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Biomedical subjects

J L Ratz

Publications and source records attributed to J L Ratz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa with carbon dioxide laser excision and second-intention healing.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a disabling disease. Although medical management can at times control the disease, the treatment of choice is surgical excision. Surgical defects have been managed by second-intention healing, simple surgical closure, or complex surgical repairs. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the benefit of carbon dioxide laser excision with healing by second intention to treat lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa. METHODS: We treated seven patients who had axillary and inguinoperineal hidradenitis suppurativa with carbon dioxide laser excision followed by second-intention healing. A total of 12 procedures were performed (five bilateral and two unilateral). Follow-up periods were 10 to 27 months. RESULTS: After a healing time of 4 to 8 weeks, scars were flat and linear. Only one recurrence of hidradenitis suppurativa has been observed; this occurred along the margin of the surgical scar in a previously treated area. Some patients, however, had continued disease activity in untreated areas. All subjects were satisfied with the results of the procedure, and complications were minimal. CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide laser excision with second-intention healing is safe and effective for hidradenitis suppurativa.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Eyelid microcystic adnexal carcinoma.

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma is an uncommon cutaneous tumor with multiple synonyms. On cursory microscopic examination, the tumor mimics syringoma and other benign skin adnexal tumors. However, the asymmetric, infiltrative growth pattern clearly sets the lesion apart as carcinoma. The tumor is locally aggressive, with recurrences common, but regional metastases are rare. Histogenesis is controversial. Optimal treatment consists of complete surgical excision with clear surgical margins.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Unilateral erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli in a young girl.

Erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli is uncommon. Fewer than 20 cases have been reported. Except for one case in a woman and one case of unilateral distribution, all other reported cases have been bilateral in young male patients. We report the first case of unilateral distribution in a white girl.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Carbon dioxide laser treatment of pitted acne scarring.

Laserabrasion has been shown to have limited application in the treatment of acne scarring. Focal laserabrasion used to treat individual pitted acne scars may have broader clinical application. We present 8 patients with pitted acne scars who were treated with either conventional continuous wave carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, or with the superpulsed CO2 laser, or both. Cosmetically acceptable results were attained, particularly in the patients treated with the superpulsed laser.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1990

Laser therapy of the skin. A review of principles and applications.

Advances in laser technology now permit the physician to provide an effective form of treatment for a variety of cutaneous disorders for which no previous therapy existed. Additional refinements in both laser instruments and treatment techniques are certain to have a profound impact on the treatment of skin lesions. For that reason, a complete understanding of the basic properties of lasers and how they can be utilized in various clinical settings is the goal of this article.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of essential telangiectasia: effects of increasing concentrations of polidocanol.

A double-blind, double-paired comparison study was performed to evaluate the effects of increasing concentrations of polidocanol in the sclerotherapy of essential telangiectasias of the legs. Polidocanol 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0% were compared with regard to clinical effectiveness, safety, and patient acceptance. All dosages were well tolerated by the patients. There were no allergic reactions to polidocanol and no cases of superficial ulceration nor necrosis. Among those whose veins cleared, there was little difference in time to clearing for the four concentrations, which averaged three to four treatment sessions. No statistically significant differences existed among the four dosages with respect to level of improvement, itching, or neovascularization. Polidocanol 0.75% and 1.0%, however, caused more side effects noted by patients and induced more hyperpigmentation than did the lower concentrations. Polidocanol 0.25% yielded the lowest percentage of patients whose veins cleared. The 0.50% solution was the most effective concentration for total overall clearing of the types of vessels treated in this study. From this information it appears that 0.50% polidocanol may be the sclerosing agent of choice.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis: treatment with liposuction.

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis is a fascinating disease of uncertain etiology that manifests as massive lipomatous deposits in specific areas of the body. The clinical syndrome and possible pathogenesis are discussed. Classic surgical lipectomy has been the only treatment thus far reported; we report a patient successfully treated with liposuction.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1988

Treatment of angiolymphoid hyperplasia of the external ear with carbon dioxide laser.

Two women with long histories of angiolymphoid hyperplasia involving the left external ear were successfully treated with carbon dioxide laser vaporization. In one of these patients a previous treatment with argon laser photocoagulation had proved unsuccessful. Carbon dioxide laser vaporization can be advantageous in the treatment of angiolymphoid hyperplasia, especially when the patient is not a good candidate for cold steel surgery or when the disease process involves confined or convoluted structures such as those on the external ear.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Carbon dioxide laser treatment of chronic actinic cheilitis.

The carbon dioxide laser in both conventional and superpulsed modes was used to treat 13 patients with chronic actinic cheilitis. The procedure was well tolerated. Focal, but not functionally restricting, scarring developed in three patients. The cosmetic result was otherwise excellent. No recurrences have been noted.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with Mohs micrographic surgery.

Ten patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, all of whom had been treated previously by conventional excisional surgery without success, were treated with Mohs micrographic surgery. A team approach utilizing margin control by Mohs-trained physicians and reconstruction by surgical specialists was employed. Average follow-up exceeds 3 1/2 years, with no recurrences. Microscopically controlled excision appears to be the treatment of choice for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Efficacy of tan accelerators.

A newcomer in the cosmetic market, the tan accelerator, has stimulated much publicity in recent months. We studied the effects of two brands of this product, used according to package instructions, in eighteen healthy volunteers. Readings at 24, 72, 96 hours, and 1 week failed to show augmented tanning. Our study contradicts the companies' claims of efficacy.

Cosmetics↗
PubMed1987

Plasmapheresis, a treatment modality for necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.

A case of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma treated with plasmapheresis is reported. This entity is characterized by multiple inflammatory, ulcerative nodules and atrophic plaques with a xanthomatous quality that develop in conjunction with a paraproteinemia. Successful healing of ulcerated lesions and lowering of the paraproteinemia was achieved by plasmapheresis in our patient with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma when cytotoxic therapy failed.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Carbon dioxide laser vaporization and curettage in the treatment of large or multiple superficial basal cell carcinomas.

Many of the standard forms of therapy for large or multiple superficial basal cell carcinomas are limited by significant postoperative pain, excessive scarring, and prolonged wound healing time. Combining traditional curettage with carbon dioxide laser vaporization creates a procedure that allows excellent visualization, due to the bloodless surgical field produced by the laser, minimal nonspecific thermal damage, rapid healing, and diminished postoperative pain. In addition, the speed and ease with which this procedure can be performed allow successful treatment of many lesions in a single outpatient session. We wish to report our results using this technique for the treatment of 52 patients with 370 superficial basal cell carcinomas.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Combined carbon dioxide laser excision and vaporization in the treatment of rhinophyma.

The carbon dioxide laser can be successfully used in its two different modes of operation to treat rhinophyma in a relatively bloodless fashion. With the focused mode, layers of excess soft tissue are precisely shaved away until the approximate size and shape of the nose has been achieved. Then with the defocused mode, extremely thin layers of soft tissue can be vaporized to provide the final contouring. Minimal blood loss in most cases, rapid healing, and little postoperative pain are significant advantages of this technique.

Hemostasis, Surgical↗