Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Società italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia
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G Ital Dermatol Venereol · Feb 2010
ReviewTopical treatment and combination approaches for vitiligo: new insights, new developments.
Despite much research done involving elucidation of the pathogenesis of vitiligo, a precise cause is still not known. Prevalent hypotheses include the autoimmune, genetic, neural, self-destruction, growth factor deficiency, viral, and convergence theories, which have served as the basis for treatment formulation. Topical therapies have been a mainstay of vitiligo treatment, with or without phototherapy. ⋯ Combinations of vitamin D analogues have varied efficacy based on which type is used and the type of UV light. Efficacy of calcineurin inhibitor combinations also vary based on the type used and UV light combined, with tacrolimus being more effective with excimer laser. Pimecrolimus has been effective with NB-UVB and excimer laser on facial lesions, and microdermabrasion on localized areas.
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Due to the potentially lethal nature of melanoma, prompt diagnosis and timely excision are of paramount importance. The clinical ABCD mnemonic (asymmetry, boarder irregularity, color variegation and diameter greater than 6mm) is one of the first and most widely used methods introduced to teach early melanoma recognition. Unfortunately, some melanomas can evade the clinical ABCD rule and mimic benign melanocytic nevi or mimic benign and/or malignant variants of non-melanocytic lesions. ⋯ Unfortunately, even with dermoscopy, some melanomas remain difficult to diagnose. However, these difficult to diagnose melanomas often reveal subtle dermoscopic clues that allow for their correct identification. In this review, we focus on five variants of melanoma that are challenging to identify and discuss the dermoscopic features that can assist in their diagnosis.