Dermatology Times back issues from September 2007:
Biologics: The next generation
Sep 01, 2007; ... National report - Congress is considering establishing a regulatory pathway for federal approval of follow-on biologic drugs. But whatever the current legislative outcome, sources agree that it's just a matter of time before such drugs become a reality. "There is no longer a debate about ...
Off-label prescribing
Sep 01, 2007; ... Direct-to-consumer marketing may shift some liability to manufacturer Dr. Label is well known for his innovative off-label use of a variety of medications for bullous diseases. Three years, ago he prescribed such a medication to a patient with pemphigus vulgaris. In fact, the ...
'Wake-up CALL'
Sep 01, 2007; ... MRSA study alerts medical community National report - Results of a recently released study charting the startling increase in incidence of both community- and hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are no surprise to many dermatologists, who advise more ...
Putting off pay-for-performance
Sep 01, 2007; ... Bill would allow more review of PQRI, better process for quality measures A group of medical specialty organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), is pushing new legislation that would delay permanent implementation of Medicare's "pay-forperformance" quality ...
A complicated Web we weave
Sep 01, 2007; ... How does the Internet fit into a dermatology practice? With more than 200 million Internet users in the United States (according to the CIA's online World Factbook, 2005 estimate) the Internet is taking the place of many informational resources such as the Yellow Pages and even ...
Looking to expand? Call in the SWOT team
Sep 01, 2007; ... A medspa may not be your best bet National report - Given consumers' desire to look younger - and the recent resultant increase in the number of medspas - it might seem that dermatologists have a builtin business solution for expanding a practice: Adding aesthetics. Or, maybe ...
'Sicko' and the dermatologist
Sep 01, 2007; ... What you can do to influence debate about the quality of U.S. healthcare I recently saw the Michael Moore movie "Sicko," and it left me with profound sadness and some outrage about how our country cares for the medical needs of its citizens. We physicians have all seen the ...
FDA proposes UVA rating on sunscreen labels
Sep 01, 2007; ... National report - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced proposed changes in regulations governing formulation, testing and labeling of over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen products claiming to offer protection from UVA and UVB radiation. The changes would mean consumers could ...
First face recipient experiences physical, emotional rebirth
Sep 01, 2007; ... Paris - Isabelle Dinoire. the French woman who received the world's first partial face transplant in late 2005 after she was mauled by her dog, is progressing excellently, according to her physician. Ms. Dinoire. now 40. has had no rejection episodes for a year, and has a nearly complete ...
French neurofibroma patient fights off infection, flourishes
Sep 01, 2007; ... CRETEIL, FRANCE - A man with neurofibromatosis who received a new nose, mouth, chin and partial cheeks in a 15-hour procedure in January is now doing very well, according to surgeon Laurent Lantieri, M.D. "Everything has gone as planned" except for a drug-resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) ...
Making faces
Sep 01, 2007; ... Boston hospital to offer partial transplants; world's current recipients continue to progress National report - Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston has joined the short list of the world's hospitals that have permission to offer full or partial face transplants. The hospital ...
The value of mentors
Sep 01, 2007; ... Residents would benefit by pairing with staff, directors say Most dermatology residency program directors say mentorship programs would benefit residents, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA). Jeff Donovan, M.D., ...
One-two punch
Sep 01, 2007; ... Topical caffeine plus exercise protects more effectively against skin cancer National report - Caffeine and exercise together may be up to four times as protective against ultraviolet light-induced skin cancer than either alone, according to a recent study from Rutgers University, New ...
Remodeling fat
Sep 01, 2007; ... Stress, neuropeptide link may be key to fighting obesity, revolutionizing cosmetic surgery National report - Investigators at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, say they used simple, nontoxic chemical injections to add and remove fat in targeted areas on the bodies of ...
Vitamin D
Sep 01, 2007; ... NEJM review article highlights importance to overall health National report - The importance of vitamin D to a wide range of health issues - from bone problems to cancer to infectious disease - is highlighted in a review article on vitamin D deficiency that appeared in the July 19 issue ...
DT Extra: Aid for atopic dermatitis
Sep 01, 2007; ... Probiotic bacteria may reduce the severity of symptoms of childhood atopic dermatitis when added to standard treatment, according to a small pilot study presented at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology's 33'" annual meeting. Researchers at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center ...
