A Systematic Review of the Treatment of Superficial Leiomyosarcoma With Mohs Micrographic Surgery BACKGROUND Wide local excision (WLE) with 2 to 5 cm margins has been conventionally used for the treatment of superficial leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Because margin control is the strongest predictor of clinical recurrence, many dermatologic surgeons have recently recommended Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) over wide local excision (WLE) as the primary treatment modality. OBJECTIVE To determine the aggregate rate of local recurrence after treatment of superficial LMS with MMS among the few reports in the literature. METHODS A systematic literature search using the PubMed/MEDLINE database and the Cochrane Library was performed from inception to June 2017. One case report from our institution was included. RESULTS A meta‐analysis of 14 reports of 48 cases of superficial LMS treated with MMS showed a mean recurrence rate of 2.08% to 6.25% with a mean follow‐up period of 1570.9 days, compared to reported recurrence rates of 30% to 50% for WLE. Among these cases there were no reports of distant metastases. CONCLUSION Treatment of superficial leiomyosarcoma with MMS shows markedly lower rates of recurrence compared to reported rates of recurrence after WLE. Further prospective trials with larger sample sizes are needed to compare both modalities.

Use of Topical and Systemic Retinoids in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Update and Review of the Current Literature BACKGROUND Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are at an increased risk of epithelial malignancies, mainly squamous cell carcinoma, and its precursor lesions such as actinic keratoses, warts, and porokeratosis, which may respond to retinoid therapy. OBJECTIVE To review the published evidence on the efficacy and safety of topical and systemic retinoids for the treatment and prophylaxis of malignant and premalignant conditions that mostly afflict SOTRs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Systematic review of the literature to summarize the level of evidence and grade of recommendation for retinoid therapy with emphasis in the SOTR population. RESULTS Acitretin has the highest strength of recommendation (Grade A) for prophylaxis of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and treatment and prophylaxis of actinic keratoses in SOTR. In nonimmunosuppressed patients, acitretin and isotretinoin have a Grade B recommendation for treatment of recalcitrant warts. Topical retinoids have not shown efficacy in preventing NMSC in immunocompetent patients. CONCLUSION Retinoids constitute a highly efficacious alternative for the management of the most common conditions that affect SOTRs. Acitretin has the most robust evidence for chemoprophylaxis in SOTRs. Knowledge about the specific indications and expected side effects of topical and systemic retinoids may help optimize their therapeutic potential.

Atypical Fibroxanthoma: The Washington University Experience BACKGROUND Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a rare dermal neoplasm typically occurring on sun-exposed skin in the elderly. As AFX remains a diagnosis of exclusion, updated characterization and treatment assessments are necessary to support informed diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVE Characterization of contemporary AFX and surgical outcomes by Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and conventional local excision (LE). METHODS Retrospective cohort analysis of all cases of AFX at our institution from January 2000 through July 2016. RESULTS Among 75 cases with median age at diagnosis 73 years, most occurred on the head and neck (68) independent of age. Most treated cases (42) underwent MMS alone, with median tissue removal greater for LE (2.6 cm, 4.5 cm2) than MMS (0.6 cm, 1.2 cm2). Over a median 26 months of follow-up, 6 recurrences were observed among 50 cases, with metastases in 2 cases. Intent-to-treat recurrence rates were 3.4% for MMS and 25% for LE. One nonrecurrent and 2 recurrent cases received revised diagnoses after initial treatment, yielding a true recurrence rate of 8.5%. CONCLUSION Despite diagnostic confounding by similar pathologies, surgical treatment of AFX remains effective. Tissue-sparing resection by MMS affords the potential for cosmetic and reconstructive advantage, without compromising recurrence compared with conventional excision.

Effect of Postoperative Telephone Calls on Patient Satisfaction and Scar Satisfaction After Mohs Micrographic Surgery BACKGROUND Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the gold standard for high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancer. Postoperative telephone follow-up (TFU) is linked to higher patient satisfaction; however, there are no randomized, blinded studies examining whether TFU after Mohs surgery improves patient satisfaction. OBJECTIVE To perform a randomized single-blinded prospective survey study examining whether patient satisfaction or scar satisfaction varied between Mohs patients who received a postoperative call and patients who did not. METHODS Patients were enrolled into “post-op call” or “no post-op call” groups. Both arms completed surveys at suture removal and 3-month follow-up visits. RESULTS One hundred four subjects were enrolled, and demographics, the number of Mohs stages, and type of repair were controlled. At suture removal, both arms reported similar overall high satisfaction on the 5-point Likert scale (4.90 “call arm” vs 4.88 “no-call arm”, p = .80). Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) scores were 3.37 in the “call arm” versus 3.81 in the “no-call arm”, p = .31. At 3-month follow-up, results were similar. CONCLUSION High overall satisfaction was reported in both arms. The TFU group reported higher overall satisfaction, but this difference was not significant. Scar satisfaction did not vary statistically between the arms, but POSAS scores in the call arm trended favorably.

