Authors: Michael D. Zanolli, MD; and Steven R. Feldman, MD
Publisher: Informa Healthcare, a division Taylor & Frances – 175 pages
Book Review by: Nano Khilnani

Phototherapy is the use of light in the treatment of physical or mental illness, if defined in the most basic sense. The light can be of two main kinds: natural such as sunlight, or man-made light such as the various types of ultraviolet (UV) light.

Phototherapy is commonly used in curing skin problems. Some common skin conditions are: atopic dermatitis, which affects about 20 percent of the people at some point in their lives; pruritus, a kind of rash that causes severe itch and is a symptom of various dermatologic ailments; and psoriasis, a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin, wherein up to 30 percent of people globally develop psoriatic arthritis or a similar disorder.

Vitiligo is another type of skin ailment in which portions of the skin lose their natural pigment and light, whitish patches appear. This happens when skin pigment cells die or are for some reason, unable to function. But less than one percent of people worldwide develop vitiligo. Research suggests that it may arise from autoimmune, genetic, neural, or viral causes, as well as oxidative stress.

Drs. Michael D. Zanolli and Steven R. Feldman suggest to readers of this second edition of their book to “read through the Introduction to the First Edition (contained in this second edition for your convenience) to enable them to have a better understanding of the application of therapeutic ultraviolet light therapy for inflammatory diseases. The continued modification of protocols, although minimal in most circumstances, demonstrates the ongoing refinement of ultraviolet light delivery to maintain therapeutic efficacy while minimizing possible side effects.” They write that this second edition has additional protocols using localized delivery of ultraviolet light.

They have developed this very practical and useful reference in helping dermatologists and other medical specialists treat their patients, through phototherapy, who have the types of skin diseases we list below, and similar ones. The outline here gives you an overview of what is covered:

  • Patient Instructions and Protocols
    • Psoriasis
    • Vitiligo
    • Atopic dermatitis
    • Pruritus
  • Patient Consent Forms
  • Patient Educational Handouts
  • Treatment Management Forms
  • Appendices
    • Skin Types
    • Procedure for determination of Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) for UVB
    • Procedure for determination of Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) for Narrow Band UVB
    • Differential Diagnosis
    • Some agents that may cause photosensitivity
    • Equipment manufacturers
    • Letter for home phototherapy treatment
    • Suggested reading list

This book is unusual from others in dermatology in these respects:

  • It is focused on phototherapy as the chosen treatment option
  • It is written in simple language with easy-to-understand instructions
  • It contains important warnings
  • It has guidelines from the National Psoriasis Foundation
  • Its Initial Introduction to a Phototherapy Treatment Center is a must-read for patients
  • It contains detailed lists of instructions for patients and doctors for each type of protocol

This is a good, detailed,  utilitarian how-to guide on the various phototherapy treatments available for a variety of dermatologic ailments, conditions, diseases, and disorders. And it has been written to educate not only the care providers but also the people who are seeking and considering treatments for their skin problems.

 

 

Editors:

Michael D. Zanolli, MD is affiliated with Dermatologic Consultants, PC, and St. Thomas Hospital. He is Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD is Professor of Dermatology, Pathology, and Public Health Sciences at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.