Dermatology Commons^™

Regional Disparities In Melanoma Mortality: A Study Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley In South Texas, Jared Hensley, Smaran Marupudi, Neharika Penmetcha, Blake C. Martin, Natasha Quailes, Elias Arellano Villanueva, Maria Villegas

Research Symposium

Background: Melanoma, a serious skin cancer with substantial morbidity, is influenced by demographic, geographic, and healthcare access factors. South Texas' Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) region—including Starr, Willacy, Cameron, and Hidalgo counties—has a predominantly Hispanic population facing unique barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment. This study investigates the primary causes of death among melanoma patients in the LRGV compared to other Texas regions, aiming to uncover regional disparities that could guide public health interventions.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using data from the Texas Cancer Registry (1995-2019). Patients were grouped into two cohorts: Group 1 (LRGV counties) and …

Leveraging Ai In Teledermatology: A Literature Review On Advancing Health Equity For Underserved Populations, Jared Hensley, Smaran Marupudi, Blake Martin, Neharika Penmetcha, Maria Villegas

Research Symposium

Background: Health disparities in dermatological care tend to disproportionately affect underserved populations, particularly those in rural and resource-limited settings. Teledermatology, augmented by artificial intelligence (AI), presents an opportunity to address these inequities by providing underserved populations with improved diagnostic capabilities. Despite its promise, AI models in teledermatology can often exhibit biases, such as reduced diagnostic efficacy for Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI, due to their training on non-representative datasets. This literature review explores AI's role in teledermatology and potential strategies to enhance its utility for underserved populations.

Methods: A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to evaluate the integration of …

Periumbilical Perforating Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum, Ana L. Duarte-Summers, Anna Chen, Morgan E. Sussman-Mccrea, Shayan Waseh, Jason B. Lee, Sylvia Hsu

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Going Green In Dermatology, Rahib K. Islam, Victoria T. Tong, Shari R. Lipner

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Current Management Of Skin Conditions In Kenya: Exploring Teledermatology Preferences And Perspectives Among Providers, Jennifer Fernandez, Hashim Kaderbhai, Jennifer Adams, Mary B. Adam, Rodney Adam

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Teledermatology programs may help expand access to care for skin conditions in areas that are underserved by dermatologists such as sub-Saharan Africa, but their success requires input from participating providers.

Objective: This study assesses teledermatology preferences among healthcare providers in Kenya.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey of nondermatology providers was conducted in Kenya from January to March 2024 at Aga Khan University Hospital-Nairobi and Kijabe Hospital.

Results: Among the 38 providers, 81.6% were physicians. Patient population was primarily Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI. Almost all (97.4%) regularly encountered patients with skin disorders, yet only …

A Case Of Peristomal Pyoderma Gangrenosum With Histological Features Of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum., Kelly M Kimball, Matthew J Franklin

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

No abstract provided.

Confluent Soft Nodules On Buttocks, Awa Bakayoko, Chiamaka Ohanenye, Jason B. Lee, Shaan Patel, Sylvia Hsu

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Utilization Of Suprathel® In Delayed Surgical Management Of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (Ten): A Case Report, Isabella Lipkin, Michelle Hughes, W. B. Hughes Md

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

Given the lack of established practice guidelines for the management of cutaneous symptoms associated with toxic epidermal necrolysis, treatments range from various dressings to skin substitutes. The following report details a case of a 21-year-old male patient with this diagnosis who presented nine days after rash eruption from an outside hospital with no signs of healing. The patient was then successfully managed surgically eleven days after symptom onset with debridement of epidermal blisters and placement of Suprathel®. To our knowledge, this publication is the first to describe the potential of this synthetic skin substitute in promoting epidermal regeneration for delayed …

Self Supervised Artificial Intelligence Predicts Poor Outcome From Primary Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma At Diagnosis, Nicolas Coudray, Michelle C. Juarez, Maressa C. Criscito, Adalberto Claudio Quiros, Reason Wilken, Stephanie R. Jackson Cullison, Mary L. Stevenson, Nicole A. Doudican, Ke Yuan, Jamie D. Aquino, Daniel M. Klufas, Jeffrey P. North, Siegrid S. Yu, Fadi Murad, Emily Ruiz, Chrysalyne D. Schmults, Cristian D. Cardona Machado, Javier Cañueto, Anirudh Choudhary, Alysia N. Hughes, Alyssa Stockard, Zachary Leibovit-Reiben, Aaron R. Mangold, Aristotelis Tsirigos, John A. Carucci

