This Month in Archives of Dermatology FREE

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common disorder with a chronic course of remissions and relapses. Because of the etiologic relationship of seborrheic dermatitis with the yeast Malassezia furfur, topical antifungals have proved useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of this condition. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study, ciclopirox shampoo was effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis and preventing relapse of seborrheic dermatitis, thus offering patients a useful alternative to existing antipityrosporal therapies.

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Psoriasis is a common, chronic disease that affects 4.5 million US patients. The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) serves as a patient advocacy group, representing those affected by psoriasis and providing information about the condition. In this study, Nijsten et al used random-digit dialing to identify and interview patients with psoriasis from the general US population. Randomly selected NPF members were also interviewed. Members of the NPF were older, more affluent, and more likely to report extensive disease than patients from the general population. Members were also less dissatisfied with their therapy and had a greater awareness of treatment options available to them. Only 1% of patients with psoriasis were aware of the NPF, and the significant gaps in most patients’ knowledge may impede them from obtaining effective psoriasis therapy.

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Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous condition characterized by multiple café au lait macules, intertriginous freckling, and neurofibromas. Cerebral and spinal tumors, skeletal dysplasias, ophthalmologic abnormalities, and learning disabilities also commonly characterize this disease. Early diagnosis is essential for optimal management of this condition. By age 6 years, most children with NF1 can be identified using standard National Institutes of Health criteria. In this study, Lammert et al report a prevalence of 1:2635 for NF1 among 6-year-olds entering elementary school, clearly confirming that this is one of the most common autosomal dominant diseases among humans.

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Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) is a rare marker for hepatitis C disease, typically presenting as well-defined, tender, dusky, erythematous plaques on the dorsal surface of the feet that are unresponsive to topical steroids. Complete remission of this condition has been reported with parenteral interferon therapy with or without the addition of ribavirin. In this observation, Abdallah et al report that oral zinc administration alone resulted in disease remission in a patient with NAE, despite her normal plasma zinc level.

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The nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (BCC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple congenital abnormalities, increased risk of medulloblastoma, and the early development of BCCs. Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy is a relatively new treatment modality effective for localized BCCs. In this case series, Oseroff et al demonstrate that using this treatment over large body surface areas produced 85% to 98% clearance of lesions with minimal morbidity and rapid healing. Cosmetic outcomes were also reported as excellent, and the treatment effect was shown to be quite durable, with 1 patient being essentially carcinoma free for 6 years in the treated areas.

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