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Biomedical subjects

A Saraswat

Publications and source records attributed to A Saraswat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Chronic macrocheilia: a clinico-pathological study of 28 patients.

Chronic macrocheilia has a multifactorial aetiology and is often a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Epidemiological information on this condition is scarce, most of the data reported relating only to granulomatous cheilitis. We have performed a detailed clinico-pathological analysis of all patients with chronic macrocheilia presenting to us during the last 6.5 years. Of the 28 patients identified, 13 (46.4%) had granulomatous cheilitis (GC), six (21.4%) had tuberculosis of the lip, three (10.7%) had leprous macrocheilia, two (7.1%) had multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIb, and one each had Ascher's syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Two patients were diagnosed as 'nonspecific cheilitis'. Histopathological differentiation between tuberculosis and GC was often not possible; but PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive in all patients with tuberculosis and negative in four patients with GC in whom M. tuberculosis was sought. In spite of detailed clinical examination and investigations, a therapeutic trial was required to confirm the diagnosis in five (17.9%) patients. We have reviewed the available literature on this subject, and to our knowledge this study is the first of its kind. More such studies from other centres will help physicians to make an accurate aetiological diagnosis and treat this uncommon but disfiguring condition with confidence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Mucocutaneous adverse effects of hydroxyurea: a prospective study of 30 psoriasis patients.

Hydroxyurea is an anti-tumour agent most commonly used to treat chronic myeloproliferative disorders in doses up to 4 g per day. Dermatological adverse effects reported so far have been observed predominantly in these patients. As we are treating selected psoriasis patients with low dose hydroxyurea we attempted to define the spectrum and chronology of dermatological adverse effects in this group of patients prospectively. Of the 29 evaluable patients, 19 (65.5%) developed a mucocutaneous adverse reaction after a mean duration of 6.4 weeks of treatment. Pigmentation of nails, skin or mucosa was the most common observation and was seen in 17 (58.6%) patients. Other less common findings were xerosis, diffuse alopecia, oedema of the legs, oral ulcers and actinic psoriasis. Adverse effects subsided in 11 (57.9%) patients during a mean follow up of 18 weeks. Three hitherto unreported side-effects - scleral pigmentation, acquired ichthyosis and pigmentation of lunula of the nails - were noted. This first study of dermatological adverse effects of hydroxyurea therapy on Asian psoriatic patients reveals several new findings. Pigmentation of skin, nails and mucosa appears to be very common and occurs early. Serious dermatological side-effects probably do not occur with low dose (up to 1.5 g per day) hydroxyurea in patients with psoriasis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Fabric-staining properties and washability of a novel liposomal dithranol formulation.

AIM: To test the staining potential of a novel liposomal dithranol gel on different types of fabrics and compare it with the only commercially available dithranol preparation in India, Derobin. METHODS: Pure cotton, pure polyester and four blends of the two fabrics were tested for staining and washability. RESULTS: Both products showed the least staining and spreading on pure cotton with progressively worse stains as the proportion of polyester in the fabric increased. When compared with each other the liposomal dithranol gel showed markedly lighter staining than Derobin on all fabrics. It also washed off completely with water whereas the Derobin stains could not be washed off, even with detergent. CONCLUSION: The liposomal gel due to its superior staining properties may potentially increase the acceptability of dithranol amongst psoriasis patients.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Rediscovering hydroxyurea: its role in recalcitrant psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: There is an acute paucity of second-line systemic agents for the treatment of extensive chronic plaque psoriasis (CPP). Recent studies using hydroxyurea in patients with HIV infection and sickle cell anemia have rekindled interest in this old drug and have provided more data regarding safety and dosage. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to test the efficacy and tolerability of hydroxyurea in patients with extensive CPP who had to discontinue first-line oral agents for any reason. METHODS: The study was a prospective nonrandomized series. Thirty-one patients, including 26 with prior history of systemic antipsoriatic therapy were given hydroxyurea 1-1.5 g per day for a median duration of 36 weeks. They were followed up for a mean period of 36.1 +/- 13.8 weeks. RESULTS: Almost 75% of the patients showed an adequate response (35% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index at or before 8 weeks) with over half showing more than 70% reduction in PASI score. All adverse effects were mild and reversible and none of the patients required cessation of therapy. CONCLUSION: Hydroxyurea is an effective, very safe but relatively slower acting alternative for patients with extensive CPP over the short-to-medium term.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of calcipotriol and coal tar in conjunction with sun exposure in chronic plaque psoriasis: a pilot study.

This study was a left-right comparison of the efficacy of 0.005% calcipotriol ointment and 5% coal tar ointment in conjunction with sun exposure in 10 patients with stable plaque psoriasis. After four weeks of therapy, the calcipotriol treated site showed a significantly faster fall in PASI compared to the coal tar treated site. At eight weeks, this difference was not significant with both sides showing comparable improvement in lesions, as shown by PASI values. There were no significant side effects from either therapy. We conclude that both calcipotriol and coal tar ointments have comparable efficacy in treating stable plaque psoriasis when used simultaneously with sun exposure, although the initial response to calcipotriol is faster.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

Conventional cold excision combined with dermabrasion for rhinophyma.

A 65-year-old man, farmer by occupation, presented with redness and gradual enlargement of the nose. Examination revealed marked nodular enlargement of the nose and loss of normal nasal contours. Sebaceous material could be expressed from widened pores. The patient was diagnosed as rhinophyma of moderate degree. He was treated with cold knife excision combined with dermabrasion. A literature scan revealed that currently there is no evidence of superiority of much popular laser surgery over conventional cold knife surgery combined with dermabrasion for rhinophyma. Conventional surgery is time-tested, and it does not require expensive equipment or special training.

Aged↗