FDA MAUDE data on complications with lasers, light sources, and energy-based devices.

Background And Objective: It is essential for physicians to be fully informed regarding adverse events and malfunctions associated with medical devices that occur in routine practice. There is limited information on this important issue in the medical literature, and it is mostly based on initial studies and case reports. More advanced knowledge regarding device adverse events is necessary to guide physicians towards providing safe treatments.

Foam sclerotherapy for reticular veins of the dorsal hands: a retrospective review.

Background: Despite being the gold standard for lower extremity reticular vein treatment, few studies have yet evaluated foam sclerotherapy for hand veins.

Objective: This retrospective study evaluates the safety and efficacy of foam sclerotherapy for reticular veins of the dorsal hands.

Methods: A telephone-based questionnaire was used for patient self-assessment of overall improvement, satisfaction, prevalence of adverse events, and willingness for repeat treatment after foam sclerotherapy with sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS).

A comparison of two 810 diode lasers for hair removal: low fluence, multiple pass versus a high fluence, single pass technique.

Background & Objective: Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular method to remove unwanted or excessive hair. We have assessed the relative efficacy and discomfort associated with competing hair removal techniques, namely a high average power 810 nm diode laser using an “in-motion” technique with a market-leading 810 nm device with a single-pass vacuum-assisted technique. This study has determined the long-term (6-12 months) hair reduction efficacy and the relative pain induction intensities of these devices.

Enhanced port-wine stain lightening achieved with combined treatment of selective photothermolysis and imiquimod.

Background: Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the gold standard for treatment of port-wine stain (PWS) birthmarks but multiple treatments are required and complete resolution is often not achieved. Posttreatment vessel recurrence is thought to be a factor that limits efficacy of PDL treatment of PWS. Imiquimod 5% cream is an immunomodulator with antiangiogenic effects.

Long-term efficacy and safety of topical PRK 124 (0.125%) lotion (Pyratine-XR) in the treatment of mild-to-moderate rosacea.

Background: Many patients with rosacea cannot tolerate extended treatment periods with topical agents because their skin sensitivity is often increased.

Objective: To determine the long-term efficacy and tolerability of a new moisturizing lotion for improving the signs and symptoms of mild-to-moderate rosacea.

Methods: In a 48-week, open-label study, a moisturizing lotion containing furfuryl tetrahydropyranyladenine as PRK-124 (0.

Long-term efficacy of a fractional resurfacing device.

Background And Objective: Recently, there has been much debate regarding the long-term efficacy of fractional resurfacing devices. While pulsed CO(2) laser resurfacing is considered a highly effective treatment, fractionated resurfacing is a newer modality and its long-term efficacy has yet to be assessed. We report the long-term outcomes of subjects previously treated with fractional CO(2) resurfacing for photodamaged skin and acne scars.

Botulinum toxin type A for the management of glabellar rhytids.

There is an increasing demand for minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures to arrest the aging process. Botulinum toxin type A injections are the most commonly used nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the United States. There has been research spanning over two decades dedicated to safety, efficacy, dosing, and complications of botulinum toxin type A.

Viremia in acute herpes zoster.

Background: A phase 2 trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a topical antiviral, sorivudine, as an adjuvant to valacyclovir for the treatment of acute herpes zoster.

Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 25 patients were treated with either sorivudine or placebo cream. All patients began 7 days of valacyclovir treatment on day 3.

Single-day treatment for orolabial and genital herpes: a brief review of pathogenesis and pharmacology.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a highly prevalent condition responsible for significant morbidity and occasional mortality each year. Approximately half of all patients infected by HSV will experience at least one recurrence in their lifetime. For these recurrences, traditional therapy has included both suppressive and episodic treatment with nucleoside analogs.

Mucocutaneous manifestations of Epstein-Barr virus infection.

This review focuses on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, diagnosis, and current treatment, with emphasis on EBV-associated mucocutaneous manifestations in primary infections, acute EBV-associated syndromes, chronic infections, lymphoproliferative disorders, and lymphomas. In primary infection, EBV infects B cells and can cause mucocutaneous manifestations in infectious mononucleosis or acute EBV-associated syndromes such as Gianotti-Crosti syndrome and hemophagocytic syndrome. EBV then persists in the majority of humans generally without causing disease.

Etanercept: an overview of its role in the treatment of psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic and disabling disease affecting patients' quality of life.

Objectives: Over the past decade, there has been significant growth in the knowledge of the proinflammatory pathways involved in psoriasis, including the role of increased levels of TNF. This knowledge has led to the increased use of biologic therapy, with such drugs as etanercept, a soluble TNF receptor fusion protein, aimed at inhibiting the actions of TNF.