News

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Every Mohs surgeon is aware of the dangers of a surgical intervention, as infection of the surgical site is one of the possible adverse events following a procedure.

National report - When it comes to the issue of perioperative management of existing anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing cutaneous procedures, results of a mail survey indicate most British dermatologists are continuing those medications and without untoward consequences, reports Claudia V. DeGiovanni, M.D.

National report - Present concerns about the spread of avian flu are a reminder that two years ago in the Midwest, another animal-carried virus - monkeypox - at least momentarily threatened to spread to more areas and infect more victims.

National report - A novel product formulating 40 percent urea in an essential fatty acid (EFA) vehicle (Umecta, JSJ Pharmaceuticals) appears to be a good choice for treating skin conditions associated with hyperkeratosis, scaling and compromised barrier function, according to Peter M. Elias, M.D., professor of dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, and a staff physician at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Francisco.

National report - Focal hyperhidrosis (or primary or idiopathic hyperhidrosis) is a common problem that affects about 3 percent of the population and has significant psychosocial implications.

National report - Results of a multicenter, phase 2 randomized clinical trial are providing new perspectives on use of blue light therapy (BLU-U, DUSA Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of moderate and severe acne vulgaris.

National report - As the prevalence of body art is increasing, it behooves dermatologists to be aware of the social and medical implications of tattooing and body piercing, says Anne E. Laumann, M.D.

National report - According to a recent survey, high levels of depression, anxiety and workplace dissatisfaction among academic physicians threaten patient care and bode ill for the long-term health of academic programs themselves.

London - German researchers found that rats exposed to the sunscreen chemical 4MBC had raised levels of thyroid stimulating hormones and heavier thyroid glands.

Nearly one in three people in the United States - or about 85 million residents - are people of color, and that number is growing, according to the most recent U.S. Census.

National report - Free or reduced cost medical care for U.S.patients without sufficient financial resources is continuing todecline, further challenging an already stressed safety net in thenation's healthcare system and putting pressure on physiciansacross specialties, including dermatologists.

The doctors say it is also important to keep their employees'skills up-to-date and they use various methods to accomplish it.

There will always be someone out there inventing new schemes tospend, invest, borrow or lose your money. That’s why youshould keep the overall safety of your assets as a primaryfinancial objective.

Looking for new - and affordable - ways to motivate thestaff at your dermatology practice?

Initial melanomas discovered by dermatologists were more likely tobe thin (0.75 mm or less) compared with malignancies found by otherphysicians.

Dermatologists who understand blacks' hair care practices and how those practices can lead to breakage and dry scalp can treat patients appropriately to patients' lifestyle needs.

National report - The prevalence of obsessive-compulsivedisorder (OCD) in certain dermatologic settings outside of skincancer - such as itchy dermatosis - can be as high as14 percent to 20 percent, compared to a prevalence of 2 percent to3 percent in the general population.

National report - Patients who present with groin or perineallesions may have a form of tuberculosis, says Allison Readinger,M.D., a resident in dermatology at the University of Texas MedicalBranch, Galveston, Texas.

Barrington, Ill. - The National Rosacea Society has announcedthat new grants are available to support research into the causesand other key aspects of rosacea. Applications may be obtained bye-mailing rosaceas@aol.com.

Berwyn, Pa. - DermAvance Pharmaceuticals, a privately heldspecialty dermatology pharmaceutical company, has appointed KeithA. Greathouse as president and chief executive officer. The companyalso announced the launch of its first products, including Vivelif,a topical therapy to address visible signs of aging.

Bangalore, India - U.S. pharmaceutical company Allergan hasobtained a license from the Drugs Controller General of India tointroduce Botox in India.

New York - The Skin Cancer Foundation has awarded grants tosupport five research projects in 2006.

National report - Free or reduced cost medical care for U.S.patients without sufficient financial resources is continuing todecline, further challenging an already stressed safety net in thenation's healthcare system and putting pressure on physiciansacross specialties, including dermatologists.

Dermatology Times was able to secure an exclusive interview with Professor Guo Shuzhong, the Chinese surgeon who performed the world's second partial face transplant. At press time, no other U.S. media was able to arrange an interview because of tight Chinese government regulations. Working with our sister publication, Cosmetic Surgery Times China, Senior Staff Correspondent John Jesitus sat in, via conference call, with Dr. Guo, as he explained the circumstances that led him to perform the intricate surgery on a 30-year-old farmer mauled by a bear. The patient's injuries were so severe he had become a social outcast, going out in public only when necessary.

Under the SGR, the trustees projected physician payment rates wouldneed to be reduced by 4 to 5 percent each year through at least2015.

Common legal issues facing physicians who perform cosmetic laser treatments include medical malpractice, as well as issues related to physician extenders and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), an expert says.

For many controversies surrounding laser treatments, there are no black-and-white answers. What works for one physician or patient may not work for another, says an expert.

Although many lasers have earned Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating patients of color, an expert says that physicians' expertise has yet to catch up with the technology available.

Used alone or in combination with aminolevulinic acid (ALA), lasers and light sources have shown effectiveness in treating acne, according to an expert.

Baltimore -- According to doctors at Johns Hopkins University here,pornography enthusiasts are finding a new source of online images:dermatology Web sites created to educate doctors.