Heidi Splete

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding the use of injectable silicone or other products illegally marketed as dermal fillers for body contouring.

“We have significant concerns with unsafe injectable silicone that’s being marketed for body contouring by unlicensed providers,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement on Nov. 14. “We’ve seen serious adverse events result from products, which are sometimes industrial-grade silicone, being used for these unapproved medical purposes,” he said.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding the use of injectable silicone or other products illegally marketed as dermal fillers for body contouring.

“We have significant concerns with unsafe injectable silicone that’s being marketed for body contouring by unlicensed providers,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement on Nov. 14. “We’ve seen serious adverse events result from products, which are sometimes industrial-grade silicone, being used for these unapproved medical purposes,” he said.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding the use of injectable silicone or other products illegally marketed as dermal fillers for body contouring.

“We have significant concerns with unsafe injectable silicone that’s being marketed for body contouring by unlicensed providers,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement on Nov. 14. “We’ve seen serious adverse events result from products, which are sometimes industrial-grade silicone, being used for these unapproved medical purposes,” he said.

LAS VEGAS – There are now vaccines for two infectious diseases that “are not purely dermatologic, but have a great impact on many patients around the world,” Kenneth J. Tomecki, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

The recent development of a vaccine to protect against malaria, with an efficacy around 40%, “is something we should all be proud of,” said Dr. Tomecki of the Cleveland Clinic. Another advance is that there is now also a vaccine for Ebola that is so effective, it is being stockpiled in African countries in preparation for future Ebola outbreaks, he added.

Dr. Tomecki had no financial conflicts to disclose.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

LAS VEGAS – There are now vaccines for two infectious diseases that “are not purely dermatologic, but have a great impact on many patients around the world,” Kenneth J. Tomecki, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

The recent development of a vaccine to protect against malaria, with an efficacy around 40%, “is something we should all be proud of,” said Dr. Tomecki of the Cleveland Clinic. Another advance is that there is now also a vaccine for Ebola that is so effective, it is being stockpiled in African countries in preparation for future Ebola outbreaks, he added.

Dr. Tomecki had no financial conflicts to disclose.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

LAS VEGAS – There are now vaccines for two infectious diseases that “are not purely dermatologic, but have a great impact on many patients around the world,” Kenneth J. Tomecki, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

The recent development of a vaccine to protect against malaria, with an efficacy around 40%, “is something we should all be proud of,” said Dr. Tomecki of the Cleveland Clinic. Another advance is that there is now also a vaccine for Ebola that is so effective, it is being stockpiled in African countries in preparation for future Ebola outbreaks, he added.

Dr. Tomecki had no financial conflicts to disclose.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

Transplantation of transgenic epidermal cultures successfully created a new, functional epidermis for a boy suffering from junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa is a genetic disease characterized by chronic skin wounds, blisters, and erosions. The chronic wounds not only increase a patient’s risk of skin cancer, they also can cause itching, pain, limited mobility, and poor quality of life, wrote Tobias Hirsch, MD, of BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany, and colleagues (Nature. 2017. doi: 10.1038/nature24487). There is no cure for the disease, and more than 40% of patients die prior to adolescence.

Previous studies have shown that epidermal stem cells can be used to repair a damaged epidermis, they noted. However, the technique has been criticized for being insufficient to treat the large lesions common to this disease.

The researchers described the case of a 7-year-old boy who was admitted to a children’s hospital in Germany in June 2015 with junctional epidermolysis bullosa so severe that approximately 80% of his total body surface area was affected. The patient had a genetic mutation that had resulted in blisters on much of his body since birth. Approximately 6 weeks prior to his hospital admission, he developed Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections that worsened his condition. After other treatments failed, the patient’s parents consented to a combination of ex vivo cell and gene therapy, in which cultures taken from a biopsy of uninvolved skin were used to develop transgenic epidermal grafts. The grafts were applied sequentially on a dermal wound bed.

