Omar M. Alakloby

Ectopic cutaneous schistosomiasis.

“to survey”, 2 “to reconsider”, 3 and “to study again”. 2,3 I believe that is not necessarily the official position of the International Journal of Dermatology . Scientific language allows a diversity of criteria and the open-minded reader may agree or disagree based upon their own conclusions, experience or different readings. Our paper was only a review, but by no means pretended to present the only truth. Also, doctors worldwide are usually well informed and, I am sure, do not embark on a new technique or procedure by reading one paper only. The aim of our paper, as mentioned in its introduction, was to prevent or treat the possible complications. The idea of dilute Botox with 10 cc of preserved-free saline was not ours. One of the authors (HP) learned it from James Fulton, MD, several years ago, and has been concerned with the fact that the reconstituted toxin can be used for up to 30 days. Consequently, dilution and times information have been published in comparative studies. 5 While conducting seminars and workshops concerning Botox worldwide, I have taught those figures, and a significant number of physicians, mostly from Latin America, use such concentrations and times, obtaining very nice results. In connection with the glabelar complex, the authors use only 13 μ at most (see Fig. 1 of our papers), which is to say 1.3 cc, obtaining good results and virtually no complications. This seems not to be an excessive amount of material, and is the same as using 4 cc to cover the face. In summary, we very much appreciate the observations of Dr Petratos, which have allowed us to make these considerations.

Patients' attitude towards medical students rotating in the dermatology clinic.

Objective: To study the attitudes of the patients towards medical students rotating in the dermatology clinic in the King Fahad Hospital of the University (KFHU). Materials and Methods: One hundred and two adult outpatients attending the KFHU in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia during the period March to June 2004 completed a questionnaire to evaluate their receptiveness towards medical students attending with the dermatologist. Results: Almost 57% preferred physician and medical student participation in their care and 46% welcomed their presence during physical examination. The majority of patients (64.8%) felt comfortable disclosing personal information to the medical student and (68.7%) enjoyed the interaction with the medical students. Patients (63.7%) agreed that the students understood their healthcare needs. Conclusion: The majority of the patients in this study enjoyed their interactions with the students and felt comfortable disclosing information. Some patients want to spend time alone with the physician so permission for medical student participation should be requested.

Primary hereditary ichthyoses in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Background  Of 10,455 new dermatology patients seen at the Dermatology Clinic of King Fahad Hospital of the University, Al‐Khobar, Saudi Arabia, between January 1990 and December 1995, the epidemiologic and demographic features of 71 patients, each with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of one specific type of primary hereditary ichthyosis (PHI), have been reviewed.

Acne neonatorum in the eastern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND Acne neonatorum (AN) is characterized by a facial eruption of inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions in a neonate. Hyperactivity of sebaceous glands, stimulated by neonatal androgens, is implicated in its pathogenesis. AIM To elucidate the clinical profile of AN in eastern Saudi Arabia. METHODS All patients diagnosed with AN in King Fahd Hospital of the University in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, during the year 2005 were evaluated clinically. RESULTS AN was diagnosed in 26 patients (male/female ratio 1:1). The lesions included mainly facial comedones (30.8%); papules and pustules (15.3% each); and combination of papules, pustules, and cysts (53.4%). CONCLUSION All patients recovered spontaneously. In 50% of the cases, one of the parents reported having had acne vulgaris during adolescence. Hereditary factors seem to play a significant role in our series.