Internal Medicine News articles from March 2004

Internal Medicine News archives from March 2004

Maintaining the safety net: internists grapple with charity care.(News)
March 1, 2004... Providing care for uninsured patients remains a challenge for the two-thirds of general internists who offer "charity care" for at least some of their patients each month, survey findings show. Lack of insurance often leads to problems with...

Public awareness campaign: new heart health guidelines put focus on women; Interventions are prioritized based on a woman's Framingham Global Risk Score.(News)
March 1, 2004... Primary care physicians and cardiologists nationwide will soon be seeing red, and advocates for women's heart health think that's a good thing. The American Heart Association has kicked off an initiative called Go Red For Women to raise...

Bitter orange: ephedra substitute may put dieters at similar risk; Has stimulant effects, drug interactions.(News)
March 1, 2004... Rapidly proliferating "ephedra-free" weight loss supplements containing bitter orange are not a safe alternative to ephedrine-based products, experts say. A compound present in Citrus aurantium, synephrine, is chemically similar to...

Data on 3,227 older adults: vitamin C and E combo may protect against Alzheimer's.(News)
March 1, 2004... Combined use of vitamins C and E supplements appears to help protect the brain from development of Alzheimer's disease, researchers report. "Our findings are promising," said lead investigator Peter P. Zandi, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins...

Acute coronary syndrome: women's angiograms less likely to show significant stenoses.(News)
March 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Coronary disease in women with acute coronary syndrome tends to be more diffuse, less obstructive, and angiographically milder than coronary disease in men, according to new data from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary...

Partial-breast irradiation: new forms of radiotherapy target breast cancer.(News)
March 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Stung by criticism that the radiotherapy component of breast-conserving therapy is such an ordeal that many favorable candidates for breast conservation opt instead for mastectomy, radiation oncologists have responded by...

Retrospective study: response to chemo lower with positive estrogen receptor status.(News)
March 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Women who have estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are far less likely to respond to chemotherapy than are those who have estrogen receptor-negative tumors, Dr. Aman Buzdar reported at a breast cancer symposium, which was...

Less is more: breast-conserving therapy is gaining ground.(News)
March 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Treatment of early breast cancer is in the midst of a revolution characterized by a "less is more" philosophy, according to Dr. Umberto Veronesi. The traditional paradigm in early-stage breast cancer has been to attack it...

Family members agree: noncompliance in Hispanic breast Ca patients tied to fear.(News)
March 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Fear, confusion, and mistrust may explain why many Hispanic patients are noncompliant with breast cancer care. Dr. Alexander R. Miller said at the annual clinical congress of the American College of Surgeons. Nationwide,...

Several in congress, one governor: physician-politicians often travel rocky road.(News)
March 1, 2004... Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean may be the best-known physician-politician in the United States, but he's far from the only one. From the halls of Congress to governor's mansions to state legislatures and local councils, doctors frequently...

Statins for diabetics.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I found the question posed in the Mindful Practice column by Dr. Jon O. Ebbert, Dr. Eric G. Tangalos, and Dr. Thomas Jaeger quite unusual in light of the case presented ("Should All Diabetics Receive a Statin?" Dec. 15, 2003, p. 28). The...

Malpractice litigation lessons.(Guest Editorial)
March 1, 2004... Malpractice can happen to any of us, even if we practice great medicine. Consider what happened to me. Early in my career I had a patient who, although only in her mid-60s, was very frail owing to multiple illnesses. "Anna" had severe...

Mentally ill patients need us all.(Guest Editorial)
March 1, 2004... Clinicians as well as researchers in the mental health field have done much in the past decade to help promote awareness of mental health issues in general health care settings. In response, primary care providers have assumed an...

Should physicians intervene when dysplasia is found with Barrett's esophagus?(Pro & Con)
March 1, 2004... YES When we say a patient has high-grade or low-grade dysplasia, how sure are we that that actually is the correct diagnosis? Several studies have examined agreement among pathologists in diagnosing dysplasia. In one study, 20 community...

Neutropenia is preventable: chemo doses often suboptimal in early breast Ca.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Nearly two-thirds of women with early-stage breast cancer experience a substantial reduction in chemotherapy dosing due to toxicity, Dr. Gary H. Lyman reported. This finding from a very large community practice-based study is...

Women under 40 years: fertility concerns prominent in breast Ca patients.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Future fertility is a major concern for young breast cancer patients--and many appear to be ill informed about it, Dr. Ann H. Partridge said at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and Research Center. ...