NOT YOUR GRANDAD'S POISON IVY
Sep 01, 2007; ... Off The Beat National report - As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have risen, poison ivy has grown more vigorously and is producing more concentrated urushiol, the substance that causes the allergic reaction in about 80 percent of the population. Researchers at the U.S ....
Get the picture?
Sep 01, 2007; ... New imaging technique simulates visual effects of melanin, collagen, hemoglobin changes in skin Cambridge, England - The imaging of various skin components, such as melanin, collagen and hemoglobin, can be very helpful in clinical and cosmetic dermatology. Astron Clinica, a ...
'What my cases taught me'
Sep 01, 2007; ... AAD Summer Academy lecturer recalls lessons learned during long career New York -William D. James, M.D., considers a number of cases particularly memorable because of their instructive value during his active dermatology career, which has spanned some 25 years and encompassed patient ...
Fickle formulations
Sep 01, 2007; ... National report - Slight changes in the biologic manufacturing process can significantly alter efficacy and safety, manufacturers say. When developing Raptiva, Genentech hired Xoma to conduct phase 1 and 2 testing with Xoma-made materials, reports Rob Garnick, Ph.D., Genentech senior ...
NEWS BRIEFS
Sep 01, 2007; ... NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE Topeka, Kan. - The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts has restricted the use of the fat-dissolving injection Lipodissolve, the Kansas City Star reports. Under the new restrictions, expected to take effect this month, the compound may only be administered by ...
Assessing infliximab infusion practicalities
Sep 01, 2007; ... National report - In-office infusion is not a service that all dermatologist can or want to provide, but those who might be interested because they care for a substantial number of patients who are candidates for infliximab (Remicade, Centocor) may be surprised to find the costs are lower and ...
Allergic contact dermatitis unmasked
Sep 01, 2007; ... How to derive the most benefit from patch testing Hershey, Pa. - Patch testing provides an opportunity to cure the patient of a given allergy, according to one specialist. Some have said that the greatest abuse of patch testing is a failure to use the test. In order to make ...
Cutaneous effects of anti-cancer tx
Sep 01, 2007; ... Tyrosine kinase inhibitors' side effects show promise in lightening hyperpigmentation Nice, France - Effective treatment for patients with dyspigmentation can come from conventional therapies - but sometimes, side effects of therapies for unrelated illnesses can also prove beneficial for ...
Dapsone results promising
Sep 01, 2007; ... Elderly palmar granuloma annulare patient shows dramatic improvement after three months National report - Dermatologists may be used to seeing granuloma annulare in children, where the idiopathic inflammatory condition typically resolves on its own. But, less commonly, the condition can ...
Hemangiomas: Alternative approaches
Sep 01, 2007; ... 'Hurry up and wait' algorithm may have legitimate challengers Toronto - In the treatment of the large majority of hemangiomas and vascular formations, the time-honored approach of active nonintervention in uncomplicated cases remains the standard, but research continues to probe ...
Sclerotherapy achieves excellent results as tx for myxoid cysts
Sep 01, 2007; ... Treatment yields reasonable cure rate for often-recurring tumor Paris - A digital mucous or myxoid cyst is a benign yet sometimes troublesome tumor for physicians and patients alike, as it will often recur regardless of treatment. According to one specialist, treatment is not ...
(Happily) stuck in the middle with you
Sep 01, 2007; ... Growing your practice with help from mid-level practitioners Tucson, Ariz. - Recently, more and more dermatologists have added physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, cosmetologists and aestheticians to their practices, for a variety of reasons. Dermatologist Gerald ...
DT Extra: Keep those patients coming
Sep 01, 2007; ... As a specialist, you depend on referrals to sustain your practice and help it grow. Here are some effective ways to maintain referrals: Be very careful to comply with federal and state regulations. Take time to get to know area physicians, and help them become acquainted with you and your ...
Making product sales work for you
Sep 01, 2007; ... Rule No. 1: Stand by your merchandise National report - Dermatologists who sell skincare products find themselves entering the awkward realm of marketing, and their decisions am he complicated if they adopt a strict policy of only selling products behind which they firmly ...
