Search

Tattooing, the introduction of exogenous pigments into the skin, has a rich history spanning thousands of years, with cultural, cosmetic, and medical significance. With the increasing prevalence of tattoos, understanding their potential complications and contraindications is of growing importance. The most common complications are hypersensitivity reactions, which may vary in morphology and timing. Infectious complications are often due to inadequate aseptic and hygienic practices during the tattooing process or healing period. Tattoo pigment can present diagnostic challenges, affecting cancer diagnosis and imaging. This CME article explores the history, cultural significance, epidemiology, chemistry, technique, contraindications, and complications of tattoos. Appreciating these factors can help individuals considering tattoos understand the safety and potential risks of their body art, and provide physicians with a thorough understanding of tattooing if consulted., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest Dr Marini reports that in the past, he has received honoraria for speaking engagements from Fotona interest are disclosed in the interest of transparency and full disclosure. All other authors of this work have declared Laser and honoraria for participation in investigational studies with Lumenis. These potential conflicts of that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The rising global popularity of cosmetic and corrective tattoos has concurrently led to an increased demand for their removal. While in the past, methods like surgical excision, chemical destruction, and dermabrasion were employed, lasers have emerged as a reliable and effective tool for tattoo removal. Increasing technological options and combination treatment strategies have raised the importance of understanding the various approaches to laser tattoo removal along with their respective clinical impact. This CME aims to describe the multifaceted aspects of laser tattoo removal, including the method selection, application principles, and safety considerations. Furthermore, it addresses the factors considered when selecting the most suitable laser to achieve optimal treatment outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest Dr Marini reports that in the past, he has received honoraria for speaking engagements from Fotona Laser and honoraria for participation in investigational studies with Lumenis. These potential conflicts of interest are disclosed in the interest of transparency and full disclosure. All other authors of this work have declared that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Port wine birthmarks (PWBs) are congenital capillary malformations. Vessel characteristics, such as diameter and depth, may impact presentation and outcomes. They can be imaged using dynamic optical coherence tomography, a high-resolution, noninvasive imaging method., Purpose: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study to measure in vivo vascular characteristics as a function of PWB color., Methods: Patients undergoing treatment for PWB were recruited from 3 sites. PWBs were classified by color. Dynamic optical coherence tomography images with calculations were obtained., Results: One hundred eight patients were enrolled. Mean age correlated with PWB color, with birthmarks being lighter in younger patients and darker in older patients (P < .01). Mean superficial plexus depth was significantly shallower in purple PWBs than in pink PWBs. Color was not associated with significant differences in mean superficial vessel density or diameter. Among pink PWBs, each 10-year increase in age was associated with a 10.6-μm increase in superficial plexus depth. Among purple PWBs, each 10-year increase in age was associated with a 16.2-μm reduction in superficial plexus depth. In lesions without prior treatment, vessel density was 12.7% lower in purple PWBs than in pink PWBs., Conclusion: Superficial vessels of purple PWBs were significantly closer to the epidermis than those of pink PWBs, which might impact optimal laser parameters., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest Drs Geronemus, Kelly, and Waibel have received investigative equipment from Michelson Diagnostics Ltd. Author Holmes is an employee of Michelson Diagnostics Ltd. Dr Kelly has received equipment and honoraria from, and serves as a consultant to, Sciton Inc. Dr Zachary serves on the advisory board of Allergan, Soliton, and Sofway. Drs Abrouk, Wang, Pomerantz, and Palma and Author Mehrabi have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2021 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Verruciform xanthoma is an uncommon mucocutaneous condition of uncertain cause that only occasionally affects the skin. The histopathology is distinctive for the presence of foamy histiocytes present within elongated dermal papillae. Although simple excision of intraoral lesions is reportedly curative, treatment of cutaneous lesions has not been previously reported. We describe a 62-year-old man with a large lesion of verruciform xanthoma affecting both inguinal folds. Immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for human papilloma virus, and ultrastructural analysis were performed to investigate the pathogenesis of this lesion. The results of these studies support the theory that the source of lipid in dermal histiocytes is degenerating keratinocytes. Initial treatment with wire loop electrosection, pulsed dye (585 nm) laser, and x-ray therapy of this patient proved unsuccessful. Preliminary success has been achieved using wide surgical excision with primary closure.

