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5-Fluorouracil Combo PromisingChicago - The combination of oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) and a continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) appears to offer a promising chemotherapeutic alternative to the presently administered cisplatin or carboplatin-based approach for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, Marc Debled, M.D., said at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.
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Staphylococcus Aureus VirulenceSan Diego - Ominous episodes of furunculosis due to an unusual strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) appeared suddenly among a classroom of third-grade students in a Swiss village. Some boils were so severe and painful the children had to be hospitalized for surgical drainage and IV antibiotics, a Swiss/French research team reported at the recent Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
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Research sheds light on inflammatory mechanism of sunburnUltraviolet B (UVB) radiation damage to noncoding RNAs in keratinocytes initiates a cascade of events leading to the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a cytokine central to the inflammatory skin response commonly known as sunburn. The surprising discovery of this mechanism has potential implications for better understanding of prevention, carcinogenesis and phototherapy, researchers say.
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Money market accounts: Weigh safety vs. rate of returnDespite recent historically low yields, many investors use money market mutual funds for simple liquidity needs, as well to provide a parking place for emergency reserve dollars.
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YouTube for doctors: Standard protocols do not yet exist for this mediumDo you want to share a video of yourself discussing a medical topic, or demonstrating a new procedure? Visit www.thedoctorschannel.com, where you can view videos uploaded by other physicians, and upload your own material.
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Extra ... Extra ...New York - Two years ago Neil Sadick, M.D., started a newsletter to inform his patients about new procedures and research studies at his practice in New York City. One issue included stories about laser liposuction, the new botulinum toxin B molecule called Myobloc, and IPL photorejuvenation.
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Laser removes AKs for a yearLa Jolla, Calif. - A single treatment with d-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) for one hour followed by intense pulsed light (IPL) exposure achieves photorejuvention and removes superficial actinic keratoses (AKs) without recurrence for at least one year.
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Review of D.C. DetailsWhen Parisian-born architect Pierre-Charles L'Enfant first viewed the land along the banks of the Potomac River in 1791, he must have been a little disappointed.
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Fighting the FlakesSan Francisco - Although dandruff and anti-dandruff shampoos have been around for years, there is new information to share with patients that will help them fight the flakes. Roberta Boyd, associate director of scalp care and anti-dandruff technology at Procter and Gamble, and associates outlined the latest developments in anti-dandruff shampoos and hair health in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Smartphone photos aid pediatric diagnosisPhotos taken by parents and submitted by smartphone are usually of sufficient quality to allow accurate diagnosis of some common pediatric skin conditions, results of a recent study in JAMA Dermatology suggests.
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Make it an Annual EventSan Francisco - A baseline examination followed by yearly screening for retinopathy is probably adequate for patients taking chronic antimalarial therapy, Stephen E. Wolverton, M.D., said.
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Consider skin of color when using pigment lasersPortland, Ore. - Skin color can determine the best type of pigment laser to use, according to Ken Lee, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon at Oregon Health and Science University.
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Estrogen replacement therapy benefits variety of skin concernsEight years after the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) linked estrogen supplementation to breast cancer and heart disease, the impact of estrogen withdrawal is obvious in a less-than-obvious location; hormone-deficient vulvar disease is becoming more common, according to F. William Danby, M.D.
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High Tech = High CostIncreased paperwork is at least partly to blame for many of the management difficulties faced by dermatologists, according to Thomas G. Olsen M.D.
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Accutane Illicitly Sold, Congress, FDA WarnWashington - Tighter restrictions on Accutane could have a reverse effect - increased black market activity - the FDA told a congressional investigative subcommittee on Dec. 11.
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Highlighting the ins and outs of effective destruction billingBilling CPT codes that start with "17" - the destruction codes - remain a source of confusion for both billers and providers. Destruction means that you are destroying lesions using one of several methods. The most common methods in dermatology include liquid nitrogen, electrodessication and curettage, laser and the use of chemicals. Below is a snapshot summary of the destruction codes.
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Emitting softening without heatWashington, D.C. - A unique, new technology in the form of laser-mediated photodynamic therapy offers advantages for skin rejuvenation not seen from other non-ablative or ablative technologies, according to Roy G. Geronemus, M.D., director of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.
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Mind over matterWashington, D.C. - Despite the growing popularity of new modalities, the CO2 laser remains the gold standard for tissue tightening and contraction of the skin, said Sue Ellen Cox, M.D. However, the choice of therapy largely depends on the age and mindset of the patient, she added.
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Facelift AlternativeNew Orleans -- The Facial Lipo-Lift, a new technique combining modifications of facial and neck tumescent liposculpture with a short scar facelift, provides a safe, effective, minimally invasive alternative to a traditional facelift, said Greg S. Morganroth, M.D.
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Electronic chartingSan Diego - Electronic medical records are more efficient than paper charts, but dermatology practices have been slow to catch on because of its costs, said Lawrence Martinelli, M.D. He said EMRs can actually save time and money for physicians who learn to adapt their office systems and buy only what they need. He spoke at the 41st Infectious Disease Society of America annual meeting here.
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Dermatologists fail to screen patients for depressionDermatologists should take ownership of screening patients for mental health concerns associated with their skin condition.
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12 Steps to a Better PracticeLittle Rock, Ark. - Forget David Letterman's top 10 list. Dr. Scott Dinehart's top 12 ideas for improving practice efficiency is far more inspiring to dermatologists.
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Injectable complications: Biofilm phenomenon is among major safety concernsAs the popularity and options for injectable fillers increase, so does the need for awareness and prevention of complications.
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Turn Back the ClockPhiladelphia - Of all the cosmetic procedures that make hands appear younger, sclerotherapy delivers the most dramatic, long-lasting results, according to Lee Schulman, M.D., a phlebologist at Schulman Vein and Laser Center in New York City.
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Infections are getting more seriousSan Diego - The incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphyloccocus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections rapidly increased in 2003, and the infections appear to be getting more serious, according to Dennis L. Stevens, M.D., Ph.D.
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Basic research plays vital role in treating KSMontreal - Physicians must use information obtained about Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus learned through basic research to help prevent and treat KS in the clinical setting, a virology expert said.
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Real , personal property taxes are biggest burdensTax planning long has been an extremely effective tool used by many dermatologists to keep their tax bills to a minimum. Often overlooked in this ongoing battle for legitimately lower tax bills, however, is the biggest tax bill faced by many dermatologists and their practices: property taxes. Even those who rent property for their practices are impacted by property taxes.
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Consider your options carefully with life insuranceQ How much life insurance coverage is recommended for a physician who has a family?
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Targeting MelanomaWith close to 60,000 new cases predicted for 2003, in terms of incidence melanoma is probably the fastest rising cancer in the United States. But even as the incidence of melanoma rises annually, the mortality rate has remained fairly stable.
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Novel melanoma treatment: Preliminary study shows high response rates, regression of metastatic lesionsHigh response rates and regression of metastatic lesions were observed in preliminary study results.
