Biomedical subjects

Emmy M Fernandez

Publications and source records attributed to Emmy M Fernandez.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

The vanishing biopsy: the trend toward smaller specimens.

Dermatopathologists have noted an increased number of smaller biopsy specimens. Our objective was to determine whether dermatologists are changing their choice of biopsy technique and the size of biopsy specimens. We conducted a retrospective study of 500 biopsies performed by dermatologists for the purpose of diagnosis in 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003. Our study results indicate that dermatologists are performing fewer punch biopsies and more shave biopsies. What's more, there has been a decrease in the size of shave biopsy specimens. We believe that the decreased number of punch biopsies being performed combined with the decreased size of shave biopsy specimens may affect patient care.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

The diameter of melanomas.

BACKGROUND: The mnemonic ABCD, which stands for asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, and diameter greater than 6 mm alerts physicians to features that suggest melanoma. Although the ABCD criteria are guidelines for diagnosis, clinicians may overlook many melanomas that do not follow the ABCD rule. OBJECTIVE: We examined the sensitivity of the diameter portion of the ABCD rule. METHODS: Retrospective study examining the pathology reports of 383 melanomas. Data were compiled for each melanoma regarding its diameter, depth, body location, patient age, and sex. A 95% confidence interval (p=0.05) was used to identify the proportion of melanomas less than or equal to 6 mm in diameter. A two-tailed p value approach (p value =0.05, degrees of freedom=28) was used when evaluating two independent populations, lesions less than or equal to 6 mm and lesions greater than 6 mm in diameter. RESULTS: A total of 38.21% of melanomas were less than or equal to 6 mm in diameter after processing. Melanomas greater than 6 mm in diameter occurred in significantly older patients and at a greater Breslow's thickness than smaller melanomas. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that a significant proportion of melanomas may be smaller than 6 mm. The ABCD criteria are not absolute; melanomas have many different appearances and start as small lesions.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Soft tissue augmentation: a review.

The continuing quest for the ideal dermal filler has led to an abundance of injectable agents. The ideal filler should be easy to manufacture, store, and administer. It should also be inexpensive, nontoxic, nonallergenic, natural appearing, and long lasting. There is not yet a filler that fulfills all of these criteria; each product has its own advantages and disadvantages. This review will examine the diverse array of fillers to date.

Animals↗