[Complete stenosis of the external auditory meatus].
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Constriction, Pathologic↗
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[Dermatitis artefacta: retrospective study in 31 patients].
BACKGROUND: The outcome for patients with dermatitis artefacta is not well known. The primary objective of this single-centre retrospective study was to describe the initial clinical aspects and the prognosis of the disease. The secondary objective was to describe the somatic and psychological management and long-term treatment of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of patients with dermatitis artefacta followed in the dermatology department over the 15 last years were reviewed independently by 2 dermatologists. Diagnostic criteria consisted of evocative clinical pictures and the exclusion of other forms of dermatosis. Data collection included: file analysis, photographs, review questionnaires sent to general practitioner or completed during a phone call to patients (follow-up data). RESULTS: Thirty-one patient files were selected: 23 women and 8 men, mean age 31 years (SD = 14.8). Clinical aspects included: erythema (50%), ulceration (37%), crust (23%) and blisters (17%). The main sites were the face (67%) and arms (43%). Topical treatment was prescribed in all cases and systemic treatment was prescribed in 23% of cases. Psychological support was offered to 65% of the patients and was accepted by 50%. A follow-up study was performed for 17 patients and showed serious complications in 4 cases consisting of psychosis (n=2) and/or severe self-mutilation (n=3) occurring over several years following diagnosis (5 years for one patient and 12 years for 2 patients). DISCUSSION: The results confirm the usual and characteristics of dermatitis artefacta such as predominance in young female patients, with lesions affecting visible areas (face, upper legs). In contrastwith published studies, no cases of attempted suicide were observed in our series, although severe dermatitis artefacta was evidenced in only a minority of patients.
Adult↗
Self-inflicted anterior scleritis.
PURPOSE: To describe and clinically characterize a syndrome of self-inflicted scleritis. STUDY DESIGN: Case reports and literature review. METHODS: Two patients had persistent scleritis at presentation. Both did not respond to prescribed therapy, including systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppression. The first had unexplained, diffuse anterior scleritis and persistent linear keratoconjunctival abrasions after a work-related injury. Several objective indicators pointed to concealed noncompliance with medications. The second patient was a medical assistant with diffuse, unilateral anterior scleritis and unexplained visual loss. Systemic work-up was negative. She had pharmacologic mydriasis and keratoconjunctival abrasions at presentation. RESULTS: Systemic therapy was stopped in both patients. The first patient, who was in the process of requesting permanent disability status, showed persistent inflammation on each follow-up visit. The second patient improved with no further therapy after she was confronted with objective indicators of a self-inflicted condition. CONCLUSIONS: Although the presentation of self-inflicted scleritis can be similar to that of idiopathic or autoimmune anterior scleritis, the former may show additional findings of traumatic conjunctival and corneal abrasions. Indicators of self-inflicted etiology, of which malingering is one such entity, include evidence of concealed noncompliance with prescribed treatments and lack of response to potent antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. Correct diagnosis including early psychiatric evaluation in all such cases, may help prevent unnecessary treatment and unjustified work-related compensation.
Administration, Topical↗
The facts are clear.
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Anterior Eye Segment↗
Self-inflicted (factitious) conjunctivitis.
PURPOSE: To describe the diagnosis and management of self-inflicted factitious conjunctivitis in conscripted soldiers. DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen conscripted soldiers. METHODS: Soldiers with chronic conjunctivitis (>3 weeks) were referred by ophthalmologists, and cases of shorter duration were referred by primary-care physicians. All cases underwent thorough ophthalmic and systemic history and examination, as well as questioning regarding their military units, military duties, and social background. Exclusion criteria were any condition that may cause conjunctivitis. Inferior fornix specimen microscopy and culture and eye photography were performed in most cases. In cases suspected of self-inflicted conjunctivitis all medication, besides lubricant drops, was stopped. Underlying psychosocial problems were investigated and managed. Cases were followed for at least 3 months after resolution of the conjunctivitis, at which point the diagnosis was confirmed, and the case entered the analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resolution of the conjunctivitis. RESULTS: Seventeen consecutive cases of self-inflicted conjunctivitis, 8 of long duration and 9 of short duration, were studied. All cases demonstrated inconsistent clinical findings. The ocular signs most suggestive of self-inflicted conjunctivitis were purulent discharge purposely left on the lashes and periorbital skin, discharge more severe than in conjunctival hyperemia, less conjunctival chemosis than in hyperemia, mainly inferior conjunctival involvement, and an uninvolved cornea. Five of the 8 chronic cases had significant underlying psychologic or social problems. Their conjunctivitis resolved only after their underlying problems were addressed. Two cases admitted introducing freshly scraped dental plaque into the lower conjunctival sac. In the remaining 15 the similarity of the clinical findings suggested that a similar method was used. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of a subject standing to gain by assuming the sick role and after exclusion of ocular pathology, self-inflicted conjunctivitis can be reliably diagnosed by noting the characteristic clinical profile. Effective management includes addressing the underlying psychologic and social problems.
Adolescent↗
A case of Ganser syndrome: organic or hysterical?
