ABSTRACT
Background While studies of hospital dermatology have demonstrated diagnostic discordance between primary teams and dermatology consultants, little is known about the impact of biopsy and clinical-pathologic correlation (CPC) in consultation. This study compares biopsy performance based on diagnostic discordance and evaluates the impact of CPC on the diagnosis. Methods This was a retrospective review of 376 dermatologic consultations at a single academic medical center between July 1, 2017, and June 27, 2018. Results Biopsy was significantly less likely to be performed when the diagnosis by the referring primary team was unspecified (p < 0.001). In 24 percent of cases, the diagnosis based on histopathology alone differed from the diagnosis reached by formal CPC consensus review with either potential or significant impact on management. Conclusion Dermatologists who perform inpatient consultations and rely on hospital-based pathology services may consider a consensus review for CPC. Requests to perform a biopsy may be interpreted as a request for diagnostic assistance rather than pressure to perform a procedure.
ABSTRACT
Squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCis), also known as Bowen's disease, is a common superficial malignancy of the skin. Treatment of SCCis is important to prevent invasion into the dermis as well as metastases. Treatment of SCCis may be challenging based on the location of the tumor, advanced age, immunosuppression, medical comorbidities, or desire for noninvasive treatment. SCCis on the lower leg can be particularly challenging to treat due to poor wound healing in the setting of suboptimal circulation. This report reviews the evidence for various treatment options of SCCis, including their advantages, disadvantages, and efficacy, with an emphasis on treatment of SCCis of the lower extremity. Treatment options discussed in this contribution include wide local excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, cryotherapy, curettage, imiqimod, 5-fluorouracil, 5-fluorouracil and calcipotriol, ingenol mebutate, tazarotene, photodynamic therapy, acitretin, laser therapy, and radiotherapy.
Subject(s)
Bowen's Disease , Carcinoma in Situ , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Skin Neoplasms , Bowen's Disease/therapy , Carcinoma in Situ/surgery , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery , Humans , Lower Extremity , Mohs Surgery , Skin Neoplasms/surgerySubject(s)
Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/diagnosis , Skin/pathology , Adult , Dapsone/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination/methods , Female , Humans , Prednisone/therapeutic use , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/drug therapy , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/pathology , Suppuration/diagnosis , Suppuration/drug therapy , Suppuration/pathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Involvement in a Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) allows students to learn about dermatology, partake in service projects, get involved in research, and ask questions about the application process for residency programs. In this article, we review the activities and member involvement of DIGs from 11 medical schools. To our knowledge, this is the first descriptive analysis of DIGs across the United States. This comparison of DIGs is not only potentially helpful for medical schools interested in establishing a DIG, but it also offers insight into how previously established DIGs could improve and have a greater impact both in individual medical schools and in the community at-large.
