News

Zurich, Switzerland - Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG has decided to stop selling Accutane (isotretinoin), as it has reached the end of its life cycle and cannot compete with generic alternatives, Reuters reports.

Beverly Hills, Calif. - Injecting the scalp with Botox is an effective way to encourage new hair growth, according to an aesthetic surgeon who injected his mother's scalp with Botox to treat severe headaches caused by chemotherapy.

Cleveland - Cleveland Clinic surgeon Maria Siemionow, M.D., Ph.D., who led a team of doctors who performed the first near-total face transplant in the United States in late 2008, has written a book about the ground-breaking procedure.

International report - Pharmacogenomics research and development innovator PharmaGenoma, Inc. and its subsidiary HairDX, LLC (www.hairdx.com), pioneers of genetic tests for predicting the risk of male and female hair loss, today announced the launch of its European subsidiary, HairDX Europe.

If staff overtime is common in your dermatology practice, it?s time to take note. Overtime is costly, and can be abused.

A gel combining benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin appears to reduce noninflammatory lesion counts more quickly than adapalene does for patients with mild to moderate acne, an expert says.

A newly approved acne medication that combines adapalene and benzoyl peroxide has shown safety and efficacy with daily use for up to one year and does not contribute to antibiotic resistance, a researcher says.

A novel treatment approach using ALA-PDT in combination with standard topical therapies proves to be very effective in treating mild-to-severe acne lesions. According to one expert, this combination approach can achieve a high clearance of acne lesions and may be a solution for treating acne lesions long term.

Most of the significant recent advances in acne treatment involve changes in vehicle formulation that may improve medications' tolerability, efficacy or both, a leading clinician and researcher says. For treating tough acne cases, another expert adds, dermatologists must use simpler, more patient-friendly regimens.

St. Charles, Ill. - Dermatologist Rany Jazayerli, M.D., says he knew he’d hit the big time when he stumbled upon his own profile on the online encyclopedia Wikipedia.

The concept of nanotechnology, which relies on nano-sized synthetic materials to provide the functionality of automated machines, is nothing new. However, the science of small has moved from electronics into the biological realm. Balancing the benefits and risks of nanotechnology with respect to patient treatment is essential, an expert says.

The orthodox use of strong sunscreens is largely effective in blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, this protective measure is not 100 percent successful. Recent research finds that the once-a-day application of a novel topical serum containing antioxidants not only helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays, it also improves the visible signs of photodamage.

Basic forensic knowledge can help dermatologists with everything from recognizing physical abuse to assisting in criminal investigations, an expert says.

An expert says physicians sometimes overlook the key element of chronic woundcare - properly diagnosing the causes of chronic wounds.

Physicians historically have used antiangiogenic agents in oncologic and ophthalmologic indications, but dermatologic applications for these medications are under investigation, an expert says.

Preliminary, yet promising, outcomes in two patients suggests dual therapy involving limited surgical excision followed by topical application of imiquimod 5 percent cream (Aldara, Graceway) may be an option to consider for treating invasive malignant melanoma surrounded by lentigo maligna (LM) in patients who refuse or are not good candidates for more extensive surgery, according to researchers from the department of dermatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis.

As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - the "stimulus package" - a bonanza of new research money is now available at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and skin disease research is in a position to benefit.

As attorneys and consultants to thousands of physicians across the country, we are constantly astounded by the attitudes of physicians regarding the sale of their medical practices. Most often, today, we hear the complaint that doctors do not feel they can sell a practice for any significant value. They generally do not feel the practice is "worth anything," especially if they do not have younger partners to buy them out.

Systemic retinoids can be used to help transplant patients, long-term phototherapy patients, and patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma fight skin cancer. Systemic retinoids are also used in psoriasis patients with long-term exposure to phototherapy.

Dr. Derm formerly employed three secretaries. One secretary was terminated, and the remaining ones must do the work of three staff members. He still has 17 employees.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., seemed destined for a career in medicine. His mother, Susan, a family practitioner, was the first black female - and youngest, at age 23 - to graduate from the University of Minnesota Medical School, in 1963. His father, Charles II, is a nationally recognized obstetrician-gynecologist.

Although Aldara (imiquimod, Graceway) is effective treatment for basal cell carcinomas and actinic keratosis, researchers are looking for alternative topicals with fewer drawbacks.

A few months ago, I wrote an editorial for Dermatology Times on the subject of Mohs micrographic surgery and its potential abuses. I noted that while the procedure is very beneficial, it is sometimes overused for questionable indications.

Biologic therapy is proven to increase the quality of life in adult patients suffering from moderate-to-severe psoriasis. A recent study shows that etanercept (Enbrel, Immunex) can achieve similar positive results in children and adolescents, offering hope to this patient population.

Results of a prospective, split-side controlled trial enrolling 22 patients with skin types II-VI indicate hair removal with the long-pulsed 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser is associated with significant improvement in lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa without causing significant adverse effects.

Recent study results indicate that there is a relationship between the severity of psoriasis and CRP levels, as well as BMI in pediatric patients. These patients are also at a higher cardiovascular risk, begging the need for treatment strategies in terms of lipid-lowering therapies.

Practice management consultants Elizabeth W. Woodcock, M.B.A., the founder of Woodcock & Associates, Atlanta, and Pamela L. Moore, Ph.D., director of content and strategy for Physicians Practice, Inc., offer these tips for protecting your practice during tough times

The spectrum of male genital dermatoses encompasses a range of infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. In providing proper diagnosis and management, the dermatologist can play an important role in minimizing the morbidity and mortality that can accompany these conditions.

Revenue is flat, even dropping, at many dermatology practices. The recession that began last year is leading more Americans to cut back on preventive care, as well as elective procedures and treatments.

Early identification of dysplastic nevi (DM) is crucial, as patients with DM are at significantly greater risk of developing malignant melanoma. An expert advocates a DN management strategy that utilizes total cutaneous examination, total cutaneous photography and dermoscopy.