Memory, language: breast Ca chemo may have subtle cognitive effects.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Chemotherapy for breast cancer appears to exert subtle adverse effects on cognitive function, Barbara Collins, Ph.D., reported at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and Research Center. These...

Most improve upon discontinuation: trastuzumab's cardiotoxicity in cancer patients.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- The use of adjuvant trastuzumab following anthracycline/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy plus tamoxifen led to a further 3.5% increase in cardiac events in a large closely monitored trial of women with operable node-positive breast...

Treatment-resistant cases: overactive bladder symptoms may mask IC.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- More than half of the 25 million Americans who suffer from overactive bladder symptoms may have interstitial cystitis, Dr. Maurice K. Chung said at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. Every...

In low-risk women: endometrial ca risk does not appear to rise after ablation.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Low-risk women who underwent endometrial ablation between 1978 and 1995 did not increase or decrease their risk for endometrial cancer, compared with age-matched controls in a retrospective study. Anecdotal reports of...

Fewer hysterectomies: MEA beats resection at long-term follow-up.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Women with menorrhagia who underwent microwave endometrial ablation reported greater satisfaction with the procedure and fewer hysterectomies 5-7 years after treatment than did those who had endometrial resection in a randomized...

Vascularity, morphology provide clues: ultrasound, power flow Doppler help detect leiomyosarcoma.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS--Findings from ultrasound and power flow Doppler imaging of uterine leiomyomas can differentiate suspected leiomyosarcomas that need further work-up from leiomyomas that require surgical or conservative management, Dr. Annalisa Amadio...

Patient survey results: women overestimate hormones' risks, benefits.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BOCA RATON, FLA. -- Women overestimate the risks and the benefits of hormone therapy, according to the results of a patient survey presented at the annual meeting of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Almost...

Retrospective analysis: estrogen users fare better than nonusers on cognition.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... MIAMI BEACH -- Postmenopausal estrogen users performed significantly better on computerized cognitive tests than nonusers, suggesting that the hormone may have a beneficial effect on cognition in some women, Joan Friebely, Ed.D., reported in a...

Compared with oral HT: coagulation factors increase less with patch hormone therapy.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Hormone therapy administered transdermally had significantly less impact on coagulation factors than did the same therapy given orally over 6 months, according to a study of 196 women. The study was not designed to investigate...

Above 110% of ventilatory threshold: brisk walking in postmenopause increases BMD.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... PHILADELPHIA -- Walking at a brisk pace increased bone mineral density while a slower or moderate pace was negatively correlated with a change in BMD, in a study of postmenopausal women. "BMD increased at intensities above 110% of...

Familial clustering: osteoarthritis risk boosted in patients' siblings.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BERLIN -- Siblings of patients with severe, knee osteoarthritis had about a twofold increased risk of also having knee osteoarthritis, compared with people in the general community in a cross-sectional study with more than 2,400 people. ...

Six trials support benefits: Hylan G-F 20 effective for knee osteoarthritis.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BERLIN -- Hylan G-F 20 is effective for cutting pain in knees with osteoarthritis, based on the results of a Cochrane review of six trials. Combined results from all six controlled trials showed that treatment with Hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc)...

Minor skin irritation: knee tape may be of some help in OA pain, disability.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... Therapeutic knee tape is slightly effective in treating knee pain and disability associated with osteoarthritis, according to the findings of a randomized controlled trial. In the study, 87 patients with pain from osteoarthritis randomly...

Designed for primary care: four questions give quick arthritis assessment.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- A four-item questionnaire for assessing patients with arthritis has been developed for use by primary care physicians. The Short Arthritis Assessment Scale (SAS) "may have a role in the rapid assessment of arthritis...

Ask five questions: Ottawa test helps doctors know knees.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... Doctors can reduce the number of unnecessary radiographs on their patients' knees with a simple, noninvasive test to assess fractures. The Ottawa knee rule showed a mean sensitivity of 98.5% and a mean specificity of 49% in a metaanalysis...

Not all labs are up to it: accurate gout Dx requires synovial fluid test.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- Not all labs are up to the job of properly diagnosing gout via the synovial fluid of the affected joint. Correctly identifying monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid requires experience that many...

Treat acute attacks first: prevention is the way to go in managing gout.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- Once an acute attack of gout subsides, patients with two or more episodes a year should have a strategy mapped out for managing the condition in the long term, Dr. H. Ralph Schumacher Jr. said at a symposium sponsored...

