Adverse effects associated with EMLA cream used as topical anesthetic for the mechanical debridement of leg ulcers.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
M L Bouyssou-Gauthier
Publications and source records attributed to M L Bouyssou-Gauthier.
[Cutaneous reactions or necrosis from interferon alpha: can interferon be reintroduced after healing? Six case reports].
PURPOSE: Alpha, beta or gamma interferon (INF) are cytokines produced by cells in response to antigenic stimulation. They are used to treat various hepatic, hematological, oncological and neurological diseases. Cutaneous reactions (rash, alopecia, labial herpes, erythema, or induration at the site of injection, and more rarely cutaneous necrosis) represent 5 to 12% of side-effects observed in patients receiving INF. The authors report six cases of local cutaneous reactions to alpha INF, five of which corresponded to cutaneous necrosis. This makes them question the relevance of INF reintroduction. METHODS: The study included 5 male and 1 female patients (mean age: 59.1 years; range: 42 to 74 years old). Three patients had chronic hepatitis C, while three others presented a blood disease. RESULTS: Cutaneous necrosis occurred after 1 to 10 months of treatment. The mean time to healing was 16.2 weeks. Reintroduction of the drug including injection in other sites did not lead to recurrence of necrosis in five out of the six cases. CONCLUSION: INF-induced cutaneous necrosis does not depend on the type of INF, the site of injection, the dose and may occur 2 months to 9 years after treatment implementation. The exact mechanisms involved in cutaneous necrosis remain unknown. Morbidity is due to a very long time to healing (4 to 6 months). Futhermore, healing sometimes requires prior surgery. Physicians should be aware of the potential occurrence of erythema in patients treated by INF, as it is the first sign of necrosis. The site of injection should then be modified. In case of necrosis, risk factors for thrombophilia, factors reducing microcirculation (DHE, beta-blockers, cigarette smoking) should be investigated. INF injections should be cautiously reintroduced in other sites with the help of a nurse in case of self-injections prior to the occurrence of necrosis. Regarding self-injections patients' training should be emphasized.
Adult↗
[Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome in internal medicine: diagnostic and therapeutic traps. Eight observations].
PURPOSE: Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is an acute and severe drug reaction. Manifestations include severe skin lesions, fever, nodal enlargement, blood eosinophilia and multisystemic involvement. The severe systemic manifestations of DIHS are responsible for a 10% mortality rate. The pertinence of corticosteroid therapy is discussed. METHODS: The authors report eight retrospective cases of DIHS obtained from the PMSI (Programme de Médicalisatiopn des Systèmes d'Information) between November 1991 and November 1998. RESULTS: The series consisted of five male and three female patients (mean age: 52.6 years; range: 23-83 years). The interval between the introduction of the drug and the onset of the reaction varied from two to eight weeks. Due to severe systemic manifestations, three patients were given corticosteroid therapy. Healing of skin and systemic disorders resolved with a mean delay of 4.4 weeks (range: 1 to 56 weeks). CONCLUSION: DIHS can be a diagnostic trap, as there are no diagnostic criteria for DIHS. Only the association of multiple arguments such as the time to the occurrence of symptoms, clinical similarity to many infectious illnesses, hypereosinophilia, atypical lymphocytosis, etc. may help guide diagnosis. DIHS can also be a therapeutic trap, as prompt withdrawal of the offending drug is essential to minimize morbidity. Although still controversial in the literature, the pertinence of corticosteroid therapy may be discussed in case of severe systemic effects. Patch testing can be a valuable tool to determine the responsibility of a drug; however it proves to be useful only when positive.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
Role of drug exposure in aphthous ulcers: a case-control study.
BACKGROUND: Drug-induced aphthous ulcers have been the subject of several isolated and heterogeneous case reports for the last three decades. OBJECTIVES: To perform a case-control study to evaluate the risks linked to drug exposure in aphthous ulcers. METHODS: Eighty patients with typical clinical patterns of aphthous ulcers and 152 control patients who had had consultations for skin tumours were studied. A standardized questionnaire, concerning clinical features, life-style and medications taken during the last month, was completed for each patient. RESULTS: Case patients had a much higher intake of medications than control patients, respectively, 5.1 and 2. 8 medications per patient (P < 0.0001). Multivariate paired analysis showed an association between aphthous ulcers and two classes of drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P < 0.001) and beta-blockers (P = 0.002). Smoking could have a protective effect against aphthous ulcers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Previous case reports and the results of this study suggest a real link between beta-blockers and aphthous ulcers. Our study did not confirm a role of other drugs but a few interesting case reports with positive reintroduction have to be considered. These results could be beneficial for patients, as healing may occur when the incriminated drug is discontinued.
