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Background: Little research has been done in teledermatology to examine the effects of standardized templates and subject-specific learning modules., Methods: We performed a prospective study examining the effects of standardized templates and standardized cutaneous oncology learning modules on teledermatology referrals at Mayo Clinic. This data was then compared to previous teledermatology referrals before standardized templates were adopted., Results: A total of 42 teledermatology consultations were performed during the 4-month study period. The use of standardized templates resulted in an absolute reduction in face-to-face referrals. Teledermatology consultation increased the absolute diagnostic and management concordance by 26.2% (P = 0.02) and 33.3% (P < 0.01), respectively, and decreased the absolute diagnostic and management discordance by 19.1% (P = 0.03) and 31.0% (P < 0.01), respectively. The largest knowledge gaps were identified in cutaneous oncology. Educational intervention improved theoretical referral rates and confidence in diagnosis and management overall., Conclusion: The implementation of standardized intake templates reduces the rate of face-to-face referrals. Teledermatology improves primary care-based dermatological care and reduces theoretical referral rates., (© 2019 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Untreated calciphylaxis is a fatal disease of intra- and extravascular calcification, most commonly presenting in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. While early identification is critical for timely treatment, early-stage clinical and histopathological descriptions have not, to our knowledge, been elucidated. As early clinical recognition is essential to prompt definitive histopathological diagnosis, this study describes a range of clinical and histopathological manifestations of early-stage calciphylaxis., Methods: Five patients with clinical photographs of lesions of early-phase calciphylaxis were chosen from a recent database of 101 patients. Their clinical histories were reviewed and correlated with their respective clinical and histopathological images of early-stage disease and progression of the disease., Results: Two of the five patients were identified early to have calciphylaxis and were promptly initiated on aggressive, multimodal therapy, resulting in complete resolution and remission of calciphylaxis. The other three patients were also recognized in early stages, one without renal disease, although the disease had progressed to more advanced stages associated with greater morbidity and mortality., Conclusions: These cases demonstrate that calciphylaxis may be clinically misdiagnosed due to ill-defined presentations, particularly in the early stages without the characteristic features of livedo racemosa and ulceration. However, recognition in the early stages is critical to implement timely treatment. As such, definitively diagnostic skin biopsy should be considered early in suspected cases to confirm the diagnosis of calciphylaxis and ensure prompt management of this lethal disease., (© 2017 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Timely pathologic diagnosis relies on the communication of specific clinical information in the requisition form (RF). Clinical information may use nonspecific terms such as "rule out", the use of which may result in diagnostic delays and the unnecessary application of pathology stains and sections., Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between use of the term "rule out" and time to diagnosis, and the use of additional pathology stains and sections in integrated and non-integrated dermatopathology practices., Methods: A retrospective double-cohort study of 475 RFs from the integrated practice (of which 182 used the term "rule out" [RO] and 293 did not [NRO]) and 412 RFs from the non-integrated practice (RO, n = 126; NRO, n = 286) was performed., Results: No significant differences emerged between groups of patients with, respectively, RO and NRO RFs in the integrated practice with respect to time to diagnosis, and numbers of additional tissue sections or stains applied. By contrast, the use of RFs containing the term "rule out" was associated with significantly longer times to diagnosis and higher rates of use of pathology stains and sections in comparison with NRO RFs in the non-integrated practice. However, the study is limited by its status as a retrospective review of data sourced from a single institution., Conclusions: Use of the term "rule out" in RFs may not significantly impact key care delivery outcomes in an integrated practice. However, it may cause diagnostic delays and the use of unnecessary pathology services in a non-integrated practice., (© 2016 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Various components of the skin biopsy requisition form (SBRF) may contribute to accurate dermatopathologic interpretation., Methods: A search of electronic databases, including those of Ovid MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus, was conducted from inception to October 2011. Two authors independently screened all articles for eligibility. Inclusion criteria required material to represent original studies on skin biopsy and pathology requisition forms. Data abstracted from each article that met the inclusion criteria included details of the study characteristics, including the study location, type of pathology practice, specimen type, type of dermatoses, medical specialty of the requesting provider, suggested clinical components, and format of the SBRF., Results: Of 32 titles and abstracts reviewed, seven articles were included. From these, we determined that dermatologists, general practitioners and surgeons completed SBRFs. Commonly included components were patient demographics and requesting clinician characteristics. Clinical information and differential diagnosis were provided in 4% (two of 48 surgeons) to 36% (18 of 50 dermatologists) of requisitions. Most SBRFs did not include information on specimen type, clinical morphology, photographs or clinical