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Biomedical subjects

J L Held

Publications and source records attributed to J L Held.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Noduloulcerative or "malignant" syphilis occurring in an otherwise healthy woman: report and review of a dramatic dermatosis.

We present the case of an otherwise healthy woman with noduloulcerative ("malignant") syphilis, the first female patient reported with this dermatosis in fifty years. This rare form of secondary syphilis is characterized by noduloulcerative lesions with rupioid crusts that dramatically involve the face while usually sparing the palms and soles. The aggression and destruction of the skin lesions may mimic that of other granulomatous and infiltrative dermatoses. Since the incidence of syphilis is increasing, physicians should be aware of this variant that is so disfiguring it has historically been referred to as lues maligna.

Facial Dermatoses↗

A review of blepharochalasis and other causes of the lax, wrinkled eyelid.

Cosmetically unappealing lax, wrinkled eyelid skin may result from various processes including connective tissue diseases, natural aging, and blepharochalasis. Since the end-stage eyelid changes due to several different processes are similar, the presence or absence of prior chronic or recurrent eyelid edema is an important differentiating point. We review blepharochalasis and provide a logical approach to its differential diagnosis.

Edema↗

Vitiligo and pernicious anemia presenting as congestive heart failure.

The skin often provides diagnostic clues to systemic disorders. Vitiligo is an acquired disease characterized by depigmentation of the skin due to destruction of melanocytes. Vitiligo may be an autoimmune disease and is associated with other disorders that may also arise due to autoimmune mechanisms. We present the unusual case of vitiligo associated with pernicious anemia in a patient who presented to the hospital because of hyperdynamic congestive heart failure.

Adult↗

Coma blisters: report and review.

Coma blisters are self-limited lesions that occur in the setting of coma of various causes, but are most commonly associated with barbiturate overdose. Examination of a skin biopsy specimen demonstrates the characteristic presence of eccrine sweat duct necrosis. Although the exact cause of coma blisters remains unknown, they are not related to underlying infections or rheumatologic disorders, and do not contraindicate the continued therapeutic use of barbiturates.

Adult↗

Surgical amelioration of Dercum's disease: a report and review.

Dercum's disease, or adiposis dolorosa, is a rare condition characterized by painful lipomas, usually on the extremities of obese postmenopausal women. At present, there are no treatments known to alter the progressive course of this often incapacitating disease. Surgical intervention, while not preventive, is useful in ameliorating local symptoms of pain. We report a characteristic 15-year course of Dercum's disease.

Adiposis Dolorosa↗

Phytophotodermatitis.

Phytophotodermatitis is a skin eruption resulting from the interaction of the sun's radiant energy and photosensitizing compounds found in various plants. Common offenders are celery, limes and certain oranges, as well as natural grasses. The acute phase of the skin eruption is characterized by edema and erythema. In the chronic phase, hyperpigmentation may develop at the contact site.

Administration, Topical↗

Basal cell carcinoma of the scalp in a black patient.

Basal cell carcinoma rarely occurs in black persons. When it does occur, it most often involves the sun-exposed areas of the face. Basal cell carcinoma of the scalp often occurs after other predisposing events such as radiation damage, nevus sebaceus, or systemic conditions such as arsenic exposure or immunosuppression. We report the unusual case of a basal cell tumor arising de novo on the scalp of a black patient with none of these predisposing conditions.

Biopsy↗

Erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity in porphyria cutanea tarda: a study of 40 consecutive patients.

We measured uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) activity in erythrocyte lysates obtained from 40 consecutive patients with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) without selection for family history. Enzyme determinations indicated that 28% of the patients had abnormally decreased UROD activity in erythrocytes; this finding did not always correlate with family history. Two siblings with PCT and normal erythrocytic, but abnormally decreased hepatic UROD activities, were encountered. This finding suggests that familial PCT may occur not only with decreased erythrocyte UROD activity, but also with a normal UROD activity in erythrocytes.

Adult↗

Cutaneous sinus of dental origin: a diagnosis requiring clinical and radiologic correlation.

Cutaneous sinuses may arise from chronic dental infections. These sinus tracts usually appear as suppurative lesions of the chin or neck. Diagnosis is made by palpating the lesion and by radiologic examination demonstrating periapical dental abscess. Treatment with dental extraction or root canal results in resorption of the inflammatory fistula. Since many patients with sinus tracts of dental origin do not have any complaints of tooth or mouth pain, the correct diagnosis may be overlooked by the unsuspecting clinician.

Chin↗

Use of touch preparation for rapid diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis.

Disseminated candidiasis is the most common fungal infection occurring in patients with hematologic malignancies. Unless rapidly diagnosed and treated, it is usually fatal. The signs and symptoms of disseminated candidiasis are nonspecific but sometimes include a skin eruption of papulonodules with pale centers. Biopsy or culture of skin lesions does not usually allow prompt diagnosis. We describe two patients with leukemia with disseminated candidiasis in whom the diagnosis was rapidly made by a potassium hydroxide preparation and a Gram's stain of a touch preparation of the punch biopsy specimen.

Adult↗