Probably similar to U.S. numbers: gout prevalence at 1.3% in the United Kingdom in 1999.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- About 1.3% of the United Kingdom population was diagnosed with gout in 1999, based on a general practice database that included more than 800,000 patients. This figure is probably a good estimate of the prevalence of gout...

Increased thermogenesis; Green tea for weight loss: catechins and caffeine.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... LONDON -- Green tea consumption may play a role in stemming the worldwide tide of obesity, Dr. Mary L. Hardy said at a symposium on alternative and complementary therapies sponsored by the universities of Exeter and Plymouth. One area of...

Candidates for bariatric surgery: inverse correlation found between drinking, women's body mass index.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Women with a higher body mass index are less likely to consume alcohol than their slimmer counterparts, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. These findings on the...

18-month study: Internet support helps in weight-loss maintenance.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Internet-based programs may be as effective as face-to-face support groups for weight loss maintenance, Jean Harvey-Berino, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity....

Dose response to exercise: modest exercise maintains weight in mildly obese.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... About 30 minutes of brisk walking each day can help maintain weight in overweight and mildly obese people who continue their normal eating pattern, reported Cris A. Slentz, Ph.D., and colleagues at Duke University, Durham, N.C. A total of...

Carton levels decline; OJ and Vitamin C level: consider the source.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... NASHVILLE, TENN. -- Physicians who recommend orange juice for its vitamin C content should know that the form of the orange juice determines the amount of the vitamin ingested, Carol Johnston, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American...

Obesity, CV risks: antipsychotic users need to be monitored.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... Patients taking antipsychotic medications should be carefully monitored for the development of obesity, diabetes, and other cardiovascular risk factors, according to a new consensus statement. Second-generation antipsychotics are more...

Little effect on bone: study supports the safety of using inhaled corticosteroids.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- Inhaled corticosteroids appear to have little effect on the bone mineral density of mildly asthmatic patients, according to the results of a 2-year study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma,...

Moderate to severe asthma: anti-IgE therapy cuts asthma exacerbations.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- The anti-IgE therapy omalizumab reduces the rate of significant asthma exacerbations by as much as 60% in patients also using standard therapies, according to data presented at the annual meeting of the American College of...

Affects older men: male fragile X carriers at risk for Parkinson's-like disease.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SACRAMENTO -- Men who are carriers of fragile X syndrome but not affected can develop a pseudo-Parkinson's disease when they reach their 50s, according to a published report from the University of California, Davis. Previously it had been...

40% greater hospitalization rate: mortality up twofold in elderly with anemia.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- In the elderly, anemia doubles the risk of death and increases the risk of hospitalization by 40%, according to a National Institutes of Health study reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. The...

Some effects remain at 12 months: kidney donors face risk of functional impairment.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- The mental and physical functioning of kidney donors declined significantly after surgery. Dr. Graeme Smith reported at the annual meeting of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. These findings highlight the need to involve...

Web browsers, wireless network cards.(Digital Assistance)
March 1, 2004... Featured App: Web Browsers We're now all quite used to navigating around the Web via Internet Explorer or Netscape on our desktop computers. As might be expected, Internet browsing capabilities have become part of the handheld computer...

Lithium appears antisuicidal: past suicide attempts flag riskiest bipolar patients.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Always ask bipolar patients whether they think about or have ever attempted suicide, Dr. J. John Mann advised at an industry-sponsored symposium held during the American Psychiatric Association's Institute on Psychiatric Services. ...

Evidence-based approach: APA's guideline on suicide is comprehensive, practical.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... The American Psychiatric Association's first comprehensive practice guideline on suicide is the product of years of research and exhaustive debate among experts on the guideline committee and eight professional organizations. More than...

In elderly patients: primary care physicians most likely to observe risk factors for suicide.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Primary care physicians may be the only ones to see the red flags associated with suicide in elderly patients, because most elderly suicide victims never come to the attention of psychiatrists. Primary care physicians should be...

Gender, marital status, alcohol: risk factors help define likelihood of active suicide attempt.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- Several factors can help in distinguishing between those who only consider or threaten suicide and those who will attempt suicide, Dr. Alex Khislavsky reported in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of...

Long-term Depression outcomes: computer-assisted Cognitive Therapy can help.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Computer-assisted cognitive therapy was shown to be as effective in treating major depression as standard cognitive therapy and required significantly less time spent with a therapist, Dr. Jesse H. Wright reported in a poster...

