News

Acne scars are potentially socially debilitating lifelong reminders of the condition. Fortunately, modern laser therapy allows dermatologists to offer their patients hope for improvement. Prior to initiating laser therapy for acne scars it is important to consider the types of scars encountered.

A patient has melanoma in situ removed from her face and develops sepsis. She sues her doctor, claiming he should have explained that infection could lead to sepsis and death. Was his warning about the risk of infection enough? What is he required to disclose during his informed consent with his patient?

Since pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) can occur in patients taking immunosuppressive medications for a variety of indications, one physician suggests considering PCP prophylaxis for these patients.

Perhaps overzealous in the past, leading organizations have simplified guidelines regarding prophylactic use of anti-infective agents before and during skin surgeries, according to an expert.

The complexities of diagnosing and managing paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome (PAMS) requires a multidisciplinary, team-oriented approach, an expert says.

Keloids and scars may respond to immune response modifiers and experimental technologies such as a hydrogel scaffold or an antisense oligonucleotide, says Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D.

Students who have had acne may qualify for college scholarship funds of up to $12,000 per year from Valeant Dermatology, according to a news release.

Dermatologist Barbara Gilchrest, M.D., has been named a 2012 Charter Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

Pharmaceutical company Galderma has acquired Spirig Pharma, a move that will boost its line of products for treating various dermatologic conditions.

Verisante Technology has entered into an agreement with Laserwelt to distribute its Verisante Aura device in Austria, Germany and Liechtenstein.

When tissue conservation is critical, Mohs surgery remains the standard of care in skin cancer removal, allowing clinicians greater margin control than some treatment alternatives.

Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) increases patient safety, experts say. This tool not only eliminates interpretation errors from handwritten prescriptions, it creates a communications bridge between the physician, pharmacist and patient.

Like many children, Mona Gohara, M.D., took lifelong cues from her parents. Her father a surgeon and her mother a pathologist, Gohara’s Egyptian parents came to the United States in 1969. Her mother, Amira Gohara, M.D., completed her residency at the Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, and went on to become the first foreign medical graduate, female dean in this country’s history.

Federal regulators are more closely scrutinizing some dermatologic surgery codes, including those that are considered the “bread and butter” for skin cancer repairs. And codes that are deemed misvalued could be cut by as much as one-third by Medicare. Commercial carriers could follow suit.

Because the impact of elevated vitamin D levels in areas other than bone health has yet to be established, an expert recommends oral supplementation and maximum sun protection for patients with melanoma.

The abnormal appearance of the nails is often a clue to systemic illness; unfortunately, most physicians - dermatologists and primary care providers alike - omit nail assessments.

Ongoing refinements of the Ultherapy (Ulthera) device and how it’s used are making it a go-to treatment for rejuvenating the face and neck, an expert says.

Some diseases, conditions and treatments are different in patients with skin of color as compared to Caucasian patients, and understanding these differences is essential in choosing appropriate therapy, according to Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D.

A newly formed group of indoor tanning retailers is working to correct what it calls “misinformation” about tanning beds and boost public awareness of the potential benefits of UV exposure.

Physicians’ fear of oral antifungals has propelled laser therapy for onychomycosis to the forefront, says Bryan C. Markinson, D.P.M.

Many dermatologists are either implementing or considering implementing electronic medical records systems (EMRs) in their practices. Having just done this for my practice, I wanted to share a few thoughts that may be helpful for those who decide to join the “paperless” ranks in the next year or so.

When dermatologists descend on Miami Beach in March for the 71st American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting, they’ll enjoy a global city known for its clear blue waters and white sandy beaches set against a backdrop that includes a unique art deco landscape and a rich cultural mix. Remember to enjoy the show and, even more, enjoy the city.

When managing complex oral ulcers, an expert says, taking a systematic approach helps guide treatment of the ulcers and any conditions that contribute to them.

Developing treatments for rosacea requires first understanding the many pathways that contribute to its development, says Richard L. Gallo, M.D., Ph.D. The current hypothesis regarding the pathology of rosacea is that “there are certain triggers that we hear about from our patients, or observe ourselves,” Dr. Gallo says. “Then there’s a response,” which includes vascular, inflammatory and histopathologic changes in the skin.

Laser and light therapies for hair stimulation and the treatment of nail fungus have a place in the dermatologist’s toolbox, but it is somewhere on the second shelf, according to two experts.

The therapeutic armamentarium for alopecia has improved, but clinicians must first establish the type of hair loss a patient has and its etiology in order to select appropriate management solutions, says Dirk M. Elston, M.D.

A proposed alternative staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) improves the prognostic discrimination of tumors, results of a recent study suggest.

A microneedle radiofrequency (RF) device was as effective for acne vulgaris as a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, but with less downtime, according to findings from a recent study.

Relative proportions of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the S. aureus isolates rose by 17 percent in three years at an outpatient dermatology clinic, and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) increased its antibiotic resistance during that time, results of a recent study indicate.

A mutated gene in melanoma tumors of the eye may predict a positive prognosis, according to recent research.