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A surgical pearl (in waiting) for the medical dermatologist
I admit it – the surgical aspect of my practice is rudimentary. Honestly, any non-cosmetic procedure that takes me more than 5 minutes gets referred. It’s amazing how I can make a living with shave biopsies, tangential excisions, electrodesiccation and curettage, and cryosurgery. Putting in a suture is an
Yeast rising: Predicting the efficacy of candida antigen immunotherapy for warts
Perhaps I’m paranoid, but I always think that warts are laughing at me, or at least at whatever I throw at them — cryosurgery, curettage, electrosurgery, laser, salicylic acid, cantharadin, squaric acid dibutyl ester, 5 fluorouracil, imiquimod, podophylloltoxin, sinecatechins, or cidofovir. I think the wart has a grand time scheduling
We’ve got new AK guidelines with CME credit
The AAD recently released guidelines of care for the management of actinic keratosis (AK).
Actinic keratosis guideline
Access information on the Academy's guidelines of care for actinic keratosis. This page provides convenient, at-a-glance highlights from the full guidelines, providing dermatologists with the most important clinical information.
Eyeing the use of cryotherapy for eyebrow alopecia areata
I am always looking for alternatives to injecting eyebrow alopecia areata with triamcinolone acetonide (TAC).
What’s new in treating actinic keratosis?
Dermatologists discuss how to balance the latest evidence, patient preferences, and clinical experience when treating AKs ... Feature ... By Allison Evans, Assistant Managing Editor, November 1, 2022 Actinic keratoses (AKs) are commonly diagnosed and treated by dermatologists. In fact, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey on outpatient medical care
Dermatology benign, premalignant, and malignant destruction code utilization
The AADA coding team continues to educate dermatologists on the code utilization indicators for services provided in a dermatology setting. As a follow-up to the first in the series, How does your benign and malignant excision code utilization compare to the average in dermatology, the coding team has researched dermatology
Questions and answers: Evaluation and management (E/M) guidelines
Working with the AMA, the AAD’s coding experts are here to provide you with insightful solutions to your most common inquiries. In this informative question-and-answer article previously published in AMA CPT Assistant FAQ of August 2023, our coding team delves into the intricacies of coding for the repair of contiguous
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Access the Academy's clinical guidelines on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. This page provides convenient, at-a-glance highlights from the full guidelines, providing dermatologists with the most important clinical information.
Location codes
Learn about the importance of location to selecting the proper code. CPT and ICD-10-CM specify various procedural and diagnostic codes based on both the procedure and the lesion location. Some biopsy codes can be used for broad anatomical regions, while others — particularly those for procedures on the head and
October 20, 2021
Derm World Weekly - A Publication of the American Academy of Dermatology | Association ... IN THIS ISSUE / Oct. 20, 2021 ... AADA advocacy results in FDA approving iPLEDGE modifications DermWorld Insights and Inquiries : Probing pediatric pigmented purpuras DermWorld Young Physician Focus : Staying connected Scabies treatment may
Determining the appropriate lesion destruction code — benign or premalignant
Derm Coding Consult ... By Tiffany McFarland, RHIT, Analyst, Coding & Reimbursement, April 1, 2024 Academy coding staff address important coding topics each month in DermWorld ... Coding Consult. Read more Derm Coding Consult articles . The distinctions of code choice for lesion destruction — either benign, premalignant, or malignant
Boards Fodder: Procedural dermatology
Access PDFs from Board Fodder, which are organized into six categories. This page covers procedural dermatology.
Time for a Churchillian approach to idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis?
I lost my enthusiasm for treating idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) long ago. Sir Winston would not have been proud. Perhaps it is time to reconsider some options for treating IGH.
Thoughts on hyaluronidase and The House of God
Read the January 15, 2020 DWII on hyaluronidase and The House of God.
Hot coding topics from the field
Derm Coding Consult ... By Faith C. M. McNicholas, RHIT, CPC, CPCD, PCS, CDC, Senior Manager, Coding and Reimbursement, July 1, 2025 Academy coding staff address important coding topics each month in DermWorld ... Coding Consult. Read more Derm Coding Consult articles . Navigating the complexities of dermatology coding can
CMS creates permanent drug code for treating molluscum contagiosum
CMS has created a permanent drug code, J7354, for cantharidin, a drug used to treat molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients two years and older. The new J-code became effective on April 1, 2024.