Late-life depression: consider setting when choosing screening scales.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Consider the site of use when selecting brief casefinding instruments for late-life depression, Cynthia Gruman, Ph.D., advised in a poster session at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America. The 10-item...

Compared with sham scans: MRI scans may perk up bipolar patients.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... Depressed bipolar patients who underwent specific types of MRI scans reported a significant improvement in mood, said Dr. Michael Rohan of McLean Hospital in Boston and his colleagues. Preliminary data suggest that echoplanar magnetic...

Excessive prescribing: benzodiazepines pose special risks in the elderly.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- Benzodiazepines should be prescribed for the elderly only when absolutely necessary, and in small, short-term doses. Dr. Olivera J. Bogunovic said in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of...

Sleepless in america: inadequate sleep more than 7 days a month.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Americans average more than 7 days a month of inadequate sleep, Daniel P. Chapman, Ph.D., reported in a poster presentation at the American Psychiatric Association's Institute on Psychiatric Services. Lack of sleep was more...

Scared straight: drinking modification begins in trauma unit.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... CHICAGO--Admission to a trauma unit may represent a "teachable moment" for alcohol-dependent patients that may be missed if their wounds are repaired and they are simply sent on their way, Dr. Donald N. Reed Jr. said at the annual clinical...

Acamprosate, naltrexone: combination regimen holds promise for motivated Alcoholics.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SANTA FE. N.M. -- Alcoholics who want to quit drinking but need a little help might benefit from combination therapy with acamprosate and naltrexone. Barbara J. Mason, Ph.D., said at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of...

Surprising finding: study finds no link between pain and alcohol consumption in older men.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Pain and alcohol consumption were not associated in a study of older male war veterans receiving primary care. The finding is surprising because the link between pain and alcohol consumption among younger adults is well known,...

Undertreated, misdiagnosed: adult ADHD needs attention from physicians.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... Millions of American adults are failing to achieve their full potential because of undiagnosed attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, experts say. Up to 70% of children with ADHD continue to experience symptoms into adulthood, and as a...

Detailed in-home study: mental illness seen in many self-neglecting elders.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Older adults who screened positive for self-neglect based on home-based interviews had a high prevalence of undetected and untreated psychiatric disorders. Dorothy Edwards. Ph.D., reported at the annual meeting of the...

Exclude secondary headache: differential diagnosis vital in cluster Headache.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... CANCUN, MEXICO -- A careful differential diagnosis will help distinguish patients with cluster headache from those with other short-lasting headaches--a crucial step, because the treatments for these disorders differ greatly. Dr. Richard B....

Often specific triggers: indomethacin is first choice for short-lasting Headaches.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... CANCUN, MEXICO -- Indomethacin is the treatment of choice in a number of different types of short-lasting headache, Dr. Richard B. Lipton said at a symposium sponsored by the American Headache Society. Dr. Lipton, of Albert Einstein College...

Self-reports by adults with epilepsy: comorbid Depression may worsen perception of seizure severity.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Epilepsy patients who have comorbid depression rate their seizures as more severe and more bother-some than those without depression. Ms. Joyce A. Cramer reported at the annual meeting of the American Neurological Association....

Appear to help; atypicals in dementia, delirium: more data please.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Some atypical antipsychotics appear to improve symptoms of dementia and delirium, said Dr. Laura K. Sherman of the University of Texas, Houston. But research is spotty--or even nonexistent, in the case of some agents--and more...

Diagnostic relevance? Neuronal injury may precede brain atrophy seen in MS.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- A comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy has revealed that neuronal injury precedes brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis, Dr. Oded Gonen said at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of...

M. officinalis and S. officinalis for Alzheimer's.(Alternative Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach)
March 1, 2004... * Extracts of Melissa officinalis and Salvia officinalis have long been considered in traditional medicine to have memory- and cognition-enhancing properties. * The results of two small clinical trials suggest potential benefits from these...

Retrospective study: monotherapy best for some refractory epilepsy.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Reduction of polypharmacy to monotherapy may reduce seizure frequency and improve quality of life in some patients with medically refractory epilepsy, based on results of a retrospective study. The 35 patients in the study had...

History of depression raises risk: suicidal ideation can follow epileptic seizures.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Some epilepsy patients, particularly those with a history of depression, are at increased risk of postictal suicidal ideation, a study has shown. The results are consistent with previous reports of elevated lifetime prevalence rates...

