Survey of resident physician and attending physician feedback perceptions: There is still work to be done

Feedback is essential for resident physician (RP) personal and professional growth. The goal of this study was to explore RP and attending physician (AP) perceptions of feedback. Two online surveys (one for RPs and one for APs) were distributed. One hundred twenty two responses were received, of which 67 were RPs and 55 were APs. Although the majority of RP and AP agree that feedback is essential for resident formation, there was a statistical difference between these groups, P=0.04 (RPs 91% versus APs 80%) with residents more likely to agree and strongly agree with this sentiment. Thirty one percent of APs report giving daily feedback, while only 9% of RPs report receiving daily feedback. Resident physicians are more dissatisfied with the quality of the feedback (40%) rather than the amount of feedback (34%). When providing feedback to their AP only 33% of RP versus 83% of APs provide honest and balanced feedback (P?0.001). RPs desire feedback that is specific, prompt, private, personalized and face-to-face. This knowledge and skills gap presents an important opportunity to incorporate feedback training into residencies to ensure that the dermatologists of the future are not only medically competent, but also competent in providing feedback to future generations

Viral-Associated Trichodysplasia: Characterization of a Novel Polyomavirus Infection With Therapeutic Insights

Background Viral-associated trichodysplasia of immunosuppression is a rare cutaneous eruption that is characterized by follicularly based shiny papules and alopecia with characteristic histopathologic findings of abnormally anagen follicules with excessive inner root sheath differentiation. Prior reports have described the histopathologic characteristics on vertical sections; however, to our knowledge, immunohistochemical analysis of polyomavirus proteins has not been previously performed. Observations We discuss the thorough diagnostic evaluation and therapy of an unusual case of viral-associated trichodysplasia due to a newly described human polyomavirus that occurred in a patient with post-treatment chronic lymphocytic leukemia and an abnormal white blood cell count. Unique to our study is the immunohistochemical staining for the polyomavirus middle T antigen, which demonstrated positive staining of cellular inclusions within keratinocytes that compose the inner root sheath. Further evaluation with scanning electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction analysis of viral DNA confirmed the presence of the virus. Treatment with topical cidofovir resulted in dramatic clinical improvement and hair regrowth. Conclusions Several tools, including immunohistochemical staining for the polyomavirus middle T antigen, can be used to identify the pathogenic virus associated with viral-associated trichodysplasia. This case highlights the utility of multiple diagnostic modalities and a robust response to a topical therapeutic agent, cidofovir

Characteristics of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections at a Midwestern Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Study of 365 Patients.

Background: The prevalence of infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing worldwide, yet little is known about the epidemiology and pathophysiology of these ubiquitous environmental organisms. Pulmonary disease due to Mycobacterium avium complex is most prevalent, but many other NTM species can cause disease in virtually any organ system. As NTM becomes an increasingly common cause of morbidity and mortality, more information is needed about the epidemiology of NTM disease. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients with cultures that grew NTM at a Midwestern tertiary hospital from 1996 to 2017. Information on demographics, medical history, clinical findings, treatment, and outcome was obtained from medical records of all NTM isolates. American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America criteria were used to define pulmonary NTM infections. Results: We identified 1064 NTM isolates, 365 of which met criteria for NTM infection. Pulmonary cases predominated (185 of 365; 50.7%), followed by skin/soft tissue (56 of 365; 15.3%), disseminated (40 of 365; 11%), and lymphatic (28 of 365; 7.7%) disease. Conclusions: This large cohort provides information on the demographics, risk factors, and disease course of patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary NTM infections. Most patients had medical comorbidities that resulted in anatomic, genetic, or immunologic risk factors for NTM infection. Further population-based studies and increased disease surveillance are warranted to further characterize NTM infection prevalence and trends

Society of Dermatology Hospitalists supportive care guidelines for the management of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis in adults

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening conditions with high morbidity and mortality. Supportive care management of SJS/TEN is highly variable. A systematic review of the literature was performed by dermatologists, ophthalmologists, intensivists, and gynecologists with expertise in SJS/TEN to generate statements for supportive care guideline development. Members of the Society of Dermatology Hospitalists with expertise in SJS/TEN were invited to participate in a modified, online Delphi-consensus. Participants were administered 9-point Likert scale questionnaires regarding 135 statements. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to evaluate and select proposed statements for guideline inclusion; statements with median ratings of 6.5 to 9 and a disagreement index of ≤1 were included in the guideline. For the final round, the guidelines were appraised by all of the participants. Included are an evidence-based discussion and recommendations for hospital setting and care team, wound care, ocular care, oral care, urogenital care, pain management, infection surveillance, fluid and electrolyte management, nutrition and stress ulcer prophylaxis, airway management, and anticoagulation in adult patients with SJS/TEN

Undisturbed characteristic herpes simplex virus 2 outbreak

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is a common sexually transmitted disease that typically presents with focal erosions or small vesicles on an erythematous base.Herein, a case is described in which a 42-year old man experienced a genital HSV-2 outbreak after sustaining a spinal cord injury. No typical prodromal symptomswere experienced; therefore the vesicular lesions remained completely intact, granting an unusual opportunity to visualize herpetic infection in its most classic morphology

Survey of resident physician and attending physician feedback perceptions: There is still work to be done

Feedback is essential for resident physician (RP) personal and professional growth. The goal of this study was to explore RP and attending physician (AP) perceptions of feedback. Two online surveys (one for RPs and one for APs) were distributed. One hundred twenty two responses were received, of which 67 were RPs and 55 were APs. Although the majority of RP and AP agree that feedback is essential for resident formation, there was a statistical difference between these groups, P=0.04 (RPs 91% versus APs 80%) with residents more likely to agree and strongly agree with this sentiment. Thirty one percent of APs report giving daily feedback, while only 9% of RPs report receiving daily feedback. Resident physicians are more dissatisfied with the quality of the feedback (40%) rather than the amount of feedback (34%). When providing feedback to their AP only 33% of RP versus 83% of APs provide honest and balanced feedback (P?0.001). RPs desire feedback that is specific, prompt, private, personalized and face-to-face. This knowledge and skills gap presents an important opportunity to incorporate feedback training into residencies to ensure that the dermatologists of the future are not only medically competent, but also competent in providing feedback to future generations

Severe pediculosis capitus: a case of “crusted lice” with autoeczematization

Pediculosis humanus capitus infestations are common and classically present with intense pruritus of the scalp. Although many treatment options are available, lice are becoming more resistant to conventional therapies and severe clinical presentations are bound to become more prevalent. We present a case of treatment-resistant pediculosis capitus resulting in diffuse autoeczematization of the torso and extremities and severe crusting and scaling of the scalp, which we called “crusted lice.” This eruption differs from the well-described id reaction known as “pediculid” and represents a more dramatic manifestation of rampant infestation. This paper provides an up-to-date review of treatment options available for pediculosis humanus capitus, including newer medications like the ones that eventually led to resolution of our patient’s extreme infestation