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Introduction: Spongiosis is defined as intercellular edema and vesicles in the epidermis. Histopathology is the gold standard for the diagnosis of spongiotic disorders. Clinical diagnosis of eczema is sometimes unclear and confused with other dermatoses; histopathology often shows spongiotic tissue reaction patterns; such conditions are called spongiotic disorders. It is challenging for a dermatologist to make the correct diagnosis noninvasively with a dermoscope and thus we have taken up the study to correlate the dermoscopic and histopathological findings in spongiotic disorders to set dermoscopic criteria for the diagnosis. Objective: To study the dermoscopic features of spongiotic disorders and correlate clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological findings. Materials and Methods: Two hundred fifty two patients, with history and clinical presentation suggesting eczema were enrolled. They were classified as Acute (<6 weeks), Subacute (6 weeks to 3 months), and Chronic (>3 months) eczemas based on duration. Dermoscopy and skin biopsy were performed on representative lesions. Data were compiled and statistically analyzed using frequency distribution and Chi-square test. Results: We correlated the diagnosis based on acute, subacute, and chronic with three modalities, clinical examination, dermoscopy, and histopathology. On clinical examination, acute (27.4%), subacute (42.9%), and chronic (29.7%) dermatitis. On dermoscopy, acute (28.5%), subacute (40.4%), and chronic (31.1%) dermatitis. On histopathology, acute (29.5%), subacute (44.2%), and chronic (26.3%) spongiosis. A positive correlation of 99%, 96.2%, and 95% was observed on dermoscopy and histopathology, in acute, subacute, and chronic eczemas, respectively. Dermoscopy of acute eczemas showed linear vessels (100%) and red background (100%). White-Clods (98.9%) and excoriation marks (70.1%). Dermoscopy of subacute eczemas showed white scales (99.1%), irregular pigment network (98.3%), vascular changes with irregular dots (97.4%), a brown-white background (93.1%), and black/brown/grey dots (91.4%). Dermoscopy of chronic eczema showed brown-white background (100%), irregular pigment network (100%), and black/brown/grey blotches (100%). Conclusion: Definitive dermoscopic patterns are observed consistently with spongiotic diseases and these can be used additionally to set dermoscopic criteria and confirm the diagnosis. Also, dermoscopic findings are well correlated with the already established histopathological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Namita. Narkhede, Balakrishna. Nikham, Varsha. Jamale, Asma. Hussain, Mohan. Kale Background: Clinical diagnosis of vesiculobullous disorders (VBD) is not always straightforward. It is a challenge for a dermatologist to [...]

Objective: To determine whether harmonic scalpel has any advantage over Ligasure tonsillectomy or not in terms of blood loss, duration of surgery, pain scores and slough separation time. Study Design: Double Blind Cross Sectional study. Setting: Faisalabad Medical University and Affiliated Institutions. Period: January to June 2022. Material & Methods: Seventy patients in total were selected and divided by Random sampling into two groups to be operated either with Ligasure or Harmonic Scalpel. The difference between the two groups was assessed in terms of pain scores, slough separation time, duration of surgery and blood loss between the two groups. Results: Patients results showed statistical significant difference in the two groups in terms of slough separation time and pain scores but there was no significant difference in terms of blood loss and duration of surgery. Conclusion: Harmonic scalpel does have an advantage over Ligasure tonsillectomy as far as early healing is concerned and thus certainly helps in reducing the morbidity of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether harmonic scalpel has any advantage over monopolar diathermy tonsillectomy or not in terms of blood loss, duration of surgery, pain scores and slough separation time. Study Design: Double Blind Cross Sectional study. Setting: Faisalabad Medical University and Affiliated Institutions. Period: April 2022 to September 2022. Material & Methods: Seventy patients were selected and divided by Random sampling into two groups to be operated either with Harmonic Scalpel or Monopolar Diathermy. The difference between the two groups was assessed in terms of pain scores, slough separation time, duration of surgery and blood loss between the two groups. Results: Patients results showed statistical significant difference in the two groups in terms of slough separation time and pain scores but there was no significant difference in terms of blood loss and duration of surgery. Conclusion: Harmonic scalpel does have an advantage over diathermy tonsillectomy as far as early healing is concerned and thus certainly helps in reducing the