Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R K Scher.
Basal cell carcinomas arising in tattoos have been reported previously in four patients. We present the fifth reported case of a basal cell carcinoma arising in a tattoo that was at a site not frequently exposed to ultraviolet radiation and briefly review malignancy in tattoos.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A 22-year-old woman presented with intermittently painful subungual keratotic tumors of the hands as a late manifestation of incontinentia pigmenti. Scalloped bony deformities of the distal phalanges of both hands were noted on roentgenograms. The origin of these lytic deformities is uncertain; they may be secondary pressure phenomena or, alternatively, they may be an intrinsic manifestation of incontinentia pigmenti. These subungual tumors clinically resemble verrucae, keratoacanthomas, squamous cell carcinomas, or subungual fibromas. Therefore, it is important to recognize that subungual keratotic tumors may be a late manifestation of incontinentia pigmenti.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The clinical picture of psoriasis of the nails varies according to the disease site. Confirmation of the diagnosis is essential prior to commencing therapy. Although treatment modalities are limited, careful planning and persistence produce rewarding results a good portion of the time.
The clinical picture of lichen planus of the nail depends upon which components of the nail unit are involved in the pathologic process. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential because permanent destruction occurs in a significant number of patients. This is particularly valid in view of the fact that lichen planus of the nail may occur with associated cutaneous or mucous-membrane disease.
The external factors associated with nail disorders are multiple. Although not totally inclusive, this discussion has presented the more common cosmetic, traumatic, and industrial causes of nail disorders. Several common entities, such as the brown staining of fingernails in heavy tobacco smokers, have been omitted intentionally because little difficulty is encountered in determining their cause. Therefore, in evaluating a patient with abnormal nails, one should consider various external factors in addition to primary disease processes. Patch testing to determine if contact sensitivity is involved, in addition to a careful investigation of habits, employment, and exposures is mandatory.
Nail abnormalities secondary to systemic disease are important to the dermatologist because they are readily examined and may be the initial signal that systemic disease may be present. Some of the abnormal nail findings represent part of a symptom complex that may be useful in physical diagnosis. The knowledge of the correct onychopathologic etiology may give the patient the correct nail prognosis and may prevent institution of possible incorrect lengthy and costly treatment regimens. In this article, nail signs are grouped according to the characteristics of the change and according to systemic diseases producing signs.
Systemic drugs or ingestants may affect the nails. Changes vary from asymptomatic growth rate changes and pigmentation abnormalities to nail shedding and permanent deformity. The former two changes are most common. Presented are changes in nails caused by antibiotics, cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, poisons and ingestants, antimalarial drugs, and miscellaneous drugs.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
In vivo capillary microscopic findings and proximal nail fold biopsy specimens from 19 patients with various connective tissue diseases, idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon, and non-connective tissue diseases were studied. Periodic acid-Schiff-positive serous cuticular deposits were not specific to the group of patients with connective tissue disease. Generally, the severity of deposits correlated with the severity of the in vivo capillary microscopic pattern but not with disease severity or duration. The finding of these cuticular deposits may help to identify those patients with idiopathic Raynaud's phenomenon who are at risk to develop a connective tissue disease.
Systemic drugs often affect the nails. These changes range from mild pigmentation abnormalities to nail shedding and matrix scarring. The purpose of this article is to provide a handy reference for the physician who is confronted with nail disorders that may be due to systemic drugs or ingestants.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.