News

Research presented here by Luis A. Diaz, M.D., establishes conclusively that herpes gestationis (HG), also known as pemphigoid gestationis, is a true organ-specific autoimmune disease unique to pregnancy.

Paris - Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), also known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), is the most common of all the specific dermatoses of pregnancy, with a reported incidence of approximately one in every 120 pregnancies.

Columbia, Mo. - With fewer than 10,000 dermatologists serving a population of more than 2.9 billion people, there's no question that less-than-adequate access to dermatologic services isn't solely a women's issue.

Paris - Researchers at Jefferson Medical College are developing cutting edge techniques to attack the increased biosynthesis that appears to cause accumulation of collagen characteristic of scleroderma and particularly of a subset of the disease known as progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), Jouni Uitto, M.D., Ph.D., chair, department of dermatology and cutaneous biology, said here at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Topical medications should often be considered as first-line therapy in the treatment of vulval diseases because they are effective, easy to use, and fast-acting, according to Annarosa Virgili, M.D.

Toronto - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be linked to acne in adult women, but its prevalence in these women and the specifics of which of these women may need more extensive work-ups and referrals are still largely an unknown.

Grand Wailea Resort, Hawaii - A therapy using microdermabrasion in combination with triple skin lightening creams has promise as an innovative treatment for melasma, according to Wendy E. Roberts, M.D., who will present on the topic this month at the 27th Hawaii Dermatology Seminar on the island of Maui.

Paris - In women with chronic hair loss, biopsy to diagnose androgenetic alopecia is a useful method for predicting patients likely to respond to oral antiandrogen therapy, Rodney Sinclair, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology meeting.

Chicago - Tumescent liposuction performed as a sole procedure is a safe and effective technique for achieving limited breast reduction in females, Murad Alam, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

New York - Researchers have identified a molecular biomarker that was shown in a study to predict survival in melanoma patients, independently of tumor thickness and other known prognostic indicators.

Paris - Combination immunotherapy for psoriasis is coming into the clinic. Experience is showing it can be a valuable strategy for increasing efficacy while minimizing toxicity, both acutely and potentially over the longer term, Christopher E.M. Griffiths, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Sacramento, Calif. - A multipass technique using a longer interval between pulses may offer new opportunities for therapeutic benefits when treating vascular lesions with a pulsed dye laser, Emil A. Tanghetti, M.D., said.

Las Vegas - The FDA on Jan. 2 cleared Berlex Laboratories Inc. to market Finacea (azelaic acid 15 percent) gel for the treatment of rosacea.

I was exceedingly impressed by a conversation I had with Dr. Adelaide Hebert at the University of Texas department of dermatology some time ago. We were discussing residency programs and she informed me that charity or community service work was a requirement for dermatology residents at her institution.

Twelve percent of dermatologists responding to an American Academy of Dermatology survey said they have had difficulty getting malpractice insurance or renewing an existing policy. Sixty-nine percent have had their insurance premiums raised.

Patients enrolled in a phase III trial of a novel Bcl-2-directed antisense agent plus chemotherapy with dacarbazine (DTIC) are yielding remarkable responses thus far, according to Anna C. Pavlick, D.O., assistant professor of medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York.

Washington -- Phthalates, as used in the cosmetic industry, are considered to be safe, according to an independent panel of medical and scientific experts.

San Francisco - A higher level of confidence deciding which dermatologic surgery procedures should be performed on the pregnant patient may lead to making these procedures safer and more comfortable, Christine E. Correale, M.D., said.

Hermosa Beach, Calif. - New treatment options for patients with HIV-related facial lipodystrophy are proving as effective at boosting the spirits as they are at filling out the face. The distinctive outward appearance of facial wasting stigmatizes AIDS patients and contributes to heightened levels of anxiety and depression.

There was little in his childhood in Washington, D.C., to indicate that Haines Ely's future would take him to a career as a dermatologist/dermatopathologist, with a weekly radio talk show that deals often in metaphysics and alternative medicines. He also leads trips to visit a faith healer in Brazil.

At a meeting in Hong Kong, I needed to transfer a Powerpoint presentation from my laptop to a different laptop being used for projection of the talks. I felt a moment of panic but was saved when one of the organizers pulled out a credit card sized device and plugged it into the PCMCIA slot on the side of my laptop.

Chicago - Complete avoidance of laser treatment for patients on photosensitizing drugs may err on the side of caution but may not be routinely necessary with certain lasers, according to results of a study presented by Min-Wei Christine Lee, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - The beard region may serve as a useful harvesting site for hair transplantation in men who already have a severely depleted scalp donor supply, Gary S. Hitzig, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Q. Is vitamin E allergenic? This is an important question, since there is some confusion regarding this issue. Vitamin E can be an unstable substance prone to oxidation in the presence of light and air. It is a potent antioxidant and in the process becomes oxidized itself.

Chicago - Digital audio/video provides a superior format for teaching dermatologic surgery, Michael R. Migden, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery & Cutaneous Oncology.

Cambridge, Mass. - An experimental therapy that makes use of fibroblast growth factor type 1 (FGF-1) encoded in naked plasmid DNA (NV1FGF) could save the limbs of patients afflicted with chronic wounds due to critical leg ischemia associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), according to Vincent Li, M.D., M.B.A.

Jason Myers, D.O., and Lorah Wright, D.O., left a large, hospital-affiliated practice in Traverse City, Mich., to form their own family practice. Recognizing a growing market for cosmetic procedures, the enterprising doctors added a laser skin clinic with the hope of fattening the bottom line. J.P. Huntington and his wife,

Denver - Tumescent liposuction pioneer Jeffrey A. Klein, M.D., strongly advised against being overly aggressive with the procedure.

Chicago - Results of lipoaugmentation using frozen fat are as good as if not better than those achieved with fresh tissue, at least for treatment of aging hands, Kimberly J. Butterwick, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - A novel topical peel containing lidocaine and tetracaine (S-Caine Peel) provides convenient, safe, and effective anesthesia for patients undergoing a variety of laser and other dermatologic surgery procedures, researchers from the Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey reported at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.