We have studied eight cases of an acquired lymphatic endothelial lesion for which we propose the name "benign lymphangioendothelioma." The lesions developed as solitary, slowly extending, erythematous macules and plaques, usually occurring on the extremities or the shoulders in adolescents or adults. The characteristic histopathologic feature is permeation of the dermal collagen by flattened, endothelium-lined channels and spaces. Hemorrhage, iron deposition, and inflammation were not part of the lesion. Ulex europaeus agglutinin I labeled the lesional endothelial cells consistently, but factor VIII-related antigen labeling was negative. This histologic pattern and the special studies suggested a lymphatic lesion. Surgical excision, performed in six patients, was not followed by recurrence.

The fingernails of twenty-four patients with classical adult (type 1) pityriasis rubra pilaris were examined for changes in nail morphology and a comparison was made with the fingernail morphology of twenty-seven consecutive psoriatic patients with nail changes. Distal yellow-brown discoloration, subungual hyperkeratosis, nail plate thickening, and splinter hemorrhages indicate a diagnosis of type 1 pityriasis rubra pilaris rather than psoriasis, while onycholysis (particularly marginal), salmon patches, small pits, and larger indentations of the nail plate indicate a diagnosis of psoriasis. Histology demonstrated that a nail biopsy would be a useful diagnostic procedure if nails were involved in isolation but provided no additional diagnostic features to those found from biopsy specimens of involved skin in the two conditions. The similarity in nail morphology between the type 1 pityriasis rubra pilaris patients and five patients with chronic erythroderma resulting from Sézary syndrome indicated that these changes may represent a nonspecific reaction pattern that may result from prolonged erythema of the proximal nail bed and matrix. The rough nails (trachyonychia) described in advanced Sézary syndrome were not observed in any of our patients.

Bovine collagen implants are in widespread use for the correction of soft tissue deficiencies. A small portion of the population responds adversely to these implants, evidenced by either positive skin tests or treatment site reactions. Antibodies against bovine collagen implants have been detected in the sera of virtually all patients with adverse treatment reactions and in small percentages of untreated individuals and treated individuals without adverse reactions. In this study we examined the levels of anti-bovine collagen implant antibodies in 150 individuals prior to bovine collagen implant therapy and then monitored these patients for adverse reactions to skin tests and bovine collagen implant treatments. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the value of pretreatment serology in predicting positive skin tests or adverse reactions. It was determined that individuals with greatly elevated levels (greater than 2 standard deviations [SDs] above the mean reactivity of pretreatment sera) of anti-bovine collagen implant antibodies prior to treatment were approximately sixfold more likely to suffer adverse reactions than patients with no elevation of antibodies prior to treatment.

Genital tumors represent a special group requiring effective and curative treatment while functional and cosmetic demands require tissue sparing techniques. For these reasons, micrographic surgery is indicated. Over the past 5 years we have treated 24 such patients utilizing standard techniques for micrographic surgery. The patient population included twenty male and four female patients with ages ranging from 27 to 80 years. Histologically confirmed diagnoses included squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, verrucous carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, Paget's disease, and leiomyosarcoma. These were located on the penis, scrotum, perineum, and buttocks. Seven of these patients were considered to have recurrent tumors. Preexisting conditions existed in 6 patients, including balantis xerotica obliterans, trauma, decubitus ulcer, and hidradenitis suppurativa. All surgery was performed under local anesthesia in the cutaneous surgery unit. Average pretreatment tumor size was 2.0 X 1.9 cm. Average postoperative defect size was 4.5 X 3.7 cm. Tumors were excised with an average of three stages and 18 sections. Most defects (65%) were allowed to heal by secondary intention, five (21%) were closed primarily, and three were referred for closure. After surgery five patients developed metastases in their regional lymphatic system. No patients developed local recurrence. Micrographic surgery is a most useful treatment modality in patients with genital tumors for control of local disease. However, patients with squamous cell carcinoma should be considered for elective regional lymph node biopsy and/or dissection in conjunction with micrographically controlled excision of the primary tumor.