Michael J. Boffa
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View article: Training Primary Care Practitioners In Dermoscopy Diagnostic Algorithms Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy and Triage of Suspected Skin Cancer: Scoping Review Evidence
Training Primary Care Practitioners In Dermoscopy Diagnostic Algorithms Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy and Triage of Suspected Skin Cancer: Scoping Review Evidence Open
Introduction: In many Western countries, access to a dermatologist can be difficult, while the incidence of skin cancer has risen steadily over the past 50 years. Objective: We reviewed the published literature to determine whether trainin…
View article: Training Primary Care Practitioners In Dermoscopy Diagnostic Algorithms Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy and Triage of Suspected Skin Cancer: Scoping Review Evidence
Training Primary Care Practitioners In Dermoscopy Diagnostic Algorithms Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy and Triage of Suspected Skin Cancer: Scoping Review Evidence Open
Introduction: In many Western countries, access to a dermatologist can be difficult, while the incidence of skin cancer has risen steadily over the past 50 years. Objective: We reviewed the published literature to determine whether trainin…
View article: Cutaneous metastasis of high-grade serous adenocarcinoma secondary to a gynecological malignancy
Cutaneous metastasis of high-grade serous adenocarcinoma secondary to a gynecological malignancy Open
Cutaneous metastases from malignancies of gynecological origin are rare but have been described over the vulvovaginal area in the setting of ovarian, endometrial, and fallopian tube neoplasia. We present an 89-year-old woman with multiple …
View article: Long‐term efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in patients with treatment‐resistant focal epilepsies treated in the Expanded Access Program
Long‐term efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in patients with treatment‐resistant focal epilepsies treated in the Expanded Access Program Open
Objective Cannabidiol (CBD) treatment was associated with long‐term seizure reduction in patients with various treatment‐resistant epilepsies who participated in the CBD Expanded Access Program. A phase 3 trial showed CBD effectively treat…
View article: Topical treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum: A systematic review
Topical treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum: A systematic review Open
Systemic immunosuppressants are the mainstay of treatment for pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), but they generally have significant side effects which may be avoided by limiting treatment to topical therapy. This review aimed to assess the effica…
View article: Burden of atopic dermatitis in Europe: A population‐centred approach leveraging web search data in 21 European countries
Burden of atopic dermatitis in Europe: A population‐centred approach leveraging web search data in 21 European countries Open
Background The complexity, high prevalence, and substantial personal and socioeconomic burden collectively render atopic dermatitis (AD) a major public health concern. Using crowdsourced Internet data has the potential to provide unique in…
View article: Dilemmas of nomenclature: Web search analysis reveals European preferences in atopic skin diseases
Dilemmas of nomenclature: Web search analysis reveals European preferences in atopic skin diseases Open
Atopic dermatitis (AD) or atopic eczema (AE) is a complex chronic inflammatory skin disease with a high prevalence and disease burden.1 The nomenclature for this condition has long been the subject of controversial debate within the medica…
View article: Scleroderma Secondary to Pembrolizumab: A Case Report and Review of 19 Cases of Anti-PD-1-Induced Scleroderma
Scleroderma Secondary to Pembrolizumab: A Case Report and Review of 19 Cases of Anti-PD-1-Induced Scleroderma Open
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are increasingly being used to treat various malignancies. Despite their efficacy, they are known to potentially cause immune-related adverse effects, including dermatological manifestations. A rare cutaneous i…
View article: Worldwide prevalence of scabies: Some knowns but still many unknowns
Worldwide prevalence of scabies: Some knowns but still many unknowns Open
With pruritus being the main symptom, scabies, derived from the Latin verb scabere, meaning to scratch, is an appropriate name for the human infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei.1 The infestation is acquired by skin-to-skin con…
View article: Issue Information
Issue Information Open
A critical re-evaluation of Mohs micrographic surgery for a facial basal cell carcinoma
View article: Impact of asthma in Europe: A comparison of web search data in 21 European countries
Impact of asthma in Europe: A comparison of web search data in 21 European countries Open
