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T N Helm

Publications and source records attributed to T N Helm.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Continuous dermoepidermal junction IgM detected by direct immunofluorescence: a report of nine cases.

BACKGROUND: Although a linear IgM dermatosis of pregnancy has been reported, other authors have not found evidence for a distinct linear IgM dermatosis. OBJECTIVE: We set out to determine whether or not continuous dermoepidermal junction IgM deposition detected by direct immunofluorescence was indicative of a specific disease. METHODS: We collected nine cases during a 9-year period in which biopsy specimens for direct immunofluorescence revealed continuous linear IgM at the dermoepidermal junction in the absence of other immunoglobulins. In all of these cases the medical record was available for review. RESULTS: Clinical correlation revealed that these patients had a heterogeneous group of diseases with urticaria and leukocytoclastic vasculitis being most common. No diagnostic specificity could be ascribed to the linear IgM pattern, although six of our nine cases could be considered manifestations of a hypersensitivity response (e.g., urticaria, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, pigmented purpuric dermatosis, or hypersensitivity dermatitis). CONCLUSION: Pathologists and dermatologists should be aware that linear IgM can be seen in a variety of clinical settings. The etiopathogenic significance of this finding, if any, remains to be determined. At present, the finding must be viewed as nonspecific.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Relapsing polychondritis: a case diagnosed by direct immunofluorescence and coexisting with pseudocyst of the auricle.

A case of relapsing polychondritis with perichondrial IgG and C3, dermoepidermal IgG, and a coexisting pseudocyst of the auricle is reported. The use of direct immunofluorescence testing in establishing a diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis and the expected findings are reviewed. In some cases direct immunofluorescence may allow a diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis before clinical criteria or a routine histologic evaluation suggests a definite diagnosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Paraneoplastic pemphigus: a report of three cases including one long-term survivor.

BACKGROUND: Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a newly described autoimmune disease characterized by painful mucosal ulcerations and polymorphous skin lesions in association with an underlying neoplasm. All reported patients with an associated malignant neoplasm have had a poor prognosis. OBJECTIVE: We present three new cases of paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with a malignant neoplasm and further characterize this disease. METHODS: We used clinical criteria, histologic and immunopathologic examinations, and immunophenotyping to characterize this disease. In addition, we performed immunoprecipitation studies with extracts of radiolabeled human keratinocytes to characterize the antigens to which patient serum binds. RESULTS: All three patients had clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic findings that were strongly suggestive of paraneoplastic pemphigus. Their sera immunoprecipitated a complex of four polypeptides from human keratinocyte extracts with molecular weights of 250, 230, 210, and 190 kd, confirming the diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus. The 250, 230, and 210 kd antigens comigrated with desmoplakin I, the 230 kd bullous pemphigoid antigen, and desmoplakin II, respectively. Lymphocyte immunophenotyping revealed large populations of monoclonal CD19+, CD5+ B cells in two cases. Although two of the patients died, one patient is alive and well 2 years after the diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus. CONCLUSION: We report three cases of paraneoplastic pemphigus. One patient is alive and well 2 years after diagnosis, which suggests that a subgroup of patients may have a more benign course.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Symptomatic zinc deficiency in a one-year-old child precipitated by changing from formula to cow's milk.

The case of a one-year-old girl with symptomatic zinc deficiency is presented. She had been misdiagnosed as having impetigo and/or candidiasis and had been treated with topical antifungal agents and both oral and topical antibiotic agents without success during the four months before she presented. Zinc replacement led to rapid improvement. Her nutritional history suggests that weaning from formula to cow's milk precipitated her eruption. The clinical findings, differential diagnosis, and treatment of zinc deficiency are reviewed.

Acrodermatitis↗
PubMed1992

Angiotropic lymphoma: malignant angioendotheliomatosis.

Malignant angioendotheliomatosis is an angiotropic lymphoma that may present with clinical findings suggestive of thrombophlebitis or vasculitis. Examination of a biopsy specimen with special stains for leukocyte common antigen establishes the diagnosis. Although malignant angioendotheliomatosis is usually fatal, early treatment with chemotherapeutic agents is helpful. We review the characteristics and treatment of this uncommon disorder and present an illustrative case.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Clinical features of Behçet's disease. Report of four cases.

Behçet's disease is a multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. The unifying histologic reaction pattern is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis that affects predominantly the skin, oral mucosa, and eyes. Many other sites of involvement have been reported but are inconsistently found in individual patients. Early recognition and treatment of Behçet's disease may help prevent devastating permanent sequelae such as blindness. Because oral involvement is often the first manifestation of this disorder, dental practitioners are in a unique position to help these patients. We report four cases of Behçet's disease in North American patients. Diagnostic criteria and treatment options are reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

PUVA therapy.

PUVA is an acronym for psoralen plus ultraviolet-A radiation. This form of photochemical therapy is commonly used in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo, but it is also beneficial in other dermatologic diseases. An understanding of psoralen's mechanism of action and the unique properties of the various psoralen preparations is important in ensuring optimal results with this therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Case report and review of resolved fusariosis.

Erythematous macules, nonpalpable and palpable purpura, and flaccid pustules developed in a 59-year-old man with acute lymphocytic leukemia 8 days after reinduction chemotherapy with cytosine arabinoside and daunorubicin. Tissue and blood cultures grew Fusarium proliferatum, and a skin biopsy specimen revealed fungal vasculitis. Anemia and muscle weakness accompanied the disseminated infection, for which the patient received granulocyte transfusions and amphotericin B, ketoconazole, rifampin, and griseofulvin. Skin lesions and fungemia resolved with recovery of the bone marrow, and 51 days after the completion of his chemotherapy he returned home. If promptly recognized and aggressively treated, disseminated fusariosis is responsive to therapy. Infection with Fusarium species should be suspected in profoundly neutropenic patients in whom disseminated palpable purpura and myositis develop concomitantly.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1987

Iatrogenic myelomonocytic leukemia following melphalan treatment of scleromyxedema.

We report the case of a patient with scleromyxedema with abnormal monoclonal gamma globulin of the kappa type who was treated with melphalan (Alkeran), an alkylating agent. After nine and one-half years of therapy, the patient showed myelomonocytic leukemia. The risk of secondary malignancies must be considered when weighting the benefits and risks of melphalan treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Skin metastases in cancer patients.

Although every cancer may cause skin metastases, some do so more frequently. Proper diagnosis can lead to early detection of a previously unrecognized malignancy. Autopsy data from 7,518 patients with internal cancer were analyzed, and the findings were compared with the literature.

Female↗