The US Drug Watchdog is warning all US citizens about a dye used in MRI's called Gadolinium, particularly for individuals who have kidney disease who were exposed to this dye, and who may now have an incurable medical condition called NSF. According to the group, "we think there could be literally thousands of US citizens who have had a MRI, where a dye called Gadolinium was used, that caused a horrible condition called NSF, and no one has ever heard of NSF. We fear that individuals with kidney disease, who have had a MRI in the last 10 years, where Gadolinium was used, may now have NSF, without ever knowing it." The symptoms of NSF include: Patients with NSF describe swelling and tightening of the skin. The skin thickening inhibits flexibility and extension of joints, resulting in contractures. Severely affected patients may be unable to walk, or fully extend the joints of their arms, hands, legs, and feet. Complaints of muscle weakness are common. If a person has had a MRI, where Gadolinium may have been used, and they have developed these symptoms, they should contact the US Drug Watchdog immediately at 866-714-6466, or contact the group via its web site at Http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

New Aura Cacia® aromatherapy collection saves consumers time, money

Miami Plastic Surgery now offers the HydraFacial procedure, the latest innovation in non-laser skin resurfacing.

The US Drug Watchdog is expanding its investigation of a dye used in MRI's called Gadolinium, for individuals who have kidney disease whoi were exposed to this dye, and an incurable medical condition called NSF. According to the group, "we think there could be thousands of US citizens who have had a MRI, where a dye called Gadolinium was used, that caused a horrible condition called NSF, and we need to get the national press involved in this mess. We fear that individuals who have had a MRI in the last 10 years, where Gadolinium was used, may now have NSF, without even knowing it." The symptoms of NSF include: Patients with NSF describe swelling and tightening of the skin. The skin thickening inhibits flexibility and extension of joints, resulting in contractures. Severely affected patients may be unable to walk, or fully extend the joints of their arms, hands, legs, and feet. Complaints of muscle weakness are common. If a person has had a MRI, where Gadolinium may have been used, and they have developed these symptoms, they should contact the US Drug Watchdog immediately at 866-714-6466, or contact the group via its web site at Http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

Dr. Lenore Sikorski, Board Certified Dermatologist in South Orange County, has developed a 2 step procedure completed in a single office visit to effectively treat Actinic Keratoses lesions. Actinic Keratosis, known by the un-nerving term "pre cancer", is traditionally treated with liquid nitrogen freezing. Recognizably a reasonable treatment for the occasional lesion, spot treating tends to be less effective for numerous or diffuse AK lesions.

Peel Health is opening a special H1N1 flu clinic in Mississauga for young children who need a second dose of the vaccine.

It's one down, one more to go for children receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine in Peel Region. Health officials closed down public immunization clinics earlier this month, but will soon start up clinics for youngsters needing a second dose of the H1N1 vaccine.

Dr. Nissan Pilest, Orange County's most visible laser dermasurgeon, was selected to help present the latest Fraxel technology during the special Illumination Tour by Solta. In a Newport Beach stopover, Dr. Pilest boarded the custom-outfitted airstream and provided a live demo of the latest Fraxel pigmentation laser, the Fraxel Dual.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery...In Brief is distributed monthly and designed to keep you updated on the most current journal news from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. To obtain any of the full studies highlighted here, or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact ASPS Public Relations at (847) 228-9900 or media@plasticsurgery.org.