Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Società italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia
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The study of stem cells in the epidermis is a rapidly emerging field. Great advances have been made in both basic and clinical research. ⋯ Advances in the clinic include recognition of the importance of stem cells for wound repair and for gene therapy and promising results have been obtained in a patient with junctional epidermolysis bullosa over a 12 month period of observation. This article discusses these recent advances in cutaneous stem cell biology.
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G Ital Dermatol Venereol · Dec 2010
ReviewDermatologic aspects and cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease that may involve any organ or system. Cutaneous manifestations occur in 25- 30% of patients with sarcoidosis. Recognition of cutaneous lesions is important because they provide a clue about the diagnosis and provide an easily accessible source of tissue for histopathologic examination. ⋯ Treatment of cutaneous lesions can sometimes be difficult. For patients with widespread or severe lesions systemic glucocorticoids might be warranted. This article provides a comprehensive review of the dermatologic aspects of sarcoidosis and discusses the clinical manifestations, pathology and treatment of cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis.
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Skin substitutes are a growing market since technical advancements have allowed a substantial progress in treating extensive defects of the skin. A variety of skin substitutes with different properties and thus resulting different indications is offered on the market. Important benefits of skin substitutes are their ready availability in almost any quantity and the predictable product properties concerning implantation, incorporation, resorption and long-term outcome. ⋯ The latest advance are cultured autologous or allogenic substitutes some even in combination with alloplastic material. Besides of medical questions that arise from the use of these materials in reconstructive surgery legal and economic aspects have to be taken into account. This article is giving an overview over the most common skin substitutes and their use in dermatosurgery.
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G Ital Dermatol Venereol · Jun 2010
ReviewSkin and bone: the pathogenetic relationship between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Our current understanding of the relationship between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis remains incomplete, though the evidence from the clinical setting, response to therapeutics, epidemiology, genetics, imaging, and immunopathologic models suggest that they make likely share a common pathogenesis. Psoriatic disease can no longer be thought of as a condition limited to skin and joints. ⋯ There is now convincing evidence that individuals with psoriasis have a higher prevalence of co-morbid disease, particularly cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic disorders, and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis place dermatologists in a crucial and privileged role--one that affords us the potential for early detection of associated co-morbid conditions through screening and perhaps impact disease course and clinical outcomes.
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G Ital Dermatol Venereol · Apr 2010
ReviewEndovenous therapies of varicose veins: indications, procedures, efficacy and safety.
Venous insufficiency of the lower-extremity is common and the prevalence increases with age. Chronic venous insufficiency has a high impact on patients' health related quality of life (HRQOL) and is associated with considerable health care costs. In addition to classical symptoms, it may result in skin changes and venous ulcers. ⋯ In the last decade several minimally invasive techniques have been introduced, to improve efficacy, patients' HRQOL and treatment satisfaction, and to reduce serious side effects, costs and postoperative pain. Dermatologists have played an important role in the development of minimal invasive therapies Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy, endovenous laser therapy and radiofrequency ablation are the most commonly used therapies, and challenge surgery as the gold standard of care in patients with varicose veins. The objective of this review is to inform clinicians about these three therapeutic options for saphenous varicose veins and to describe and compare the indications, procedures, efficacy and safety profile.