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Biomedical subjects

C B Zachary

Publications and source records attributed to C B Zachary.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Direct transfer of curettings to cryostat chuck in Mohs micrographic surgery.

In the routine handling of Mohs specimens the curetted first layer is integral to the process of tumor identification. Small specimens may be smeared inadvertently on filter paper or gauze or even lost between the operating room and laboratory. An efficient method for processing small curetted specimens has been devised that bypasses the use of a tissue tray. This method improves tissue morphology and saves time.

Biopsy

Local anesthetic allergy. Its recognition and avoidance.

Local anesthetics are perhaps the most important drugs used in dermatologic surgery. They allow a variety of procedures to be performed safely and comfortably. Although generally well-tolerated, patients frequently report adverse reactions to these agents and may be labeled as "caine sensitive". In this review we will discuss the approach to the patient with possible local anesthetic sensitivity and in particular will focus on the role of skin testing and challenge in evaluating these patients.

Anaphylaxis

Benign lymphangioendothelioma.

We have studied eight cases of an acquired lymphatic endothelial lesion for which we propose the name "benign lymphangioendothelioma." The lesions developed as solitary, slowly extending, erythematous macules and plaques, usually occurring on the extremities or the shoulders in adolescents or adults. The characteristic histopathologic feature is permeation of the dermal collagen by flattened, endothelium-lined channels and spaces. Hemorrhage, iron deposition, and inflammation were not part of the lesion. Ulex europaeus agglutinin I labeled the lesional endothelial cells consistently, but factor VIII-related antigen labeling was negative. This histologic pattern and the special studies suggested a lymphatic lesion. Surgical excision, performed in six patients, was not followed by recurrence.

Adolescent

Occult basal-cell carcinoma within rhinophyma.

Rhinophyma, the end stage in the development of rosacea, is characterized by sebaceous hyperplasia, fibrosis, follicular plugging and telangiectasia. Although it is commonly considered a cosmetic problem, it can result in gross distortion of soft tissue and in airway obstruction. Previously, basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) has been reported in association with rhinophyma. We are reporting an additional case in which the patient had been delaying treatment because of the 'cosmetic nature' of this condition.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Outcome of carbon dioxide laser therapy for persistent cutaneous viral warts.

Twenty-two adults with persistent, symptomatic viral warts on the hands or feet which had failed to respond to conventional therapy were treated by carbon dioxide (CO2) laser ablation under local anaesthesia. Four patients did not return for follow-up treatment. Of the remaining 18 patients, 12 had plantar warts, the other six had warts on the hands that were mainly periungual. The median duration of the warts prior to laser treatment was 5 years. The areas treated were solitary in eight and multiple in 10 cases. After an average follow-up period of 10 months (minimum 6 months), all of the treated areas were clear of warts in 10 patients (56%), some had cleared in three, and all the treated warts had relapsed in the other five patients. Side-effects were commonly observed, especially post-operative pain, temporary loss of function of the treated part and scarring. The use of the CO2 laser may clear otherwise resistant viral warts but a significant morbidity may occur with this method of treatment.

Adolescent

Postfixation of cryostat sections improves tumor definition in Mohs surgery.

Precise identification and localization of tumor is the key to success in Mohs micrographic surgery. In a pilot study, we demonstrated improvement in tumor definition and staining characteristics after formalin fixation of cryostat sections (postfixation) when compared with unfixed specimens. We further investigated the benefits of postfixation with a series of tissue fixatives and with varying fixation times. In all cases, postfixation was found to be beneficial. No improvement was noted by extending the postfixation time beyond 1 minute.

Acetates

Genital tumors: their management by micrographic surgery.

Genital tumors represent a special group requiring effective and curative treatment while functional and cosmetic demands require tissue sparing techniques. For these reasons, micrographic surgery is indicated. Over the past 5 years we have treated 24 such patients utilizing standard techniques for micrographic surgery. The patient population included twenty male and four female patients with ages ranging from 27 to 80 years. Histologically confirmed diagnoses included squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, verrucous carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, Paget's disease, and leiomyosarcoma. These were located on the penis, scrotum, perineum, and buttocks. Seven of these patients were considered to have recurrent tumors. Preexisting conditions existed in 6 patients, including balantis xerotica obliterans, trauma, decubitus ulcer, and hidradenitis suppurativa. All surgery was performed under local anesthesia in the cutaneous surgery unit. Average pretreatment tumor size was 2.0 X 1.9 cm. Average postoperative defect size was 4.5 X 3.7 cm. Tumors were excised with an average of three stages and 18 sections. Most defects (65%) were allowed to heal by secondary intention, five (21%) were closed primarily, and three were referred for closure. After surgery five patients developed metastases in their regional lymphatic system. No patients developed local recurrence. Micrographic surgery is a most useful treatment modality in patients with genital tumors for control of local disease. However, patients with squamous cell carcinoma should be considered for elective regional lymph node biopsy and/or dissection in conjunction with micrographically controlled excision of the primary tumor.