“Virtually complete epidermal regeneration was observed after 1 month,” Dr. Hirsch and associates wrote. Over 21 months, the regenerated epidermis healed and remained stable even when subjected to mechanical stress.

For follow-up, the researchers reported on 10 punch biopsies taken at 4, 8, and 21 months after the grafting procedure. “The epidermis had normal morphology and we could not detect blisters, erosions, or epidermal detachment from the underlying dermis,” they noted.

The patient has remained stable since being discharged from the hospital in February 2016, and requires no ointment or medications to maintain a healthy epidermis, they said.

“This approach would be optimal for newly diagnosed patients early in their childhood,” Dr. Hirsch and associates noted. “A bank of transduced epidermal stem cells taken at birth could be used to treat skin lesions while they develop, thus preventing, rather than restoring, the devastating clinical manifestation that arise in these patients.

The study was supported in part by several government grants from organizations including the Italian Ministry of Education and the European Research. Two of the researchers are cofounders and members of the Board of Directors of Holostem Terapie Avanzate, which met all costs of good manufacturing practice production and procedures of transgenic epidermal grafts.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

Transplantation of transgenic epidermal cultures successfully created a new, functional epidermis for a boy suffering from junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa is a genetic disease characterized by chronic skin wounds, blisters, and erosions. The chronic wounds not only increase a patient’s risk of skin cancer, they also can cause itching, pain, limited mobility, and poor quality of life, wrote Tobias Hirsch, MD, of BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany, and colleagues (Nature. 2017. doi: 10.1038/nature24487). There is no cure for the disease, and more than 40% of patients die prior to adolescence.

Previous studies have shown that epidermal stem cells can be used to repair a damaged epidermis, they noted. However, the technique has been criticized for being insufficient to treat the large lesions common to this disease.

The researchers described the case of a 7-year-old boy who was admitted to a children’s hospital in Germany in June 2015 with junctional epidermolysis bullosa so severe that approximately 80% of his total body surface area was affected. The patient had a genetic mutation that had resulted in blisters on much of his body since birth. Approximately 6 weeks prior to his hospital admission, he developed Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections that worsened his condition. After other treatments failed, the patient’s parents consented to a combination of ex vivo cell and gene therapy, in which cultures taken from a biopsy of uninvolved skin were used to develop transgenic epidermal grafts. The grafts were applied sequentially on a dermal wound bed.

“Virtually complete epidermal regeneration was observed after 1 month,” Dr. Hirsch and associates wrote. Over 21 months, the regenerated epidermis healed and remained stable even when subjected to mechanical stress.

For follow-up, the researchers reported on 10 punch biopsies taken at 4, 8, and 21 months after the grafting procedure. “The epidermis had normal morphology and we could not detect blisters, erosions, or epidermal detachment from the underlying dermis,” they noted.

The patient has remained stable since being discharged from the hospital in February 2016, and requires no ointment or medications to maintain a healthy epidermis, they said.

“This approach would be optimal for newly diagnosed patients early in their childhood,” Dr. Hirsch and associates noted. “A bank of transduced epidermal stem cells taken at birth could be used to treat skin lesions while they develop, thus preventing, rather than restoring, the devastating clinical manifestation that arise in these patients.

The study was supported in part by several government grants from organizations including the Italian Ministry of Education and the European Research. Two of the researchers are cofounders and members of the Board of Directors of Holostem Terapie Avanzate, which met all costs of good manufacturing practice production and procedures of transgenic epidermal grafts.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

Transplantation of transgenic epidermal cultures successfully created a new, functional epidermis for a boy suffering from junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa is a genetic disease characterized by chronic skin wounds, blisters, and erosions. The chronic wounds not only increase a patient’s risk of skin cancer, they also can cause itching, pain, limited mobility, and poor quality of life, wrote Tobias Hirsch, MD, of BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany, and colleagues (Nature. 2017. doi: 10.1038/nature24487). There is no cure for the disease, and more than 40% of patients die prior to adolescence.

