Evaluation of skin biopsies in Al-Yarmouk teaching hospital

Skin biopsy is an essential investigation for dermatologists. Histopathological findings in skin biopsies frequently assist dermatologist in the diagnosis and management of skin diseases. Objective: The study conducted to determine the types and reasons for biopsies & correlate the dermatologist diagnosis with that of histopathologist. This is a descriptive case-series two-year study of the dermato-pathological lesions encountered in the Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital. One year comprised the file based part and the second year follow-up part of the study. The study started in October 2008 to October 2010. Three hundred cases formed the total sample studied, 19 of them were defaulted from the study for unknown cause. A total of 281 patients completed the study out of which 102 cases comprised the file based part and 179 cases were the followed-up. Biopsy specimens were immediately placed in 10% buffered formalin. Routine sections were 3-5 µm thick. They were stained with routine Hematoxylin and eosin stains and special stains and cell Markers like Verhoeff von Gieson, Giems; CD1a, CD3, CD19, CD20, Bcl-2, S-100 protein, MART-1/MelanA, EMA when necessary. Results: The anatomic distribution pattern revealed that the head and neck were involved in the maximum number of case 107(38.07%) table 1

Intralesional penicillamine in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars: Open labeled therapeutic trial

Background: Many therapeutic options have been tried in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars, but no one is superior to others. Penicillamine has been used systemically but not tested as intralesional. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness & safety of intralesional penicillamine for treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars. Patients and Method:  this is open labeled therapeutic trial study encountered in Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Al-Yarmouk teaching Hospital, Baghdad-Iraq. Collection of data was carried out during the period between May 2010 – February 2011. This study included 28 patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars.  Penicillamine was prepared as a solution for intralesional injection by dissolving (250mg) of Penicillamine (Artamin)® by SANDOZ in (10ml) distilled water in sterilized container to obtained (2.5%) concentration of Penicillamine and autoclaved at 121C0 for 20 min before use. Penicillamine was administered with 27-gauge needle syringe without anesthesia. Seventy percent ethanol was used as an antiseptic agent before injection. Four sessions of intralesional injection were given at intervals of 15 days each