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Biomedical subjects

K S Leslie

Publications and source records attributed to K S Leslie.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Cutaneous findings in mummies from the British Museum.

This paper describes pathological abnormalities visible on the skin of mummies in the British Museum, London, and the photographic methods used to record their appearances. Although the mummification process limits the clinical information available, features compatible with eczema were identified for only the second time in mummified remains.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Topical salicylic acid gel as a treatment for molluscum contagiosum in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the application of salicylic acid gel or phenol solution affected resolution of molluscum contagiosum (MC) lesions in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, prospective controlled trial with two treatment arms and one vehicle arm for treatment of MC in children. The trial was set in the dermatology outpatient clinics of a teaching hospital and a district general hospital. A total of 114 children were enrolled in the study (age range 1-15 years) over a 4-year period; 83 of the children completed the study. Patients were randomized to receive one of three possible treatments: monthly vehicle application of 70% alcohol, monthly application of 10% phenol in 70% alcohol once or twice weekly 12% salicylic acid gel. All patients also received treatment with daily aqueous cream to reduce eczema. They returned monthly to the clinic for treatment and counting of MC lesions. They were reviewed either until complete resolution or up to 6 months, whichever occurred sooner. The main outcome measure was the time taken for complete resolution of MC lesions. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat analysis there was no difference between treatment arms when the 31 non-completers were analysed as failures (log-rank test: p = 0.38). In an 'as treated' analysis, 16 of 27 children (59.2%: 95% confidence interval 30.2-88.3) had cleared with vehicle, 18 of 32 (56.3%, 30.3-82.2) with phenol solution and 21 of 24 (87.5%, 50.1-124.9) with salicylic acid gel (log-rank test: p = 0.03). On an as treated basis, salicylic acid was significantly better at clearing MC than dilute phenol (p = 0.006). The treatment in all groups was very well tolerated or acceptable in 93% of children. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that topical salicylic acid may be beneficial in speeding resolution of MC in children. Dilute phenol application does not appear to affect the disease course.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2005

A comparison of narrowband (TL-01) UVB-induced erythemal response at different body sites.

In most dermatology centres where phototesting is performed, the starting dose is calculated as a proportion of the minimal erythema dose (MED). Previous studies have found significant differences in MED readings between forearm and back skin with both broadband and narrowband (NB) UVB. Our objective was to compare MEDs obtained from three body sites, the forearm, back and abdomen, to see if there was a significant difference in individuals. We recruited 20 healthy volunteers who were exposed to our standard dose series for phototesting with NB-UVB to three body sites: forearm, back and abdomen. MEDs were assessed 24 h post exposure. The median MED for the abdomen was 0.79 J/cm2, the back 0.95 J/cm2 and the arm 1.11 J/cm2. Friedman's analysis of variance by ranks showed that these differences were significant (P = 0.003). There was no correlation between skin type and MED for any of the three anatomical sites. Our results support phototesting for all patients prior to treatment with NB-UVB. Furthermore, we have shown that the abdomen is the anatomical site of choice for phototesting, as this will result in a reduced risk of burning episodes.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2004

Sulphur and skin: from Satan to Saddam!

Since the dawn of time, Beelzebub has been showering fire and brimstone (sulphur) on tortured souls, but the cutaneous effects of this have been poorly described. Sulphur has also been used for centuries as a treatment for many skin conditions, such as fungal infections, scabies, psoriasis, eczema and acne. It has also been used extensively in cosmetic preparations and by cosmetic dermatologists treating conditions such as seborrhoeic eczema. Many natural bathing spas have high levels of sulphur; such balneology has been advocated by medical and cosmetic dermatologists as an effective treatment for cutaneous disorders for more than 500 years. Sulphur was often the active agent in many of the so-called 'patent medicines' that became popular in the mid-nineteenth century. Time has not withered medical practitioners' enthusiasm for sulphur. There are various reports in the medical literature of its current use. However sulphur treatment is not without its risks; a sulphur spring dermatitis has been described from a spa bath in Taiwan. With the satanic threat of bio-terrorism, some dermatologists may be treating the effects of contact with sulphur mustard all too soon.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

A near fatal case of the dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome in a patient with urticarial vasculitis.

Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulphone) is used for a variety of dermatological conditions including immunobullous diseases and urticarial vasculitis. Side-effects are common and include lethargy, headaches, methaemoglobinaemia and haemolysis. Severe adverse effects are rare but the dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome is well recognized. Symptoms include fever, haemolytic anaemia, lymphocytosis and hepatitis. We report a near fatal case of the dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome in a patient with urticarial vasculitis. This diagnosis should be remembered in any patient who becomes unwell whilst taking dapsone.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