Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J L Held.
An allergic contact dermatitis in a woman was found to be due to oak moss in her husband's after-shave lotion. When routine patch testing reveals a positive reaction, the dermatologist should consider exposure to the antigen not only in the patient but also through contact with the patient's consort.
Bacitracin is a commonly used topical antibiotic. Although occasional reports of adverse reactions to bacitracin have appeared in the medical literature, it is considered to be a nonsensitizing agent by most dermatologists. A description of two patients who demonstrated allergic contact dermatitis from bacitracin is presented, with a review of the pertinent literature.
Eruptive vellus hair cysts are an apparent developmental anomaly of vellus hair follicles that result in an asymptomatic papular eruption characteristically located on the anterior chest in young patients. A case of eruptive vellus hair cysts in reported, and the clinical and histologic findings are reviewed.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Spinal cord compression (SCC) is a common oncologic emergency that can profoundly affect the remainder of the patient's life. SCC develops when pressure is exerted on the spinal cord by a tumor or by a collapsed vertebral body that has been replaced by cancer. When the condition is diagnosed and treated early, the patient may maintain ambulatory status; however, when the diagnosis is made late and neurologic compromise has occurred already, there is minimal expectation that impaired functions will return. SCC is treated with dexamethasone and radiation therapy, and surgery occasionally is performed. Nursing care, an integral component in the management of this challenging condition, may be as simple as educating the at-risk patient about the signs and symptoms of SCC or as complex as meeting the many needs of the paraplegic patient. This article reviews the etiology and clinical presentation of SCC as well as assessment, treatment, and nursing care related to the condition.