Biomedical subjects

Noah Kawika Weisberg

Publications and source records attributed to Noah Kawika Weisberg.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Pigmentary changes after alexandrite laser hair removal.

BACKGROUND: Postinflammatory pigmentary changes are a frequently encountered problem with numerous dermatologic procedures. Limited literature is available that documents this complication with laser hair removal. OBJECTIVE: It is important for all physicians performing laser hair removal to be aware of this potential complication. We present our experience with postinflammatory pigmentary change and discuss some potential etiologic factors. METHODS: Seven patients who experienced postinflammatory complications after alexandrite laser hair removal are presented. These are all the patients who developed this complication in our office over the past 2.5 years. RESULTS: The patients who we describe in this article all developed a similar pattern of initial hyperpigmented rings, later developing into a thin wafer-like crust followed by hypopigmentation with gradual return to their normal skin color. CONCLUSION: In general, the alexandrite laser is both safe and effective for hair removal in patients of varying skin types. Complication rates will increase as skin pigment increases and as the power used increases. However, even in light-skinned individuals without recent pretreatment or posttreatment sun exposure, with proper treatment parameters, complications, and side effects can arise. We have found this to be especially true when treating areas other than the face.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Revisiting the purse-string closure: some new methods and modifications.

BACKGROUND: Surgical wounds resulting from the extirpation of cutaneous malignancies can be repaired in a number of ways. One alternative, which has been used extensively in our practice, is the purse-string closure. This method of closure offers distinct advantages in the proper setting over traditional methods of closure. OBJECTIVE: Over the years, our approach to this procedure has evolved, and we have integrated a number of new modifications that are presented later here. METHODS: A report of three illustrative cases is given. RESULTS: Three cases are presented that illustrate some new modifications to the purse-string closure. CONCLUSION: The purse-string closure, which uses circumferential tissue advancement, can be used to close a wide range of surgical wounds. This method also frequently offers the advantage of an excellent cosmetic outcome.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Therapeutic response of a brother and sister with xeroderma pigmentosum to imiquimod 5% cream.

BACKGROUND: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an autosomal recessive disease marked by solar sensitivity, photophobia, early onset of freckling, and solar-induced cutaneous neoplastic changes. These patients can often develop hundreds of cutaneous tumors, making surgical therapy difficult. Imiquimod 5% cream has been shown to have activity in treating various cutaneous malignancies. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness and tolerability of imiquimod 5% cream in treating facial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) in a brother and sister with XP. These patients were developing skin cancers faster than could be managed surgically and had failed 6 months of chemoprophylaxis with isotretinoin. METHODS: Imiquimod 5% cream was applied to the faces of these two patients as frequently as tolerated, with the goal of gaining control over the many clinically evident BCCs present on the faces of these siblings. We also examined whether we could reduce the rate of new neoplasm development. RESULTS: The brother in our study tolerated imiquimod 5% cream twice a day every day with minimal inflammatory response. He had clinical resolution of many of the BCCs present within the treatment area as well as shrinking of many of the remaining lesions. He has continued to produce new tumors at a substantially reduced rate relative to his pretreatment baseline. The sister in our study exhibited a severe inflammatory response to imiquimod 5% cream, with facial swelling and erosion of the treated area with application as infrequent as three times a week. In spite of the vastly different inflammatory response, her cutaneous tumors responded favorably to therapy as well. CONCLUSION: Imiquimod 5% cream was effective in treating facial BCCs in these siblings with XP. As well, we have noted a significant reduction in the development of new tumors within the imiquimod-treated area. The inflammatory response to this medicine was at opposite extremes among these two siblings. However, this did not appear to alter the therapeutic benefit of this therapy.

Aminoquinolines↗