Specialty Clinics

Dermatopharmacology Study Center

The Dermatopharmacology Study Center (DSC) is a specialty unit within the Department of Dermatology concerned with conducting outpatient clinical research. Under the direction of Dr. Elise A. Olsen, the DSC is currently evaluating new treatments for male and female pattern hair loss, scarring alopecia, alopecia areata, hirsutism, laser hair removal, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, photoaging and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Emphasis is primarily on testing the safety and efficacy of innovative new drugs. Clinical research nurses are responsible for coordinating and carrying out the studies. Residents are encouraged to become involved in studies ultimately with presentation of findings at dermatology meetings or in original articles published in a variety of journals.

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Dr. Olsen has a weekly clinic where she sees referral patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and other dermatological T-cell disorders such as parapsoriasis, lymphomatoid papulosis and chronic erythroderma. Emphasis is on expanding the known CTCL data base and finding an optimum treatment for all patients primarily through multi-center cooperative treatment protocols.

Hair Disorders Clinic

Dr. Elise Olsen directs this clinic of hair disorders. Problems covered include androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, hair shaft abnormalities, and other causes of alopecia as well as hirsutism and hypertrichosis. Appropriate endocrinologic work-up is stressed as well as appropriate laboratory tests for assessing causes of hair loss or breakage.

Blistering Disease Clinic

Patients with a wide variety of vesiculobullous diseases are evaluated and followed. Dr. Russell Hall directs this clinic and conducts basic and clinical research in the pathophysiology of autoimmune blistering diseases.

Keloid Clinic

This clinic studies abnormal wound healing and keloid formation. Intralesional therapy, systemic chemotherapy and surgical approaches are being evaluated. This clinic is held once monthly to explore the pathogenesis and treatment of this condition. This clinic is supervised by Dr. John Murray.

Phototherapy Unit

Phototherapy, under the direction of Dr. John Murray, is performed within the Duke Dermatology clinic. Approximately 10-15 patients are treated daily with UVB or PUVA. Phototesting and photopatch testing are performed. Innovative phototherapy techniques such as selective UV therapy and infrared phototherapy of psoriasis are being evaluated.

Leg Ulcer Clinic

The Leg Ulcer Clinic meets Monday - Friday 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. and accepts in referral patients from all over the southeast for consultation and therapy of non-healing leg ulcers of a variety of etiologies. Under the direction of Dr. Claude S. Burton, this clinic provides an excellent arena for investigation in wound healing. Current projects include the investigation of various biologic dressings, growth factors, and novel grafting techniques on the rate of wound healing in patients with leg ulcers. A number of epidemiologic studies and pathogenesis studies are currently in progress.

Laser Surgery Clinic

Duke participated in the initial clinical development of the prototype flash lamp pulsed dye laser for vascular lesions and has accumulated one of the largest experiences with selective laser surgery. The clinic, directed by Dr. Burton, currently includes devices for the treatment of vascular lesions, pigmented lesions, tattoos, and a variety of other dermatologic conditions. Residents are exposed to training in the use of these exciting techniques and are encouraged to participate in studies exploring new applications of this technology . In addition, there is a weekly resident-staffed laser surgery that provides more hands-on opportunities with patients. The unit currently offers dye laser therapy at 510, 585, 590, and 600 nm. 3/Q switched wavelengths are available as well as prototypical Erbium YAG devices for resurfacing and reconstructive surgery.

Melanocytic Disease/Pigmented Lesion Clinic

This clinic, directed by Dr. Kelly Nelson, has been established primarily to follow patients at high risk for cutaneous melanoma. The clinic utilizes digitized total body photography for cutaneous surveillance. This technology is integrated into many of the general dermatology clinics as well and residents gain significant proficiency with this surveillance tool.

Transplant Patient Clinic

Assessment and routine follow-up of organ transplant recipients is provided in this specialty clinic of Dr. Sarah Myers. Residents learn the intense skin surveillance required for this special patient population. Surgical care involving removal of cutaneous malignancies is coordinated with Dr. Cook’s Mohs unit.

HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic

Dr. Sarah Myers directs this clinic with treatment and evaluation of dermatologic manifestations in HIV-positive patients. This clinic is held in the HIV-ID Clinic at Duke University Medical Center .