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Manual of chemical peels: Superficial and medium depth
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Volume 34, Number 3
have also contributed a well-written chapter on pigmented lesions. Apart from the individually excellent chapters, what is most unusual about this book is that it is packed with useful tables that will help every clinician treat his or her patients. Even physicians who refer patients with chronic urticaria and idiopathic pruritus will fred the basic evaluation of those disorders easily available in table form. In summary, I fred myself looking at this book every day. It will be useful to most practicing physicians and is highly recommended. Mark Lebwohl, MD New York, New York
Pathology of melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma Raymond L. Bamhill, MD, Boston, 1995, ButterworthHeinemann. 294 pages. $130.00. Bamhill, with contributions by Klaus Busam in 4 of 12 chapters, has presented a well-organized and richly illustrated monograph reviewing pigmented lesions of the skin from a pathologic perspective. The first two introductory chapters review the morphology of melanocytes, melanin, and nevus cells, as well as the types of skin biopsy specimens submitted for histopathologic examination and an explanation of the various studies available in the evaluation of melanocytic lesions. The subsequent chapter details pigmented lesions that result from epidermal hyperpigmentation, an increased number of single basilar melanocytes, or both. The remaining nine chapters methodically and comprehensively review melanocytic lesions in the skin. The sequence of this review reflects a progression from the common and benign to the more unusual and malignant with each chapter flowing and progressing to the next topic. Common acquired melanocytic nevi, congenital melanocytic nevi including a brief review of congenital melanoma, Spitz nevi and its variants, dermal melanocytoses, melanocytic nevi with phenotypic heterogeneity (including combined nevi, deep penetrating nevus, plexiform spindle cell nevus, inverted type A nevus, and melanocytic nevus with focal atypical epithelioid cell component), atypical (dysplastic) nevi, melanoma, and metastatic melanoma are described clinically and histologically. Emphasis on clinicopathologic correlation, differential diagnosis, and correlation of histologic finding with prognosis are stressed in each chapter. The anthor summarizes and stresses salient features and differential diagnostic comparisons in tables useful for quick reference and summary of the text. The accompanying color photomicrographs (more than 250) are used to
Book reviews
543
illustrate the pertinent histologic criteria of each entity. Clinical photographs are not included. The final chapter of the book details the known prognostic factors in cutaneous melanoma. This text is extremely well written, remarkably concise for its breadth of subject matter and detail, and presented in a logical sequence. Barnhill has drawn on the extensive experience of the Pigmented Lesion Clinic at the Massachusetts General Hospital as well as his own experience as a leading expert in the field of melanocytic lesions. In particular, his reviews of atypical congenital nevi, atypical Spitz nevi, and atypical dysplastic nevi should be required reading for all dermatology residents, dermatopathologists, and surgical pathologists because it clarifies the difficulty in establishing these diagnoses. In a wellexecuted didactic manner, these controversial and difficult topics are presented, offering the reader discrete criteria and guidelines while still recognizing the frustration and confusion these entities can present to the pathologist and the clinician. In summary, this text is well presented by an outstanding expert and teacher in the field with a wealth of material and experience to draw on. In view of the global increase and awareness of melanoma, the timing of this publication is propitious. In my opinion, it should be required reading for all dermatopathologists, surgical pathologists, dermatology residents, and clinicians actively involved in diagnosing and treating pigmented lesions of the S~rl. Jane M. Grant-Kels, MD Farmington, Connecticut
Manual of chemical peels: Superficial and medium depth Mark G. Rubin, MD, Philadelphia, 1995, J. B. Lippincott Company. 187 pages. $85.00. The performance of chemical peels is part art and part science; achieving superior results requires mastery in both. In this book, Rubin has channeled his considerable experience as cosmetic surgeon and teacher into an extremely useful guide to mastering these s~lls. In reading it, one has the feeling of a private tutorial with a master. The book's organization and completeness are superb and make it useful as both primer and reference; it can be read from beginning to end as a complete and systematic overview of the subject, or the reader can jump to the topic of choice without missing key information. Prepeel, peel, and postpeel regimens are itemized in detail for the various wounding agents. Although Rubin warns he is not providing a cookbook, the neophyte can feel comfortable in being given a systematic approach, as all important
544
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology March 1996
Book reviews
conceptual and practical issues are covered. Detailed algorithms are provided. Regimens are tailored to the type of defect needing correction. Those more experienced are sure to pick up improvements and nuances in technique. Key points are highlighted in bold, bulleted lists, sidebars, and tables. Useful checklists, lists of product information and suppliers, consent forms, and patient information sheets are included and can be adapted for use in your practice. The photographs and diagrams, more than halt" in color, are well selected and illustrate the teaching points ably and honestly. The publisher could have done a betterjob controlling color correction, darkness and contrast, as well as digital retouching of scratches and dateprinting. However, these are small detractions to an otherwise mastefftfl book. No matter your level of sophistication, there is much to learn from this excellent tutorial and reference. It may very well become the standard text on this subject.
