News

Dallas - Dermatologic surgery can be safely performed in an outpatient setting without a significant risk of infection, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Chicago - Regional "spot checking" for antibiotic resistance in populations of patients with community-acquired impetigo may be in order, Patricia M. Mertz, B.A., said at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.

Frankfurt, Germany - The idea of losing one's beauty may hold more power over the idea of losing one's health. That is what the Association of European Cancer Leagues believes as they use this weapon in their ongoing battle to convince young women to stop smoking.

Dallas - N-2-butylcyanoacrylate glue (GluStitch) is a useful substitute for cuticular sutures in facial surgery, John W. Skouge, M.D., said at the joint meeting of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology.

Dallas - Manual superficial epidermasanding is a new surgical procedure that clears over 90 percent of multiple actinic keratoses (AK) with significantly less morbidity than the use of topical 5-fluorouracil, Herbert M. Janklow, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Anaheim, Calif. - Increasing resistance to over-the-counter head lice remedies will prompt more patients to turn to dermatologists for the treatment of pediculosis capitis, or head lice, Craig G. Burkhart, M.D., M.S.P.H., said.

Q. I am very concerned about the stock market, and I am consideringselling all of my holdings. Does it make sense to sell now before the marketgoes much lower?

Teleconferencing can take some practice to be effective, but in thelong run it will save your organization a tremendous amount of time andmoney. In order to help make teleconferencing a pleasant and productive experience,it is useful for us to have a good understanding of teleconference etiquette.Here are 14 tips:

Even before the atrocities in New York and at the Pentagon, teleconferenceswere becoming increasingly common in medicine, industry, and even for familyget-togethers. Now that travel is being curtailed, teleconferencing is likelyto play an even larger role in our lives - and you may be asked to leada teleconference. Here's how to succeed:

Dallas - Three novel variations of the island pedicle flap broadenthe dermatologic surgeon's options for reconstruction of facial cutaneoussurgery wounds, Tri H. Nguyen, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the AmericanCollege of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology.

Dallas - A recent technique modification has made the "winchstitch" an even easier and more controllable method for achieving intraoperativetissue expansion to facilitate closure of large, high-tension wounds, JacquesMichael Casparian, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Collegeof Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology.

Iowa City, Iowa - With the incredible growth in popularity of herbal medicines and supplements, dermatologists need to discuss their use with all patients, especially those who are about to undergo a dermatologic surgical procedure. Being aware of any herbal products the patient is taking prior to surgery can be just as important as knowing about prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Modality has antibacterial activity against P. acnes and an independent,potent anti-inflammatory effect

Study confirms that certain conditions are direct result of acne treatment;call on whether patient should continue drug should involve ophthalmologist

Other meetings postponed in immediate wake of attacks

Results of epidemiological studies presented at theannual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology do not supporta causal relationship between isotretinoin use and treatment for depression.

Tuesday, September 11th, began as a perfect day. I ate a healthy breakfast,worked out, and felt the pleasure of the late summer sun as I walked mydog before leaving for my office. I had no idea how quickly the day woulddeteriorate into an emotional hell

Facts on foiling fungus

How much do you trust your staff? Why does it matter? Trust affects thebottom line - the way you treat employees is the way they will treat patients.If it's acceptable that a company or manager need not keep promises, youcan almost guarantee employees won't be keeping promises to patients either.

Surgical option should be a last resort, but modality offers solutionto stubborn vitiligo cases

Anaheim, Calif. - Managing scars should begin even before thedermatological procedure and continue 12 to 24 months afterward, Samer Alaiti,M.D., F.A.C.P., said.

Sunnyvale, Calif. - Skin cancer patients as well as others withdifferent types of the disease can now afford to participate in clinicaltrials that may save their lives because the state requires insurance companiesto pay for the routine costs of treatment during the trials.

Washington - Studies conducted in laboratory animals point toa critical role for the cutaneous vascular system in the pathogenesis ofUV-induced skin damage and the possibility of targeting angiogenesis inhibitionas a strategy for preventing photodamage, Kiichiro Yano, Ph.D., said atthe annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology

Early detection of potentially fatal disease leads to proper treatmentand stems derm manifestation

Anaheim, Calif. - Prompt recognition of skin eruptions causedby anticonvulsant medications can prevent potentially life-threatening reactions,Adelaide Hebert, M.D., said at Academy '01.

Bipolar-battling lamotrigine linked to skin disorders that presentearly signs of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

'Equal opportunity' diseases strike diverse populations with myriadfrequency, making standardization of tests difficult and unwieldy

Washington - A series of cutaneous pharmacology studies conductedwith a selective retinoic acid metabolism inhibitor suggest this novel compoundhas the potential for treating a variety of retinoid-responsive dermatologicdiseases but with the advantage of causing less irritation compared to retinoicacid, Gerard J. Gendimenico, Ph.D., said at the Society for InvestigativeDermatology meeting.

In three studies for safety, patients show improvement in psoriasisas measured by PASI score

Washington - PUVA may be used with various adjuncts to improveefficacy and reduce UVA exposure in patients with psoriasis, but not allcombination regimens are beneficial, according to Warwick L. Morison, M.D.