News

A new study supports the use of intramatrix injections of triamcinolone acetonide - particularly at doses of 10 mg/ml - for treating nail psoriasis, a study co-author says.

A novel peel is proving to be very effective in the treatment of comedonic as well as mild-to-moderate acne lesions. This approach could spare acne patients from repeated antibiotic therapies for considerably benign cosmetic lesions.

Meningococcal infection is a common cause of purpura fulminans, followed by anticoagulant use, malignancy and connective tissue disease. After ruling out these etiologies, suspect autoimmune diseases and/or the medications used to treat these diseases as a possible cause of purpura fulminans secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome, an expert says.

San Francisco - The Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS), now the third largest organized association of dermatologists in the United States, reached a milestone in 2008, awarding the highest number of grants since its founding in 1973, the society reports.

National report - The American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery (ASCDAS) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) will host a combined meeting Oct. 1-4, 2009, in Phoenix, the organizations announced in December.

Cleveland - Plastic surgeons are welcoming the news of the world's first near-total face transplant - and the first such operation in the United States - performed in late 2008 at the Cleveland Clinic.

The final quarter of 2008 offered some unexpected and severe challenges to the United States - a collapse on Wall Street, rising unemployment, threatened bankruptcy of at least two of the big three automakers, rising healthcare coverage issues and rising levels of violence in the Mideast. At the same time, the United States elected its first black president and a highly Democratic–weighted Congress. 2009 is likely to be a year of change and readjustment.

As the Obama administration and the 111th Congress move forward on healthcare reform, there is increasing sentiment for greater support for primary care physicians, including boosting their Medicare payments. Unfortunately for dermatologists, they and other specialists could be asked to ante up.

On Oct. 15, 2008, the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) sponsored a comorbidities conference in Bethesda, Md. This event was the first of what is projected to be a multi-year series of meetings that aim to explore our knowledge base of comorbid states that exist in association with skin disease.

Dr. Pigment has a very large and very busy practice. He often sees up to 100 patients every day. He is known as an expert in the evaluation and treatment of pigmented lesions.

Soeborg, Denmark - The financial failure of Artes Medical, maker of the permanent facial filler ArteFill (polymethylmethacrylate, purified bovine collagen) hasn't totally dampened the market for such products.

National report - Dermatology has lost an icon.

National report - The bankruptcy of Artes Medical, maker of the permanent facial filler ArteFill, will make it harder for permanent fillers to enter the U.S. market in the future, analysts say - although one such product, Contura's Aquamid, will likely seek Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2009.

National report - Pfizer and Wyeth announced a $68 billion megamerger, which will slash their combined 128,000 work force by 19,000 jobs, according to the New York Times.

After an historic turnout for a Barack Obama landslide victory and a stronger democratic majority in both the house and senate, the table is set to allow the democrats to make every attempt to address the issues facing our country.

Chicago - Ipsen says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending the initial drug review for Reloxin (botulinum toxin type A) to April 13, 2009, Reuters reports.

Hayward, Calif. - Thermage has announced a corporate name change to Solta Medical, Inc., as a means of integrating the acquired Reliant Technologies, according to a press release.

World report - Sinclair Pharma, based in the U.K., has signed an agreement to sell U.S. distribution rights for Atopiclair cream and lotion, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, to U.S.-based Graceway.

Irvine, Calif. - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution)0.03 percent for the treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis, according to Allergan.

Norfolk, Va. - Researchers at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Va., are gearing up to begin work on a $1.6 million study to learn how tiny pulses of electricity can reduce wound-related infections and accelerate the healing process.

Dermatology Times has launched a new practice management blog on our Web site at www.dermatologytimes.com.

New York - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has held off making a decision on the psoriasis drug ustekinumab (Johnson & Johnson), until they receive certain risk-mitigation information, but will not require new studies, Reuters reports.

CST09RateCar-FINAL.pdf

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Brisbane, Australia Early results of animal studies suggest that a vaccine for some types of skin cancer in humans may be available in five to 10 years, according to Ian Frazer, M.D., an Australian scientist who helped develop the Gardasil (Merck) vaccine for cervical cancer.

"The past drives Bryna Kane, M.D., to make a difference for the future. "

The future of melanoma diagnosis will involve increasingly sophisticated devices such as multispectral digital dermoscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and perhaps optical frequency domain imaging, an expert says.

Miami - Being proactive is the best way to minimize the impact of the turbulent economy on a dermatology practice, experts say.

National report - In a troubled economy, the following prescriptions can help practices attract and retain patients, dermatologists say.

National report - When patients request discounts, dermatologists generally acquiesce - though they might later regret it, sources say.