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Biomedical subjects

T N Helm

Publications and source records attributed to T N Helm.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Lipodystrophy.

Congenital lipodystrophy is an uncommon autosomal recessive disorder that occurs mainly in females and is characterized by loss of subcutaneous fat, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and masculinization due to defective metabolism of fat. Acquired lipodystrophy is now most commonly encountered in patients infected with HIV who take protease inhibitors. We present an illustrative case of lipodystrophy and review the presenting signs allowing for an accurate clinical diagnosis.

Female↗

Inexpensive digital photography in clinical dermatology and dermatologic surgery.

Digital photography can be used to follow clinical improvement in a variety of dermatoses, document pre and postoperative results, and document histologic findings from skin biopsies. Images may be printed as part of text documents and can be filed in conventional medical charts. Images can be transmitted via electronic mail rapidly and to any location. We have found digital photography to be relatively inexpensive and a powerful tool to enhance dermatologic practice.

Dermatologic Surgical Procedures↗

Spiny keratoderma.

Spiny keratoderma is a descriptive term used to encompass a variety of unusual, disparate keratodermas. Spiny keratoderma has been associated with lipid abnormalities and has been limited to the palms and soles in some individuals. We describe an acquired case of spiny keratoderma in which an adult woman developed filiform lesions predominating on the trunk and proximal extremities. Treatment with topical emollients and keratolytic agents was unsuccessful, but topical tazarotene led to long periods of resolution. She has had no other associated abnormalities. The clinical features and differential diagnosis of spiny keratoderma are reviewed.

Administration, Topical↗

Air bag injury and the dermatologist.

Most new car models have driver-side air bags and many also have passenger-side and side-impact air bags. Air bags are known to be dangerous to small children and may cause death, fractures, and cerebral spinal injury. However, the cutaneous manifestations of air bag injury are less well known. Additional potential air bag injuries include retinal damage and high-frequency hearing loss. The following case report illustrates significant burns from a low-impact air bag injury and reviews the pertinent literature.

Adult↗

Contact hypersensitivity to mercury in amalgam restorations may mimic oral lichen planus.

Oral lichenoid lesions caused by hypersensitivity to mercury in amalgam fillings may mimic oral lichen planus on clinical and histologic examination. A positive patch test reaction to more than one mercurial allergen increases confidence in the diagnosis and justifies the removal and replacement of all amalgam fillings with those made of other materials. A complete remission may be expected about 3 months after the last amalgam filling is removed.

Dental Amalgam↗

Erythema ab igne caused by a car heater.

Erythema ab igne is a reticulated erythematous hyperpigmented eruption that occurs after chronic exposure to heat. In the past, the shins were the most common area of involvement, but with the widespread availability of central climate control in most buildings the incidence has decreased dramatically. New causes of erythema ab igne have been noted that have been caused by such heat sources as therapeutic chairs with built-in heaters. We present a case in which prolonged and close contact of the legs to a car heater led to erythema ab igne. Practitioners must be aware of the changing causes of erythema ab igne so that an appropriate history can be obtained.

Adult↗

Bilateral plantar amyloidosis: a unique presentation of localized cutaneous amyloidosis.

Nodular amyloidosis is uncommon and is due to a local production of amyloid by aberrant plasma cells. Localized bosselated plantar amyloidosis has been reported before but we present the first case to our knowledge of bilateral plantar amyloidosis. The clinical presentation as well as therapeutic options for this uncommon entity are reviewed.

Amyloidosis↗

Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis (RND) is a recently recognized, rare cutaneous manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. It occurs in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis and is typically asymptomatic. Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis was originally described by Ackerman in 1978. Since that time, 8 patients with this disease have been described in the literature. OBSERVATIONS: We report 2 cases of RND. Findings of skin biopsy specimens from both patients revealed characteristic signs of dermal leukocytosis and leukocytoclasia without vasculitis. The pathogenesis of the neutrophilic infiltrate is unclear. Processes that may play a role in the pathogenesis of RND include immune complex activations, cell adhesion and migration, and cytokine release. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis falls into the spectrum of neutrophilic vascular reactions described by Jorizzo and Daniels. Although early reports suggest that prominent leukocytoclasia is not a feature of RND, our findings confirm the observations of Lowe et al that leukocytoclasia can be seen in RND and may be striking. It is important for dermatologists to be aware of this rare manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Congenital fascial dystrophy: the stiff skin syndrome.

Congenital fascial dystrophy is an uncommon disorder that may mimic scleroderma. The skin is bound down and feels "wood hard" on palpation of the trunk and extremities. Sclerodactyly, telangiectases, and nail fold changes are not present. Unlike scleroderma, the onset is at birth. Flexion contractures result and other associated abnormalities may include developmental delay and mild hirsutism. We report a typical case to illustrate the clinical and pathologic findings of patients with this disorder.

Adult↗

Granular cell dermatofibroma. A benign tumor that can simulate malignancy.

We report on an unusual dermatofibroma with granular cells. The dermatofibroma contained mitotic figures raising a differential diagnosis that included malignant granular cell tumor. Granular cell dermatofibroma is an uncommon variant, but one that clinicians and surgeons should become aware of to ensure accurate diagnosis.

Adult↗