The case is described of a laboratory worker who was carrying out an animal immunological experiment and accidentally punctured the palm of his hand with Freund's complete adjuvant which contained heat-killed M. tuberculosis in a paraffin emulsion. A serious localised chronic tuberculoid granulomatous reaction developed which persisted for nine months. The significance of this phenomenon is discussed and the importance of the prevention of such an occurrence is emphasized.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed1977

Pulmonary metastases from basal-cell carcinoma of skin.

Although rodent ulcers are a relatively common malignant condition of the skin, pulmonary metastases arising from them are extremely rare. There have so far been only 29 authenticated reports of this condition. A further case is described of a man who, at the age of 35, developed a rodent ulcer (typical basal-cell carcinoma) on the forehead. Despite local excisions, skin grafting, and radiotherapy, the ulcer continued to recur, although there was no spread to regional lymph nodes. When he was aged 52, he developed widespread bilateral pulmonary lesions and a right pleural effusion. Thoracotomy provided a lung biopsy which showed the typical histological appearance of basal-cell carcinoma. He died aged 54, 19 years after the onset of the rodent ulcer, and necropsy confirmed that the pulmonary lesions were bloodborne metastases of basal-cell carcinoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

PubMed1977

Bronchial asthma due to allergy to pancreatic extract: a hazard in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

The mother of two children suffering from cystic fibrosis developed marked allergic symptoms affecting the eyes, nose and bronchi and severe bronchial asthma ensued. The cause of this allergy proved to be the powder released on opening the capsules of pancreatic extract which she provided for her children at each mealtime. The risk of pancreatic extract to those handling it, and possibly also to patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, is emphasized.

Adult↗

PubMed1976