Commentary on The Effect of Postoperative Telephone Calls on Patient Satisfaction and Scar Satisfaction Following Mohs Micrographic Surgery No abstract available

Case–Control Study of Tumor Stage–Dependent Outcomes for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Immunosuppressed and Immunocompetent Patients BACKGROUND Immunosuppressed patients have worse outcomes from cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs), although unclear whether it is due to the development of more high-stage tumors or worse outcomes for a given stage. OBJECTIVE Analyze the impact of immunosuppression on the development of cSCCs and tumor stage–dependent outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Single-institution 1:2 case–control study of primary invasive cSCCs from 2005 to 2015 in 106 mixed-cause immunosuppressed patients and 212 control subjects matched to age, gender, and race. RESULTS Four hundred twelve cSCCs from 106 immunosuppressed patients and 291 tumors from 212 matched immunocompetent patients were included. Both cohorts had similar T-stage distribution, with <5% high-stage tumors, that is, AJCC-7 T2, AJCC-8 T3, and BWH T2b/T3. Immunosuppression significantly increased the likelihood of poor outcomes (POs) (aggregate of local recurrence (LR), nodal and distant metastasis, and squamous cell carcinoma–related deaths) for low-stage tumors, that is, AJCC-7 T1 (odds ratio [OR], 4.29), AJCC-8 T1 (OR, 3.45), AJCC-8 T2 (OR, 3.75), BWH T1 (OR, 3.53), and BWH T2a (OR, 3.41) tumors. There was no significant difference in the treatment: most tumors were treated with Mohs (71% vs 75%) or excision (21% vs 20%) in both cohorts. CONCLUSION Immunosuppressed patients have an increased risk of POs, specifically LRs, from low-stage cSCCs. Definitive treatment of cSCCs is recommended.

Disease Severity and Quality of Life Outcome Measurements in Patients With Keloids: A Systematic Review BACKGROUND Keloids have been assessed by numerous methods and severity indices resulting in a lack of standardization across published research. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate published keloid randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and identify the need for a gold standard of assessment. METHODS and MATERIALS PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched for human RCTs on keloid treatment during a 10-year period. Eligible studies were English language RCTs reporting disease severity outcome measures after keloid treatments. RESULTS A total of 40 disease outcome measures were used in 41 included RCTs. Twenty-four (59%) of the included studies used more than one disease severity scale. The most frequently used outcome measures were the Vancouver Scar Scale (34%) (n = 14), followed by serial photography (24%) (n = 10). These were followed by adverse events and complications (20%) (n = 8), Visual Analogue Scale (12%) (n = 5), keloid dimensions (12%) (n = 5), and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (10%) (n = 4). Only one study reported quality of life outcomes. CONCLUSION There is wide variation in keloid outcome measures in the published literature. A standardized method of assessment should be implemented to reduce the disparities between studies and to better be able to compare the numerous treatment modalities.

Emerging Nonsteroid-Based Procedural Therapies for Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review BACKGROUND Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of patchy, nonscarring hair loss. Although intralesional steroid injections are currently the mainstay procedural therapy for AA, other nonsteroid-based procedural therapies, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and laser-based modalities, are emerging as practical options. OBJECTIVE To systematically review nonsteroid-based procedural therapies for AA and recapitulate the available clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review of the literature was performed searching PubMed/MEDLINE databases identifying studies investigating PRP, UVR, and laser-based modalities for AA treatment. RESULTS Literature search yielded 644 articles encompassing PRP, UVR, and laser treatment modalities for AA. Of the 644 articles, 46 met inclusion criteria. Although numerous reports demonstrate strong potential for PRP, UVR, and laser modalities in treating AA, high-quality evidence supporting their efficacy is still lacking. CONCLUSION There is an abundance of evidence for nonsteroid-based procedural therapies in the treatment of AA. Randomized control trials comparing these treatment options head-to-head should be performed to better understand the true efficacy of these treatments.

Treatment of Hypertrophic Granulation Tissue: A Literature Review BACKGROUND Hypertrophic granulation tissue (HGT) is an uncommon but a frustrating complication of wound healing. Given its low prevalence and often refractory nature, many treatment options have been explored. OBJECTIVE No comprehensive review exists on HGT management in dermatology literature; thus, the authors hope to compile a review of available treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS An exhaustive key word search of 3 databases was performed for treatment of HGT. Results from these reports were summarized in this review. RESULTS Methods of treatment included silver nitrate, topical steroids (n = 11), intralesional steroids (n = 55), steroid tape (n = 25), surgical removal, polyurethane foam dressing (n = 32), and pulsed-dye laser (n = 13). CONCLUSION With all treatment methods, the cases and studies reported varying degrees of successful treatment with HGT reduction. Given the lack of published literature, it remains unknown whether the initial injury preceding HGT formation determines treatment modality success. For HGT refractory to silver nitrate, choice of treatment depends on accessibility, ease of use, cost, and location of the wound. Intralesional and topical steroids should both be considered. Polyurethane foam can be considered an adjunct treatment. If resources allow, laser treatment should also be considered.

Safety Profile of Sclerosing Agents: An Analysis From the World Health Organization Pharmacovigilance Database VigiBase BACKGROUND Several sclerosing agents are used to treat chronic venous diseases. Although they do not seem to differ in terms of efficacy, their safety profiles might differ. OBJECTIVE To compare the safety profile of sclerosing agents through an analysis of the World Health Organization pharmacovigilance database. METHODS The authors performed a disproportionality analysis using the proportional reporting ratio (PRR) method to compare pharmacovigilance signals between each sclerosing agent among 6 adverse event syndromes of interest: hypersensitivity reactions, arterial thromboembolic disorders, venous thromboembolic disorders, cardiac arrhythmias, visual/neurological disturbances, and skin ulcerations. The cutoff for signal detection was defined by a logPRR lower boundary 95% confidence interval (CI) ≥0 and number of cases n ≥3. RESULTS Of 1,227 Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) identified, after removal of ICSRs with unselected indications, the authors selected 472 reports for the analysis. The authors found that polidocanol is associated with more reporting of venous embolic/thrombotic events (logPRR = 1.38 [95% CI 1.27–1.49]), ethanolamine with the higher pharmacovigilance disproportionality signal of cardiac arrhythmias (logPRR = 0.80 [95% CI 0.51–1.09]), and STS with more reporting of allergic reactions (logPRR = 1.79 [95% CI 1.59–1.98]). CONCLUSION The safety profile of sclerosing agents significantly differs and should guide benefit-risk ratio assessment of such agents.