News

Singapore - Non-invasive ways to renew aging faces are growing and changing. There are new devices, new twists on old techniques - and even changes in potential patients' wants and needs. But according to Robert Weiss, M.D., one aspect of this cosmetic dermatology niche is not likely to change.

It is estimated that less than 4 percent of the total number of dermatologists in the United States are following a purely academic career. Suffice to say that most academic dermatologists remain in the Franciscan branch of the family; if not truly a vow of poverty, then certainly a career-long differential from the income of our colleagues in private practice exists.

Dr. John Caribe has been licensed as a dentist in the state of New York for 20 years. He has hospital privileges at his local community hospital where he performs oral surgery and other dental procedures. Five years ago, Dr. Caribe received a medical degree from the University of Health Sciences Antigua, St. Johns, Antigua. He never completed any postgraduate training; nor did he complete any part of the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) or the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

Menlo Park, Calif. - Dale Pearlman, M.D., was puzzled. Increasingly, though he used appropriate, proven neurotoxic lotions to treat head lice problems of his patients, in far too many cases, the lice weren't going away.

Louisville, Ky.-Dermatologists are often faced with treating and managing severe cutaneous drug reactions.

New York - As winter exacerbates existing skin problems and precipitates new ones, many patients benefit from practical advice on changing their skin care regimens to fit the season, according to Ch?rie M. Ditre, M.D.

New York - The four recently defined subtypes of rosacea are likely caused by different pathogenic factors, and thus respond to different therapeutic regimens, according to Michelle T. Pelle, M.D.

Seattle - Dermatologists are usually the first specialists to see patients who have psoriasis and who might have psoriatic arthritis. Their decision about how to treat these patients can impact the cutaneous and arthritic manifestations of the disease.

In response to such concerns, in late 2003 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put out draft guidelines regarding genetic testing requirements for all drug submissions.

Part of the problem is that PG is very uncommon and can be difficult to diagnose.

Phototherapy offers good efficacy but patients can have frequent relapses.

Backed by a long and successful history as a tool to examine human anatomy such as the heart, breast, thyroid and prostate, sonography is now proving to be equally valuable in analyzing the skin.

National report - California pharmaceutical manufacturer Allergan is taking steps to reassure doctors and patients about the safety of Botox after four people became critically ill after they were treated with an unapproved raw botulinum toxin.

National report - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent approval for medical applications of VeriChip, the world's first implantable identification device for humans, could signal the beginning of a new state-of-the-art world of computerized data tracking previously seen only in science fiction movies.

Santa Barbara, Calif. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Inamed Corp.'s Captique, a non-animal-based hyaluronic acid gel to combat facial wrinkles. It is the newest dermal filler to enter the U.S. market.

Cleveland - Facial transplantation, a controversialprocedure, has moved one step closer to clinical practice,following approval of a protocol late last year by the ClevelandClinic's internal review board. However, no one can say when thefirst facial transplant will take place.

While many dermatologists believe the options for treating and curing vitiligo are lacking, one doctor in Argentina is having good success using a combination of nutritional supplements and topical steroids.

Another treatment used in the case of a severe acne patient who did not respond to any oral antibiotics was infliximab (Remicade, Centocor).

Englewood Cliffs, N.J. - Instead of prescribing drugs, a chiropractor and best-selling author based here advocates a holistic regimen that emphasizes changing the diets of psoriasis and eczema patients while ridding their bodies of toxins.

National report - When typical approaches are not effective, some physicians turn to the atypical to treat acne. A few doctors have had good success with such unusual treatments as vitamin supplements, herbs, lasers and even acupuncture.

National report - When it comes to dermatologic treatments that fall outside the mainstream, patients have long found plenty of these on their own. What they don't always find is help in evaluating these treatments' effectiveness.

National report - When it comes to dermatologic treatments that fall outside the mainstream, patients have long found plenty of these on their own. What they don't always find is help in evaluating these treatments' effectiveness.

Philadelphia - Dermatologists who set aside a few hours per year to meet with a qualified advisor to discuss asset protection, income tax reduction and estate planning will reap many business and personal financial rewards, according to David B. Mandell, J.D., M.B.A. and Lawrence B. Keller, C.L.U., Ch.F.C., R.H.U., L.U.T.C.F.

What happens north of the border can have implications in the U.S. down the road.

Many reliable sources will be providing physicians and staff input regarding all the changes set forth by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for fiscal year 2005. Based on the display copy of the Nov. 2, 2004 Federal Register, the 2005 AMA CPT book, and the ICD-9-CM Book for 2005 published by the World Health Organization, pertinent changes for dermatology practices are summarized below:

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Have dermatologists lost their way in the pursuit of profit? A. Bernard Ackerman, M.D., director emeritus of the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology in New York City, believes many have.

San Francisco - Researchers are learning more than ever about oxygen's role in the healing of both acute and chronic wounds. But, generally, dermatologists aren' taking advantage of these advances, according to Harriet W. Hopf, M.D

Miami, Fla. - Dermatologists who see diabetic patients with skin infections that have not responded to typical antibiotic treatment should suspect atypical mycobacteria, according to a case study by University of Miami researchers.

When a woman has genital itching or pain, the dermatologist is the right physician to identify the cause and solution, says Libby Edwards, M.D., chief of dermatology at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte,