Ashish C. Bhatia

Guest Editor for the following articles:

Sep
2012
Vol. 31. No. 3

Dermatology Resources on the Internet

Brent D. Wainwright, MD, MSME | Dean D. George, BS

information. Today’s Web enables features that facilitate information sharing in a social and
collaborative manner, thus transforming the way we access data and communicate with our
patients and colleagues. The visual nature of the field of dermatology lends itself to the use
of the Internet for reference and educational purposes. To generate a list of Web sites
commonly used by academic dermatologists, the authors polled the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education Dermatology Program Directors for their top 3 Web
resources. The purpose of this article is to identify resources used by dermatologists as
well as patients and examine factors that can influence Internet search results. Concerns
regarding professionalism in the era of social media are also explored. As the volume of
health information on the Internet continues to increase, it is essential for physicians to be
aware of what is available in cyberspace. Reference and learning tools for the physician,
learning and support tools for the patient, and physician Internet presence are key aspects
of modern dermatology practice.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 31:183-190 © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

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Mar
2008
Vol. 27. No. 1

Skin Imaging With Reflectance Confocal Microscopy

Dan Gareau, PhD | Kishwer S. Nehal, MD | Milind Rajadhyaksha, PhD

Confocal microscopy is a new imaging modality for noninvasive real-time tissue imaging
with high resolution and contrast comparable with conventional histology. Application of
this technology to skin imaging during the last decade has been an exciting advance in
dermatology, allowing a virtual widow into living skin without the need for a conventional
biopsy or histologic processing of tissue. High-resolution noninvasive skin imaging with
confocal microscopy has potential broad applications in the clinical and research arenas,
including differentiating between benign and malignant skin lesions, tumor margin mapping,
monitoring response to medical or surgical treatments, and pathophysiologic study of
inflammatory processes.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 27:37-43 © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Sep
2012
Vol. 31. No. 3

Clinical Photography in the Dermatology Practice

Peter J. Lebovitz, BS, MBA | William K. Witmer, BS

Photography has been accepted for decades as a standard means for documenting dermatologic
conditions and as an adjunct to their treatment, in both medical practice and
research. The emergence of low-cost easy-to-use digital imaging systems has made
good-quality photography more accessible to practitioners, while providing improved functionality
in the clinical environment. Primary concerns are controlling lighting and positioning
to provide a clear record of the patients skin condition and maintaining consistency
over time to assure meaningful comparison of clinical end points.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 31:191-199 © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Mar
2008
Vol. 27. No. 1

Ultrasound Technology in Dermatology

Dorothee Dill-Müller, MD | Monika-Hildegard Schmid-Wendtner, MD

As a noninvasive diagnostic method, real-time B-mode sonography belongs to the diagnostic
standard procedures in various fields of clinical medicine, for example, internal
medicine, gynecology, and otorhinolaryngology. During the past 3 decades, ultrasound
technology has been extended to clinical dermatology. High-frequency ultrasound systems
with 20- to 50-MHz probes are used for the assessment of tumoral and inflammatory
processes of the skin, providing information about their axial and lateral extension. They are
of special interest in preoperative situations and for the monitoring of skin conditions under
therapy. In contrast to high-frequency ultrasound systems, the value of ultrasound technology
with the use of 7.5- to 15-MHz probes generally is not accepted worldwide, although
it can be used easily and without significant side effects. Promising results have been
reported from specialized diagnostic centers, especially for the assessment of peripheral
lymph nodes and soft-tissue tumors. Although it is unable to provide malignancy specific
information, ultrasound is nonetheless helpful in the follow-up of patients undergoing, for
example, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The 3-dimensional size and outline of a tumor as
well as its relation to surrounding structures like vessels can be described. Moreover,
information about the tumor quality (solid, cyst, complex) and the inner structure of a tumor
(hypoechoic, hyperechoic, homogenous, inhomogenous, calcification foci, necroses) can
be provided. In addition to conventional B-mode-sonography, newer ultrasound techniques
like native and signal-enhanced color Doppler sonography as well as ultrasound-guided
fine needle aspiration cytology are reviewed.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 27:44-51 © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Sep
2012
Vol. 31. No. 3

Expanding the Role of the iPad and Tablet Devices to Cosmetic Patient Consultations

Ashish C. Bhatia, MD | Jeffrey T.S. Hsu, MD | Jing Wang

The iPad is a useful reference tool for patient education in cosmetic consultations. In this
article, we plan to (1) discuss how the iPad can be implemented and used by patients and
physicians in consultations, (2) compare the advantages and disadvantages of the iPad
with other forms of technology, (3) discuss the optimal way of using the iPad for patient
care, (4) see how this tool complies with privacy regulations, and (5) look at other uses of
the iPad in the patient care setting. There has been positive feedback from both patients
and physicians regarding the addition of the tablet computer during consultations. In
addition to showing patients pictures of cosmetic procedures, the iPad also has various
multimedia capabilities such as videos and drawing tools that are useful in optimizing patient
satisfaction, increasing clinical efficacy, and improving the overall patient experience.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 31:200-202 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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