2024 CS Plenary Sessions
It’s not often you can surround yourself with experts in your field who are as willing to engage with you as you are with them—not unless you attend DF’s annual Clinical Symposium. Year after year, the event gathers illustrious speakers. These summaries of mini-symposia presentations delivered in 2024 by Drs. Elizabeth Billingsley, Yvonne Chiu, Jaehyuk Choi, Jennifer Choi, David Cohen, Carrie Coughlin, Lindy Fox, Ginette Okoye, Olayemi Sokumbi, and Ashley Wysong.
Skin Cancer Syndrome: Update on Gorlin Syndrome
Dr. Billingsley presented information about the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Gorlin syndrome. First, Dr. Billingsley discussed the etiology and epidemiology of Gorlin syndrome. Gorlin syndrome is a tumor predisposing disorder with systemic manifestations that affects approximately 11,000 people in the US. It is caused by a genetic mutation affecting the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling…
Surgical Pearls
Dr. Billingsley presented 7 surgical pearls for dermatologists. #1: Curettage alone Dr. Billingsley shared techniques for using curettage alone for well-defined skin cancer lesions. #2: Pulley suture and purse-string closure Dr. Billingsley described how to perform the pulley suture and purse-string closure. The pulley suture is a quick way to close wounds under tension, such…
Scar Wars
Dr. Wysong presented information about scar assessment and treatment. First, Dr. Wysong discussed managing patient expectations for scar treatment. Scars are an outcome of the natural healing process when fibrous tissue replaces normal skin after skin injury. Patients should understand that their skin will never be exactly the same. Dr. Wysong makes sure to ask…
Update on Contact Dermatitis
Dr. Cohen shared updated information about contact dermatitis (CD), including trends, common allergens, consort CD, and systemic CD. Reading product labels is critical for diagnosing CD because most products contain common allergens. Dr. Cohen advised that there is overlap between CD and atopic dermatitis (AD). If a patient’s skin does not clear with treatment, consider…
How I Do It: Pediatric Psoriasis Cases
Dr. Chiu presented information about the treatment of pediatric psoriasis beyond the use of topical steroids. First, Dr. Chiu described treatment options for pediatric psoriasis when topical steroids are insufficient. When discussing treatment options with the family, she typically offers three categories: phototherapy, oral medication, and injectables. Dr. Chiu reads the room and uses parents’…
Varicose Veins for Dermatologists
Dr. Wysong presented information about varicose veins for dermatologists. Dermatologists frequently see patients with venous disease in clinic but have limited formal training in treating it. First, Dr. Wysong shared an overview of varicose vein disease including anatomy, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation. Venous insufficiency is the inability of the blood to return efficiently from…