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is responsible for ~10,000 deaths annually in the United States. Stratification of risk of poor outcome at initial biopsy would significantly impact clinical decision-making during the initial post operative period where intervention has been shown to be most effective. Using whole-slide images (WSI) from 163 patients from 3 institutions, we developed a self supervised deep-learning model to predict poor outcomes in cSCC patients from histopathological features at initial diagnosis, and validated it using WSI from 563 patients, collected from two other academic institutions. For disease-free survival prediction, the model attained a concordance index of …

Patient Perception Of Delays In The Dermatology Clinic, Emily Hunter, Safiyyah Bhatti, Lauren N. Mcgrath, Stephanie R. Jackson Cullison, Elizabeth Jones

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa Is Associated With An Increased Risk Of Adverse Cardiac Events And All-Cause Mortality, Thomas Z. Rohan, Ramsay Hafer, Teresa Duong, Rishob Dasgupta, Sherry Yang

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been previously associated with greater rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) compared to the general population. This study aims to better elucidate the association between HS, MACEs, and other cardiovascular diseases. Methods: We utilized TriNetX, a global database of electronic health records, to conduct a retrospective cohort study. HS patients were matched on demographic and cardiovascular disease risk factors to both healthy and psoriasis groups as controls. Results: After adjusting for cardiovascular disease risk factors, HS patients had a relative risk (RR) (95% CI) of 2.06 (1.83-2.32) for myocardial infarction, 1.62 …

A Guide To Diagnosis And Management Of Hypertrichosis, Rahib K. Islam, Victoria T. Tong, Shari R. Lipner

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Hypertrichosis is a phenotype characterized by excessive hair growth in areas not typically prone to dense hair coverage. It may be congenital or acquired, and has significant clinical and psychosocial implications, often leading to psychological distress and social stigmatization. Diagnostic approaches emphasize the importance of thorough clinical evaluation and differentiation from hirsutism. Treatment options include topical and systemic treatments, as well as mechanical methods and laser therapies. Special considerations are given to pediatric patients regarding the psychosocial aspects of the phenotype. This review aims to provide physicians and researchers with a thorough understanding of hypertrichosis to facilitate better diagnosis, treatment, …

Notalgia Paresthetica: Case Report, Emily M. Garelick, David Kasper

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a dermatologic condition that causes pruritus of the skin on the medial border of the inferior scapula and/or upper back. It is a chronic neurologic dysesthesia caused by pain from nerve fiber damage at the thoracic spine, levels two to six. Patients can also experience paresthesia, allodynia, and pruritus that is exacerbated by heat. It has been shown in multiple case reports that thoracic nerve impingement could be responsible for this problem, specifically herniated intervertebral discs, vertebral changes, and osteoarthritic lesions. Multiple methods of treatment have been reported to be effective including topical steroids and anesthetics, …

Mechanisms Of Familial And Uv-Induced Melanoma, Jeri D. Hughes

Pursuit - The Journal of Undergraduate Research at The University of Tennessee

Melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer in the United States. Melanoma is a disease where cancerous cells derive from melanocytes. Common melanoma susceptibility genes induce dysregulation in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN),and AKT expression. Melanoma can be induced through prolonged UV-radiation or familial diagnosis. This article aims to discuss the mechanisms of both familial and UV-induced melanomagenesis

Intraumbilical Mass With Cyclical Drainage, Alexis Coican, Angelia Stepien, Laszlo Karai

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Disseminated Mycobacterium Marinum Presenting As Bursitis In A Patient With Psoriatic Arthritis On Adalimumab, Mallory Suhling, Aditya Dutt, Olivia Cook, Summer Moon

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Teledermatology For Undeserved Populations During And Post-Covid-19, Jakob Gibbs, Sean Hanshaw

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Teledermatology, a subset of telemedicine, has gained prominence as a means to increase access to dermatologic care while reducing costs and improving patient satisfaction. The swift expansion of teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic was driven by the necessity to limit physical contact and adapt to public health restrictions. This technological shift aimed to address longstanding disparities in dermatology access, especially in rural and underserved populations, and to respond to the rising demand for dermatologic services amid provider shortages.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects that teledermatology following the COVID-19 pandemic had …

Challenges In Public Health: The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Crusted Scabies, Marshall Hall, Alyssa Forsyth, Wenquin Du, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Common scabies is a parasitic dermatologic condition that often presents as an extremely pruritic rash. A rare and highly contagious variant of common scabies is crusted scabies, formerly known as Norwegian scabies. While infection with common scabies typically involves 10 to 20 mites, individuals with crusted scabies are burdened with thousands to millions of mites. Crusted scabies is characterized clinically by hyperkeratotic papules and plaques, most commonly on the palms and soles. Due to the variety of presentations seen in scabies, it can be difficult to diagnose. Case presentations: We present 4 cases of crusted scabies. An 89-year-old male …

