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PubMed2006

Pediatric ophthalmic computed tomographic scanning and associated cancer risk.

PURPOSE: To review pediatric neuroimaging studies of the head and orbit and the radiation-induced cancer risk associated with computed tomography in light of recent attention to pediatric radioimaging by the US Food and Drug Administration, the National Cancer Institute, pediatricians, and radiologists. DESIGN: Perspective. METHODS: Literature review. SETTING: Institutional. PATIENT POPULATION: Pediatric ophthalmic patients requiring neuroimaging studies. INTERVENTION/PROCEDURE: Review of the current literature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After review of the current literature and discussion of the related issues, recommendations are made for pediatric neuroimaging studies of the head and orbit. RESULTS: Computed tomography (CT) of the head and orbit may be performed in children with the appropriate indications as long as the radiation exposure is minimized. CONCLUSIONS: Information obtained from CT scans of the head and orbit may determine or affect management in the pediatric ophthalmic population. Because of the concern of cancer induced by radiation exposure in children, neuroimaging modalities without radiation exposure, such as magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound, may be considered. However, when CT is indicated, it is reasonable and acceptable to perform CT of the head and orbit while minimizing the radiation exposure, thereby adhering to the "ALARA" (as low as reasonably achievable) policy recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration. Further studies of the actual radiation dose delivered during pediatric CT of the head and orbit and the true incidence of radiation-induced cancers after scans are warranted.

Child↗

PubMed2005

Acrokeratoelastoidosis.

A 45-year-old white woman presented with several years' history of firm, shiny papules on the lateral hands with slight extension to the dorsal fingers. The lesions first appeared between the index fingers and thumbs on both hands. They gradually increased in number, coalescing into plaques and affecting the junction between the palmar and dorsal skin. The patient did not have involvement of her feet. She had been diagnosed previously with chronic eczema that had failed to respond to multiple topical medications. In addition, the patient's sister had similar lesions on both hands. The patient denied any symptoms of hyperhidrosis, excessive sun exposure, or trauma. The plaques were asymptomatic, but were cosmetically unappealing to the patient. On physical examination, small, firm, skin-colored, hyperkeratotic papules, coalescing into plaques, were located on the junction between the palmar and dorsal skin on both lateral margins of the thumb and on the radial side of the index finger (Fig. 1). There were no lesions on the feet. A biopsy taken from a papule on the patient's left hand was consistent histologically with acrokeratoelastoidosis. The biopsy showed marked degeneration of collagen in the dermis with solar elastosis and some smudging of the papillary dermal collagen (Fig. 2). She was treated with clobetasone cream to the affected areas on the hands. After 6 weeks of treatment, she reported no significant improvement.

Clobetasol↗