Faculty Bibliography

The technique of presuturing for alopecia reductions is described. With this procedure, the area of potential reduction is sutured 12-24 hours prior to surgery to enhance the laxity of the scalp

The laser is becoming an increasingly important surgical and medical instrument in the field of dermatology. Developments in the areas of laser technology and application have significantly broadened its clinical use over the past several years. These rapid changes and advances in the use of the laser for cutaneous processes may make it difficult for the physician to maintain a current base of knowledge in this area. Relevant laser systems and their clinical applications are presented and discussed, as are investigational laser systems, which may be of importance for the future. This will allow the dermatologic surgeon the opportunity to update concepts and evaluate the various laser systems and their cutaneous applications

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a recently described rare adnexal neoplasm showing benign histologic features but a locally aggressive behavior. It has most commonly been reported to occur on the face but it has also been noted in the axilla and buttock. We describe a 41-year-old white male with a 5-year history of MAC on the scalp and treatment by Mohs micrographic surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of MAC reported to occur on the scalp

Zoon's balanitis, or plasma cell balanitis, is a chronic erosive process of the uncircumcised penis. The lesions are often refractory to conservative topical and surgical therapy and frequently require circumcision as a curative measure. This case report describes the first reported successful use of the carbon dioxide laser in the defocused mode to vaporize the chronic penile erosions of Zoon's balanitis

Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis, one verrucous type and one in situ, arising in association with an inflammatory dermatosis most consistent with lichen planus, are described. Although SCC has previously been reported to have arisen from lichen planus of the oral mucosa, these are the first reported cases of the coexistence of these processes on the penis

We have followed the course of healing of incisions made with the krypton-fluoride excimer laser. Incisions were made in guinea pig skin, in vivo, under identical conditions of irradiation. The progressive healing of these incisions was followed over the course of 3 weeks. We noted excellent healing with re-epithelialization, and the re-formation of collagen fibers with minimal fibrosis. We present a simple thermal model for ablation of tissue by a short pulse of strongly absorbed laser radiation.

DERM/RX (dermatologic therapy) is a computerized data base representing a compendium of therapeutic management options for over 600 diseases of the skin. This data base is housed in the National Headquarters of the American Academy of Dermatology in Evanston, Illinois. It is accessible via DERM/INFONET to members of the American Academy of Dermatology via telephonic communication lines that blanket the United States. The data base is constantly updated by the Task Force on DERM/RX of the Committee on Biomedical Communications of the American Academy of Dermatology.