Acne Scars

Biol Psychol. 2009 Jul; 81(3): 169-76Vanderhasselt MA, De Raedt RRecently, cognitive control deficits have been explored as a possible underlying trait abnormality in depression. In this study, cognitive control was investigated in homogeneous samples of never depressed controls, formerly depressed patients who had experienced a maximum of two depressive episodes and formerly depressed patients who had experienced at least three depressive episodes. We measured event related potentials (ERP) during a modified Stroop task in a sample of twenty-five formerly depressed patients and thirteen controls. Using this Stroop task, we manipulated subjects' cognitive control for congruent and incongruent trials. These Stroop manipulations have generally been related to two post-stimulus ERP components related to cognitive control, the N2 and the N450. Behavioural measurements of reaction times and error rates did not indicate a difference in cognitive control between the samples. Left frontal N450 amplitude for the high conflict (HC) condition differentiated the three groups. While a N450 conflict-related modulation was significant in the healthy comparison group, such an effect was significantly reduced in the remitted depressed patients, particularly in the high recurrent group. Importantly, the amplitude of the N450 conflict-related enhancement was inversely correlated with the number of prior episodes. This pattern was not found for the N2 component. These findings suggest that deficits in cognitive control increase with each depressive episode and persist after symptom remission, suggesting that depressive episodes leave a "scar" on cognitive control processes.

J Voice. 2009 May 30; Carroll TL, Rosen CARecent developments in temporary vocal fold (VF) augmentation materials and office-based laryngeal procedures have expanded the role of vocal fold injection (VFI). Although already performed in the laryngology community, trial VFI is yet to be defined in the literature. We sought to define trial VFI and to emphasize its concept and clinical utility through a review of our institution's experience. The study design was a retrospective review of our surgical database. All patients who received a temporary, deep VFI were identified. Patients with VF paralysis, resolved paresis, isolated scar, or laryngeal trauma were excluded. Twenty-five patients had the diagnosis of VF atrophy and/or paresis, and were confirmed to have had their injection for trial purposes by chart review. Trial VFI was performed using one of three temporary injectibles. Ten patients underwent further permanent augmentation. Subjective outcome and Voice Handicap Index 10 (VHI-10) scores were used as outcome measures. Nineteen of 25 patients had a good or partial response to the trial VFI. Ten patients went on to have permanent medialization. Seventy-five percent of the patients with a good response to trial VFI went on to have permanent VF augmentation. All of these patients had a good result from their permanent procedure. Trial VFI is defined as the use of a temporary injectible to augment the VF when the benefit of permanent augmentation is uncertain. In a review of our patients who underwent trial VFI, those with a good response to trial VFI went on to have permanent augmentation more often than those with a lesser response.

Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2009 Jun 2; Fan JBACKGROUND: Accessory breasts, usually with a protuberant appearance, are composed of both the central accessory breast tissue and adjacent fat tissue. They are a palpable convexity and cosmetically unsightly. Consequently, patients often desire cosmetic improvement. The traditional general surgical treatment for accessory breasts is removal of the accessory breast tissue, fat tissue, and covering skin as a whole unit. A rather long ugly scar often is left after this operation. A minimally invasive method frequently used by the plastic surgeon is to "dig out" the accessory breast tissue. A central depression appearance often is left due to the adjacent fat tissue remnant. From the cosmetic point of view, neither a long scar nor a bulge is acceptable. METHODS: A minimal incision is made, and the tumescent liposuction technique is used to aspirate out both the central accessory breast tissue and adjacent fat tissue. If there is an areola or nipple in the accessory breast, either the areola or nipple is excised after liposuction during the same operation. For patients who have too much extra skin in the accessory breast area, a small fusiform incision is made to remove the extra skin after the accessory breast tissue and fat tissue have been aspirated out. RESULTS: From August 2003 to January 2008, 51 patients underwent surgery using the described technique. All were satisfied with their appearance after their initial surgery except for two patients with minimal associated morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes a new approach for treating accessory breasts that results in minimal scarring and a better appearance than can be achieved with traditional methods.

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009 May 21; Fabbrocini G, Fardella N, Monfrecola A, Proietti I, Innocenzi DSummary Background. Acne is a common condition seen in up to 80% of people between 11 and 30 years of age and in up to 5% of older adults. In some patients, it can result in permanent scars that are surprisingly difficult to treat. A relatively new treatment, termed skin needling (needle dermabrasion), seems to be appropriate for the treatment of rolling scars in acne. Aim. To confirm the usefulness of skin needling in acne scarring treatment. Methods. The present study was conducted from September 2007 to March 2008 at the Department of Systemic Pathology, University of Naples Federico II and the UOC Dermatology Unit, University of Rome La Sapienza. In total, 32 patients (20 female, 12 male patients; age range 17-45) with acne rolling scars were enrolled. Each patient was treated with a specific tool in two sessions. Using digital cameras, photos of all patients were taken to evaluate scar depth and, in five patients, silicone rubber was used to make a microrelief impression of the scars. The photographic data were analysed by using the sign test statistic (alpha < 0.05) and the data from the cutaneous casts were analysed by fast Fourier transformation (FFT). Results. Analysis of the patient photographs, supported by the sign test and of the degree of irregularity of the surface microrelief, supported by FFT, showed that, after only two sessions, the severity grade of rolling scars in all patients was greatly reduced and there was an overall aesthetic improvement. No patient showed any visible signs of the procedure or hyperpigmentation. Conclusion. The present study confirms that skin needling has an immediate effect in improving acne rolling scars and has advantages over other procedures.