The diagnostic yield in submitting nevi for histologic examination.

BACKGROUND: Dermatologists have expertise in the clinical diagnosis of benign melanocytic nevi. However, there are no data to confirm the accuracy of diagnosis. Differences in the diagnostic accuracy between dermatologists and nondermatologists with regard to cutaneous tumors has been infrequently studied. OBJECTIVE: We examined the rate of malignant tumors occurring in lesions submitted for routine microscopic examination that were clinically diagnosed as benign melanocytic nevi. METHODS: We conducted a study at a regional, non-hospital-based dermatopathology laboratory using specimens submitted by physicians of various specialties who were practicing in a 5-state Midwest region of the United States. The preoperative and postoperative diagnoses were examined on the basis of information provided by the clinician and of the subsequent histopathologic diagnosis. A total of 7734 cutaneous pathology reports were reviewed. Specimens submitted with a preoperative clinical diagnosis of mole or nevus, with or without a modifier, were examined and compared with postoperative microscopic diagnoses. RESULTS: Of 1946 specimens clinically diagnosed and submitted as benign nevi, 45 (2.3%) were histologically diagnosed as malignant tumors. This included 12 melanomas, 30 basal cell carcinomas, and 3 squamous cell carcinomas. For specimens submitted by dermatologists, the rate of malignant tumors increased when clinical information suggested findings beyond the classic benign clinical presentation with the addition of modifiers such as irritated or atypical, or if a malignancy was considered in the differential diagnosis (trend for increasing clinical suspicion: P = .00002). Fewer dermatologists than nondermatologists mistook a malignant tumor for a benign nevus (1.3% vs 3.8%, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Our data document that 2.3% of clinically diagnosed benign nevi were microscopically diagnosed as malignant tumors. Whether this malignancy rate in clinically diagnosed, benign, melanocytic nevi is above or below the threshold to establish a policy for submission for histopathologic examination remains to be determined as a collective societal and medical professional responsibility.

Outcomes research in your office.

This article reviews the definition of outcomes research. It explores the reasons that outcomes research should be conducted by practicing physicians in both university and private practice settings. Methods for outcomes research with examples relevant to dermatologists are detailed.

The diagnostic yield of histologic examination of seborrheic keratoses.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the diagnostic yield in submitting clinically diagnosed seborrheic keratoses for routine microscopic examination. DESIGN: Retrospective examination of preoperative and postoperative diagnoses based on information provided by the clinician on the laboratory worksheet and the subsequent histopathologic diagnosis. SETTING: A regional nonhospital-based dermatopathology laboratory with specimens submitted by physicians (dermatologists and nondermatologists) practicing in a 4-state midwestern region of the United States. PATIENT MATERIAL: A total of 5592 cutaneous pathology reports were reviewed. Specimens submitted with a preoperative clinical diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis, with or without a modifier, were examined. A comparison group with the clinical diagnosis of melanocytic nevus was reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Preoperative clinical diagnoses were compared with the microscopic diagnoses. RESULTS: Of 577 specimens clinically diagnosed and submitted as seborrheic keratoses, 37 (6.4%) were histologically diagnosed as malignant tumors. The rate of malignant tumors increased when clinical information suggested findings beyond the classic clinical presentation, such as irritation, or when a malignant tumor was considered in the differential diagnosis. Two lesions that histologically proved to be melanomas were in this group. Comparison of the seborrheic keratosis group with the nevus group showed that seborrheic keratoses were more likely to be malignant tumors than were melanocytic nevi. Clinically diagnosed seborrheic keratoses submitted by dermatologists were more likely than clinically diagnosed melanocytic nevi to be melanomas. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that there were differences in the rate of malignant tumors between dermatologists and nondermatologists and that clinically diagnosed, surgically removed seborrheic keratoses are more likely than clinically diagnosed, surgically removed melanocytic nevi to be malignant tumors.

Reliability testing of the dermatology index of disease severity (DIDS). An index for staging the severity of cutaneous inflammatory disease.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a new severity of illness index for inflammatory skin disease called the Dermatology Index of Disease Severity (DIDS), and to show its preliminary use and reliability in staging disease in patients with psoriasis and dermatitis. DESIGN: Interobserver rating study using the DIDS with as many as 10 observers independently rating the same patient at a single point in time. SETTING: Ambulatory care clinics at an academic medical center with patients from various socioeconomic backgrounds. PATIENTS: Thirty-four patients with psoriasis and 15 patients with dermatitis were included in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The severity of illness for each patient was rated as 1 of 5 stages: 0, no evidence of clinical disease; I, limited disease; II, mild disease; III, moderate disease; and IV, severe disease. The degree of interobserver concordance was measured by the Cohen kappa statistic. RESULTS: All 5 stages were represented in the study of patients with psoriasis. The overall kappa statistic was 0.76, which is defined as substantial interobserver concordance. The use of the instrument in dermatitis showed good consensus in staging, where the kappa statistic was 0.41. CONCLUSION: We introduce an easy and efficient instrument for staging the severity of illness in inflammatory cutaneous diseases. The reliability of the DIDS is demonstrated in patients with psoriasis and in patients with dermatitis.

Outcomes research: an overview.

During the past few years there has been significant interest in studying methods that document outcomes of medical care. Outcomes management should result in higher quality health care at lower cost. However, what does outcomes research mean and how does it apply to dermatology and specifically to the individual dermatologist? This article reviews the evolution of medical outcomes research and presents the status of the current instruments, indices, and methods.

Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis.

Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis presented in a 10 year old child 1-2 weeks after an abrasion. A series of nodules, two of which ulcerated, appeared along the arm with tender unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy in the absence of systemic symptoms. Biopsy showed a granulomatous infiltrate but failed to reveal the organism; however, culture was positive for Sporothrix schenckii. The primary lesion healed with a scar after 3 months of systemic therapy with potassium iodide.