Daniel W. Collison, MD Lebanon, New Hampshire
Hair transplantation. 3rd ed. Walter P. Unger, MD, editor, New York, 1995, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 848 pages. $195.00. The third edition of Hair Transplantation is a welcome update of the most complete book on the subject. It is a thorough source of information on all aspects of hair transplantation written by leaders in the field. The techniques used in hair transplantation have dramatically changed and evolved during the past 5 years. This new edition has several new chapters on the latest techniques being used in the field as well as updated information on the complexities of planning surgical hair restoration. The book's format is the same as in previous editions, with the editor giving his personal approach to each component of hair transplantation. He does include chapters written by other respected surgeons whose approach differs from his. I found new valuable information on anesthesia, minigraffing, scalp reduction, scalp extension, and improvements on insmunentafion and equipment. The chapters on laser hair transplantation and scalp extension cover the most recent advances in the field written by the pioneers of each respective technique. One of the most interesting chapters was the alternative approaches to graft transplantation written by several authors. Each author gave his perspective and technique with a thorough explanation. This book covers some specific topics within the field of hair transplantation that are rarely covered in other sources. It does include information on transplantation into eyebrows, eyelashes, the temporal area, scar correction, and many others. It has sections on transplantation
in women, blacks, and Orientals, all of which have special criteria and involve specialized techniques. All aspects of hair replacement surgery appear to be covered in the text. The editor has tried to give the most up-to-date informarion by including a chapter on new horizons that covers information that appeared while the page proofs were being reviewed. Overall, I highly recommend this text to anyone who is performing hair replacement surgery or is contemplating entering the field. It has information for the novice and experienced. The novice would certainly obtain a foundation from experienced sui-geons from which he or she can develop his or her own technique. For the experienced surgeon, the book is full of invaluable pearls from colleagues. It belongs in the library of every hair transplant surgeon.
Craig S. Schauder, MD Charlotte, North Carolina
Practical contact dermatitis Jere D. Guin, MD, New York, 1995, McGraw-Hill Inc. 812 pages. $100.00. The book that Dr. Guin has assembled has remained true to its stated purpose--to be very practical, a true friend of the patient-oriented dermatologist. The book is multiauthored and has the strengths and weaknesses of any such attempt. Some chapters are stronger than others, and that is nowhere more evident than in the patient-oriented instructions that accompany each chapter on specific allergens. These patient-oriented instructions can be useful, but they can be difficult to find. Rather than being collected into one area of the book, they occur throughout the book, within each chapter on a specific allergen. Sometimes these instructions span several pages. Occasionally a chapter has been written by a nonclinician, causing the patient care instructions to suffer a bit. There is a chapter on formaldehyde written by Feinman who has produced a fine monograph on the subject of formaldehyde allergy; however, because her background is not in patient care, her patient care-oriented instructions are slightly confusing. In one place she tells patients that according to one author 100% cotton items may be safe for formaldehyde-sensitive patients. Most work has demonstrated that cotton retains the highest residue of formaldehyde, and therefore this instruction can be misleading. Some patient care instructions are highly technical, such as the mercaptobenzothiazole insmactions in which patients axe given the scientific name of the latex tree Hevea brazi4iensis. Likewise, the patient handout on chromate sensitivity discusses the concentrations of iron sulfate necessary to reduce chromate concentration to less than 5 og/gm of cement. Although this is useful informa-
have also contributed a well-written chapter on pigmented lesions. Apart from the individually excellent chapters, what is most unusual about this book is that it is packed with useful tables that will help every clinician treat his or her patients. Even physicians who refer patients with chronic urticaria and idiopathic pruritus will fred the basic evaluation of those disorders easily available in table form. In summary, I fred myself looking at this book every day. It will be useful to most practicing physicians and is highly recommended. Mark Lebwohl, MD New York, New York