Previous studies have shown that epidermal stem cells can be used to repair a damaged epidermis, they noted. However, the technique has been criticized for being insufficient to treat the large lesions common to this disease.

The researchers described the case of a 7-year-old boy who was admitted to a children’s hospital in Germany in June 2015 with junctional epidermolysis bullosa so severe that approximately 80% of his total body surface area was affected. The patient had a genetic mutation that had resulted in blisters on much of his body since birth. Approximately 6 weeks prior to his hospital admission, he developed Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections that worsened his condition. After other treatments failed, the patient’s parents consented to a combination of ex vivo cell and gene therapy, in which cultures taken from a biopsy of uninvolved skin were used to develop transgenic epidermal grafts. The grafts were applied sequentially on a dermal wound bed.

“Virtually complete epidermal regeneration was observed after 1 month,” Dr. Hirsch and associates wrote. Over 21 months, the regenerated epidermis healed and remained stable even when subjected to mechanical stress.

For follow-up, the researchers reported on 10 punch biopsies taken at 4, 8, and 21 months after the grafting procedure. “The epidermis had normal morphology and we could not detect blisters, erosions, or epidermal detachment from the underlying dermis,” they noted.

The patient has remained stable since being discharged from the hospital in February 2016, and requires no ointment or medications to maintain a healthy epidermis, they said.

“This approach would be optimal for newly diagnosed patients early in their childhood,” Dr. Hirsch and associates noted. “A bank of transduced epidermal stem cells taken at birth could be used to treat skin lesions while they develop, thus preventing, rather than restoring, the devastating clinical manifestation that arise in these patients.

The study was supported in part by several government grants from organizations including the Italian Ministry of Education and the European Research. Two of the researchers are cofounders and members of the Board of Directors of Holostem Terapie Avanzate, which met all costs of good manufacturing practice production and procedures of transgenic epidermal grafts.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

LAS VEGAS – Currently, there are available treatments that are effective in contouring the body, Christopher B. Zachary, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

Some devices can help patients looking for reductions of trouble spots, such as around the abdomen, and are safe and effective, said Dr. Zachary of the University of California, Irvine. However, they are not a realistic option for obese or overweight patients, he added.

In addition, other treatments can be combined with body sculpting devices to optimize results, particularly when removing fat in the submental area, he noted.

Dr. Zachary disclosed relationships with Solta, Zeltiq, Sciton, DUSA, Zimmer, Cutera, Alma, and Amway.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – Currently, there are available treatments that are effective in contouring the body, Christopher B. Zachary, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

Some devices can help patients looking for reductions of trouble spots, such as around the abdomen, and are safe and effective, said Dr. Zachary of the University of California, Irvine. However, they are not a realistic option for obese or overweight patients, he added.

In addition, other treatments can be combined with body sculpting devices to optimize results, particularly when removing fat in the submental area, he noted.

Dr. Zachary disclosed relationships with Solta, Zeltiq, Sciton, DUSA, Zimmer, Cutera, Alma, and Amway.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – Currently, there are available treatments that are effective in contouring the body, Christopher B. Zachary, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

Some devices can help patients looking for reductions of trouble spots, such as around the abdomen, and are safe and effective, said Dr. Zachary of the University of California, Irvine. However, they are not a realistic option for obese or overweight patients, he added.

In addition, other treatments can be combined with body sculpting devices to optimize results, particularly when removing fat in the submental area, he noted.

Dr. Zachary disclosed relationships with Solta, Zeltiq, Sciton, DUSA, Zimmer, Cutera, Alma, and Amway.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – For those starting to use toxins and fillers, “my first advice is to get a good education,” Christopher B. Zachary, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

“Know … how to evaluate your patient, know where the problems are, know what the danger zones are, understand your anatomy,” advised Dr. Zachary of the University of California, Irvine.

“In general, the upper face is an easier place to start,” when learning to work with toxins , he noted. Procedures on the upper face, such as the treatment for crow’s feet or a brow lift, can be “a home run,” while the lower face is much more complicated, he said in the video interview.