These results highlighted the need for reliable and region-specific information about the disease and for public campaigns to improve asthma control. The study also emphasizes the importance of using crowdsourced data for a more encompassi…
View article: Pembrolizumab-Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Pembrolizumab-Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Open
Immunotherapy has nowadays become part of the mainstay of treatment for several cancers. In this report, we present a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) occurring as a relatively rare complication of pembrolizumab, which is a humaniz…
View article: Palmar Digital Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report and Review of 36 Cases
Palmar Digital Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report and Review of 36 Cases Open
Thrombosis of the palmar digital veins is relatively rare, typically reported in women aged 35-65 years and most commonly occurring on the fourth digit. Clinical presentation varies and the lesion can present on the fingers or the palms of…
View article: Retiform Purpura of the Lower Limbs Associated with Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine
Retiform Purpura of the Lower Limbs Associated with Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine Open
A young man was treated in hospital for sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ failure. He was a regular intranasal cocaine user up to 1 day prior to symptom onset. Clinical examination revealed extensive retiform p…
View article: Cutaneous Sarcoidosis treated with Retinoids: A Case Report and Review of Nine Cases
Cutaneous Sarcoidosis treated with Retinoids: A Case Report and Review of Nine Cases Open
Background: Sarcoidosis is a noncaseating granulomatous disease that affects multiple systems, including the skin. Treatment for cutaneous sarcoidosis is varied and mostly based on anecdotal knowledge from the literature. The commonest tre…
View article: Superficial Granulomatous Pyoderma Successfully Treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin
Superficial Granulomatous Pyoderma Successfully Treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin Open
Superficial granulomatous pyoderma is a relatively rare variant of pyoderma gangrenosum, characterized by superficial ulceration with a vegetative margin and a clean granulating base. Ulcers in superficial granulomatous pyoderma are typica…
View article: The Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Cutibacterium Acnes in Maltese Patients with Acne.
The Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Cutibacterium Acnes in Maltese Patients with Acne. Open
BACKGROUND: Antibiotics have been widely used for the management of acne vulgaris, which has led to increased resistance of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the susceptibility profile of C. acnes, isolated…
View article: Rituximab : a novel treatment for Pemphigus in Malta
Rituximab : a novel treatment for Pemphigus in Malta Open
Until recently, the main treatment for pemphigus has been systemic corticosteroids, usually administered at high doses with consequent side-effects. Lately, the biological agent rituximab has been introduced as an effective treatment for t…
View article: Complete Clearance of Resistant Granuloma Faciale With Pulsed Dye Laser After Pre-treatment With Mometasone and Tacrolimus
Complete Clearance of Resistant Granuloma Faciale With Pulsed Dye Laser After Pre-treatment With Mometasone and Tacrolimus Open
Introduction: Granuloma faciale is an uncommon inflammatory dermatosis which usually affects the face and is often resistant to treatment. Case Report: A 39-year-old English lady with Fitzpatrick skin phototype II presented with typical le…
View article: Rare case of dermonecrosis caused by a recluse spider bite in Europe
Rare case of dermonecrosis caused by a recluse spider bite in Europe Open
Spider poisoning is rare in Europe, with very few reported cases in the literature. Recluse spider (genus Loxosceles ) bites may lead to cutaneous and systemic manifestations known as loxoscelism. We report the second known case of spider …
View article: Treatment of psoriasis with biologic agents in Malta
Treatment of psoriasis with biologic agents in Malta Open
Introduction: Biologic therapy has
\nrevolutionalised the treatment of moderate to severe
\npsoriasis leading to improved clinical outcomes and
\nquality of life scores. This study aims to determine
\ncurrent biologic use in psoriatic pati…
View article: Lymphadenopathy after Initiating HAART in an HIV-positive Patient with Kaposi's Sarcoma: a Case of Multicentric Castleman's Disease
Lymphadenopathy after Initiating HAART in an HIV-positive Patient with Kaposi's Sarcoma: a Case of Multicentric Castleman's Disease Open
We present the case of a 33-year-old lady who was diagnosed with disseminated Kaposi’s sarcoma and HIV infection. The patient improved on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), however, nine days into treatment, she became febrile a…