Acta Dermatovenerol Croat

2011;19(4):279

BOOK REVIEW

Fitzpatrick JE, Morelli JG, editors.

Dermatology Secrets Plus

Fourth Edition. Elsevier Mosby 2011; one volume; pages 496, chapters 69. ISBN 978-0-323-07154-3

The fourth edition of Dermatology Secrets Plus has been received with high interest among dermatologists. This valuable book is based on the Socratic method of teaching, which involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking. It is the goal of this textbook to simulate the kinds of questions that might be used on dermatology patients rounds as the senior attending physician applies the Socratic method of teaching to medical students and residents. The book begins with 100 secrets that summarize the concepts, principles and most salient issues of diagnosis and therapy in dermatology. Skim the Top 100 Secrets chapter and Key Point Boxes offer fast overview of the secrets, which dermatologists must know for success on the boards and in practice. The first part includes chapters with questions and answers about the structure and function of the skin, morphology of primary and secondary skin lesions, and diagnostic techniques. For example, the question is what is apocopation. The answer is that apocopation is that process by which melanocytes transfer melanosomes to keratinocytes. In this process, the tips of the melanocytic dendritic processes are phagocytized by keratinocytes. Answers to most questions are quite long, depending on the topic complexity. The part of the book about inherited disorders includes chapters with questions and answers about disorders of keratinization, neurocutaneous disorders and mechanobullous disorders. In the third part are questions and answers about inflammatory skin disorders, i.e. papulosquamous skin eruptions, dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, vesiculobullous disor-

ders, pustular eruptions, lichenoid eruptions, granulomatous diseases of the skin, drug eruptions, vasculitis, deposition disorders, photosensitive dermatitis, disorders of pigmentation, panniculitis, alopecia, acne and acneiform eruptions, autoimmune connective tissues diseases, urticaria and angioedema. The fourth part contains chapters with questions and answers about infections and infestations, and the fifth part about cutaneous manifestations of internal diseases. In the sixth and seven parts there are questions and answers about benign and malignant tumors of the skin, while the eighth part contains chapters about treatment of skin disorders, i.e. sunscreens, topical steroids, fundamentals of cutaneous surgery, cryosurgery, Mohs surgery, lasers, photomedicine and retinoids. Special chapters are dedicated to neonatal infections, pediatric dermatology, geriatric dermatology, dermatoses in pregnancy, disorders of female genitalia, and cultural dermatology. The last chapters deal with emergencies and miscellaneous problems such as approaching a pruritic patient, occupational dermatology, psychocutaneous diseases and nail disorders. The benefit from the proven Secrets format is that it is concise, easy to read, and highly effective. All chapters are illustrated with more than 500 excellent photographs. In this edition, there are 8 new tables and more than 90 new figures. Also, there are new references in all chapters and Web Resources added to the bibliography. This valuable book will certainly find its place in every dermatology library. Aida Pai, MD PhD

ACTA DERMATOVENEROLOGICA CROATICA

279