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Biomedical subjects

C E Grattan

Publications and source records attributed to C E Grattan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Atrophic alopecia in the Hallermann-Strieff syndrome.

We report a case of the Hallermann-Strieff syndrome with focal scalp atrophy and associated patchy hair loss. Cases of the Hallermann-Strieff syndrome (a branchial arch syndrome) often present with ocular abnormalities in infancy but they also show a number of other abnormalities including a characteristic facial appearance, proportionate dwarfism, cutaneous atrophy, hypotrichosis and dental anomalies.

Alopecia↗

Cutting fluid dermatitis.

174 consecutive patients with suspected cutting fluid dermatitis were investigated in 2 occupational dermatology clinics. 43% showed allergic reactions which were thought to be relevant to their dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis occurred in 63%, but only in 21% was it thought to be the sole diagnosis. Biocides, especially formaldehyde releasers, were the commonest cause of allergic reactions in a cutting fluid patch test series.

Adolescent↗

Visual toxicity of synthetic retinoids.

Twelve patients treated with isotretinoin, a synthetic vitamin A analogue, were assessed before, during, and after therapy. Significant falls occurred in the amplitude of the a waves of the scotopic electroretinogram.

Electroretinography↗

Pseudoainhum and erythropoietic protoporphyria.

We report the development of pseudoainhum in a patient with erythropoietic protoporphyria, the first report, to our knowledge, of these two unusual conditions occurring together. An excellent cosmetic and functional result was achieved with a Z plasty.

Adult↗

Comparison of a hydrocolloid dressing and paraffin gauze in the treatment of venous ulcers.

In-patients with venous leg ulcers showed increased healing rates with a hydrocolloid dressing (Granuflex), as compared with a traditional paraffin gauze dressing (Jelonet), in a randomized sequential crossover trial, although the difference was not statistically significant. Bacteriological studies showed that the hydrocolloid dressing favoured growth of both aerobes and anaerobes in significantly greater numbers compared with paraffin gauze. Heavy bacterial colonization had no effect on the healing rates of the ulcers. Granuflex is said to produce an anaerobic environment--survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a strict aerobe, under Granuflex dressings, makes this seem unlikely.

Aged↗

Preliminary identification of a low molecular weight serological mediator in chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Sixteen patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria were skin tested with their own serum, IO with autologous plasma and five with serum that had been heated to 56 degrees C to inactivate complement. Eight showed a weal and flare response to whole serum, four to plasma and five to heat-treated serum. All serum-positive patients showed the same response to their own plasma and to heated serum, indicating that the mediator concerned is not generated by clotting and is not dependent on a functioning complement pathway. Three control subjects were negative to autologous serum, plasma and heated serum. Local tachyphylaxis was demonstrated in five serum-positive patients on reinjection of the same site with autologous serum on 3 consecutive days. This raises the possibility that the serological mediator may be acting by mast cell degranulation or directly on receptors in blood vessels and that repeated injections could induce a change in the number of receptors. Passage of whole autologous serum from four serum-positive patients through ultrafiltration membranes showed that fractions with a molecular weight of less than 30,000 daltons were still able to produce a positive skin test response, but those less than 1000 daltons were not. All serum fractions from two serum-negative patients and three normal controls were negative. Whole autologous serum from five serum-positive patients and two control subjects were separated by column chromatography. On skin testing with pooled fractions, the greatest response was produced by fractions of 10,000-15,000 daltons in the serum-positive patients, but there was no response in the controls.

Adolescent↗

Double-blind comparison of a dithranol and steroid mixture with a conventional dithranol regimen for chronic psoriasis.

Twenty four of 30 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis completed a double-blind randomized paired comparison of dithranol in Lassar's paste versus dithranol and fluocinonide in Lassar's paste. There was a more rapid reduction in severity of the psoriasis on the side treated with the dithranol and fluocinonide mixture, but no difference in the final time to clearance between the two sides. There were fewer burning episodes on the side treated with dithranol and fluocinonide and greater staining of the skin. Of the 20 patients who were subsequently followed up for up to 3 months, 11 had relapsed more on the side treated with dithranol and fluocinonide, two on the side treated with dithranol alone and in seven there was no appreciable difference. It was concluded that the addition of a topical steroid to a conventional dithranol regimen produced more rapid initial clearance and less burning, but more rapid relapse of the psoriasis.

Adolescent↗

Metastatic calcification and cytomegalovirus infection.

We report a patient who developed hypercalcaemic metastatic cutaneous calcification in association with a cytomegalovirus infection after a liver transplant. The skin nodules disappeared as the hypercalcaemia resolved and the cytomegalovirus infection subsided.

Adult↗

Acquired ichthyosis in a child with rhabdomyosarcoma.

A generalized ichthyosiform eruption developed in a 13-year-old boy three weeks before presentation with a paravertebral rhabdomyosarcoma. His skin returned to normal shortly after the onset of chemotherapy and remission of the tumor. This case is unusual because the ichthyosis developed acutely, following a generalized urticarial eruption, and also involved the palms and soles.

Adolescent↗