morbidity of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether harmonic scalpel has any advantage over monopolar diathermy tonsillectomy or not in terms of blood loss, duration of surgery, pain scores and slough separation time. Study Design: Double Blind Cross Sectional study. Setting: Faisalabad Medical University and Affiliated Institutions. Period: April 2022 to September 2022. Material & Methods: Seventy patients were selected and divided by Random sampling into two groups to be operated either with Harmonic Scalpel or Monopolar Diathermy. The difference between the two groups was assessed in terms of pain scores, slough separation time, duration of surgery and blood loss between the two groups. Results: Patients results showed statistical significant difference in the two groups in terms of slough separation time and pain scores but there was no significant difference in terms of blood loss and duration of surgery. Conclusion: Harmonic scalpel does have an advantage over diathermy tonsillectomy as far as early healing is concerned and thus certainly helps in reducing the morbidity of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atrophic acne scarring is an unpleasant and often permanent complication and a therapeutic challenge for dermatologists. Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) gel injections are derived from the patient's own blood and used as a "biofiller" for skin rejuvenation. Objectives: The objective was to study the efficacy and safety profile of PPP gel in atrophic acne scars. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with atrophic acne scars were included in the study. Topical anesthesia was applied on the area of interest 45 min prior to the procedure. 20 mL of blood was collected in eight sodium citrate bulbs and centrifuged to get PPP that is coagulated with heat to form gel. This gel (biofiller) was injected in the scarred areas monthly for 6 months. Patients were evaluated using Goodman and Baron Scar (GBS) scale (quantitative and qualitative), Physician Global Assessment, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at each visit. The final visit was after 3 months of the last procedure. Results: The mean value of GBS at the first visit was 28, which reduced to 8.2 at the final visit. The analysis of variance test was applied to the quantitative scale from the baseline visit to the final visit. The F value was 462.55 with a P value < 0.0001. The paired t-test was applied for the GBS quantitative scale, which showed a value of 22.86 with a P value of <0.001. Transient local side effects were noted. Conclusion: Biofiller is efficacious in improving atrophic acne scars. It is a simple, minimally invasive, cost-effective procedure with no risk of immunogenic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our patient has had AA since 3 years, but he recently developed age-related hormone-induced seborrhea on the background of fully functional sebaceous glands over the scalp. Sir, Alopecia areata (AA) is a common cause of non-scarring hair loss. On examination, numerous closely set open comedones with regrowing and vellus hair were seen all over the scalp [Figure 1]. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Dermatophytosis is a growing menace these days. Dermoscopy is a simple and non invasive diagnostic technique used in dermatology. But there are few studies on dermoscopy of dermatophytosis. Objective: The present study aims to study thedermoscopic findings of dermatophytosis and to study its correlation with clinical and histopathological findings. Materials and Method: It was a cross sectional study done over a period of 3 months.100 patients with clinical diagnosis of any form of dermatophytosis, were included after taking an informed consent. Diagnosis of dermatophytosis was made clinically followed by KOH examination. Clinical examination, photographs and dermoscopy was done in all cases. Dermoscopy was taken by hand held dermoscope (Dermlite 4 gen DL4, California USA), with a magnification of 10x. Biopsy was done in selected patients. Results: Out of 100 patients, male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. Mean age was 38 ± 8.7 years. Mean duration of disease was 3months. Tinea corporis was the most common type, followed by tinea cruris and tinea facie. Dermoscopic findings of tinea corporis, cruris and facie were -peripherally distributed white scales, red to grey background, red to brownish black dots and globules at periphery, follicular micropustues and perifollicular scales. Tinea capitis showed black dots, broken hair and Morse code hair. Onychomycosis showed yellowish brown discoloration with subungual hyperkeratosis and jagging of free edge of nail plate. Conclusion: In absence of adequate lab facilities, dermoscopy acts as a complentary tool to clinical diagnosis. Dermoscopy helps to initiate early treatment, thus helping to reduce tinea menace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]