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Brain↗
Boxing-glove hand: an unusual presentation of dermatitis artefacta.
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Adult↗
The absent gag reflex: a diagnostic sign (?)
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Blinking↗
Factitious cheilitis.
Six patients (four male and two female) with factitious cheilitis are described. All had personality disturbances as well as crusted lip lesions that varied in severity from thin serous crusts to thick hemorrhagic crusts. This entity must be distinguished from infectious cheilitis, contact cheilitis, actinic cheilitis, photosensitivity dermatoses, exfoliative cheilitis, and cheilitis glandularis on the basis of the history and laboratory evaluation.
Adult↗
Factitial traumatic panniculitis.
We report five cases of factitial panniculitis produced by blunt trauma. Localized forms include Secrétan's syndrome and l'oedeme bleu, which are usually unilateral and involve the hand and forearm, respectively. When the lesions are more generally distributed, the self-induced nature may be less apparent. These patients may have been diagnosed as having Weber-Christian disease, pancreatic fat necrosis, or superficial thrombophlebitis. The microscopic picture of organizing hematoma may be supplemented by the appearance of amorphous polysaccharide masses commingled with iron pigment.
Adolescent↗
The case of the speckled band: acquired lymphedema due to constriction bands.
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Adult↗
Factitial dermatitis resulting in paraplegia.
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Dermatitis↗
Membranous lipodystrophy: secondary type.
BACKGROUND: A peculiar type of fat necrosis was noted in some patients with various skin diseases. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to develop a classification of membranous lipodystrophy combining the results of our study and a review of other articles. METHODS: Five cases of skin diseases with membranous lipodystrophy were studied and their clinical and histopathologic features were analyzed. Previous reports of similar findings were reviewed. RESULTS: Membranous lipodystrophic changes were noted in morphea profunda, lupus panniculitis, and factitial ulcer. Microcysts were formed by the coalescence of the destroyed fat cells and were lined by amorphous, eosinophilic material. Some of the linings had a crenelated appearance. Microgranules were found in the histiocytes and in the hyalinized collagen stroma. The linings and microgranules stained positively with periodic acid-Schiff, were resistant to diastase, and also stained with Sudan black B. CONCLUSION: We propose the use of the term secondary membranous lipodystrophy to describe the local subcutaneous membranous lipodystrophic change that occurs as a result of other skin diseases, in contrast to primary idiopathic membranous lipodystrophy, which occurs without any antecedent factors.
Adipose Tissue↗
Weber-Christian panniculitis: a review of 30 cases with this diagnosis.
BACKGROUND: More than 60 years ago, Christian described a panniculitis that was later termed Weber-Christian disease. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether this is a specific disease or a nonspecific disease that embraces several specific conditions. METHODS: We studied 30 cases diagnosed as Weber-Christian panniculitis and found it possible to make a more specific diagnosis. RESULTS: In 12 patients, findings were compatible with erythema nodosum. Six patients had phlebitis or postphlebitic syndrome. Factitial panniculitis was diagnosed in five patients, and trauma had a role in the conditions of another three patients. Cytophagic panniculitis, lymphoma, and leukemia were recognized in one patient each. The lesion was lobular in almost all cases, and the presence of lipophagia was noted in 19 biopsy specimens. Granulomatous, neutrophilic, and lymphocytic pathologic changes were present in nine, eight, and eight tissue specimens, respectively. CONCLUSION: The recognition of distinct disease patterns of fat lesions as fat necrosis with pancreatic disease, alpha1-antitrypsin panniculitis, lupus and connective tissue disease panniculitis, involution lipoatrophy, lipomembranous panniculitis, factitial panniculitis syndromes, calcification panniculitis, lipophagic lipoatrophy, and cytophagic panniculitis has lessened the need for a less specific panniculitis category. All these diseases have been reported in the literature as "Weber-Christian disease." Because separate and distinct forms of fat lesions have been described, we believe that the eponym should be abandoned and that more specific diagnoses should be made on the basis of pathogenesis or cause.
Adult↗
Factitious renal stone as a sign of internal conflict about sexual intercourse in an adolescent.
Conflicts about the onset of sexual intercourse have been reported to cause a variety of symptoms. A 16-year-old black female claimed to have passed a stone in her urine. Investigation of her complaints caused some doubt that an organic cause was involved. Social history showed that she had recently begun to have sexual intercourse despite a religious belief that intercourse before marriage was wrong. After an extensive medical work-up, she was discharged with instructions to bring in another stone if passed. A stone subsequently presented by the patient proved to be a piece of lead shot. Those caring for adolescents need to be aware that conflicts about sexual intercourse may present in a number of ways, including urinary-tract complaints.
Adolescent↗
Factitious extension contracture of the elbow: case report.
A case report of factitious extension contracture of the elbow due to injection-induced fibrous myopathy of the triceps is presented. Crystalline material was demonstrated in muscle biopsies preserved in absolute alcohol and surgical section of the triceps resulted in correction of the deformity. A review of the literature and differentiation between Weber-Christian systemic panniculitis and factitial panniculitis is discussed.
Arm↗