Dr. Zachary disclosed relationships with companies including Solta, Zeltiq, Sciton, DUSA, Zimmer, Cutera, Alma, and Amway.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – For those starting to use toxins and fillers, “my first advice is to get a good education,” Christopher B. Zachary, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

“Know … how to evaluate your patient, know where the problems are, know what the danger zones are, understand your anatomy,” advised Dr. Zachary of the University of California, Irvine.

“In general, the upper face is an easier place to start,” when learning to work with toxins , he noted. Procedures on the upper face, such as the treatment for crow’s feet or a brow lift, can be “a home run,” while the lower face is much more complicated, he said in the video interview.

Dr. Zachary disclosed relationships with companies including Solta, Zeltiq, Sciton, DUSA, Zimmer, Cutera, Alma, and Amway.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – For those starting to use toxins and fillers, “my first advice is to get a good education,” Christopher B. Zachary, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

“Know … how to evaluate your patient, know where the problems are, know what the danger zones are, understand your anatomy,” advised Dr. Zachary of the University of California, Irvine.

“In general, the upper face is an easier place to start,” when learning to work with toxins , he noted. Procedures on the upper face, such as the treatment for crow’s feet or a brow lift, can be “a home run,” while the lower face is much more complicated, he said in the video interview.

Dr. Zachary disclosed relationships with companies including Solta, Zeltiq, Sciton, DUSA, Zimmer, Cutera, Alma, and Amway.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

More than 90% of the image-based movements of a new robotic camera steering device were accurate in a study of 66 procedures sponsored by the device maker. The findings were published online in Surgical Endoscopy.

“A robotic laparoscopic positioner can perform the task of the surgical assistant and enables the surgeon to control camera movements personally,” wrote Paul J. M. Wijsman, MD, of Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, the Netherlands, and colleagues (Surg. Endosc 2017. doi: 10.1007/s00464-017-5957-3).

To assess the accuracy of an image-guided robotic control system (AutoLap, MST, Israel), the researchers conducted a multicenter study of patients scheduled for abdominal surgeries including hernia repair and gallbladder removal. The primary outcomes were the number of successful movements and adverse events. The average age of the patients was 49 years, and approximately 75% were women.

“A movement is deemed successful if the laparoscope reached the desired position, which was verbally verified with the surgeon after each movement,” the researchers wrote. An average of 99 joystick movements and 12.8 “follow-me” movements were made during a procedure. The nine surgeons who participated in the study reported an average satisfaction of 4 on a scale of 1-5. Overall, no adverse events related to the procedures were reported.

The operational times using the robotic device were consistent with previous studies, the researchers said. The average time to set up the system was 4 minutes.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the limitations of the system and possible bias of the participants; factors affecting image quality included fogging and blurring of the lens, the researchers said. However, the results suggest that a robotic system such as AutoLap may have economic value by reducing the number of surgical team members needed for a procedure, and more research is needed to determine both economic and ergonomic benefits, they noted.

The study was sponsored by MST – Medical Surgery Technologies. Dr. Wijsman is a clinical field engineer for the company.

More than 90% of the image-based movements of a new robotic camera steering device were accurate in a study of 66 procedures sponsored by the device maker. The findings were published online in Surgical Endoscopy.

“A robotic laparoscopic positioner can perform the task of the surgical assistant and enables the surgeon to control camera movements personally,” wrote Paul J. M. Wijsman, MD, of Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, the Netherlands, and colleagues (Surg. Endosc 2017. doi: 10.1007/s00464-017-5957-3).

To assess the accuracy of an image-guided robotic control system (AutoLap, MST, Israel), the researchers conducted a multicenter study of patients scheduled for abdominal surgeries including hernia repair and gallbladder removal. The primary outcomes were the number of successful movements and adverse events. The average age of the patients was 49 years, and approximately 75% were women.