Adult

Immune responses to bovine collagen implants. Significance of pretreatment serology.

Bovine collagen implants are in widespread use for the correction of soft tissue deficiencies. A small portion of the population responds adversely to these implants, evidenced by either positive skin tests or treatment site reactions. Antibodies against bovine collagen implants have been detected in the sera of virtually all patients with adverse treatment reactions and in small percentages of untreated individuals and treated individuals without adverse reactions. In this study we examined the levels of anti-bovine collagen implant antibodies in 150 individuals prior to bovine collagen implant therapy and then monitored these patients for adverse reactions to skin tests and bovine collagen implant treatments. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the value of pretreatment serology in predicting positive skin tests or adverse reactions. It was determined that individuals with greatly elevated levels (greater than 2 standard deviations [SDs] above the mean reactivity of pretreatment sera) of anti-bovine collagen implant antibodies prior to treatment were approximately sixfold more likely to suffer adverse reactions than patients with no elevation of antibodies prior to treatment.

Animals

Penile tumors: their management by Mohs micrographic surgery.

Penile tumors represent a difficult group of neoplasms requiring effective and curative treatment while minimizing tissue loss to prevent cosmetic and functional deformity. Over the past 6 years, we have treated 20 patients with penile cancer utilizing the fresh tissue technique of Mohs micrographic surgery. Tumors were excised with an average of 2.25 stages. Most defects (80%) were allowed to heal by second intention. Since surgery, four patients have developed metastatic disease in their regional lymphatic system, and one patient has died from metastatic spread. One patient has developed local recurrence. Micrographic surgery is a very useful treatment modality for patients with penile tumors. Patients with SCC of the penis should be considered for elective regional lymph node biopsy and/or dissection in conjunction with micrographically controlled excision of the primary tumor.

Adult

The nails in adult type 1 pityriasis rubra pilaris. A comparison with Sézary syndrome and psoriasis.

The fingernails of twenty-four patients with classical adult (type 1) pityriasis rubra pilaris were examined for changes in nail morphology and a comparison was made with the fingernail morphology of twenty-seven consecutive psoriatic patients with nail changes. Distal yellow-brown discoloration, subungual hyperkeratosis, nail plate thickening, and splinter hemorrhages indicate a diagnosis of type 1 pityriasis rubra pilaris rather than psoriasis, while onycholysis (particularly marginal), salmon patches, small pits, and larger indentations of the nail plate indicate a diagnosis of psoriasis. Histology demonstrated that a nail biopsy would be a useful diagnostic procedure if nails were involved in isolation but provided no additional diagnostic features to those found from biopsy specimens of involved skin in the two conditions. The similarity in nail morphology between the type 1 pityriasis rubra pilaris patients and five patients with chronic erythroderma resulting from Sézary syndrome indicated that these changes may represent a nonspecific reaction pattern that may result from prolonged erythema of the proximal nail bed and matrix. The rough nails (trachyonychia) described in advanced Sézary syndrome were not observed in any of our patients.

Humans

In situ quantification of T-lymphocyte subsets and Langerhans cells in the inflammatory infiltrate of atopic eczema.

Tissue from the acute, non-infected eruption of sixteen atopic eczema subjects was subjected to an indirect immunoperoxidase technique using monoclonal antibodies recognizing T-lymphocyte subsets, Langerhans cells and natural killer cells. Over half the cells infiltrating the dermis were T lymphocytes, including a large majority of helper T cells and relatively few suppressor T cells. Langerhans cells were present in significant proportions in the dermis and probably reflected increased antigen presentation within the affected skin. There was no evidence of increased natural killer cell presence. This study suggests that type IV hypersensitivity may be implicated in the aetiology of atopic eczema.

Adolescent