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Biomedical subjects

E M Higgins

Publications and source records attributed to E M Higgins.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Recalcitrant viral warts treated by diphencyprone immunotherapy.

Recalcitrant viral warts are a troublesome therapeutic problem. Immunotherapy with the universal allergic contact sensitizer diphencyprone (DCP) has been used successfully in such cases. We have reviewed our experience of the use of DCP in the treatment of resistant hand and foot warts during an 8-year period. Sixty patients were sensitized to DCP during this time; the median duration of warts was 3 years. Twelve patients defaulted from treatment. Of the remaining 48 individuals, 42 (88%) cleared of all warts. The median number of treatments to clear was five (range one to 22) and the median time to clear was 5 months (range 0.5-14). Adverse effects occurred in 27 of 48 patients (56%), most commonly painful local blistering (n = 11), blistering at the sensitization site (n = 9), pompholyx-like reactions (n = 7) and eczematous eruptions (n = 4). Three of those who defaulted did so due to side-effects, one became pregnant and eight dropped out for unknown reasons. Three of the 48 patients who cleared or had at least six treatments also discontinued DCP therapy due to side-effects, but most tolerated treatment well. Twenty-five patients were followed up for periods of 1 month to 8 years (median 2 years) and none had a recurrence. DCP immunotherapy is an effective option for the treatment of recalcitrant viral warts but patients must be motivated to attend for sequential applications and must be warned about potential uncomfortable side-effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

A study of the spectrum of skin disease occurring in a black population in south-east London.

We recorded the diagnosis made in 461 black patients (187 children and 274 adults) attending a dermatology clinic between January and March 1996. In the childhood population, atopic eczema and tinea capitis were the most frequent dermatoses, comprising 63% of diagnoses recorded. In the adult population, acne and acne keloidalis nuchae were seen most frequently. Other conditions observed commonly were eczema, psoriasis, keloid scarring, pityriasis versicolor and postinflammatory changes. Our study demonstrates a wide spectrum of skin disease and includes disorders more common in black skin, disorders unique to black skin, those which present a greater cosmetic disability, and normal findings which have been mistaken for pathological disease.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1998

Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease.

We report a patient with purely cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) who presented with a solitary, asymptomatic plaque on the back of her left thigh, with characteristic, large histiocytoid cells exhibiting emperipolesis histologically. Cutaneous lesions occur in 27% of patients with lymph node involvement in RDD however purely cutaneous disease has only been reported on 18 previous occasions. The aetiology is unknown, although it is though to be a reactive disorder rather than neoplastic, possibly an immunological response to an infectious agent.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Psychiatric illness in patients referred to a dermatology-psychiatry clinic.

There is a recognized psychiatric morbidity among those who attend dermatology clinics. We aimed to determine the pattern of psychological and social problems among patients referred to a liaison psychiatrist within a dermatology clinic. Notes from 149 patients were reviewed and more detailed assessments performed in a subgroup of 32 consecutive referrals. All but 5% merited a psychiatric diagnosis. Of these, depressive illness accounted for 44% and anxiety disorders, 35%. Less common general psychiatric disorders included social phobia, somatization disorder, alcohol dependence syndrome, obsessive-convulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, and schizophrenia. Classical disorders such as dermatitis artefacta and delusional hypochondriasis were uncommon. Commonly, patients presented with longstanding psychological problems in the context of ongoing social difficulties rather than following discrete precipitants. Psychiatric intervention resulted in clinical improvement in most of those followed up. Of the dermatological categories 1) exacerbation of preexisting chronic skin disease; 2) symptoms out of proportion to the skin lesion; 3) dermatological nondisease; 4) scratching without physical signs, the commonest were dermatological nondisease and exacerbation of chronic skin disease. Anxiety was common in those from all dermatological categories. Patients with dermatological nondisease had the highest prevalence of depression. Skin patients with significant psychopathology may go untreated unless referred to a psychiatrist. The presence of dermatological nondisease or symptoms out of proportion to the skin disease should particularly alert the physician to the possibility of underlying psychological problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Serum S-100 protein: a potentially useful prognostic marker in cutaneous melanoma.

S-100, an acidic calcium-binding protein, is present within cells of neuroendocrine origin. Its value in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of tumours of melanocytic origin is well established. More recently, a potential role has been proposed for the serum concentration of this protein as a marker of metastatic melanoma disease activity. In the present study, the concentration of serum S-100 protein was measured in 97 patients with histologically proven malignant melanoma who were attending a dermatology and/or oncology department for the follow-up of their disease. Serum S-100 was also measured in 48 control subjects without malignant melanoma. The clinical stage of the patients was classified according to the criteria of the American Joint Committee on Cancer into stages I-IV. The median (range) serum S-100 protein concentration was significantly higher in stage I (0.11 (0.1-0.21) microgram/L, P < 0.001), stage II (0.11 (0.05-0.22) microgram/L, P < 0.001), stage III (0.24 (0.07-0.41) microgram/L, P < 0.0001) and stage IV (0.39 (0.06-15.0) microgram/L, P < 0.0001) compared with the control group (0.1 (0.05-0.15) microgram/L). At a threshold value of 0.2 microgram/L, the sensitivity and specificity for detection of advanced disease were 82% and 91%, respectively. Thus serum S-100 protein may be a valuable prognostic marker for malignant melanoma and for monitoring therapy. Serum S-100 protein concentration was also compared with the Breslow thickness of the tumours. There was a significant correlation between these variables (n = 72, rs = 0.32, P < 0.01). Combining a serum S-100 threshold value of > 0.22 microgram/L and a Breslow thickness of > 4 mm improved the sensitivity and specificity for the presence of secondary spread to 91% and 95%, respectively. Therefore, a combination of both baseline serum S-100 protein and Breslow thickness may provide a better indication of the prognosis at diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Increase in non-melanoma skin cancer--the King's College Hospital experience (1970-92).

A retrospective study of the number of patients with non-melanoma skin cancer treated over a 22-year period at King's College Hospital was carried out. There was a threefold rise in the number of patients with basal cell carcinoma and a 10-fold rise in the number of patients with squamous cell carcinoma from 1970 to 1992. This study demonstrates a marked increase in the number of patients with non-melanoma skin cancers presenting to the Department of Dermatology and reflects a national trend which underlines the need for skin cancer services to be prepared for a growing workload in this area.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1994

Cutaneous disease and alcohol misuse.

Certain skin disorders have now been demonstrated to be affected by alcohol misuse, in particular psoriasis and discoid eczema. The pattern of involvement in psoriasis differs from psoriasis vulgaris in character and distribution, and tends to be more difficult to treat. Discoid eczema appears to be specifically related to alcohol excess and is associated with deranged liver function tests. Rosacea, post-adolescent acne, superficial infections and porphyria cutanea tarda may also be markers of alcohol misuse. These disorders occur early and are quite distinct from the traditional cutaneous stigmata of established liver disease. The association between alcohol and skin disease is under-reported, as alcohol misuse may go undetected in a general clinic unless specifically sought. Alcohol has a profound influence on immune function and induces changes in the cutaneous vasculature. The relevance of these effects to the pathophysiology of alcohol-related skin disease is discussed.

Alcohol Drinking↗