“A movement is deemed successful if the laparoscope reached the desired position, which was verbally verified with the surgeon after each movement,” the researchers wrote. An average of 99 joystick movements and 12.8 “follow-me” movements were made during a procedure. The nine surgeons who participated in the study reported an average satisfaction of 4 on a scale of 1-5. Overall, no adverse events related to the procedures were reported.

The operational times using the robotic device were consistent with previous studies, the researchers said. The average time to set up the system was 4 minutes.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the limitations of the system and possible bias of the participants; factors affecting image quality included fogging and blurring of the lens, the researchers said. However, the results suggest that a robotic system such as AutoLap may have economic value by reducing the number of surgical team members needed for a procedure, and more research is needed to determine both economic and ergonomic benefits, they noted.

The study was sponsored by MST – Medical Surgery Technologies. Dr. Wijsman is a clinical field engineer for the company.

More than 90% of the image-based movements of a new robotic camera steering device were accurate in a study of 66 procedures sponsored by the device maker. The findings were published online in Surgical Endoscopy.

“A robotic laparoscopic positioner can perform the task of the surgical assistant and enables the surgeon to control camera movements personally,” wrote Paul J. M. Wijsman, MD, of Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, the Netherlands, and colleagues (Surg. Endosc 2017. doi: 10.1007/s00464-017-5957-3).

To assess the accuracy of an image-guided robotic control system (AutoLap, MST, Israel), the researchers conducted a multicenter study of patients scheduled for abdominal surgeries including hernia repair and gallbladder removal. The primary outcomes were the number of successful movements and adverse events. The average age of the patients was 49 years, and approximately 75% were women.

“A movement is deemed successful if the laparoscope reached the desired position, which was verbally verified with the surgeon after each movement,” the researchers wrote. An average of 99 joystick movements and 12.8 “follow-me” movements were made during a procedure. The nine surgeons who participated in the study reported an average satisfaction of 4 on a scale of 1-5. Overall, no adverse events related to the procedures were reported.

The operational times using the robotic device were consistent with previous studies, the researchers said. The average time to set up the system was 4 minutes.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the limitations of the system and possible bias of the participants; factors affecting image quality included fogging and blurring of the lens, the researchers said. However, the results suggest that a robotic system such as AutoLap may have economic value by reducing the number of surgical team members needed for a procedure, and more research is needed to determine both economic and ergonomic benefits, they noted.

The study was sponsored by MST – Medical Surgery Technologies. Dr. Wijsman is a clinical field engineer for the company.

LAS VEGAS – Clinicians can offer patients with scarring the potential for more comprehensive improvement thanks to progress in light-based devices and technologies, Kristen M. Kelly, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

“Not only can we improve these scars from a cosmetic appearance ... but we can also greatly improve the symptoms that patients have,” such as scar-related stinging, discomfort, and movement restrictions or contractures, said Dr. Kelly of the University of California, Irvine.

In addition, combining light-based therapies with medications applied after the treatments can optimize results, she said.

Dr. Kelly disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Allergan, MundiPharma, Syneron-Candela, Light Sciences Oncology, Novartis, Sciton, and ThermiRF.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

LAS VEGAS – Clinicians can offer patients with scarring the potential for more comprehensive improvement thanks to progress in light-based devices and technologies, Kristen M. Kelly, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

“Not only can we improve these scars from a cosmetic appearance ... but we can also greatly improve the symptoms that patients have,” such as scar-related stinging, discomfort, and movement restrictions or contractures, said Dr. Kelly of the University of California, Irvine.

In addition, combining light-based therapies with medications applied after the treatments can optimize results, she said.

Dr. Kelly disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Allergan, MundiPharma, Syneron-Candela, Light Sciences Oncology, Novartis, Sciton, and ThermiRF.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

LAS VEGAS – Clinicians can offer patients with scarring the potential for more comprehensive improvement thanks to progress in light-based devices and technologies, Kristen M. Kelly, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

“Not only can we improve these scars from a cosmetic appearance ... but we can also greatly improve the symptoms that patients have,” such as scar-related stinging, discomfort, and movement restrictions or contractures, said Dr. Kelly of the University of California, Irvine.