Skin Manifestations And Related Clinical Characteristics Of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children: A Descriptive Retrospective Cohor Study At Texas Children's Hospital, Matthew Penna, Lauren Pupa, Grace Lee, Soo Jung Kim

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Mycosis Fungoides: A Mimicker Of Atopic Dermatitis, Christian Scheufele, Paige Loux, Henry Lim, Garrett Furth, Marshall Hall, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare, cutaneous, malignant neoplasm of the resident T cell lymphocytes within the skin. CTCL encompasses a spectrum of morphologically and prognostically distinct entities, the most common of which is mycosis fungoides (MF). The incidence of mycosis fungoides is about 6 cases per million per year in the United States and Europe. MF is notoriously difficult to diagnose clinically. It can masquerade as several common dermatologic conditions and may be treated as such for years until a biopsy reveals the correct diagnosis. One of the most common diseases that MF mimics is atopic …

Atypical Presentation Of Cd4+ Small/Medium T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder, Rafael Do Valle, Reem Ayoub, Marshall Hall, Henry Lim, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stepehen E. Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (PCSM-LPD) is a rare cutaneous disorder that until 2016, was classified as a primary cutaneous lymphoma. PCSM-LPD histopathologically consists of a localized proliferation of small to medium-sized T lymphocytes. Clinically there is minimal to no systemic involvement. It typically presents as an asymptomatic, solitary red-purple nodule, papule, or plaque on the face. PCSM-LPD has an indolent course and an excellent prognosis. It is important to recognize PCSM-LPD as a distinct entity from primary cutaneous lymphoma to avoid treatments with side effects. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old female with a history of insulin-dependent type …

Presentations Of Cutaneous Disease In Various Skin Pigmentations: Keloids, Marshall Hall, Alyssa Forsyth, Paige Loux, Henry Lim, Christian Scheufele, Garrett Furth, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Keloids are benign, firm nodules resulting from excessive scar formation, typically following trauma, but they can also arise spontaneously. They commonly affect areas like the chest, shoulders, back, cheeks, and earlobes. Their growth exceeds the boundaries of the original injury. Keloids can cause discomfort, pruritus, or cosmetic concerns. While they are more prevalent in individuals with darker skin tones, they occur across all age groups and skin types. Differentiating keloids from conditions such as hypertrophic scars, dermatofibromas, acrochordons, inflamed nevi, cysts, and lipomas i s crucial for proper diagnosis and management. This review highlights the diverse clinical presentations of …

Analysis Of Errors In The Management Of Cutaneous Disorders, Robert J. Pariser, Sarah Alnaif

Department Dermatology Faculty Publications

In this study, we prospectively and retrospectively evaluated the occurrence of errors in the management of cutaneous disorders from patient visits and medical records in a single dermatology practice in southeast Virginia over a 3-year period (June 2020-July 2023). Providers should be able to improve diagnostic accuracy by utilizing established rapid bedside diagnostic techniques.

Systemic Therapy Targeting Psoriatic Inflammation Is Associated With Decreased Incidence Of Dementia: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study, Madison P. Olexson, Ana Ormaza Vera, Chunghwan Ro, Clinton W. Enos

Department Dermatology Faculty Publications

[Introduction] To the Editor: Psoriasis, an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disorder, has been implicated in cognitive impairment and dementia.1, 2, 3 Emerging evidence suggests that systemic inflammation contributes to neuroinflammation and resultant cytokine-driven neurodegeneration, although findings remain inconclusive.1, 2, 3 While systemic therapies such as biologics and conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are routinely used in psoriasis management, their role in modulating dementia in this population remains underexplored, with research yielding mixed results.1, 2, 3 We conducted a large-scale, retrospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between psoriasis and dementia and whether systemic treatments for psoriasis impact this association.

