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Biomedical subjects

L Balus

Publications and source records attributed to L Balus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Penile lentiginosis. An ultrastructural study.

This study on five patients has revealed more extensive alterations to melanocytes than previously reported, and emphasizes the fact that depigmentation is an essential element of the condition. In hyperpigmented areas, melanocytes were increased in number along the basal layer of the epithelium, were hyperactive, and in some cases contained bizarre melanosomes. In two cases there was suggestion of a defect in melanosome transfer to keratinocytes. Lymphocytes were closely apposed to melanocytes, and, in hypopigmented areas, were clearly involved in their disintegration. In depigmented areas, there was complete absence of melanocytes and of melanosomes in keratinocytes, and lymphocytes were present in the basal layer. In general, the appearances did not resemble melanoma in situ with spontaneous regression, although a second biopsy of one patient after one year did reveal features of melanocytes suggestive of an early stage of this condition. The study has provided no clear information as to the initial cause of the condition, but the manner of destruction of melanocytes suggests an immune reaction. Neither has it been of assistance in suggesting a more precise name for it.

Adult

[Congenital smooth muscle hamartoma. Clinical-histological considerations (3 cases)].

The Authors report 3 cases of "Congenital Smooth Muscle Hamartoma" (CSMH). CSMH presents as congenital patches or slightly indurated plaques with prominent overlying hair, often hyperpigmented. Histopathologic examination showed increased numbers of well-defined smooth muscle bundles in the superficial and deep dermis. CSMH and Becker's nevus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any congenital hairy hamartoma.

Adolescent

[Perforating pilomatrixoma in adults].

Two rare cases of perforating pilomatrixoma similar to those reported in the literature are described. Clinical examination showed in two old-women a reddish inflammatory exophytic tumor, 1 cm in diameter, with central erosive surface, with a rapid growth (3-5 months). Histologic examination showed: multiple masses of basophilic cells situated in the upper dermis making contact with the epidermis in a "follicle-like" opening; occurrence of transepithelial elimination phenomena.

Aged

Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma: a lipomatous variant.

The eccrine angiomatous hamartoma is a rare cutaneous lesion histologically characterized by the presence in the intradermal lobules of mature eccrine sweat glands and angiomatous capillary channels. We report a case of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma with unusual lipomatous involvement.

Adipose Tissue

Multiple minute digitate hyperkeratosis.

We report a case of multiple minute digitate hyperkeratosis. The patient had hundreds of keratotic lesions--some tiny and spiked, others larger, flat papules--localized on the trunk and arms. Histologic sections showed focal areas of compact hyperorthokeratosis with few dermal changes. Ultrastructurally, keratohyalin granules were smaller than normal. The keratin pattern was one of a normal variant. Odland bodies present. Various family members of the patient, in different generations, were affected.

Female

Subungual exostosis. Histological and clinical considerations on 30 cases.

The authors review 30 cases of subungual exostosis, 27 in the foot and 3 in the hand. In approximately 80% of the cases, errors in initial diagnosis had been made, and the affection had been confused with ordinary verrucae, mycoses or pyogenic disease. Histological examination showed that in some cases the neoformation ossified by an enchondral mechanism similar to that of osteocartilaginous exostosis, while more often the mechanism was of the intramembranous or mixed type. The treatment consisted of resection of the exostosis at its base after removing the nail. Complete healing occurred in all cases.

Adolescent

Familial multiple trichodiscomas.

Two sisters developed multiple pure trichodiscomas. The report confirms the familial occurrence of these tumors recently described and analyzes some of their histologic and ultrastructural features.

Female

Granulomatous slack skin.

A 39-year-old man had a two-year history of three indurated plaques that progressively underwent a cutis laxa-like transformation. Histopathologically a granulomatous, deep, dermal infiltrate was observed. It was composed mainly of numerous histiocytes and many multinucleate cells and foam cells. The case has the clinical and microscopic features of granulomatous slack skin (GSS), which may be considered to be a peculiar form of localized elastolysis. To date, there is no effective therapy for GSS.

Adult

[Fibrofolliculoma, trichodiscoma and acrochordon. The Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome].

The Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome is characterized: a) clinically, by an asymptomatic eruption of dome-shaped papules involving the head, neck, chest, back and arms frequently associated with acrochordons; b) histologically, by multiple follicular tumors, namely fibrofolliculomas and trichodiscomas, representing benign proliferations of mesodermal and ectodermal components of the pilar apparatus; c) by the apparent autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. This study is concerned with two families whose various members belonging to two and three generations have the clinical and histological lesions of this syndrome. In several biopsies performed, the main finding was the fibrofolliculoma isolated or associated with perifollicular fibromas; in five biopsies, was noted a typical trichodiscoma associated, in two of them, with a perifollicular fibroma. Clinically, the fibrofolliculomas were indistinguishable from trichodiscomas. We believe that the Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome is an autonomous well individualized skin disease. Its existence supports the view of the close interaction between the epithelial and mesodermal components of the pilar complex.

Adult

Effect of dicarboxylic acids on lentigo maligna.

Dicarboxylic acids from C8 to C14 are competitive inhibitors of tyrosinase in vitro, and here, the effect of a cream containing 15% azelaic acid (C9) on 3 cases of lentigo maligna is described. The lesions were treated for 90 days, with remarkable clinical and histological effect, maintained for up to 2 yr after cessation of treatment. Progress during treatment of one case was additionally monitored by electron microscopy, which revealed progressive elimination of abnormal melanocytes both basally and suprabasally, and their replacement by essentially normal cells engaged in normal melanogenesis. There was also progressive diminution in the general disorganization of the epidermis, and disappearance of lymphocyte response. It is concluded that dicarboxylic acids have a direct inhibitory and cytotoxic effect on abnormally active or structurally disordered melanocytes in lentigo maligna, but further investigations are required to establish their precise mode of action. Similar application of dicarboxylic acids to normal skin affects only a small proportion of melanocytes, suggesting that some phasic factor, or individual states of activity, may be concerned in their susceptibility.

Aged