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Biomedical subjects

A K Silverman

Publications and source records attributed to A K Silverman.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Methotrexate and reproduction in men: case report and recommendations.

Methotrexate has been used in the treatment of recalcitrant psoriasis for more than 35 years. We examined the significance of impaired spermatogenesis in a young man undergoing methotrexate treatment for severe psoriasis with associated arthritis. A medical geneticist was consulted and a review of the literature was performed. Genetic abnormalities that could lead to mutagenesis include chromosomal abnormalities and single-gene mutations. These aspects are considered and recommendations are made for counseling men undergoing methotrexate therapy so that risks and options can be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Can maintenance cyclosporine be used in psoriasis without decreasing renal function?

Nephrotoxicity attributable to cyclosporine therapy is dose dependent and unlikely to occur in psoriasis treatment protocols using less than 5 mg/kg/d in otherwise healthy patients. Any long-term or maintenance protocol should include regular monitoring of urea nitrogen/creatinine levels and blood pressure. Cyclosporine is a potent drug, and it is reasonable to monitor its administration to otherwise healthy psoriasis patients with yearly measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), especially in elderly patients or patients with diminished renal reserve (eg, diabetes). There is no convincing evidence of irreversible renal dysfunction in psoriasis patients on low-dose cyclosporine protocols, nor is there evidence that cyclosporine in low doses in completely safe or banal. Therefore, we suggest monitoring GFR at 3, 6, and 12 months after initiating therapy, provided serum creatinine level is stable. If serum creatinine level increases by > 30% over baseline, GFR should be monitored more frequently and the dose of cyclosporine adjusted if there is a persistent decrease.

Cyclosporine↗
PubMed1992

Oral lesions in patients with psoriasis: a controlled study.

Stomatitis areata migrans was found in 5.4 percent of patients with psoriasis compared to 1 percent of control patients, while benign migratory glossitis was identified in 10.3 percent of patients with psoriasis and 2.5 percent of control patients. The association of these disorders with psoriasis indicates that they may be manifestations of psoriasis of the oral mucosa.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Panniculitis in an immunocompromised patient.

We present a patient in whom histoplasmosis panniculitis developed during steroid therapy for pancytopenia secondary to myelodysplasia. Although the cutaneous manifestations of disseminated histoplasmosis are rare, we review them because of the increasing numbers of organ-transplant patients, as well as other patients with immunodeficiency, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome, in whom the risk of this unusual presentation of histoplasmosis must be considered.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

A new syndrome of axial muscle rigidity associated with etretinate therapy.

We report on three cases of a novel syndrome associated with treatment for psoriasis with the retinoid etretinate. The distinctive features of this syndrome include rigidity that is restricted to the axial muscles, impairment of neck extension greater than flexion, impairment of anteflexion at the waist, severe impairment of lateral flexion at both the waist and the neck, and, in one case, rigidity of proximal lower extremity muscles. Peripheral nerve block extinguished the lower extremity rigidity in one patient, and two patients had a favorable response to Sinemet. One patient had persistence of symptoms and findings 2 years after discontinuation of etretinate. The clinical features of this syndrome are consistent with an effect of etretinate on central, possible catecholaminergic neurons.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency associated with panniculitis.

Alpha 1-Antitrypsin is the principal serum protease inhibitor. In addition to the well-recognized association with early-onset emphysema and cirrhosis, alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency may be associated with panniculitis. In this article we describe three patients in whom the recognition of certain clinical and histologic features of panniculitis eventually led to the diagnosis of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. Two of our patients were young adults and one was a child. All three had draining, panniculitis, or cellulitis-like lesions at sites of prior trauma. The histopathologic findings were characterized by liquefactive dermal necrosis and collagenolysis of the fibrous septa of the subcutis. The combination of these clinical and microscopic findings should suggest the diagnosis of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency panniculitis. The suspicion can be verified by obtaining quantitative serum levels and enzyme phenotyping. The identification of the alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency state as the cause of a distinct type of panniculitis adds additional evidence for the elimination of the term Weber-Christian disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Cutaneous and immunologic reactions to phenytoin.

Phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin; Dilantin) is a highly effective and widely prescribed anticonvulsant and antiarrhythmic agent. Since 1938 it has been invaluable in the treatment of grand mal and psychomotor epilepsy. Hydantoin derivatives have been used medicinally for more than a half-century. In recent years dermatologists have broadened the indications for phenytoin use to include recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, linear scleroderma, and pachyonychia congenita. In spite of widespread use and popularity, it is interesting that the frequency of complications relating to drug therapy remains low, relatively speaking. Nevertheless, a broad spectrum of cutaneous and immunologic reactions to phenytoin have been reported. These range from tissue proliferative syndromes (side effects), drug hypersensitivity syndromes (allergic effects), and a possible linkage with lymphoma (idiosyncratic effects). Therapeutic and toxic reactions to this commonly prescribed drug are comprehensively reviewed, analyzed, and summarized in this monograph.

Carcinogens↗
PubMed1987

Hypervitaminosis A syndrome: a paradigm of retinoid side effects.

Retinoids have and will continue to revolutionize dermatologic therapy in a manner analogous to the development of topical corticosteroids. Isotretinoin, for example, has made nodulocystic scarring acne an eminently treatable condition. The dermatologic armamentarium now includes a powerful new agent, etretinate, which will radically change the approach to psoriasis (and other keratinizing disorders). Although each new retinoid is developed with the aim of maximizing specific therapeutic effects and minimizing toxicity, the fact remains that the major side effects of retinoid treatment are those of hypervitaminosis A syndrome. Optimal clinical utilization of new retinoids is best accomplished by an assessment of what is currently known about retinol absorption, metabolism and organ-specific effects, as well as by a thorough understanding of hypervitaminosis A syndrome. In this paper, hypervitaminosis A syndrome is reviewed as a paradigm of retinoid side effects.

Absorption↗
PubMed1986

Subcutaneous fat necrosis in an infant, occurring after hypothermic cardiac surgery. Case report and analysis of etiologic factors.

A female infant developed extensive subcutaneous fat necrosis 3 weeks following induced hypothermia used as an adjuvant in cardiac surgery. All lesions resolved without sequelae within 4 months. In this article we discuss the various causes of panniculitis in infants and the relevance of each cause to our patient. We believe that an underlying defect in composition and metabolism of fat, coupled with a variety of exogenous and endogenous stresses, can precipitate subcutaneous fat necrosis in infants. These stresses include physical trauma (e.g., hypothermia), poor nutrition, infection, and metabolic abnormalities.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1986

Continual skin peeling syndrome. An electron microscopic study.

We encountered a patient with continual skin peeling syndrome, a rare disorder in which generalized, noninflammatory exfoliation of the stratum corneum occurs. Although scaling occurred spontaneously in our patient, he was also able to manually peel sheets of skin without bleeding or pain. Histologically, there was separation of corneocytes above the granular cell layer. Ultrastructural examination revealed an unusual type of intracellular cleavage, in which the plasma membrane of the "peeling" cell remained firmly adherent to the underlying cell while the upper part of the cell exfoliated. Unique intercellular electron-dense globular deposits were localized to the stratum corneum.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1985

Activation of herpes simplex following dermabrasion. Report of a patient successfully treated with intravenous acyclovir and brief review of the literature.

Herpes simplex labialis developed in a patient immediately following dermabrasion. The patient was hospitalized because the infection had spread rapidly over the dermabraded face and was complicated by secondary impetiginization. Herpesvirus hominis type I and Enterobacter aerogenes were isolated from cultures. Intravenous acyclovir and oral antibiotics were administered. On this regimen, new vesicle formation ceased in 36 hours. Complete resolution of the infection occurred within 6 days, with an excellent cosmetic result. Observation at 1 month confirmed no sequelae (in particular, scarring). The "at risk" patient with a history of recurrent herpes labialis should be identified prospectively in an attempt to prevent possible reactivation; should this complication ensue, appropriate treatment should be immediately administered because a state of local immunocompromise exists. We believe our patient benefited greatly from vigorous treatment, with significant shortening of time to healing. Prophylaxis with oral acyclovir of "at risk" patients prior to dermabrasion is proposed.

Acyclovir↗