Unveiling The Mystery: Paraneoplastic Syndrome Masquerading As Skin Thickening, Megan Schermerhorn, Md, Quian Leng, Atish Dey

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis is a rare autoimmune disorder defined by skin thickening in the distal digits and is frequently accompanied by inflammatory arthritis. There are known mimics of systemic sclerosis, which present with similar sclerosis of the skin. Palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome (PFPAS) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that presents with progressive flexion contractures of the hands, inflammatory fasciitis, fibrosis, and generalized inflammatory arthritis. PFPAS is most associated with ovarian adenocarcinoma, and rarely associated with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Early recognition of this rare syndrome was critical in identifying an asymptomatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Case Description: 58-year-old woman with osteoarthritis of multiple …

Implementation Of Interdisciplinary Approaches In Dermatology Residency Program, Dina Zamil, Nicole Nyamongo, Alexandria Brown Marrs, Joanne Jacob, Soo Jung Kim

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Managing Kaposi Sarcoma In Controlled Hiv: A Case Study On Cutaneous Manifestations And Multidisciplinary Care, Rafael Do Valle, Reem Ayoub, Henry Lim, Marshall Hall, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is a soft tissue sarcoma that affects the linings of blood and lymphatic vessels. It occurs, primarily in immunocompromised individuals. It is caused by the Human Herpesvirus 8. There are four recognized forms of KS: AIDS-related, iatrogenic, classic, and endemic. Each form varies in demographics and manifestation. AIDS-related KS occurs in HIV-positive individuals, while iatrogenic KS develops in transplant patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Classic KS is typically seen in elderly males from specific geographic regions, and endemic KS affects young individuals in certain areas of Africa. Clinical manifestations of KS include red, purple, or brown papules …

A Vision Transformer Based Assistive System For Dermatological Diagnosis In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Syeda Lamima Farhat

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex and often underdiagnosed autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and presents with a wide range of symptoms-ranging from fatigue and joint pain to life-threatening organ damage. One of its most visible and diagnostically significant indicators is the Butterfly Malar Rash (BMR), a distinctive facial rash that often resembles other common dermatological conditions like rosacea, acne, eczema, and fifth disease. This overlap can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed detection, especially in busy clinical environments. To assist dermatologists in distinguishing BMR from similar facial rashes, this study explores the development of an AI-powered image classification …

Medical-Grade Honey And Standard Dressings In Burn Wound Care: Evaluating Effectiveness, Cost, And Patient Outcomes, Chloe Shin, Andrew Golonka

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Burn injuries burden the healthcare system globally as silver sulfadiazine (SSD) is the standard treatment even though it delays healing and is highly costly. Medical-grade honey (MGH) demonstrates superior antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, however, there are still evidence gaps when comparing effectiveness, cost efficiency, and patient centered outcomes. Purpose: This study aims to compare MGH and SSD amongst these gaps to inform evidence based burn care. Methods: A randomized controlled trial will enroll 100 people between 25-50 years of age with first and second degree burns, < 20% total body surface area within two hospital burn units. Participants will be assigned to either MGH or SSD treatment. The study will be a single blind design where dermatologists evaluating the wound photographs will not know the treatment given. Primary outcomes include wound healing time, infection rates, and patient reported pain scores. Secondary outcomes will focus on cost effectiveness analyses and patient quality of life. Standardized protocols will be implemented for data collection, wound assessment, and safety monitoring. Results: We anticipate that MGH will have lower infection rates, promote faster wound healing, improved outcomes from patient reports, and better cost effectiveness through shorter hospital stays and reduced medical treatments compared to SSD. Conclusion: This study will provide evidence comparing MGH and SSD across economic, clinical, and patient centered outcomes. If our hypothesis aligns with the results, MGH could be a new evidence based standard in burn care as it offers many advantages over SSD in patient comfort, healing efficiency, and medical costs. The findings will provide areas for future research, especially long term outcome and a bigger patient population.

Medical-Grade Honey And Standard Dressings In Burn Wound Care: Evaluating Effectiveness, Cost, And Patient Outcomes, Andrew Golonka, Chloe Shin

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Burn injuries burden the healthcare system globally as silver sulfadiazine (SSD) is the standard treatment even though it delays healing and is highly costly. Medical-grade honey (MGH) demonstrates superior antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, however, there are still evidence gaps when comparing effectiveness, cost efficiency, and patient centered outcomes. Purpose: This study aims to compare MGH and SSD amongst these gaps to inform evidence based burn care. Methods:A randomized controlled trial will enroll 100 people between 25-50 years of age with first and second degree burns, < 20% total body surface area within two hospital burn units. Participants will be assigned to either MGH or SSD treatment. The study will be a single blind design where dermatologists evaluating the wound photographs will not know the treatment given. Primary outcomes include wound healing time, infection rates, and patient reported pain scores. Secondary outcomes will focus on cost effectiveness analyses and patient quality of life. Standardized protocols will be implemented for data collection, wound assessment, and safety monitoring. Results: We anticipate that MGH will have lower infection rates, promote faster wound …