Journal Digest: September 23, 2026

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | Clinically Relevant Evidence on Imaging and Artificial Intelligence in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

A review of current evidence evaluated the role of imaging modalities and artificial intelligence (AI) in the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and monitoring of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Among available imaging techniques, ultrasound had the strongest supporting evidence and was the only modality with validated diagnostic criteria, standardized scoring systems, and international multicenter consensus. Ultrasound may help identify early disease, assess inflammation and disease extent, guide procedures, map disease before surgery, and monitor treatment response. Other modalities, including dermoscopy, MRI, CT, PET-CT, optical coherence tomography, medical infrared thermography, and reflectance confocal microscopy, currently have more limited or complementary roles. Emerging AI applications may support earlier detection, standardized severity assessment, image analysis, and clinical workflows, although additional validation and multicenter research are needed.

For dermatology clinicians, ultrasound may offer a practical adjunct to clinical examination by revealing disease extent that may not be apparent on visual inspection and helping guide individualized HS management.¹

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | Treatment Strategies for Interstitial Granulomatous Dermatitis: Systematic Review and Expert Opinion

A systematic review of 108 articles encompassing 182 patients examined treatment strategies for interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD), a rare inflammatory dermatosis for which evidence-based treatment recommendations remain limited. Rheumatologic or autoimmune diseases were associated with approximately half of cases, while a suspected drug-induced etiology was identified in 33.5%. Among evaluable patients with drug-induced IGD, withdrawal of the suspected medication resulted in complete or partial resolution in 95.9%. Topical corticosteroids achieved complete response in 52.2% of reported cases, compared with 58.3% for systemic corticosteroids. Hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, dapsone, and other immunomodulators demonstrated variable efficacy, while TNF-α and JAK inhibitors showed high response rates in refractory disease. Recurrence occurred in 27.0% of patients with available follow-up.

For clinicians, the findings support an etiology-oriented approach that includes reviewing medication exposures and associated systemic conditions, withdrawing suspected causative drugs when appropriate, and reserving systemic or targeted therapies for refractory disease.²

Journal of Pediatric Dermatology | Triggers, Clinical Manifestations, and Management of Pediatric Erythema Nodosum: A Systematic Review

A systematic review of 239 articles representing 959 pediatric patients examined triggers, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of erythema nodosum (EN). The mean patient age was 10.2 years. Infections were the most common triggers, with bacterial infections identified in 31.5% of cases, predominantly streptococcal infections, and tuberculosis reported in 20.1%. Other associated conditions included inflammatory bowel disease in 6.9%, Behçet disease in 6.4%, leprosy in 4.0%, and medication-related cases in 2.9%, while 8.3% were classified as idiopathic. Diagnosis was primarily clinical, with skin biopsy performed in only 11.6% of patients. Most patients received supportive treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alongside treatment of the underlying trigger.

For dermatology clinicians evaluating pediatric EN, the findings support a history-driven assessment focused on infectious exposures and systemic inflammatory disease. Because diagnosis is generally clinical, biopsy may be reserved for atypical presentations or cases in which another panniculitis is suspected.³

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology | A Novel Soft Peeling Serum Improves Overall Skin Appearance by Reducing Multiple Aging Signs in Chinese Women

Two clinical studies evaluated a soft peeling formulation containing gluconolactone, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and surfactants, with a subsequent facial serum also incorporating bifida ferment lysate and proxylane. In an initial study of 32 women, treatment shortened epidermal turnover time from 21.69 to 19.38 days. A randomized controlled trial then included 124 women who completed treatment with either the soft peeling serum or a benchmark formulation. After 12 weeks, younger participants using the investigational serum experienced improvements in skin dullness of 27.24%, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation of acne marks of 43.01%, and global fine lines of 57.56%. Older participants experienced reductions of 28.86% in crow's feet wrinkles and improvements across measures of firmness, smoothness, elasticity, and skin tone. No adverse events were reported.

Although the results suggest potential cosmetic benefits across multiple skin-aging parameters, clinicians should interpret the findings in light of the relatively small, exclusively Chinese female study population and the fact that all authors were employees of the product manufacturer.⁴

Journal of Dermatology and Therapy | Roflumilast Cream for Residual Disease in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis on Dupilumab: A Retrospective Chart Review Study

A retrospective chart review assessed adjunctive roflumilast cream in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who continued to have residual disease despite dupilumab treatment. Among 676 patients with AD identified at a single academic center, 30 dupilumab-treated patients with persistent disease subsequently received roflumilast cream. Physician-documented improvement occurred in 83% of patients. Among patients with paired assessments, Investigator's Global Assessment scores improved in 53% and body surface area involvement decreased in 75%. Of 18 patients with available patient-reported outcomes, 10 reported improvement in disease activity and 5 reported reduced pruritus. One patient discontinued treatment because of burning, and no additional adverse events were documented.

For dermatology clinicians, adjunctive roflumilast may represent a nonsteroidal topical option for localized residual AD during ongoing dupilumab therapy, including disease involving sensitive areas such as the face and neck. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these real-world findings.⁵

References

1. Wortsman X, Boostani M, Kiss N, Dini V, Ioannidis D. Clinically relevant evidence on imaging and artificial intelligence in hidradenitis suppurativa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Published online September 21, 2026. doi:10.1111/jdv.70716.
2. Bellinato F, Salvagno S, Colato C, Gisondi P, Girolomoni G. Treatment strategies for interstitial granulomatous dermatitis: systematic review and expert opinion. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Published online September 17, 2026. doi:10.1111/jdv.70718.
3. Lagacé-Thomassin F, Nguyen H, Gervais J, et al. Triggers, clinical manifestations, and management of pediatric erythema nodosum: a systematic review. Pediatr Dermatol. Published online September 15, 2026. doi:10.1111/pde.70346.
4. Chen J, Teng F, Liu X, et al. A novel soft peeling serum improves overall skin appearance by reducing multiple aging signs in Chinese women. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026;25(9):e71168. doi:10.1111/jocd.71168.
5. Cutrona M, Golant AK. Roflumilast cream for residual disease in patients with atopic dermatitis on dupilumab: a retrospective chart review study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). Published online September 15, 2026. doi:10.1007/s13555-026-01918-4.