News

Silver Spring, Md. - The FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic AdvisoryCommittee, by an 8-2 vote, on May 23 recommended approval of alefacept,a systemic drug for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis.

Atlanta - Two recent studies suggest that the 308nm excimer laser may be the first device effective in the treatment of hypopigmented facial scars, striae, and hypopigmentation caused by resurfacing with the CO2 laser. Both studies were presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Los Angeles - Preliminary results from a split-face, double-blind study are further substantiating the efficacy of a unique topical product containing growth factors and antioxidants for improving photodamaged skin and indicate that its effects persist and increase even after treatment is stopped, Richard E. Fitzpatrick, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.

New Orleans - Sedating patients is a serious business, and dermatologic surgeons need to be well aware of the progressive levels of sedation and ensure that patients are monitored appropriately to prevent complications, J. Lance Lichtor, M.D., said.

New Orleans - Excision with primary closure can be an excellent option for surgical treatment of extensive acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN), provided that the procedure incorporates three fundamental elements, Hugh M. Gloster Jr, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Atlanta - The 308nm excimer laser, currently used for treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo, could also be effective in the treatment of other losses of pigmentation, including stretch marks, according to David J. Goldberg, M.D., J.D..

Electron microscopy analysis has shown a correlation between clinical response and ultrastructural findings following treatment with a nonablative flashlamp 350 ?sec, 585nm pulsed-dye laser.

New Orleans - Research studies using the excimer laser to treat vitiligo and psoriasis have confirmed the procedure to be effective and relatively safe. The key to a successful outcome is the proper selection of patients, study author Suhail Hadi, M.D., said at the annual meeting of American Academy of Dermatology.

Atlanta - Treatment of rosacea with an intense pulsed light laser not only eliminates telangiectasia but reduces background redness and the severity and frequency of flushing episodes.

New Orleans - A recently introduced high-dose targeted ultraviolet B light system (BClear, Lumenis Inc.) combines traditional UVB light therapy with fiberoptic delivered light technology for the treatment of localized plaque psoriasis and vitiligo.

New Orleans - In the treatment of onychomycosis, terbinafine (Lamisil) offers better short-term and long-term efficacy relative to other oral antifungal agents, Bernard J. Cribier, M.D., Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Gainesville, Fla. - One medication approved for gum disease appears to be effective against moderate facial acne at sub-antimicrobial doses given over six months.

Lathering agents called sodium sulfates get a bad rap from those whothink they could be carcinogenic. Regardless, extra-cautious hair washersdon't have to go suds-free. New haircare lines ditch the sulfates completely,using sugar and coconut-oil extracts to create foam. Self, May 2002

I will never forget one of my female patients who had a neurogenic bladder.She was using disposable catheters for self-intermittent catheterizationand called our office to obtain a box of them. My nurse told her that wehad the catheters and that she would bring the box out to the patient'scar if she would call from her cell phone when she was in front of the building.The nurse also mentioned the cost of the catheters, according to our officepolicy to charge for durable medical goods.

Las Vegas - Destruction of veins by a sharp-tipped needle maybe a more effective approach to leg telangiectasias than sclerotherapy,according to Linda Woodson, M.D. She views this new modality as an appropriatestrategy for sites that have been resistant to sclerotherapy, rather thanas a first-line therapy.

New York ­­ A few procedural developments stood out amongmyriad presentations at the 8 th International Symposium of Facial PlasticSurgery, according to sources.

Future of wound healing lies in gene therapy and target-specific deliveryof therapeutic agents in high concentrations

Problems exacerbate when patients, doctor falsely believe diagnosis isless serious than it actually is

New Orleans - Studies have shown that the local lymph node assay(LLNA) in mice can be used to provide quantitative estimates of the relativeskin sensitizing potency of various product ingredients, and these valuescorrelate closely with what is known of the ability of chemicals to causeskin sensitization in humans, G. Frank Gerberick, Ph.D., said at the annualAmerican Academy of Dermatology meeting.

Kenilworth, N.J. - Clarinex, a new systemic drug for treatmentof urticaria (hives), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA), according to Schering-Plough, the drug's manufacturer.

Complaints of pruritis from patients may be neuropathic in origin and will not be relieved with conventional treatment modalities

Senior prescription drug costs could hit $1.8 trillion over next 10 years,meaning benefit covering half would entail spending some $900 billion

When hair removal manufacturer introduces newer, safer product, can oldermodel exist in same market or is it then considered defective, outdated

Kenilworth, N.J. - Clarinex, a new systemic drug for treatmentof urticaria (hives), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA), according to Schering-Plough, the drug's manufacturer.

Irvine, Calif. - Turf battles over who should administer botulinumtoxin injections erupted within the first month after the April 15 FDA approvalof Botox Cosmetic.

Complaints of pruritis from patients may be neuropathic in origin andwill not be relieved with conventional treatment modalities

New Orleans - Bexarotene gel (Targretin) appears to be both effective and well tolerated for long-term use in early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, according to a poster presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting.

New Orleans - Clobetasol propionate and betamethasone valerate in a foam vehicle are effective for the treatment of acne keloidalis nuchae and have the advantage of better cosmetic acceptability compared with other formulations of topical steroids, Valerie D. Callender, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

New Orleans - Dose rather than duration of therapy appears to be the important factor for achieving favorable cure rates using oral terbinafine (Lamisil) for the treatment of tinea capitis, Sheila Fallon Friedlander, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

New Orleans - Calciphylaxis can be a confusing condition, Madhu Dahiya, M.D. said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.