, they had lower preinjection region-specific scores. Conclusions: The Nefertiti lift can be used on its own or in conjunction with other rejuvenating procedures. It is particularly helpful in younger patients with platysma muscle hyperactivity and retained skin elasticity. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Management of digital mucous cysts: a systematic review and treatment algorithm

Digital mucous cysts (DMC) are benign, highly recurrent lesions of the digits. To date, there is still no treatment agreement on the treatment of DMC. Herein, we review available data on treatment modalities, including both surgical and nonsurgical techniques, and to provide a practical algorithm for the management of DMC. A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Articles studying the management of DMC were included in this review. A total of 40 articles were included in the review. The five most frequently used treatments for DMC were surgery (n = 849), expression of cyst content (n = 132), sclerotherapy (n = 119), corticosteroid injection (n = 108), and cryotherapy (n = 103). Surgery yielded the highest cure rate among all treatment modalities (95%) compared to sclerotherapy (77%), cryotherapy (72%), corticosteroid injection (61%), and expression of cyst content (39%) (P < 0.001). Surgery should be considered as the first‐line treatment for DMC. Second‐line treatments include sclerotherapy and cryotherapy. Third‐line treatments include corticosteroid injections, expression of cyst content, and less‐studied modalities. Surgery showed the highest cure rates. Future adequately designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to compare different treatment modalities.

Lamotrigine-induced hypersensitivity syndrome with histologic features of cd30+ lymphoma

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome or drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is a severe adverse drug reaction. It can present with clinical, paraclinical, and histological findings mimicking skin and/or systemic lymphomas. We report the first case of a lamotrigine-induced DRESS with histologic features of a cutaneous CD30+ lymphoma. The patient responded well to a tapering course of oral steroids. This case highlights the atypical presentation of a lamotrigine-induced DRESS/DIHS in the presence of a cutaneous and a lymph node CD30 + lymphocytic infiltrate mimicking systemic lymphoma. Pathologists and clinicians must be aware of this “lymphomatous” presentation of drug reactions.

Management of Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis: A Systematic Review and Treatment Algorithm.

BACKGROUND Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis (CNH) is an idiopathic benign inflammatory painful condition of the ear. Still, to date, no study has yet evaluated nor compared treatments regarding their safety and efficacy. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to review all available treatment modalities of CNH that were described in the literature, compare their efficacy and propose a treatment algorithm. METHODS AND MATERIALS A systematic review of the literature was conducted using Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases. Articles studying the management of CNH that reported data on the cure rates were included in this review. RESULTS A total of 29 studies were included in the review. The 3 most commonly reported treatments for CNH are surgery, pressure relief, and topical nitroglycerin. Surgery has higher cure rate (82%) compared with pressure relief treatment (37%) or nitroglycerin (51%) (p < .0001). Surgery should be considered as the first-line treatment for CNH. Second-line treatments include nonsurgical therapies, particularly nitroglycerin and pressure relief techniques, alone or in combination. Third-line treatments include newer or less studied methods. CONCLUSION Among the treatment modalities, surgery showed the highest cure rates. Adequately designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to compare newer therapeutic methods.

Vitamin D and the Skin: An Update for Dermatologists.

Vitamin D plays a key role in skeletal and cardiovascular disorders, cancers, central nervous system diseases, reproductive diseases, infections, and autoimmune and dermatological disorders. The two main sources of vitamin D are sun exposure and oral intake, including vitamin D supplementation and dietary intake. Multiple factors are linked to vitamin D status, such as Fitzpatrick skin type, sex, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol intake, and vitamin D receptor polymorphisms. Patients with photosensitive disorders tend to avoid sun exposure, and this practice, along with photoprotection, can put this category of patients at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Maintaining a vitamin D serum concentration within normal levels is warranted in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, polymorphous light eruption, mycosis fungoides, alopecia areata, systemic lupus erythematosus, and melanoma patients. The potential determinants of vitamin D status, as well as the benefits and risks of vitamin D (with a special focus on the skin), will be discussed in this article.

An unusual complication of minor surgery: contact dermatitis caused by injected lidocaine.

True allergy to lidocaine is rarely encountered in the clinical setting. With the increasing number of over-the-counter drugs containing topical amides, the incidence of lidocaine-induced contact dermatitis seems to be increasing (1, 2). Herein, we describe the interesting case of a woman with a previous poorly defined severe local reaction to an injectable filler mixed with lidocaine who presented with bullous contact dermatitis induced by subcutaneous injection of lidocaine during minor surgery.