Assessing dietary supplements: data help clarify alternative medicine options.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... LA JOLLA, CALIF. -- Vitamins, soy protein, chondroitin, and other dietary supplements once thought to be of dubious therapeutic value are playing a growing role in medical practice, thanks to evidence supporting their use, speakers said at a...

Pap tests, mammography, colonoscopy: public may be too enthusiastic in gauging value of cancer screening.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... A large majority of Americans want to be screened for the early detection of cancer and seem to view it not as a choice, but as an obligation, according to a telephone survey of randomly selected U.S. residents. But such a commitment is...

Anemia during chemo: two erythropoietic agents comparable.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- The two erythropoietic agents approved for treating anemia during chemotherapy were equivalent in a head-to-head trial presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. The newer agent, darbepoetin alfa,...

12% of cancer patients affected: beware of chemotherapy-induced cutaneous reactions.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- An appreciation of the characteristic cutaneous side effects of anticancer agents is invaluable in differentiating these lesions from many other skin disorders with which they may be confused, Dr. Onofre Sanmartin said at...

Should be routine: transplant candidates: call in a dermatologist.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- A dermatologic consultation ought to become a routine part of all organ transplant triage decisions, Dr. Stuart J. Salasche declared at the 12th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. This...

Acne cream face-off: tazarotene vs. adapalene: effective, but irritating.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... WAIKOLOA, HAWAII -- Tazarotene cream 0.1% was more effective than adapalene cream 0.1% in clearing acne lesions, but it was also more irritating in a head-to-head trial, Dr. William Abramovits reported at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar...

Small study: topical tacrolimus called highly effective for refractory vulvar lichen planus.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- Topical tacrolimus is "remarkably" effective in women with recalcitrant genital lichen planus, Dr. Julie A. Byrd reported at the 12th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. In a retrospective...

Compared with EMLA: liposomal lidocaine beats usual topical anesthetic.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Liposomal lidocaine seemed to be faster and more convenient than other topical anesthetics for dermatologic procedures, Dr. Carin H. Gribetz said in a poster presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy 2003 meeting....

At 10 years: survival for systemic lupus erythematosus now at 93%.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... LISBON -- Ten-year survival with systemic lupus erythematosus now stands at 93%, an achievement that is a testament to multiple advances in medical therapy and a rapidly increasing understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. Factors...

Postthrombotic syndrome: compression stockings prevent DVT complication.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- A metaanalysis confirms that the use of elastic compression stockings after deep vein thrombosis can effectively prevent the appearance of postthrombotic syndrome, reported Dr. Dinanda N. Kolbach at a meeting of the International...

D-dimer screen: test is sensitive, not specific for spotting DVT.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- D-dimer testing represents a useful screening tool for patients suspected of having deep vein thrombosis. Dr. Jeffrey E. Friedman reported at a meeting of the International Union of Phlebology. The retrospective chart review...

Better staging: sentinel node mapping can help in head, neck melanoma.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Sentinel lymph node mapping of melanoma of the head or neck identifies the unusual lymphatic drainage patterns of these areas, improves staging, and helps identify candidates for adjuvant therapy, Dr. Jeffrey S. Eaton said at a...

Part of total body exam: be on the lookout for foot and ankle melanomas.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Think of aging baby boomers as "the sandal generation," and remember to check their feet for primary melanomas, Dr. Hubert T. Greenway said at a melanoma update sponsored by the Scripps Clinic. A cluster of eight cases of...

Retrospective study: photodynamic therapy fights actinic keratoses, photodamage.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- A single session of photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid in combinatinon with intense pulsed light can significantly improve actinic keratoses and reverse signs of aging. Dr. David K. Avram reported. The...

Good enough? Or good enough to increase the odds of an MI in the next ten years?(Advertisement)
March 1, 2004... The data are clear: concurrently, even mild-to-moderate elevations of blood pressure and cholesterol can mean an increased risk of cardiovascular events. (1-3) ********** Studies such as the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial...

Debunk myths: be ready to answer sun protection questions.(Clinical Rounds)
March 1, 2004... DORADO, P.R. -- Plenty of patients complain about having to wear sunscreen, so it's a good idea to have answers already prepared for the questions that they're likely to ask, said Dr. Vincent A. DeLeo at the Caribbean Dermatology Symposium. ...