Bob Kronemyer

There is increasing patient injury and legal action from cutaneous laser surgery, particularly when performed by non-physicians.

The cost of skin cancer treatments continue to increase in the United States where a large proportion of expenditures stem from the cost of systemic agents for melanoma.

Specialties are being affected by policy reforms that impact physician payment. In this article, we breakdown the payment models and highlight the pros and cons of each model.

An age-specific evaluation of patients with pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) may allow for the development of focused algorithms for prioritizing assessment based on age, according to a cohort study of 356 cases of PG in JAMA Dermatology.

Aesthetic practices that provide laser and light-based therapies should be cognizant of legal issues that may affect the practice. “Legal issues arise in all facets of medicine. However, in cosmetics, the patient’s expectation of outcomes is often in conflict with that of the clinician. There is a heightened potential for patient dissatisfaction that can ultimately lead to legal action,” says Dr. Mathew Avram.

Researchers writing in JAMA Dermatology say that the evidence for light therapies as effective acne treatments remains weak and inconclusive, but one may be worth noting.

Doctors writing in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology find blunt cannula subcision (BCS) more effective than Nokor needle subcision (NNS) for acne scarring.

Review provides solid, reaffirming scientific data in support of using the medication for acne.

Because skin metastasis is usually asymptomatic, conducting thorough skin assessments is critical for timely diagnosis of internal malignancy, researchers write in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners.

Treatment significantly improved event-free survival in patients with high-risk, surgically resectable, clinical stage III and IV melanoma, researchers report.

The presence of adult acne, especially among women, is increasing, shows an Italian study that points to job stress for exasperating the condition in adults who are harder hit by the psychological, social and emotional effects of the condition as compared to teens.

A JAMA Dermatology study raises the possibility of adopting the NASH FibroSure test to detect hepatic fibrosis in psoriasis patients and minimize the number of liver biopsies.

Fear associated with perceived pain from injectable biologics has been shown to be successfully addressed by employing anchoring bias interventions, researchers report in JAMA Dermatology.

Litigation is largely due to a practitioner’s lack of training and the lack of informed consent for the patient.

Big cash offers not always best for the practice or patient.

Although most malpractice cases against dermatologists are abandoned, withdrawn or dismissed, communication with patients may minimize liability.

Adult AD may be influenced by childhood eczema, though most adults have no memory of childhood eczema.

Drug development for established atopic dermatitis focuses on both managing flares and long-term disease control.

Most moisturizes contain ingredients that are not advertised and could potentially harm some patients, study shows.

The purpose of a budget is to help a practice spend less than what it earns. Benchmarking indicates whether a practice is underachieving or overachieving compared to similar businesses. Learn more.

The International Eczema Council (IEC) is recommending that the routine use of systemic corticosteroids for atopic dermatitis be discouraged and instead, it should be reserved for special circumstances.

Biopsy can differentiate risk level for patients, but selectively indicated

“Because atopic dermatitis is episodic, its incidence, prevalence, persistence, remission, flare and long-term control require careful definition,” researchers write.

Oral propranolol is prescribed for the most serious cases. In this Lancet review, experts highlight some considerations for treatment.

Mole count in adolescents predictor of melanoma. Sun exposure habits develop in teen years. Prevent melanoma through sun protection. Reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.

Children under two years old with signs of atopic dermatitis have an increased risk of developing asthma and food allergies, researchers report in JAMA Pediatrics. And, young children with both early onset atopic dermatitis and a food allergy, have a “very high risk” of developing asthma or allergic rhinitis.

Patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis in the pediatric population is performed at a higher rate than previously reported, but still grossly underreported, according to a study of the Pediatric Contact Dermatitis Registry.

Prednisolone was the first-line therapy for hemangiomas for many years before propranolol was recognized as the treatment of choice in infantile hemangiomas. Both modalities have a 90% response rate.