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Smartphone photos aid pediatric diagnosisPhotos taken by parents and submitted by smartphone are usually of sufficient quality to allow accurate diagnosis of some common pediatric skin conditions, results of a recent study in JAMA Dermatology suggests.
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Make it an Annual EventSan Francisco - A baseline examination followed by yearly screening for retinopathy is probably adequate for patients taking chronic antimalarial therapy, Stephen E. Wolverton, M.D., said.
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Consider skin of color when using pigment lasersPortland, Ore. - Skin color can determine the best type of pigment laser to use, according to Ken Lee, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon at Oregon Health and Science University.
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Estrogen replacement therapy benefits variety of skin concernsEight years after the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) linked estrogen supplementation to breast cancer and heart disease, the impact of estrogen withdrawal is obvious in a less-than-obvious location; hormone-deficient vulvar disease is becoming more common, according to F. William Danby, M.D.
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High Tech = High CostIncreased paperwork is at least partly to blame for many of the management difficulties faced by dermatologists, according to Thomas G. Olsen M.D.
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Accutane Illicitly Sold, Congress, FDA WarnWashington - Tighter restrictions on Accutane could have a reverse effect - increased black market activity - the FDA told a congressional investigative subcommittee on Dec. 11.
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Highlighting the ins and outs of effective destruction billingBilling CPT codes that start with "17" - the destruction codes - remain a source of confusion for both billers and providers. Destruction means that you are destroying lesions using one of several methods. The most common methods in dermatology include liquid nitrogen, electrodessication and curettage, laser and the use of chemicals. Below is a snapshot summary of the destruction codes.
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Emitting softening without heatWashington, D.C. - A unique, new technology in the form of laser-mediated photodynamic therapy offers advantages for skin rejuvenation not seen from other non-ablative or ablative technologies, according to Roy G. Geronemus, M.D., director of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.
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Mind over matterWashington, D.C. - Despite the growing popularity of new modalities, the CO2 laser remains the gold standard for tissue tightening and contraction of the skin, said Sue Ellen Cox, M.D. However, the choice of therapy largely depends on the age and mindset of the patient, she added.
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Facelift AlternativeNew Orleans -- The Facial Lipo-Lift, a new technique combining modifications of facial and neck tumescent liposculpture with a short scar facelift, provides a safe, effective, minimally invasive alternative to a traditional facelift, said Greg S. Morganroth, M.D.
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Electronic chartingSan Diego - Electronic medical records are more efficient than paper charts, but dermatology practices have been slow to catch on because of its costs, said Lawrence Martinelli, M.D. He said EMRs can actually save time and money for physicians who learn to adapt their office systems and buy only what they need. He spoke at the 41st Infectious Disease Society of America annual meeting here.
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Dermatologists fail to screen patients for depressionDermatologists should take ownership of screening patients for mental health concerns associated with their skin condition.
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12 Steps to a Better PracticeLittle Rock, Ark. - Forget David Letterman's top 10 list. Dr. Scott Dinehart's top 12 ideas for improving practice efficiency is far more inspiring to dermatologists.
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Injectable complications: Biofilm phenomenon is among major safety concernsAs the popularity and options for injectable fillers increase, so does the need for awareness and prevention of complications.
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Turn Back the ClockPhiladelphia - Of all the cosmetic procedures that make hands appear younger, sclerotherapy delivers the most dramatic, long-lasting results, according to Lee Schulman, M.D., a phlebologist at Schulman Vein and Laser Center in New York City.
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Infections are getting more seriousSan Diego - The incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphyloccocus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections rapidly increased in 2003, and the infections appear to be getting more serious, according to Dennis L. Stevens, M.D., Ph.D.
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Basic research plays vital role in treating KSMontreal - Physicians must use information obtained about Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus learned through basic research to help prevent and treat KS in the clinical setting, a virology expert said.
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Real , personal property taxes are biggest burdensTax planning long has been an extremely effective tool used by many dermatologists to keep their tax bills to a minimum. Often overlooked in this ongoing battle for legitimately lower tax bills, however, is the biggest tax bill faced by many dermatologists and their practices: property taxes. Even those who rent property for their practices are impacted by property taxes.
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Consider your options carefully with life insuranceQ How much life insurance coverage is recommended for a physician who has a family?
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Targeting MelanomaWith close to 60,000 new cases predicted for 2003, in terms of incidence melanoma is probably the fastest rising cancer in the United States. But even as the incidence of melanoma rises annually, the mortality rate has remained fairly stable.
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Novel melanoma treatment: Preliminary study shows high response rates, regression of metastatic lesionsHigh response rates and regression of metastatic lesions were observed in preliminary study results.
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Clinicians examine mind-body connection of urticaria, stressAlthough the expression "I was so stressed I broke out in hives" is quite common, it can be a challenge for dermatologists to identify the psychosocial precipitants of chronic urticaria, according to Josie Howard, M.D., a psychiatrist in private practice, and clinical instructor departments of psychiatry and dermatology, University of California, San Francisco. But that is beginning to change, she says.
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Paradigm shift: Link discovered between HPV, skin cancerDevelopments that link HPV to skin cancer could change the frontiers of medicine.
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Skin cancer diagnosis spurs congressman to advocate for more research, fundingDermatology has a committed ambassador in Capitol Hill, but it's tragic as to why. Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) and his youngest daughter, Briana, both have been diagnosed with skin cancer and are speaking out about it to encourage others to prevent and detect skin cancer early. The congressman has co-sponsored the Melanoma Research Act of 2012, which would provide funding for skin cancer research.
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Dermatologists weigh in on the Affordable Care ActAfter the U.S. Supreme Court of the United States upheld the constitutionality of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the individual mandate requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance, a number of professional medical organizations reiterated concern about potential effects of the law.
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Limited TIMs?London -- A report published by Britain's National Prescribing Center saying that Fujisawa's Protopic (tacrolimus) and Novartis' Elidel (pimecrolimus) have only a limited role in the treatment of eczema was intended for general practitioners rather than dermatologists and refers mostly to mild cases treated in primary care settings.
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I Used Botulinum Toxin for Migraines—Now I’ve Been SuedDavid Goldberg, MD, JD, stated the use of drugs and devices for conditions that are not otherwise indicated is widespread among physicians and is generally not considered experimental or investigational.
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Same-Day TxSan Francisco - Two new dermal fillers approved for use without a pre-treatment skin test will enable dermatologists to offer patients same-day collagen replacement therapy.
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Experts Weigh in on Best Body-Focused Skin CareSlathering the body with the same skin-care products designed for the face is a bad idea, experts say.
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French Results Echo Expert FindingsAccording to a study in Annals of Dermatology and Venerology, pediatric patients with psoriasis in France frequently missed dermatologic consultations.
