INTRODUCTION: There is a consistent increase in the interest and demand for non-invasive modalities to
improve facial skin laxity and rhytides. Monopolar radiofrequency is one of such non-invasive modalities.
This systematic review aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of monopolar radiofrequency in
improving facial rhytides and skin laxity.

METHODS: Clinical studies that assessed the efficacy of monopolar radiofrequency to address clinically
observable facial rhytides and skin laxity were included. Outcome measures included improvement
in rhytides and skin laxity as documented by patient satisfaction scores, and investigator and third-person
observer ratings based on clinical photographs and clinical scales.

RESULTS: Three studies involving 29 participants were included in this review. All studies reported 25-
50% improvement in facial rhytides and skin laxity. Participants from the three studies were satisfied
with the results. Transient erythema was reported in several patients.

CONCLUSION: Monopolar radiofrequency appears to be beneficial and safe for patients with facial
rhytides and skin laxity. However, the evidence is inconclusive due to problems in the methodological
quality of each trial and the heterogeneity of the studies included in this review.

Telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (TMEP) is a rare disease, previously classified as a variant of cutaneous mastocytosis. While no gold standard of treatment exists, several treatments have been studied. We report a case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with long-standing asymptomatic telangiectatic macules beginning on the upper chest, back, and bilateral arms, with occasional pruritus and no other systemic symptoms. Skin biopsy, along with Giemsa stain, revealed findings consistent with TMEP. The patient underwent testing for serum tryptase level, which was within normal limits. The patient was started on topical steroids for two weeks and antihistamine therapy, with a noted decrease in pruritus but no change in cutaneous lesions. She was then advised to start phototherapy, and subsequently underwent a total of five sessions of narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy, after which she noted lightening of the lesions. Due to the COVID pandemic, the patient was shifted to heliotherapy with continued lightening of lesions after two months of thrice weekly sessions. This rare case is supportive of narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy and heliotherapy as promising treatment options for cases of TMEP.
mastocytosis ; phototherapy ; heliotherapy

Although melanoma only accounts for 1% of skin cancers, it is responsible for most skin cancer deaths. Glioblastoma multiforme, a high-grade astrocytoma, is the most aggressive and devastating primary brain tumor. These two diseases remain to be the biggest therapeutic challenge in both specialties of dermatology and neuro-oncology. A 53-year-old Filipino male who presented with a 2-year history of generalized dark brown and black patches on the body developed weakness and numbness of the left extremities. Biopsy and immunohistochemical staining of the skin revealed nodular melanoma with adjacent regressing melanoma. Biopsy of the intracranial mass showed glioblastoma multiforme. One month after the partial excision of the intracranial mass, the patient expired due to brain herniation. Nodular melanoma and glioblastoma multiforme may occur concomitantly in a patient. A review of the literature suggests a shared genetic predisposition. Its existence carries a poor prognosis and requires early detection to start aggressive treatment.
Melanoma ; Glioma ; Glioblastoma ; Association