Pathology of melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma Raymond L. Bamhill, MD, Boston, 1995, ButterworthHeinemann. 294 pages. $130.00. Bamhill, with contributions by Klaus Busam in 4 of 12 chapters, has presented a well-organized and richly illustrated monograph reviewing pigmented lesions of the skin from a pathologic perspective. The first two introductory chapters review the morphology of melanocytes, melanin, and nevus cells, as well as the types of skin biopsy specimens submitted for histopathologic examination and an explanation of the various studies available in the evaluation of melanocytic lesions. The subsequent chapter details pigmented lesions that result from epidermal hyperpigmentation, an increased number of single basilar melanocytes, or both. The remaining nine chapters methodically and comprehensively review melanocytic lesions in the skin. The sequence of this review reflects a progression from the common and benign to the more unusual and malignant with each chapter flowing and progressing to the next topic. Common acquired melanocytic nevi, congenital melanocytic nevi including a brief review of congenital melanoma, Spitz nevi and its variants, dermal melanocytoses, melanocytic nevi with phenotypic heterogeneity (including combined nevi, deep penetrating nevus, plexiform spindle cell nevus, inverted type A nevus, and melanocytic nevus with focal atypical epithelioid cell component), atypical (dysplastic) nevi, melanoma, and metastatic melanoma are described clinically and histologically. Emphasis on clinicopathologic correlation, differential diagnosis, and correlation of histologic finding with prognosis are stressed in each chapter. The anthor summarizes and stresses salient features and differential diagnostic comparisons in tables useful for quick reference and summary of the text. The accompanying color photomicrographs (more than 250) are used to
Book reviews
543
illustrate the pertinent histologic criteria of each entity. Clinical photographs are not included. The final chapter of the book details the known prognostic factors in cutaneous melanoma. This text is extremely well written, remarkably concise for its breadth of subject matter and detail, and presented in a logical sequence. Barnhill has drawn on the extensive experience of the Pigmented Lesion Clinic at the Massachusetts General Hospital as well as his own experience as a leading expert in the field of melanocytic lesions. In particular, his reviews of atypical congenital nevi, atypical Spitz nevi, and atypical dysplastic nevi should be required reading for all dermatology residents, dermatopathologists, and surgical pathologists because it clarifies the difficulty in establishing these diagnoses. In a wellexecuted didactic manner, these controversial and difficult topics are presented, offering the reader discrete criteria and guidelines while still recognizing the frustration and confusion these entities can present to the pathologist and the clinician. In summary, this text is well presented by an outstanding expert and teacher in the field with a wealth of material and experience to draw on. In view of the global increase and awareness of melanoma, the timing of this publication is propitious. In my opinion, it should be required reading for all dermatopathologists, surgical pathologists, dermatology residents, and clinicians actively involved in diagnosing and treating pigmented lesions of the S~rl. Jane M. Grant-Kels, MD Farmington, Connecticut
Manual of chemical peels: Superficial and medium depth Mark G. Rubin, MD, Philadelphia, 1995, J. B. Lippincott Company. 187 pages. $85.00. The performance of chemical peels is part art and part science; achieving superior results requires mastery in both. In this book, Rubin has channeled his considerable experience as cosmetic surgeon and teacher into an extremely useful guide to mastering these s~lls. In reading it, one has the feeling of a private tutorial with a master. The book's organization and completeness are superb and make it useful as both primer and reference; it can be read from beginning to end as a complete and systematic overview of the subject, or the reader can jump to the topic of choice without missing key information. Prepeel, peel, and postpeel regimens are itemized in detail for the various wounding agents. Although Rubin warns he is not providing a cookbook, the neophyte can feel comfortable in being given a systematic approach, as all important
544
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology March 1996
Book reviews
conceptual and practical issues are covered. Detailed algorithms are provided. Regimens are tailored to the type of defect needing correction. Those more experienced are sure to pick up improvements and nuances in technique. Key points are highlighted in bold, bulleted lists, sidebars, and tables. Useful checklists, lists of product information and suppliers, consent forms, and patient information sheets are included and can be adapted for use in your practice. The photographs and diagrams, more than halt" in color, are well selected and illustrate the teaching points ably and honestly. The publisher could have done a betterjob controlling color correction, darkness and contrast, as well as digital retouching of scratches and dateprinting. However, these are small detractions to an otherwise mastefftfl book. No matter your level of sophistication, there is much to learn from this excellent tutorial and reference. It may very well become the standard text on this subject.
