News

Alefacept drops specifically activated memory T cellsPhysician: Charles N. Ellis, M.D.

Excimer laser, fiber-optic modalities effective in less timePhysician: Henry W. Lim, M.D.

Efalizumab retreatment works as effectively as original treatmentPhysician: Kim A. Papp, M.D.

La Jolla, Calif. - A new set of psoriasis treatment algorithms, developed by the National Psoriasis Foundation, is available in a new, 102-page physician pocket guide.

Boise, Idaho - The most significant impact of information therapy on a dermatology practice will be extending the doctor's office into the patient's home, said Donald W. Kemper, chief executive officer of Healthwise, Inc., a healthcare decision-making company. Several years ago Kemper coined "information therapy," or "Ix." The term refers to the provision of current, evidence-based information to patients and their caregivers at each step of diagnosis and treatment.

Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., clinical associate professor, department of dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and William P. Coleman III, M.D., editor, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, discuss advances in dermatologic surgery.

New York - Dopamine agonists commonly prescribed to treat Parkinson's disease can cause alopecia, according to a recent study. Parkinson's affects about 1.5 million Americans.

Paris - Follicular unit hair transplantation using the frontal forelock concept followed by oral finasteride (Propecia) treatment can be a useful approach for achieving excellent final cosmetic results after a single transplantation session in men with androgenetic alopecia, said Ki-Hoon Song, M.D., at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Androgenetic alopecia researchers have recently made important discoveries regarding pathogenic pathways for the hair-loss disorder and possible new approaches to treatment, Antonella Tosti, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Effective pain control in nail surgery requires use of multiple strategies implemented before, during, and after the procedure, David A. de Berker, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Dr. Aaron has been asked to provide expert witness in a medical malpractice case against another physician. He has also been a treating physician and has written numerous comments in his own medical records about the suing plaintiff patient.

Marlton, N.J. - Results from a national survey of dermatologic surgeons support the conclusion that liposuction performed with a conservative approach using local anesthesia and with removal of smaller volumes of fat is a very safe procedure, Naomi Lawrence, M.D., said.

Paris - There is compelling evidence with in vitro and animal studies that an increase in some antioxidants - especially those applied to the skin - helps protect the skin from cell-damaging oxidants, whether the aging is due to intrinsic or extrinsic stressors. Where the research falls short, one expert said, is in the lack of human studies.

Paris - A new ultrasound procedure, high-resolution sonography, is providing a new way to look deeper into the skin. With the method, physicians can analyze the in-depth penetration and growth of skin tumors, the healing of inflammatory diseases, and the effect of ointments on the skin.

Piscataway, N.J. - The topical application of caffeine or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibited tumor formation in mice that were at high risk of skin cancer following a period of UVB irradiation in a laboratory study conducted at Rutgers University, New Jersey.

Paris - Histopathologic studies that indicate early melanomas in the lateral growth phase have limited, if any, potential to metastasize present an interesting hypothetical question: Are reports of increased prevalence of melanoma exaggerated?

Paris - Capsaicin applied topically and naltrexone given orally provide effective, safe, and well tolerated therapy for pruritus, according to two studies conducted by Sonja Stander, M.D.

Ever since "The Doctor" and "City Hospital" made their debuts in 1952, medical dramas have been a staple of the television industry. "Ben Casey" and "Dr. Kildare" were contemporaries, as were "ER" and "Chicago Hope."

Dermatologists should be aware of new warnings from the federal government to drug manufacturers, cautioning against marketing practices that could be in violation of federal anti-kickback laws.

Boston - Organogenesis, which pioneered the engineered skin Apligraf, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September.

Direct-to-consumer advertising in U.S. healthcare is at both a zenith and crossroads where capitalism meets the ethical practice of medicine. DTC spending has never been higher, rising steadily since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the tactic in 1997.

Only 10 percent of PSORS1 carriers affectedPhysician: James T. Elder, M.D., Ph.D.

Agents may find effectiveness by acting as nuclear hormone receptor ligandsPhysician: Kund Kragballe, M.D.

Etanercept inhibits TNF concentrationPhysician: Alice Gottlieb, M.D., Ph.D.

Atlanta - A radiofrequency device for aesthetic and therapeutic applications has the potential to revolutionize cosmetic surgery, but pain control measures must be a high priority for the device to be used at an effective fluence, said Richard E. Fitzpatrick, M.D., of Dermatology Associates/Cosmetic Laser Associates of San Diego County.

New Orleans - Restoring the primary structural arcs of the face through facial fat rebuilding is a more effective alternative to conventional cosmetic surgery of the aging face, Lisa M. Donofrio, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Paris - While prevention is the best strategy for managing bleeding complications of cutaneous reconstruction, when that fails, a favorable outcome is still likely given proper care, David Zloty, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Tincture of time can be better than any early intervention for optimizing scar appearance, but various surgical and nonsurgical techniques, when used at appropriate intervals, can be effective for hastening that process or addressing lesions that remain unacceptable after following a wait-and-see approach, Neil Swanson, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Refinements and advances in flap techniques used to repair nasal defects after skin cancer surgery have been valuable for improving flap survival and cosmetic outcomes, even of large defects, Marc D. Brown, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Los Angeles - Laser pretreatment dramatically increases the transdermal delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU, according to Dr. Kuo-Hsien Wang, M.D. who presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology annual meeting. "This method has potential for the treatment of cutaneous malignant diseases and precancerous lesions, such as actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and superficial basal cell carcinoma," he said.