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Biomedical subjects

G Lorette

Publications and source records attributed to G Lorette.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Leg ulcers and hydroxyurea: forty-one cases.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyurea is an antitumor agent used to treat chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Leg ulcerations have been reported in patients undergoing long-term hydroxyurea therapy for myeloproliferative diseases. To better define this dermatological adverse effect of hydroxyurea therapy and to try to understand the pathophysiological process of this disease, we collected medical information for such patients in a multicenter retrospective study. OBSERVATIONS: Forty-one patients (mean age, 67 years) developed leg ulcerations while undergoing hydroxyurea therapy (mean therapy duration, 5 years). The sex ratio was 1, and there was no underlying vascular disease. Hematologic abnormalities were identified. Complete recovery from the ulcerations occurred quickly after withdrawal of treatment in 33 (80%) of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: This longest-reported series of patients confirms the role of hydroxyurea therapy in the onset of leg ulcerations. Healing or improvement requires cessation of treatment. Cutaneous atrophy and impaired wound healing may explain the relationship between hydroxyurea and leg ulcers. In addition, the megaloblastic erythrocytes resulting from the presence of hydroxyurea may circulate poorly through the capillary network. A prospective study in hematologic centers would be valuable.

Adult↗

Bone involvement in a case of Kaposi sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Extracutaneous involvement is rare in the classical form of Kaposi sarcoma (KS). OBSERVATION: We report a case of bone involvement revealed by bone pain. Magnetic resonance (MR) images demonstrated the local invasion of bone from cutaneous lesions. Bone biopsy confirmed bone involvement. The patient was treated with vindesine. Bone pain progressively disappeared. CONCLUSION: Bone involvement has rarely been reported in classical KS though 4.5% of the patients were affected when it was systematically sought. Treatment of symptomatic lesions requires radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Aged↗

[Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of 9 cases].

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa (PAN) is distinguished from systemic PAN by the lack of visceral involvement. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, clinical course, and treatment in cutaneous PAN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the files of patients hospitalized for vasculitis in our Dermatology unit where approximately 20 cases of vasculitis are seen each year. Inclusion criteria were skin signs suggestive of PAN and a histological image of leukocytoclastic vasculitis of an arteriole. RESULTS: Nine cases of cutaneous PAN were treated in our unit between 1976 and 1997. Follow-up ranged from 32 months to 22 years. No cases of systemic PAN had been diagnosed during this period. These 9 cases of cutaneous PAN all had the same clinical presentation: nodules on the lower limbs in all cases associated with nodules on the upper limbs in half of the cases. Neuropathy was found in 3 of the 9 cases. No systemic involvement was observed. The most frequently used treatment protocol was general corticosteroid therapy (0.5 mg/kg/d prednisone or prednisolone). Immunosuppressive drugs, colchicine, dapsone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intravenous immunoglobulins were also used with efficacy. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous PAN is a particular form of vasculitis associating skin signs with locoregional neuromuscular involvement. The differential diagnosis with other types of vasculitis is sometimes a difficult task. The clinical course is the fundamental diagnostic clue in cutaneous PAN. A benign course and the absence of visceral involvement allow initiating a symptomatic treatment such as colchicine. The development of neuromuscular signs may warrant the use of general corticosteroid therapy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[D-penicillamine-induced pemphigus, polymyositis and myasthenia].

BACKGROUND: D-penicillamine can induce autoimmune disease, particularly in patients with associated immune disorders. CASE REPORT: A 67-year old woman who had been taking D-penicillamine for 15 months for rheumatoid arthritis was hospitalized due to the development of a bullous eruption and proximal muscle deficiency. Search for intercellular antisubstance antibodies in serum was negative. The skin biopsy histology revealed intra-epidermal cleavage in the mucosal body and direct immunofluorescence revealed epidermal frame-marking with anti-IgG and anti-C3 antibodies. Other tests revealed muscular cytolysis, and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies. The electromyogram showed neuromuscular block without muscle deficiency and muscle biopsy showed moderate myositis. D-penicillamine was interrupted and was followed by cure of the pemphigus and aggravation of the myositis, requiring high-dose systemic corticosteroid therapy. DISCUSSION: This patient developed D-penicillamine induced pemphigus, a rather frequent observation. The desmoglein immunolabelling favored drug-induced pemphigus and the course was rapidly favorable after withdrawal. Pemphigus had developed simultaneously with signs of myasthenia and polymyositis. Polymyositis and myasthenia are also known complications of D-penicillamine therapy. The association of these three complications suggests that D-penicillamine can unmask certain antigens or have an immunomodulator effect.

Aged↗

[Neonatal skin].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

[Acquired tufted angioma in an adult: failure of pulsed dye laser therapy].

BACKGROUND: Tufted angioma, described by Wilson Jones in 1976, is a benign acquired vascular tumor occurring in children or young adults, usually located on the neck or the upper part of the thorax. Pathology examination confirms the diagnosis showing well-limited lobules in the dermis composed of tight clusters of capillaries without atypical cells. CASE REPORT: An 81-year-old woman consulted for a large extensive angiomatous lesion involving the neck and shoulder which had developed over two years. Histopathology reported tufted angioma. Treatment with pulsed dye laser was unsuccessful. DISCUSSION: Different treatments have been proposed for tufted angiomas: surgery, cryotherapy, interferon, argon laser and pulsed dye laser. This is a second cases of unsuccessful treatment, perhaps due to deep extension of the angioma.

Aged↗

[Multiple congenital smooth-muscle hamartomas].

BACKGROUND: Smooth muscle hamartoma is an uncommon lesion. Diagnosis is usually made at birth in infants presenting a plaque with minimal or no infiltration and covered with long dark hairs. Congenital forms with multiple plaques are rarely reported. CASE REPORT: A 5-day-old infant (normal pregnancy and delivery) had plaques localized on the buttocks, the left thigh, leg and shoulder and the right ankle. The plaques were minimally infiltrative and covered with long black hairs. Histology examination showed hyperplastic smooth muscle bundles with varying orientation. The diagnosis was smooth muscle hamartoma. The rest of the clinical examination was normal. CONCLUSION: This case of congenital smooth muscle hamartoma showed a particular form with partially regressive multiple plaques.

Biopsy↗