In addition, combining light-based therapies with medications applied after the treatments can optimize results, she said.

Dr. Kelly disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Allergan, MundiPharma, Syneron-Candela, Light Sciences Oncology, Novartis, Sciton, and ThermiRF.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

dermnews@frontlinemedcom.com

LAS VEGAS – When treating patients with psoriasis, “it is very important for us to treat the entire patient,” and consider the comorbidities, including depression, associated with psoriasis, Jeffrey M. Sobell, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

Depression can be a particular concern for younger patients with more severe psoriasis, said Dr. Sobell of Tufts University, Boston.

When he sees patients aged 18-35 years with significant psoriasis in his practice, he has made it a habit to ask them about depression “and if they’ve ever had thoughts of hurting themselves,” and arranges for mental health follow-up visits for patients about whom he is concerned. “It’s something that’s hard to talk about, but so important,” he said.

Dr. Sobell disclosed relationships with multiple companies including AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, and Sun Pharma.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – When treating patients with psoriasis, “it is very important for us to treat the entire patient,” and consider the comorbidities, including depression, associated with psoriasis, Jeffrey M. Sobell, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

Depression can be a particular concern for younger patients with more severe psoriasis, said Dr. Sobell of Tufts University, Boston.

When he sees patients aged 18-35 years with significant psoriasis in his practice, he has made it a habit to ask them about depression “and if they’ve ever had thoughts of hurting themselves,” and arranges for mental health follow-up visits for patients about whom he is concerned. “It’s something that’s hard to talk about, but so important,” he said.

Dr. Sobell disclosed relationships with multiple companies including AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, and Sun Pharma.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – When treating patients with psoriasis, “it is very important for us to treat the entire patient,” and consider the comorbidities, including depression, associated with psoriasis, Jeffrey M. Sobell, MD, said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.

Depression can be a particular concern for younger patients with more severe psoriasis, said Dr. Sobell of Tufts University, Boston.

When he sees patients aged 18-35 years with significant psoriasis in his practice, he has made it a habit to ask them about depression “and if they’ve ever had thoughts of hurting themselves,” and arranges for mental health follow-up visits for patients about whom he is concerned. “It’s something that’s hard to talk about, but so important,” he said.

Dr. Sobell disclosed relationships with multiple companies including AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, and Sun Pharma.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – Clinicians should not shy away from light-based treatment of vascular lesions in children, for reasons that include achieving better results when treated early, according to Kristen M. Kelly, MD.

Special considerations include addressing children’s fears. “One of the strategies we use is we have child life specialists who help us” create a friendly and welcoming environment, Dr. Kelly said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar. Consequently, “many of our children actually come in, they’re excited about their visit ... and are looking forward to seeing us at the next visit,” she noted.

Which type of anesthesia to use is another important consideration when treating children, said Dr. Kelly of the University of California, Irvine, in Orange. “For a larger procedure ... one definitely could consider general anesthesia,” but there are risks and benefits to general anesthesia in very young children, and options should be discussed with patients and their families, she said.

Dr. Kelly disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Allergan, MundiPharma, Syneron-Candela, Light Sciences Oncology, Novartis, Sciton, and ThermiRF.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – Clinicians should not shy away from light-based treatment of vascular lesions in children, for reasons that include achieving better results when treated early, according to Kristen M. Kelly, MD.

Special considerations include addressing children’s fears. “One of the strategies we use is we have child life specialists who help us” create a friendly and welcoming environment, Dr. Kelly said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar. Consequently, “many of our children actually come in, they’re excited about their visit ... and are looking forward to seeing us at the next visit,” she noted.

Which type of anesthesia to use is another important consideration when treating children, said Dr. Kelly of the University of California, Irvine, in Orange. “For a larger procedure ... one definitely could consider general anesthesia,” but there are risks and benefits to general anesthesia in very young children, and options should be discussed with patients and their families, she said.

