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Biomedical subjects

J Berth-Jones

Publications and source records attributed to J Berth-Jones.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Juvenile spring eruption of the ears: a probable variant of polymorphic light eruption.

We report 18 cases in which a pruritic, erythematous, papular and vesicular eruption developed on the ears following sun exposure. Four of these patients had, on other occasions, suffered from typical polymorphic light eruption. The clinical features, histological changes, and results of phototesting suggest that juvenile spring eruption of the ears is a localized form of polymorphic light eruption.

Adolescent↗

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus--a review of 15 cases in young girls.

We report a series of 15 girls who developed lichen sclerosus between the ages of 18 months and 9 years. Only five of these were initially referred to a dermatologist and the diagnosis was made promptly in these cases on the first visit to the clinic. The diagnosis was usually delayed under disciplines less familiar with the disease. We encountered a high level of parental anxiety regarding the possibility of misdiagnosis of lichen sclerosus as childhood sexual abuse. Dysuria and pain on defaecation were common and prominent symptoms which have not previously been stressed adequately. The clinical features were diagnostic in all our cases, although three had undergone vulval biopsy under general anaesthesia prior to being seen by a dermatologist. There was a trend towards improvement with increasing age.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of alopecia totalis with a combination of inosine pranobex and diphencyprone compared to each treatment alone.

Recent developments in alopecia areata have included the use of oral inosine pranobex and the introduction of diphencyprone as a contact sensitizer. Good results have been claimed for these treatments even in severe forms of the disease. We performed a study to investigate the efficacy of a combination of these treatments in the most severe form of alopecia areata. Thirty-three patients suffering from alopecia totalis were enrolled. Subjects were divided into three groups matched for age and sex. One group received treatment with inosine pranobex (50 mg/kg/day) for 6 months. The second was sensitized to diphencyprone and treated for 6 months by maintenance of contact allergic dermatitis on the scalp. The third received both treatments. There was no evidence of response to inosine pranobex in any of the 22 subjects who received this treatment. Only two of 22 patients responded to diphencyprone. Patients with long-standing alopecia totalis contemplating diphencyprone therapy should be advised that the chances of success are only around 10%. Inosine pranobex does not appear to improve the response rate.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma with intralesional interferon alpha-2b.

We report a series of 11 basal cell carcinomas of various types treated with nine intra-lesional injections of 1.5 million units of interferon alpha-2b. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically in each case. After 3 months' follow-up six tumours had resolved both clinically and histologically. In three cases the tumour size was reduced. One tumour grew larger. Side effects were well tolerated except by one subject who was withdrawn. Those cases which responded have now been followed-up for between 12 and 26 months with no clinical or histological evidence of tumour recurrence. This is the longest period of follow-up so far reported for this novel treatment. The results are encouraging and, if maintained in future series, may indicate a useful role for interferon alpha in the management of this common cutaneous malignancy.

Aged↗

A study of etretinate alopecia.

Twenty-two patients receiving etretinate were studied in an attempt to clarify the changes in hair cycle dynamics responsible for etretinate alopecia. Shed hair counts and telogen counts on samples of plucked hair were performed prior to therapy and after 6 and 12 weeks' treatment with etretinate. No evidence of anagen effluvium was found. In two individuals there were findings compatible with a classical telogen effluvium, but these had atypical features. The main finding in the study was an increase in the plucked telogen count, maximal at 12 weeks. As an arrest in the onset of anagen could produce only a comparatively small telogen increase, the predominant cause of this increase was a decrease in the duration of anagen. In two subjects there was also evidence of a telogen anchorage defect.

Adult↗

Failure of papaverine to reduce pruritus in atopic dermatitis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study.

Papaverine has been reported, largely on the basis of clinical experience, to reduce the severity of pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was performed to assess the degree of improvement. Fifty subjects with atopic dermatitis each received papaverine 100 mg q.d.s. orally for 4 weeks and another 4 weeks of matching placebo in randomized order. The parameters used to measure response were pruritus as assessed on visual analogue scales by the subjects, clinical scoring of extent and severity of the dermatitis and rate of usage of topical steroid preparations. Forty-five subjects completed the protocol and no improvement in any parameter was demonstrated.

Adolescent↗

Neurological complications of systemic sclerosis--a report of three cases and review of the literature.

We report three cases of systemic sclerosis demonstrating four different neurological complications: trigeminal neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, carpal-tunnel syndrome and prolonged response to local anaesthesia. A review of the literature reveals a wide range of neurological abnormalities associated with systemic sclerosis. When they occur, these are often presenting features.

Adult↗

Cutaneous malignant fibrous histiocytoma. A rare but serious malignancy.

We report 3 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma occurring as primary neoplasms of the skin. The first case developed in a leg ulcer of traumatic origin. The second developed on the lower lip at the site of a squamous cell carcinoma which had been treated by radiotherapy. The third arose on a calf at a site of previous surgery. The literature on this malignancy is reviewed, with emphasis on cutaneous involvement.

Aged↗

Cholinergic pruritus, erythema and urticaria: a disease spectrum responding to danazol.

Cholinergic pruritus and cholinergic erythema are relatively rare conditions believed to represent variants of cholinergic urticaria. We report an extremely severe and unusual case demonstrating features of both these variants before evolving into more classical cholinergic urticaria. This strongly supports the view that all three syndromes are variations of the same disease. This case demonstrated a dramatic symptomatic response to danazol which has not previously been reported.

Adult↗