Biomedical subjects
J J Chanda
Publications and source records attributed to J J Chanda.
Sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown etiology with protean manifestations. Its history is revealed in its many eponymic syndromes. The histologic features are nonspecific, as are most of the clinical manifestations. The diagnosis is made by exclusion. The immunologic abnormalities are fascinating, with features of both hyperactivity and depression. Therapy is nonspecific and generally symptomatic.
Differential diagnosis of sclerodermoid skin changes.
Sclerotic changes in the skin are most frequently caused by scleroderma. In those cases in which scleroderma is not implicated, careful historical, physical, histologic, and laboratory evaluation will allow an appropriate diagnosis to be made. In this way, appropriate therapy and prognostication can be given.
Diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia.
The recently described syndrome of diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia consists of scleroderma-like cutaneous changes in the absence of Raynaud's phenomenon and without visceral involvement. Peripheral blood eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia occur in the majority of patients. The biopsy specimen is characteristic and shows a diffusely thickened fascia with a noticeable inflammatory infiltrate. The etiology and pathogenesis of the entity are unknown. The majority of the cases have been reported to respond to corticosteroids. Pulmonary function abnormalities and rheumatoid factor elevation in one of our patients suggests that this syndrome may be a variant scleroderma or may have previously unrecognized systemic manifestations. The patients' objective responses to corticosteroids were minimal.