News

Paris - Some drugs can play a role in the management of ulcers due to venous insufficiency, but surgical and physical interventions remain the mainstays for treating the chronic wounds, Mieke Flour, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

New York-The pharmacologic use of growth factors already FDA approved and useful in treating recalcitrant diabetic leg ulcers shows promise as an off-label therapy for other wounds that heal slowly, Chris Arpey, M.D., associate director of dermatologic surgery, University of Iowa, said.

Paris - Topical imiquimod offers safe and often effective treatment for basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) in immunosuppressed, solid organ transplantation patients, David Vidal, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

New York - Mixing surgery and air travel may be a recipe for increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Until studies show definitively the link between air travel and blood clots, surgical patients need to be advised how to decrease their risk.

Paris - Imiquimod 5 percent cream (Aldara), like intralesional interferon, may prevent keloid recurrence. And although imiquimod use may necessitate longer treatment - up to eight weeks compared to two injections of interferon - the drug is without adverse systemic reactions, Ivonne Arellano, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Narrowband UVB is more effective in the treatment of generalized vitiligo than either PUVA in combination with calcipotriol or PUVA alone, according to a study performed by Salah Al Rubaie, M.D., Rashid Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Q. How can patients develop nail fungal infections when all the salon instruments are sterilized?

The first generic version of Accutane (isotretinoin), approved Nov. 11 by the FDA, reached market in late November at a price approximately 5.5 percent lower than the brand name.

Boston - Although officials are mum on details, product quality appears to be one factor in the transfer of worldwide marketing of Apligraf from Novartis Inc. back to Organogenesis, which develops the engineered skin and is solely responsible for its manufacture.

Alefacept drops specifically activated memory T cellsPhysician: Charles N. Ellis, M.D.

Excimer laser, fiber-optic modalities effective in less timePhysician: Henry W. Lim, M.D.

Efalizumab retreatment works as effectively as original treatmentPhysician: Kim A. Papp, M.D.

La Jolla, Calif. - A new set of psoriasis treatment algorithms, developed by the National Psoriasis Foundation, is available in a new, 102-page physician pocket guide.

Boise, Idaho - The most significant impact of information therapy on a dermatology practice will be extending the doctor's office into the patient's home, said Donald W. Kemper, chief executive officer of Healthwise, Inc., a healthcare decision-making company. Several years ago Kemper coined "information therapy," or "Ix." The term refers to the provision of current, evidence-based information to patients and their caregivers at each step of diagnosis and treatment.

Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., clinical associate professor, department of dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and William P. Coleman III, M.D., editor, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, discuss advances in dermatologic surgery.

New York - Dopamine agonists commonly prescribed to treat Parkinson's disease can cause alopecia, according to a recent study. Parkinson's affects about 1.5 million Americans.

Paris - Follicular unit hair transplantation using the frontal forelock concept followed by oral finasteride (Propecia) treatment can be a useful approach for achieving excellent final cosmetic results after a single transplantation session in men with androgenetic alopecia, said Ki-Hoon Song, M.D., at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Androgenetic alopecia researchers have recently made important discoveries regarding pathogenic pathways for the hair-loss disorder and possible new approaches to treatment, Antonella Tosti, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Effective pain control in nail surgery requires use of multiple strategies implemented before, during, and after the procedure, David A. de Berker, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Dr. Aaron has been asked to provide expert witness in a medical malpractice case against another physician. He has also been a treating physician and has written numerous comments in his own medical records about the suing plaintiff patient.

Marlton, N.J. - Results from a national survey of dermatologic surgeons support the conclusion that liposuction performed with a conservative approach using local anesthesia and with removal of smaller volumes of fat is a very safe procedure, Naomi Lawrence, M.D., said.

Paris - There is compelling evidence with in vitro and animal studies that an increase in some antioxidants - especially those applied to the skin - helps protect the skin from cell-damaging oxidants, whether the aging is due to intrinsic or extrinsic stressors. Where the research falls short, one expert said, is in the lack of human studies.

Paris - A new ultrasound procedure, high-resolution sonography, is providing a new way to look deeper into the skin. With the method, physicians can analyze the in-depth penetration and growth of skin tumors, the healing of inflammatory diseases, and the effect of ointments on the skin.

Piscataway, N.J. - The topical application of caffeine or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibited tumor formation in mice that were at high risk of skin cancer following a period of UVB irradiation in a laboratory study conducted at Rutgers University, New Jersey.

Paris - Histopathologic studies that indicate early melanomas in the lateral growth phase have limited, if any, potential to metastasize present an interesting hypothetical question: Are reports of increased prevalence of melanoma exaggerated?

Paris - Capsaicin applied topically and naltrexone given orally provide effective, safe, and well tolerated therapy for pruritus, according to two studies conducted by Sonja Stander, M.D.

Ever since "The Doctor" and "City Hospital" made their debuts in 1952, medical dramas have been a staple of the television industry. "Ben Casey" and "Dr. Kildare" were contemporaries, as were "ER" and "Chicago Hope."

Dermatologists should be aware of new warnings from the federal government to drug manufacturers, cautioning against marketing practices that could be in violation of federal anti-kickback laws.

Boston - Organogenesis, which pioneered the engineered skin Apligraf, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September.

Direct-to-consumer advertising in U.S. healthcare is at both a zenith and crossroads where capitalism meets the ethical practice of medicine. DTC spending has never been higher, rising steadily since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the tactic in 1997.