Current Issue

  • Online Exclusive
    Congress Delays Medicare Payment Cuts Again
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 15:19

    In late December 2011, three days before Christmas, President Barack Obama signed a bill into law that prevented the scheduled 27% Medicare payment cut that had been slated to begin on January 1, 2012. As has been the case for the past several years, the decision to halt the cut came very close to the deadline, to the relief of many physicians. However, the extension has also raised significant questions about how to fix the way that physicians who treat Medicare patients are paid.

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  • Chief Medical Editor's Message
    Skin & Aging is Becoming The Dermatologist
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 15:08

    Skin & Aging is changing its name to The Dermatologist, effective with the March issue, a change that we believe better reflects the journal’s comprehensive coverage of critical issues in dermatology.

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  • FDA Approvals and News
    News and Trends
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 14:20

    A look at recent FDA news, treatment trends, research studies and more.

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  • The Dermatologist's Board Review
    The Dermatologist's Board Review
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 13:53

    The content of these questions and answers are taken from the Galderma Pre-Board Seminar.

    The course was most recently held June 24-26, 2011, at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, IL.

    The course will next be held June 22-24, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, IL. To register, visit bit.ly/yKRH0X.

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  • Perspectives
    Spotlight On: James Nordlund, MD
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 13:30
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  • Feature
    Allergen Focus: Nickel
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 13:17

    This column highlights ACD and explores top relevant allergens, regional-based dermatitis presentations, topic-based dermatitis presentations and clinical tips and pearls for diagnosis and treatment.

    This month's focus is nickel. ACD to nickel has a wide range of presentations, from localized dermatitis to an id response to essentially generalized disease in systemic contact dermatitis (SCD). Less commonly, nickel allergy has been reported as a cause of chronic urticaria, erythema multiforme, vasculitis and polymorphic erythema.

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  • Legal Ease
    Being Yelped: The Final Chapter
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 12:48

    In 2011, several court cases changed the way in which Yelp, the online rating site, was viewed in the eyes of the law. This month, Dr. Noah Scheinfeld discusses the cases from 2011 and examines the current state of the ratings website.

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  • Cover Story
    Acne & Rosacea Review
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 12:25

    An update on recent news, research and treatment trends for acne and rosacea.

    A new study shows that combination light and thermal treatment for acne may lead to improved clinical outcomes, and a trial of isotretinoin for rosacea reveals that higher doses may be the key to treatment success.

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  • Feature
    Advances in Diagnosing Non-melanoma Skin Cancers
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 11:08

    Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas (BCC and SCC, respectively) are the two most common forms, accounting for about 96% of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

    Dermatologists now have a variety of approaches that can be utilized for diagnosis, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), dermoscopy and biopsy, which remains the gold standard.

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  • Feature
    Brow Lift for the Ptotic Eyebrow
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 10:24

    There are diverse approaches to brow elevation, such as the coronal, bilateral posterior hairline, direct mid-forehead, direct supra brow, brow thread lifts and endoscopic approach. This article focuses on the bilateral posterior hairline and direct mid-forehead and supra brow techniques.

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  • Biologics in Practice
    Biologics 101
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 10:02

    An overview of a new feature series that will explore the efficacy of these treatments, examine common and rare side effects and ways to prevent them, provide tips for improving patient compliance and more.

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  • New Products
    New Products
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 09:50

    A look at recently released products for redness and irritation, anti-aging and more.

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  • Derm Dx
    What Are These Hemorrhagic Crusts?
    Fri, 02/03/2012 - 09:31

    Patient Presentation

    A 55-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department with a 2-day history of what looked like dried crusts of blood on his forearms. They were mildly painful and tender, but non-pruritic. His medical history was significant for atrial fibrillation, treated with sotalol and direct current cardioversion 2 weeks prior. At that time, enoxaparin was started to bridge anticoagulation to warfarin. Concurrent medications included aspirin.

    Physical examination revealed scattered, discrete and coalescent, 3-mm to 5-mm, tense, superficial hemorrhagic vesicles on an erythematous base located on the bilateral forearms (see image above). Abdominal skin examination revealed large ecchymoses located at injection sites. Laboratory results showed normal platelets, hemoglobin and hematocrit values. The international normalized ratio and partial thromboplastin time were slightly increased (1.27 (normal 0.9 to 1.1 seconds) and 36.8 seconds (normal 23.0 to 34.0 seconds), respectively). Biopsy was obtained and evaluated for definitive diagnosis.

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