Dr. Kelly disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Allergan, MundiPharma, Syneron-Candela, Light Sciences Oncology, Novartis, Sciton, and ThermiRF.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – Clinicians should not shy away from light-based treatment of vascular lesions in children, for reasons that include achieving better results when treated early, according to Kristen M. Kelly, MD.

Special considerations include addressing children’s fears. “One of the strategies we use is we have child life specialists who help us” create a friendly and welcoming environment, Dr. Kelly said in a video interview at Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar. Consequently, “many of our children actually come in, they’re excited about their visit ... and are looking forward to seeing us at the next visit,” she noted.

Which type of anesthesia to use is another important consideration when treating children, said Dr. Kelly of the University of California, Irvine, in Orange. “For a larger procedure ... one definitely could consider general anesthesia,” but there are risks and benefits to general anesthesia in very young children, and options should be discussed with patients and their families, she said.

Dr. Kelly disclosed relationships with multiple companies including Allergan, MundiPharma, Syneron-Candela, Light Sciences Oncology, Novartis, Sciton, and ThermiRF.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – For challenging cases of oral or cutaneous lichen planus, bullous pemphigoid, or lupus, Miriam S. Bettencourt, MD, recommends thinking outside the box and considering off-label treatments.

At the Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar, Dr. Bettencourt discussed such cases, including a series of patients with oral lichen planus who improved with apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor approved for psoriasis.

In a video interview at the meeting, she described one of those patients, a 73-year-old woman with mouth ulcers who was diagnosed with oral lichen planus. Multiple topical and oral therapies proved unsuccessful, and her condition was eventually controlled with apremilast, and the patient is doing well, “with occasional flares,” said Dr. Bettencourt, of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

She described this case in her annual presentation at the meeting, titled “Great Cases From the Las Vegas Dermatology Society.”

Dr. Bettencourt disclosed relationships with multiple companies including AbbVie, Aclaris, Celgene, IntraDerm, Pfizer, Promium, Sun Pharma, and Valeant.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – For challenging cases of oral or cutaneous lichen planus, bullous pemphigoid, or lupus, Miriam S. Bettencourt, MD, recommends thinking outside the box and considering off-label treatments.

At the Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar, Dr. Bettencourt discussed such cases, including a series of patients with oral lichen planus who improved with apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor approved for psoriasis.

In a video interview at the meeting, she described one of those patients, a 73-year-old woman with mouth ulcers who was diagnosed with oral lichen planus. Multiple topical and oral therapies proved unsuccessful, and her condition was eventually controlled with apremilast, and the patient is doing well, “with occasional flares,” said Dr. Bettencourt, of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

She described this case in her annual presentation at the meeting, titled “Great Cases From the Las Vegas Dermatology Society.”

Dr. Bettencourt disclosed relationships with multiple companies including AbbVie, Aclaris, Celgene, IntraDerm, Pfizer, Promium, Sun Pharma, and Valeant.

SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

LAS VEGAS – For challenging cases of oral or cutaneous lichen planus, bullous pemphigoid, or lupus, Miriam S. Bettencourt, MD, recommends thinking outside the box and considering off-label treatments.

At the Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar, Dr. Bettencourt discussed such cases, including a series of patients with oral lichen planus who improved with apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor approved for psoriasis.

In a video interview at the meeting, she described one of those patients, a 73-year-old woman with mouth ulcers who was diagnosed with oral lichen planus. Multiple topical and oral therapies proved unsuccessful, and her condition was eventually controlled with apremilast, and the patient is doing well, “with occasional flares,” said Dr. Bettencourt, of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

She described this case in her annual presentation at the meeting, titled “Great Cases From the Las Vegas Dermatology Society.”

Dr. Bettencourt disclosed relationships with multiple companies including AbbVie, Aclaris, Celgene, IntraDerm, Pfizer, Promium, Sun Pharma, and Valeant.

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