Melanoma Prevention: Comparison of Different Screening Methods for the Selection of a High Risk Population.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend limiting melanoma screening in a population with known risk factors, but none indicates methods for efficient recruitment. The purpose of this study is to compare three different methods of recruiting subjects to be screened for melanoma to detect which, if any, is the most efficient. METHODS: From 2010 to 2019, subjects were recruited as follows: (1) regular skin examinations (RS), mainly conducted through the Associazione Contro il Melanoma network; (2) occasional melanoma screening (OS), during annual public campaigns; (3) and selective screening (SS), where people were invited to undergo a skin check after filling in a risk evaluation questionnaire, in cases where the assigned outcome was intermediate/high risk. Melanoma risk factors were compared across different screening methods. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 2238 subjects (62.7% women) were recruited, median age 44 years (2-85), and 1094 (48.9 %) records were collected through RS, 826 (36.9 %) through OS, and 318 (14.2 %) through SS. A total of 131 suspicious non-melanoma skin cancers were clinically diagnosed, 20 pathologically confirmed, and 2 melanomas detected. SS performed significantly better at selecting subjects with a family history of melanoma and I-II phototypes compared to OS. CONCLUSIONS: Prior evaluation of melanoma known risk factors allowed for effective selection of a population to screen at higher risk of developing a melanoma.

The Importance of First Aid to Burned Patients: 30 Years of Experience at the Burns Centre in Pisa.

The first aids to burned patients are fundamental for the evolution of the disease and the success of the next medical care in a Burns Center. In our 30-years experience, we can reassume that they must be provided to limit the cause of thermal damage, to evaluate and correct eventual respiratory or cardiovascular disorders, to find out the possible damage to different organs and the primary care on cutaneous lesions.

Erythema Ab Igne Successfully Treated With Mesoglycan and Bioflavonoids: A Case-Report.

Erythema ab igne is a localised, cutaneous condition consisting of reticulate hyperpigmentation, epidermal atrophy, and telangiectasias. It is caused by repetitive and prolonged exposure to moderate heat that is insufficient for producing burns. Currently, erythema ab igne is most commonly observed following repeated use of hot water bottles, infrared lamps and heating pads. If not properly treated, erythema ab igne can become chronic and even malignant. We report a case of erythema ab igne, successfully treated with systemic mesoglycan-based therapy, and local therapy with bioflavonoids.

Secondary Syphilis Presenting As Palmoplantar Psoriasis.

In a recent past, the incidence of syphilis has increased in various geographical regions. The authors describe a case of secondary syphilis mimicking palmoplantar psoriasis.

A Case of "Inflammatory Linear Verrucous Epidermal Nevus" (ILVEN) Treated with CO2 Laser Ablation.

The "inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus" is a rare disease, consisting of hyperplasia of the normal components of the epidermis. Its clinical features include erythematous and hyperkeratosic, warty, sometimes psoriasiform or lichenoid patches with a typical linear arrangement. At present, there are no effective medical therapies available. Currently, the best therapeutic results are obtained with surgical excision or the latest laser therapy. The Authors present a 9-years old girl with an inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus on her neck, successfully treated with CO2 Laser ablation.

Asymptomatic Papules and Subcutaneous Nodules as First Sign of Gout.

The authors describe a case report characterised by asymptomatic papules and non-tender subcutaneous nodules as the isolated manifestations of gout.

An Overview on Radiotherapy: From Its History to Its Current Applications in Dermatology.

For more than a century, radiotherapy has been an effective treatment for oncologic patients. The Authors report a brief history of the radiation therapy and its actual indication for the treatments of cutaneous malignant diseases.

An Overview of Laser in Dermatology: The Past, the Present and the Future (?).

The authors discuss a brief history of lasers and their use in dermatology. Although the excellent results achieved by the use of laser in dermatology, this special treatment modality is in continuous evolution. At present, new devices have been under development for the therapy of different kind of diseases, while lasers, already in use, has been changing, in order to be more secure, effective and be useful in many others disorders.

Syphilis Such As the Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases Are a Cultural Background of Dermatologist.

Syphilis such as the other Sexually transmitted diseases are a cultural background of physician. The authors have presented this case of nodular secondary syphilis for three main reasons. The first one is that, in the last years, syphilis has re-emerged as the problem of public health. The second one is to underline how secondary syphilis, also known as the great imitator, may present itself with numerous manifestations, mimicking different dermatological diseases. Finally, because we want to remember how syphilis and the other sexual transmitted diseases must to be in the cultural background of a dermatologist, and have to be considered in the dermatological differential diagnosis.