Routine Foot Care and Wart Paring
Learn about CMS limitations on reimbursement for routine foot care.
Understanding the difference between biopsy, excision, shave, and destruction codes
Learn the differences between biopsy, excision, shave, and destruction codes. These procedures may ultimately be very similar, but the coding for them must follow specified requirements to earn reimbursement.
Hot coding topics to keep you cool this summer
Derm Coding Consult ... By Faith C. M. McNicholas, RHIT, CPC, CPCD, PCS, CDC, manager, coding & reimbursement, June 1, 2021 Academy coding staff address important coding topics each month in Derm Coding Consult. ... Read more Derm Coding Consult articles . Think back to the world a year ago:
Destruction codes and differences between code categories
Learn about the proper use of destruction codes, and the differences between code categories for destruction of benign, premalignant lesions, malignant lesions, skin tag(s), and cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions.
Of every possible solution for elastosis perforans serpiginosa, fractional carbon dioxide laser may be the best
My initial attraction to dermatology, which still offers great appeal, is the challenge and joy of differential diagnosis and clinical-pathologic correlation. I learned quickly, however, that patients don’t want to be interesting – they want a specific diagnosis for one reason only – to get the right treatment, preferably curative.
Direct-to-consumer telemedicine websites: Caveat emptor, a prediction, and proposal
Two weeks ago, I experienced pain extending from my right groin to my buttock to the degree that I almost could not bear weight. I felt as though I was 90, and if anyone saw my gait, they would have reached that conclusion. If there were an app for my
Appropriate Documentation and Shared Decision Making of AK — QCDR measure AAD 21
Access reporting information for QCDR measure AAD 21: Appropriate Documentation and Shared Decision Making of AK. This measure was developed by the AAD. Review the maximum points available, the measure type, measure specifications, and much more.
September 8, 2021
Derm World Weekly - A Publication of the American Academy of Dermatology | Association ... IN THIS ISSUE / Sept. 8, 2021 ... A review of spironolactone for androgenetic alopecia DermWorld Insights and Inquiries : Alarming but benign – The enigma of acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy What are the
APACHE no more
This commentary is about being DC (Dermatologically Correct), not PC (Politically Correct as in the Washington Redskins controversy). The time to retire the acronym APACHE (Acral Pseudolymphomatous Angiokeratoma of Children) is overdue.
A presidential viewpoint: “Nobody knew that benign vascular lesions of the lip could be so complicated”
Well, maybe not as befuddling as replacing Obamacare, but there may be occasional difficulties in diagnosing benign vascular lesions of the lip, with implications for appropriate therapy.
Happy 95th birthday, Mom! A Birthday vish in the Era of “Value-based” healthcare
I am blessed that my mother is in reasonable health with a keen intellect. She’s a prolific reader, politically engaged, and still independent in mind, body, and spirit.
June 12, 2024
Derm World Weekly - A Publication of the American Academy of Dermatology | Association ... IN THIS ISSUE / June 12, 2024 ... Acne in pregnancy: The safest options DermWorld Insights and Inquiries : CXCR4 antagonist therapy based on a WHIM syndrome Nonsteroidal approaches for treating patients with atopic dermatitis
Thinking about seborrheic keratoses: A rare event
Can you envision a practice free of seborrheic keratoses (SKs)? How many times a day do you encounter a panicky patient convinced that they have a melanoma, when it is just an SK?
July 9, 2025
Derm World Weekly - A Publication of the American Academy of Dermatology | Association ... IN THIS ISSUE / July 9, 2025 ... Do at-home LED devices for acne work? DermWorld Insights and Inquiries : Standard postoperative wound care practice may be all wet Academy mourns the passing of Ronald
Calcipotriene and 5-fluorouracil: Dermatology’s new dynamic duo?
Learn more about Calcipotriene and 5-fluorouracil: Dermatology’s new dynamic duo? at aad.org
No longer flailing with Flegel disease
Read the April 19, 2023 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on Flegel disease.
