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MF remains diagnosis, treatment challenge
April 1st 2002New Orleans - Even with fairly recent advances in the testing and treatment of mycosis fungoides, difficulties still remain with the diagnosis of the rare, slowly progressing cutaneous lymphoma, David P. Fivenson, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Multiple strategies improve patient comfort during 5-ALA PDT
April 1st 2002New Orleans - Simple measures can help alleviate any burning and stinging experienced by patients undergoing 5-ALA photodynamic therapy for treatment of actinic keratoses, Joseph Fowler, Jr., M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
BCC risk in rhinophyma patients should be taken into account
April 1st 2002New Orleans - Rhinophyma resection needs to be performed in a way that allows for postoperative histopathologic study, according to Luis A. Lopardo, MD, speaking here at the 60th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Infliximab finds utility in management of pyoderma gangrenosum
April 1st 2002New Orleans - The experiences of an expanding series of patients indicate infliximab (Remicade) is a valuable therapy for the management of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), Marketa Limova, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Lengthy remission rates uphold alefacept quality of life benefits
April 1st 2002Maui, Hawaii - Alefacept (Amevive) for treating patients with chronic plaque psoriasis provides clinical benefits that may be long-term and are associated with significant improvement in quality of life, Mark Lebwohl, M.D., said at the 26th annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar.
How not to get involved in an Internet "flame" war
April 1st 2002As Internet authority Steve Litt has noted: Never get personal. Never say "you're an idiot" or "you're a hypocrite," and try to avoid saying "you're wrong." No matter how true the statement, it's almost guaranteed to generate a heavy-handed response that will just draw you into a potentially dangerous and unprofitable conflict.
Post-Sept. 11 attitudes reflected on dermatologists
April 1st 2002If money grew on trees, if Sept. 11 and the recession hadn't happened, and if the federal budget wasn't in deficit once again, dermatologists and other physicians might see last year's 5.4 percent Medicare payment cut rescinded by a generally sympathetic Congress
Cosmetic Conundrum with Zoe Diana Draelos, MD
April 1st 2002Q. What is the benefit of the new facial cleansing cloths?A. The newest way to clean the face is use of a disposable single-use cleansing cloth impregnated with a cleanser. These cloths are made in two varieties for normal to oily skin and normal to dry skin, with designs particular to each ailment.
Cosmetic Conundrums with Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D.
March 2nd 2002Q. What factors determine the SPF performance of a given sunscreen?A. The SPF is the sun protection factor afforded by a given sunscreen. It is determined by dividing the lower back of untanned individuals is into small test sites which are exposed to UVB light until a minimum amount of erythema develops, known as the MED. Lightproof barriers are placed around the test sites to prevent light contamination from one test site to another. Once the MED for the test subject has been determined, the subject is invited to return to the test site the next day for application of sunscreen. The sunscreen is placed on the test sites and allowed to dry. The skin is then exposed to UVB light at the expected SPF of the sunscreen product. The expected SPF is roughly determined by spectrophotometric absorption. The amount of UVB light required to obtain the same degree of erythema as the preceding day is determined and the SPF calculated.
Alefacept valuable against psoriatic arthritis
March 2nd 2002New Orleans - Results from a single-center pilot study indicatethat I.V. alefacept (Amevive), the human LFA3-IgG1 fusion protein, may safelyand effectively improve the skin and joint manifestations of psoriatic arthritis,researchers from the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, TheNetherlands, reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
She is not 18; can she provide informed consent?
March 2nd 2002Jane, a very mature 17-year-old adolescent, presents to Dr. Jones forremoval of a facial nevus. Dr. Jones discusses the risk/benefit ratio ofsuch an excision. In the course of the discussion, he determines that sheis working a full-time job and lives with her boyfriend at home with herparents. She signs a standard consent form. Dr. Jones does not realize thatshe is 17; he did not ask. Ultimately she is not happy with the scar andwishes to sue her dermatologist. The basis of her suit is that at age 17she was not able to provide informed consent. Dr. Jones is aware that, asa general rule, a patient must be 18 years of age to provide informed consent.However, he contends that Jane was highly intelligent, articulate and hada better understanding of the procedure than some 19 year olds might have.Can Jane, as an adolescent, give informed consent?
Hemangioma observations illuminate variations
March 1st 2002New Orleans - Although the natural history and imaging characteristics of hemangiomas are well known, some new or relatively new observations have led to further sub-categorization, Patricia E. Burrows, M.D., said at the 60th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Infliximab dramatically clears severe psoriasis
March 1st 2002New Orleans - The experience of a teenage girl treated successfully with infliximab (Remicade) for severe, recalcitrant psoriasis of her hands and feet indicates the value of the TNF-alpha chimeric monoclonal antibody as a therapeutic option for psoriasis.
Topical tacrolimus improves vitiligo; adding sunlight may help even more
March 1st 2002New Orleans - Results from an exploratory study indicate a potential role for topical tacrolimus in the management of vitiligo, Emil A. Tanghetti, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Calcium alginate dressing closes cancer defects
March 1st 2002New Orleans - Second intention healing with a calcium alginate dressing can be a useful alternative for closing skin-cancer excision facial defects in select patients who might otherwise be managed with primary closure, local flaps, or skin grafts, Roger H. Weenig, M.D., M.P.H., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Anticonvulsant additive reduces herpetic pain
March 1st 2002New Orleans - Data from an open-label study suggest that the anticonvulsant drug gabapentin (Neurontin) added to antiviral treatment during acute herpes zoster infection may further reduce the duration and severity of postherpetic neuralgia, Mathijs H. Brentjens, M.S., M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Hemangiomas, malformations continue to evolve in definition
March 1st 2002New Orleans - Just like the endothelial cells that proliferateand produce hemangiomas, the field of study that surrounds these benigntumors of infancy and childhood continues to be a work in progress, MoiseL. Levy, M.D., said at the 60th annual meeting of the American Academy ofDermatology.