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Acne scars can greatly impact patient quality of life. While treatment options have included mi- croneedling, the recent addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to this regimen has led to an increased popularity of combination treatment. Here, we aimed to review the efficacy of microneedling and PRP therapies and review the literature on combination treatment for acne scars.

Mesotherapy is a popular novel therapeutic modality that delivers intradermal or subcutaneous microinjections of pharmaceutical compounds. Although this novel treatment method is used commonly in aesthetic dermatology, there is little information about the details of injections, efficacy, and side effects of mesotherapy in melasma. In this review, we evaluated the efficacy of various types of anti-pigmentation agents used with mesotherapy in the management of melasma.

Introduction: Reflection facilitates the enhancement of critical thinking and profound learning through obtaining a greater understanding of oneself and the circumstances at hand. There is a limited amount of published literature evaluating the reflective abilities of medical students in India. Aim: To evaluate and compare the reflective abilities of Competency-based Medical Education (CBME) batch MBBS students in Phase III, part 2, with non CBME batch MBBS students currently undertaking their internship by administering the Reflective Practice Questionnaire (RPQ) and via Focus Group Discussions (FGD). Materials and Methods: The present mixed-method crosssectional study was conducted from January to August 2023 among 171 CBME batch and 129 non CBME batch MBBS students studying at Pt. JNM Medical College, Chhattisgarh, India. The RPQ consists of 40 items designed to evaluate not just the reflective abilities of a study group but also to gauge various other related psychological attributes. The mean values of each subscale were estimated and compared between the CBME and non CBME batches and analysed using the non parametric Mann-Whitney U test, with a p-value <0.05 considered significant. FGDs were also conducted for confirmatory and exploratory purposes. Also, feedback regarding the implementation of training on reflection and future course correction was taken from the study participants in FGD. Results: The mean age of students in the CBME batch and non CBME batch was 22.5±0.95 years and 24.1±0.36 years, respectively. The mean values of the confidence communication subscale of RPQ in the CBME and non CBME batches were 3.78±0.728 and 4.04±0.749 respectively, with a p-value of 0.002. The mean values of the Job Satisfaction (JS) subscale in CBME and non CBME batches were 3.86±0.728 and 3.90±0.789, respectively, with a p-value of 0.003. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the two groups, except for the two aforementioned subscales, in which mean values in the non CBME batch were significantly higher. FGD, apart from confirming the above findings, also suggested the introduction of an e-logbook and effective assessment through it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leprosy and Tuberculosis (TB), both significant mycobacterial infections, often affect populations with lowered specific immunity. TB is a widespread and life-threatening mycobacterial infection. Co-infection of these diseases is uncommon in routine clinical practice, adding complexity to diagnosis and treatment planning. However, instances of co-existence suggest a potential crossimmunity theory. Leprosy, known for its varied presentations, can manifest as an asymptomatic secondary presentation of anetoderma, characterised by elastinolysis-induced loose sac-like appearances. This case report presents a middle-aged man in his late 30s undergoing Anti-Tubercular Treatment (AKT) for abdominal tuberculosis, who presented with signs of Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) and small asymptomatic atrophied macules on his trunk and back in the Dermatology department. Through comprehensive history, clinical examination, slit skin smear, and biopsy, authors elucidated a rare case of co-infection of leprosy and atypical cutaneous manifestations as anetoderma, concomitant with abdominal tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lucio leprosy is a non-nodular diffuse type of lepromatous leprosy first described by Lucio and Alvarado. Lucio phenomenon is a rare vasculonecrotic reaction characterized by cutaneous necrosis with minimal constitutional features. Case Presentation: We describe an unusual case of a 53-year-old man from Central India who had blisters, ulcers, and widespread erosions on his foot, forearms, and arms. The diagnosis of lepromatous leprosy with the Lucio phenomenon was established after thorough evaluation by clinical findings, histopathological findings, and slit-skin smear examination. Conclusion: Lucio phenomenon is an uncommon cause of cutaneous infarction and necrosis. Primary care physicians should keep a high index of suspicion in patients with cutaneous necrosis and minimal constitution features. Since leprosy is a relatively curable disease, primary care physicians should think of a rare form of lepromatous leprosy presenting with cutaneous necrosis, especially in non-endemic zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentory skin disorder supposed to be of autoimmune aetiology. Different immunosuppressants have been tried with varying success. Azathioprine has been less studied in vitiligo. Aims and Objectives: To study the efficacy of oral azathioprine and compare with systemic steroid in the treatment of vitiligo. Materials and Methods: It was an interventional study with multi-armed (three), parallel group, an open-label, randomized controlled trial with allocation ratio of 1:1:1. Patients of vitiligo aged between 18 and 60 years having more than 5% body surface involvement were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups. Group A--patients received oral azathioprine 50 mg OD daily, group B--patients received combination of oral azathioprine 50 mg OD and PUVASOL and group C--patients received combination of betamethasone oral mini pulse (OMP) and PUVASOL. All the groups were treated for 1 year. Repigmentation was evaluated by vitiligo area severity index (VASI), and stabilization was evaluated by vitiligo disease activity (VIDA). Results: Group A, group B and group C showed 24.24%, 53.24% and 47.28% improvement in VASI score, respectively, at the end of 1 year. Group B and group C showed statistically significant superior repigmentation as compared to azathioprine monotherapy. Though azathioprine and betamethasone showed equivalent efficacy, azathioprine has a better safety profile. Side effects were minimal in azathioprine groups, whereas 50% patients developed various side effects in group C. Conclusion: Azathioprine is safe and effective option in the treatment of vitiligo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Melasma is a widely prevalent acquired condition characterised by gray-brown pigmentation with a predilection on the face, affecting the quality of life. Tranexamic Acid (TXA) has been used for managing melasma orally and topically, while mesotherapy is a well known modality in cosmetology. Need for the study: There is a paucity of literature comparing the efficacy of topical and intralesional microinjections of TXA. A novel device (Meso-Ice®) has recently been commercialised for mesotherapy, working on the principle of electroporation technology for drug diffusion, which has not yet been evaluated for managing melasma using TXA. Aim: To compare the efficacy of TXA mesotherapy using the novel device versus topical TXA in patients with melasma. Materials and Methods: This is a randomised clinical trial assessing the comparative efficacy of Group 1: Mesotherapy using the novel device with TXA injection (4 mg/mL) and Group 2: Topical TXA gel (3%) for treating melasma. The severity of melasma will be assessed using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks. Oneway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used to compare intra-group variables, and the paired t-test will be used for inter-group comparison. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Adarshlata. Singh, Kritika. Singhal, Sanjiv. Choudhary, Shazia. Bisati, Mallika. Arora Disabling pansclerotic morphea (DPM) is a rare, severe, and mutilating form of morphea, involving the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, fat, [...]

Pemphigus vulgaris is an auto-immune blistering disorder associated with splitting at the dermoepidermal junction. It targets the desmoglein structural protein of skin thus causing formation of blisters. It is seen to be associated with esophageal and laryngeal malignancies. Here in this case report, we try to highlight the unusual presentation of squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa with pemphigus vulgaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folliculitis decalvans is a type of primary cicatricial alopecia predominantly which affects mainly middle aged males. Defective host responsive mechanism or infective etiology plays role in the pathogenesis. Clinically follicular pustules along with scarring alopecia are seen mainly over vertex and occipital area. Trichoscopy classically shows multiple tufts of hairs with serous exudates and crust. Treatment mainly aims at antimicrobial therapy along with corticosteroids & retinoid have also been tried. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]