Faculty Bibliography

The market for non-permanent fillers has grown dramatically over the past years. Even though hyaluronic acid fillers and collagen are forgiving, complications, albeit rare, still occur. Up to now, a necessary element of any dermatologic surgeons' office is a hyaluronidase in case one of these complications should occur. However, these agents will only work on hyaluronic acid fillers leaving any problem with collagen products to be resolved by other means. Later this year the first collagenase could be approved for usage in specific medical conditions; at that time it will, perhaps, complement its hyaluronidase counterpart.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue. The current accepted theory is that PG is an immunologic-based phenomenon. Several therapies have been used to control this disease, including corticosteroids, antibiotics, immunotherapy, dapsone, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This article will review the application of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in patients with PG. Information for this manuscript was derived from multiple searches of MEDLINE and the National Baromedical Service literature collection. HBO therapy has been shown to effectively treat PG ulcers and reduce pain associated with PG in several case studies. Evidence from the studies cited herein help to establish a foundation for further research to investigate the role of HBO therapy as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of PG.

Envenomation from the brown recluse (Loxosceles recluse) spider commonly proceed on one of three clinical pathways. The majority of bites (90%) result in nothing more than a local reaction. They are essentially self-limiting, require little if any attention, and resolve spontaneously. A great majority of the remaining bites will produce necrotic ulcerations of various sizes and dimensions, with systemic sequela ranging from fever to hemolysis and kidney failure. Finally, and in the most rare cases, the patient will succumb a fatal systemic reaction. Current therapeutic options for these wounds remain controversial and include the following: local care, corticosteroids, dapsone, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. This article will review the application of HBO therapy for patients who are envenomated by brown recluse spiders. Information for this manuscript was derived from multiple MEDLINE searches as well as searches of the National Baromedical Service's hyperbaric specialty literature collection.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that affects approximately 2% of the US and European population. Over the last several years, one of the major focuses in psoriasis research has been the development of biologic therapies for this disease. The aim of these therapies is to provide selective, immunologically directed intervention with fewer side effects than traditional therapies. The goal of this article is to review the progress of the biologic agents which are available, or under investigation for clinical use: infliximab, etanercept, efalizumab, alefacept, and adalimumab. In addition, two other investigational therapies, oral tazarotene and oral pimecrolimus will be discussed. Clinical data for these agents, including the most recent phase II and/or III study results, will be discussed, as well as the most recent safety data

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that affects approximately 2% of the US and European population. Over the last several years one of the major foci in psoriasis research has been the development of biological therapies for this disease. The aim of these therapies is to provide selective, immunologically directed intervention with fewer side effects than traditional therapies. This article will review the progress of four biological agents that are available or under investigation for clinical use: infliximab (Centocor Inc), etanercept (Amgen Inc/Wyeth), efalizumab (Genentech Inc/XOMA Ltd/Serono SA) and alefacept.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects a large percentage of patients with psoriasis. Similar to the cutaneous disease of psoriasis, PsA displays an isomorphic response (ie, the propensity to develop at traumatized sites). In some patients, traumatized joints that subsequently develop PsA are the initial manifestation of psoriasis, preceding the skin disease by months to years. Dermatologists should screen patients with psoriasis for accompanying PsA and consider recently traumatized joints that remain arthritic to be a component of this disease