Modifier 25 and E/M coding in 2021
Derm Coding Consult ... By Cynthia Stewart, CPC, COC, CPMA, CPC-I, manager, coding & reimbursement resources, March 1, 2021 Academy coding staff address important coding topics each month in Derm Coding Consult. ... Read more Derm Coding Consult articles . The recently released 2021 CPT ... ® ... office or
The malignant risk in circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis: Summoning Charles Dickens and Freddie Mercury
There is a small risk for developing keratinocyte carcinomas in circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis. Patients require long-term monitoring.
Reflections on reflectance confocal microscopy for diagnosing benign lichenoid keratoses
Reflectance confocal microscopy may obviate the need for biopsies of benign lichenoid keratoses (and other lesions).
Twenty years of imiquimod taking its toll on lentigo maligna — Where are we?
Read the February 12, 2020 DermWorld Insight and Inquiries on treating lentigo maligna.
The Venetian antithesis: Treating median canaliform nail dystrophy
Median canaliform nail dystrophy is easy to recognize but difficult to treat. Recent reports utilizing tazarotene foam, dupilumab, and marigold offer some promise that warrant further study with appropriate trials.
Tag, you’re it!
Read the Sept. 28, 2022 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on Tag, you’re it!
Nonepidemic Kaposi sarcoma: The fifth dimension
By Warren R. Heymann, MD Oct. 16, 2019 Vol. 1, No. 32 ... For more than a century, since first described in 1872 by Moritz Kaposi* as "idiopathic multiple pigmented sarcoma," dermatologists focused on classical Kaposi sarcoma (KS) — violaceous patches, plaques, and tumors on the lower extremities of
Dermatologic ergonomics: Straighten up and fly right
Ergonomic training should start with residency and continue throughout a career to avoid potentially serious musculoskeletal injury.
Which treatment modality of pyogenic granuloma is worth its weight in salt?
There are many modalities to treat pyogenic granulomas. If removal of the lesion is impractical, and salt is as effective as preliminary studies suggest, it will be worth its weight in salt, indeed.
Common coding questions: Answered
Cracking the code ... Dr. Miller, who is in private practice in Yorba Linda, California, represents the American Academy of Dermatology on the AMA-CPT Advisory Committee. ... By Alexander Miller, MD, April 1, 2020 Test your knowledge: Common coding questions ... Take the quiz to see if you're up to
Directions in Residency archive
Access the Directions in Residency archive. Directions in Residency is published each quarter. This archive includes issues going back to 2016. Users can download PDF versions of Directions in Residency.
The vexing verruciform xanthoma
Read the February 24, 2022 DermWorld Insights and Inquiries on verruciform xanthoma.
Watch your back!
Focusing on ergonomics can help dermatologists avoid a career-ending injury. ... Feature ... By Ruth Carol, contributing writer, February 1, 2021 After a long day of seeing patients, performing dermatologic procedures, or reviewing slides, do you have stiffness in your neck, pain in your back, or maybe an aching in
Standard postoperative wound care practice may be all wet
Water exposure in the immediate postoperative period does not increase the risk of infection and allows the patient to continue their water-related hygiene routines.
Coding lessons learned in 2022 — update on all of the common coding FAQs
Derm Coding Consult ... By Faith C. M. McNicholas, RHIT, CPC, CPCD, PCS, CDC, Manager, Lead Coding and Reimbursement Strategist, January 1, 2023 Academy coding staff address important coding topics each month in DermWorld ... Coding Consult. Read more Derm Coding Consult articles . 2022 has come to a close
CXCR4 antagonist therapy based on a WHIM syndrome
Advances in understanding the pathomechanisms of WHIM syndrome are the prelude to treating this syndrome — and other diseases — with CXCR4 antagonists.
Warts and all
Remedies for warts abound, but high-quality studies are lacking. ... Feature ... By Jan Bowers, contributing writer, March 1, 2021 Warts, one of the most common skin disorders worldwide, can be easy to treat or maddeningly difficult. Although warts can resolve spontaneously, others readily respond to over-the-counter treatments such as