Advertising 101
Sep 01, 2007; ... Sell yourself without spending too much, getting too little San Francisco - Advertising can pay big dividends, from helping to brand a dermatologist and practice to driving would-be patients to the door. But without guidance, dermatologists who embark on what can be expensive ...
Free consults
Sep 01, 2007; ... How to use them to your advantage Medina, Ohio - The cosmetic consultation is a one-on-one opportunity to present your practice as the resource for cosmetic dermatology and associated products. These meetings are opportunities for dermatologists to cross-sell services and ...
The practice newsletter
Sep 01, 2007; ... Communication, marketing tool can be win-win for docs, patients Sacramento, Calif. - Dermatologist Emil A. Tanghetti, M.D., avoids inyour-face advertising and marketing techniques, but favors the practice newsletter to get his message out. He says many established medical ...
Want to build your practice? Consider public speaking
Sep 01, 2007; ... Worcester, Mass. - All dermatologists possess one important attribute that promises a sure-fire way to increase the size of their practice, according to one dermatologist, and that's the ability to volunteer to speak to community, state and national groups. "If you're looking to grow ...
Photochemical tissue bonding: A suture sub?
Sep 01, 2007; ... Clinical applications being explored; toxicity concerns unfounded Boston - Photochemical tissue bonding (PTB) using green light and a common ophthalmologic dye appears safe and effective for superficial skin closures and could provide a quick, simple substitute for sutures in this ...
DT Extra: Alternative to sutures
Sep 01, 2007; ... High-viscosity 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (HVOCA) tissue adhesive is cosmetically equivalent to epidermal sutures in the linear repair of facial wounds following Mohs surgery, according to a study published in the August issue of Dermatologie Surgery. Researchers at the University of Iowa compared ...
Numbing nuances for nail surgery
Sep 01, 2007; ... Anesthesia injection techniques to lessen patient pain, anxiety Providence, R.I. - Nail surgery, whether on the fingers or toes, can be a frightening, painful experience, and can be the source of significant anxiety to the patient. Therefore, achieving total anesthesia with minimal ...
Low recurrence for high-risk tumors
Sep 01, 2007; ... Recent Australian study shows Mohs micrographic surgery yields positive outcomes for BCC, SCC Adelaide, South Australia - Although little data is available on the recurrence rate of scalp tumors following Mohs micrographie surgery (MMS), according to one Mohs surgeon, the recurrence rate ...
Home laser use may boost derm visits
Sep 01, 2007; ... Low-tech devices can leave patients wanting more, expert says Boston - Laser and light-based devices for home use could provide a safe introduction to treatments for acne, hair removal, photorejuvenation and cellulite - and leave patients wanting more, an expert says. "Over time, ...
DT Extra: Braids lead to hair loss
Sep 01, 2007; ... Popular modern hairstyles that tightly braid the hair at the scalp can lead to permanent bald patches, according to research published in the British Journal of Dermatology. A British dermatologist said affected hair follicles may never recover, according to the BBC. A South African study of ...
Phytoestrogen safety; New oatmeal extract for skincare
Sep 01, 2007; ... Q Can oral soy phytoestrogens be used by women with breast cancer to improve skin texture? A I did not know the answer to this excellent question. However, it appears that my gynecologist and oncologist colleagues also have not reached a consensus on the topic. It is well-known ...
Reviewing radiofrequency
Sep 01, 2007; ... Long wavelengths penetrate deeply; devices can treat all skin types Though this column typically focuses on lights and lasers, mentioning radiofrequency (RF) is clearly indicated for many reasons. The first is that RF devices emit waves within the electromagnetic spectrum, which ...
Optimal peeling for dark skin
Sep 01, 2007; ... A closer look at options, effects aids practitioner in selecting appropriate tx Alexandria, Egypt - There are several different indications for chemical peels, but the common treatment goal is to effect a clear, bright and youthful complexion. However, the benefits vary in ...
New fillers provide lasting results
Sep 01, 2007; ... Double-blind study shows HA fillers better than bovine collagen Miami Beach, Fla. - Both forms of Juvéderm (Juvéderm Ultra and Juvéderm Ultra Plus, hyaluronic acid/HA, Allergan Medical) available in the United States provide safe, effective filler options for treating nasolabial folds, ...