history., Conclusions: The limited medical literature demonstrates variation in the content of SBRFs across clinicians and practices, and suggests an important target for improvement in the quality of communication and dermatologic care by requesting clinicians and pathologists., (© 2013 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Objectives: Whole-slide imaging with virtual microscopy is increasingly used as a tool in resident education and training, board certification and maintenance of certification examinations, and diagnostic evaluation. The objective of this study was to determine attitudes toward virtual microscopy compared with traditional glass slide microscopy during a continuing medical education dermatopathology workshop., Methods: Twenty-three board-certified, practicing or retired dermatopathologists were given 26 "advanced" cases to review using both virtual microscopy and traditional glass slides. Diagnostic accuracy was not assessed because of the complexity of the cases. Participants were surveyed on: (i) their previous experience with digital imaging; (ii) the quality, ease of use, and speed of slide review; and (iii) overall attitudes toward digital and traditional review., Results: Equal proportions of participants did and did not have prior experience with digital imaging of histopathologic specimens. Most participants preferred to use both virtual microscopy and traditional microscopy together. The quality of glass slides was rated as better than that of digital images, but virtual microscopy achieved higher ratings for ease of navigation and overall satisfaction., Conclusions: Virtual microscopy is a useful tool for dermatopathology workshops. Specifically, dermatopathologists with and without prior digital slide review experience responded favorably to viewing slides on a computer monitor. Overall satisfaction was high, and the majority of participants indicated that they would use virtual microscopy in the future. These results show a trend toward the acceptance of digital slide review, which supports the inevitable expansion of this practice in an increasingly digitized world., (© 2013 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes syndrome is a rare multisystem paraneoplastic condition associated with plasma cell dyscrasia., Methods: From our institution's dysproteinemia database, 107 patients met criteria for polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes syndrome between January 1, 2000, and October 1, 2009. Medical records were reviewed for documented syndrome features at diagnosis. We assessed prevalence of skin findings and associations between dermatologic and other characteristic disease findings., Results: Of the 107 patients, 96 (90%) had a recognized cutaneous manifestation. Hyperpigmentation and hemangioma were most common (47%), followed by hypertrichosis (38%). Vascular skin changes--acrocyanosis (34%), Raynaud phenomenon (20%), hyperemia/erythema (20%), flushing (16%), or rubor (11%)--occurred in 62%; white nails, sclerodermoid changes, and clubbing occurred in 30%, 26%, and 6%, respectively. Mean number of skin findings per patient was 2.9 (median, 3.0; range, 0-7). Presence of cutaneous manifestation was associated with abnormal pulmonary function tests (P < 0.001); immunoglobulin G gammopathy was associated with hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis. No other significant associations were seen., Conclusions: The high prevalence of skin findings (90%) shows the value of dermatologic evaluation in diagnosis of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes syndrome. Our data indicate new associations between skin findings and other disease characteristics., (© 2013 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: The term pharmacogenetics is used to describe an evolving field that aims to understand the relationship between individual variations in genetic sequence and differences in the therapeutic and toxic response to medications. The promise of pharmacogenetics is empowerment of clinicians with information that will enable them to personalize drug therapy - to prescribe the right medication at the right dose for each patient, while minimizing adverse effects. Despite dramatic advances, wide application of pharmacogenetics to clinical practice has been slow for a number of reasons, including lack of evidence-based therapeutic guidelines as well as ethical concerns and cost., Methods: To illustrate applications to dermatology practice, we present three clinical scenarios that serve as a springboard for discussion of the principles of pharmacogenetics and how they can be used to guide treatment with azathioprine, 5-fluorouracil, and trastuzumab., Conclusion: The therapeutic and toxic effects of a given medication ultimately depend on its combined pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenetic properties in a given individual. Pharmacodynamic properties of individual medications must be correlated with single nucleotide polymorphisms. Test recommendations and standardization of therapy for specific disorders can then be established., (© 2013 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Background: Osteosarcoma is a common malignancy, although skin metastasis is rare. We sought to review the incidence, epidemiology, risk factors, and prognosis of osteosarcoma with skin involvement., Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review that covered 30 years and involved clinic patients younger than 18 years who had cutaneous metastases of osteosarcoma. The main outcome measure was histologic documentation of both primary tumor and metastatic lesion in the skin., Results: Two patients were found to have osteosarcoma with skin involvement. No unifying factors were identified., Conclusions: Although osteosarcoma is a common malignancy with frequent metastases, involvement of the skin is rare. Further studies to identify risk factors and subsequent prognosis are necessary. Nevertheless, unidentifiable skin lesions in a patient with a history of osteosarcoma should be investigated to rule out tumor metastasis, regardless of cancer status.