Pediatric Dermatology

2006 is shaping up to be a year that will see an important battle over how physicians, dermatologists included, are reimbursed for serving Medicare patients.

I believe only a complete dermatological examination is a complete examination by a dermatologist.

Counterfeit prescription drugs pose a "potentially serious health threat" in the United States — one that can result in serious or deadly consequences for patients because of unscrupulous acts of profiteers who take advantage of a lack of uniform regulation and enforcement.

Hire, train and properly supervise a physician assistant.

Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia — According to Robert Sidbury, M.D., two of the most important pediatric studies published this year investigated the alleged connection between isotretinoin and depression, thoughts of suicide and even suicide itself among some teenage users being treated for acne.

Counterfeit prescription drugs pose a "potentially serious health threat" in the United States — one that can result in serious or deadly consequences for patients because of unscrupulous acts of profiteers who take advantage of a lack of uniform regulation and enforcement.

I am certain that most of you have heard the following comments made by a well-meaning patient: "I first saw a dermatologist for my problem. I then went to a doctor for further evaluation."

Vancouver, British Columbia — What causes regression to occur in melanoma and what is the significance of regression when it does occur?

Q. Why can't I find a shampoo that combines salicylic acid with tar for my seborrheic dermatitis patients?

National report — From griseofulvin to terbinafine, oral medications to rid patients of fungal disease have evolved to treat a broader spectrum of disease, with fewer side effects. Topical medications have improved, as well, but still are not nearly as effective as oral prescriptions.

National report — Categorizing urticaria and following up with effective treatment can prove to be very challenging to the clinician, according to Aniko Kobza Black, M.D., attending physician, St. John's Institute of Dermatology and St. Thomas Hospital, London.

Using layered effects — changing parameters and going back over some areas such as scars — brings a little more efficacy to those areas.

Q I billed Medicare for the following services. All of the Mohs procedures were denied. Patient was in a 90-day postoperative period for a flap that was done 20 days earlier. Tell me how I should have coded to avoid the denials of my Mohs services?

Hire, train and properly supervise a physician assistant.

By Beth Gilbert

New Orleans — A new plasma-based system (Plasma Skin Resurfacing/PSR, Gyrus Medical) appears effective for repeated treatments using nonablative energy parameters.

National report — Children infected with herpes simplex virus can be safely treated with valacyclovir — an antiviral commonly prescribed to treat adult herpes infection, according to research by Richard F. Jacobs, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Arkansas Children's Hospital.

Philadelphia - The emergence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and new approaches to treatment of various bacterial illnesses are capturing the interests of dermatologists.

Chicago — The use of dermoscopy can improve dermatologists' accuracy in diagnosing pigmented lesions, but only if it is done properly.

Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia — According to Robert Sidbury, M.D., two of the most important pediatric studies published this year investigated the alleged connection between isotretinoin and depression, thoughts of suicide and even suicide itself among some teenage users being treated for acne.

There is a significant variation in the age of sufferers, just as there are various forms of acne.

St. Louis — A recent study shows that isotretinoin has the potential to improve depressed mood among adolescent users much more often than to cause it, as the package insert warns.

There is a significant variation in the age of sufferers, just as there are various forms of acne.

Proper application consists of placing a "fingertip unit" of medication at each of 10 spots on the face — two on the mid-forehead (left and right), one each on the tip of the nose and chin, two spaced across each cheek, and one on each side of thelower face at a location that is approximately mid-distance between the spots on the cheek.

Preferably, PDL treatment should be initiated within the first two to four weeks after scar development.