Ethnicity influences cosmetic outcomes
Sep 01, 2007; ... Complications more devastating in darker skin Los Angeles - Dermatologists are well aware of the complications that can arise following a rejuvenation procedure in lighter skin-type patients, including post-inflammatory dyschromias, keloids and hypertrophic scarring, among ...
New light on aging
Sep 01, 2007; ... Restoring symmetry, fullness of youth now seen as key to facial rejuvenation La Jolla, Calif. - Because of a shift to considering changes in the aging face to be the result of volume loss rather than gravity, effective new treatment options can now be implemented, according to Kimberly ...
Slowing hair loss progression
Sep 01, 2007; ... Study comparing results between identical twins shows dutasteride efficacy in androgenic alopecia tx Little Rock, Ark. - In a novel study of male identical twins with male pattern hair loss, the use of dutasteride significantly slowed the progression of hair loss and enhanced hair ...
Laser hair removal popular
Sep 01, 2007; ... Patient visits soar; doctor discusses treatment gray areas Petah Tikva, Israel - As the popularity of photoepilation treatments for hair removal continues to surge, it has become a mainstay in the modern dermatologie practice. Excessive hair growth can be due to hypertrichosis, ...
Negligible results, adverse effects
Sep 01, 2007; ... Study; No survival benefit seen in combination chemolmmunotherapy for aggressive melanoma Sao Paulo, Brazil - In the ongoing search for an effective systemic treatment for metastatic melanoma, the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy has gained some attention as a potential ...
DT Extra: Marijuana & skin cancer
Sep 01, 2007; ... The active component of marijuana may enhance the virus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School. Researchers said low doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component in marijuana that produces the "high' experienced by users, can assist the ...
Is SLNBx helpful? Study's claims debated
Sep 01, 2007; ... MSLT-1's secondary conclusions may be based on flawed analysis, researcher says Pittsburgh - In its primary endpoint analysis of five-year survival, the Melanoma Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT-1) showed no benefit of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNBx) compared with observation and ...
Post-transplant premalignant skin disease tx explored
Sep 01, 2007; ... Study finds 5-fluorouracil cream, topical photodynamic therapy effective London - Topical methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT) proves to be extremely effective as well as cosmetically acceptable in the treatment of premalignant epidermal dysplasia in organ transplant ...
Promise with narrow focus
Sep 01, 2007; ... German study shows treatment with Chlorin-e6-PDT effective for some types of BCC Berlin - According to the results of a recent German study, the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with Chlorin-e6-photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective and promising, but only for certain types of ...
5-FU cream proves promising for superficial BCC
Sep 01, 2007; ... Efficacy, tolerability, cosmetic outcome, patient satisfaction all positive San Diego - A recent study finds that 5 percent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is highly effective in treating superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC), offering a generally good cosmetic outcome and high levels of patient ...
Preparation is crucial to patient flow
Sep 01, 2007; ... BUSINESS CONSULT Simplify, clarify, document office algorithms for success Preparation is crucial to patient flow. Poor preparation wastes time-and your time, after all, is your dermatology practice s most valuable asset. Time is precious because it is not a renewable ...
DT Extra: How to listen up
Sep 01, 2007; ... When communicating, tune into nonverbal clues and tone of voice - both yours and the speaker's. Approximately 60 percent of communication occurs through nonverbal cues, and 34 percent through tone of voice. Think about kinesics (body movement), ocutesics (eye contact and movement), haptics ...
Banking on home equity
Sep 01, 2007; ... YOUR MONEY Second mortgages, lines of credit can fit bill You've been thinking about expanding your practice, or perhaps you have a child entering college, or maybe you just have a heavy debt load, and debt consolidation looks like a sensible way to lighten it. Whatever ...
Backing up is (not so) hard to do
Sep 01, 2007; ... Protect your practice records with one of several options If you've ever been a victim of a mild case of computer fever, a patient record that you couldn't open, or a pre- or postoperative media file that you or someone accidentally deleted, it could've been worse. These glitches ...
Shaping dermatology ... one word at a time
Sep 01, 2007; ... Little did June K. Robinson, M.D., know - when she was in charge of layout for her high school yearbook - that she would one day oversee the content of the oldest and, arguably, most powerful peerreviewed journal in dermatology. Today, after more than 30 years In academic dermatologie ...