Daniel W. Collison, MD Lebanon, New Hampshire
Hair transplantation. 3rd ed. Walter P. Unger, MD, editor, New York, 1995, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 848 pages. $195.00. The third edition of Hair Transplantation is a welcome update of the most complete book on the subject. It is a thorough source of information on all aspects of hair transplantation written by leaders in the field. The techniques used in hair transplantation have dramatically changed and evolved during the past 5 years. This new edition has several new chapters on the latest techniques being used in the field as well as updated information on the complexities of planning surgical hair restoration. The book's format is the same as in previous editions, with the editor giving his personal approach to each component of hair transplantation. He does include chapters written by other respected surgeons whose approach differs from his. I found new valuable information on anesthesia, minigraffing, scalp reduction, scalp extension, and improvements on insmunentafion and equipment. The chapters on laser hair transplantation and scalp extension cover the most recent advances in the field written by the pioneers of each respective technique. One of the most interesting chapters was the alternative approaches to graft transplantation written by several authors. Each author gave his perspective and technique with a thorough explanation. This book covers some specific topics within the field of hair transplantation that are rarely covered in other sources. It does include information on transplantation into eyebrows, eyelashes, the temporal area, scar correction, and many others. It has sections on transplantation
in women, blacks, and Orientals, all of which have special criteria and involve specialized techniques. All aspects of hair replacement surgery appear to be covered in the text. The editor has tried to give the most up-to-date informarion by including a chapter on new horizons that covers information that appeared while the page proofs were being reviewed. Overall, I highly recommend this text to anyone who is performing hair replacement surgery or is contemplating entering the field. It has information for the novice and experienced. The novice would certainly obtain a foundation from experienced sui-geons from which he or she can develop his or her own technique. For the experienced surgeon, the book is full of invaluable pearls from colleagues. It belongs in the library of every hair transplant surgeon.
Craig S. Schauder, MD Charlotte, North Carolina
Practical contact dermatitis Jere D. Guin, MD, New York, 1995, McGraw-Hill Inc. 812 pages. $100.00. The book that Dr. Guin has assembled has remained true to its stated purpose--to be very practical, a true friend of the patient-oriented dermatologist. The book is multiauthored and has the strengths and weaknesses of any such attempt. Some chapters are stronger than others, and that is nowhere more evident than in the patient-oriented instructions that accompany each chapter on specific allergens. These patient-oriented instructions can be useful, but they can be difficult to find. Rather than being collected into one area of the book, they occur throughout the book, within each chapter on a specific allergen. Sometimes these instructions span several pages. Occasionally a chapter has been written by a nonclinician, causing the patient care instructions to suffer a bit. There is a chapter on formaldehyde written by Feinman who has produced a fine monograph on the subject of formaldehyde allergy; however, because her background is not in patient care, her patient care-oriented instructions are slightly confusing. In one place she tells patients that according to one author 100% cotton items may be safe for formaldehyde-sensitive patients. Most work has demonstrated that cotton retains the highest residue of formaldehyde, and therefore this instruction can be misleading. Some patient care instructions are highly technical, such as the mercaptobenzothiazole insmactions in which patients axe given the scientific name of the latex tree Hevea brazi4iensis. Likewise, the patient handout on chromate sensitivity discusses the concentrations of iron sulfate necessary to reduce chromate concentration to less than 5 og/gm of cement. Although this is useful informa-