Adolescent↗
[Analysis of the literature about drug-induced aphthous ulcers].
OBJECTIVES: Analysis of the literature on drug-induced aphthous ulcers and mucosal ulcerations and evidence-based grading. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four literature sources were analyzed. Three groups of key words were used: 1) oral, buccal, genital, mucosal; 2) ulcer, ulceration, aphthous, aphthosis; 3) induced, drug, adverse-effects, with cross-overs. Four grading patterns were used: presence of aphthous term or synonym, typical clinical description of aphthous ulcer, presentation suggesting diagnosis of aphthous ulcer, criteria defining likelihood of drug causality. RESULTS: We examined 66 of the 220 publications responding to our selection criteria. Typical clinical description of aphthous ulcer and/or clinical presentation suggesting the diagnosis of aphthous ulcer were noted for 8 compounds with likely or palausible patterns of causality. For 21 compounds, we found only aphthous term or synonym without a clinical description or presentation. DISCUSSION: Our review of the literature individualized a group of 8 compounds where the diagnosis of aphthous ulcers was plausible and another group of 21 compounds where the diagnosis of aphthous ulcers requires confirmation. The clinical relevance and limitations of this analysis are discussed. CONCLUSION: Drug-induced aphthosis is probably a real phenomenon. Causality of the 8 compounds in the first group is simply more fully documented than for the 21 compounds in the second group. A low evidence level may not confirm these hypotheses. Some drugs may have been incorrectly ruled out due to lack of information.
Drug Eruptions↗
[Pretibial epidermolysis bullosa and hypothyroidism].
BACKGROUND: We report a case of primary non-autoimmune hypothyroidism causing pretibial epidermolysis bullosa. CASE REPORT: A 70-year-old man with primary non-autoimmune hypothyroidism developed blisters of different ages on the lateral aspect of both legs. Pathology reported blisters with subepidermal cleavage. Direct immunofluorescence was negative. Electron microscope examination showed a variable cleavage level and diffuse infiltration of a granulous and amorphous microfibrillar substance. After hormone replacement therapy, euthyroidism was associated with a reduction in the number of bullae and finally complete remission. After 12 months follow-up, the patient has not experienced recurrence. DISCUSSION: Recurrence-free clinical improvement after hormone replacement therapy suggests the diagnosis of hypothyroidism pretibial epidermolysis bullosae. Mochizuki et al. described a similar case which rapidly regressed after hormone therapy but where the electron microscope showed a different cleavage level. These bullae appear to result from a mechanical mechanism due to their localization in areas exposed to friction and also to the presence of bullae of different ages. This hypothesis is confirmed by the presence of a variable level of cleavage and a substance dense to electrons at electron microscopy as well as by the skin weakness. Our case confirms the reality of hypothyroidism pretibial epidermolysis bullosa. Thyroid hormones should be assayed in patients presenting pretibial bullae.
Aged↗
Photosensitivity with sulfasalazopyridine hypersensitivity syndrome.
Five weeks after the start of treatment with an association of sulfasalazopyridine and piroxicam, a 30-year-old woman presented with an eczematous eruption in light-exposed areas, hepatomegaly and fever (38 degrees C). Laboratory studies showed leukocytosis, eosinophilia and hepatic cytolysis. Treatment consisted of withdrawing the two drugs and topical steroids. The clinical signs regressed in 6 days. An increase in eosinophilia and hepatic cytolysis was observed until the tenth day, after which the trend reversed. Laboratory parameters were normal on the twentieth day. One month later, photopatch testing was performed. A patch test with sulfanilamide irradiated with UVA was positive. Clinical and laboratory findings were highly suggestive of drug hypersensitivity syndrome. The positive result from the UVA photopatch test with sulfanilamide suggests that sulfasalazopyridine was involved in the occurrence of hypersensitivity syndrome in our patient. We conclude that photodistributed eruptions can be observed in drug hypersensitivity syndrome with photosensitizing drugs.
Adult↗
[Penile lichen sclerosus: follow-up study].
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to study the long-term course of patients with penile lichen sclerosus and atrophicus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the files of 16 patients followed at our university center from 1982 to 1997 for pathologically proven penile lichen sclerosus and atrophicus. Age at disease onset, duration of the disease course, presence of a triggering factor, initial localization, signs and symptoms, treatment given and its efficacy were recorded. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 52 years. Inaugural prepuce localizations were observed in 6 cases, involving the distal part of the penis and the glan in 3 cases. Concomitant involvement of the glan and the balanopreputial groove were seen in 6 cases. The localization was limited to the glan in one case. Six patients underwent posthectomy and one had dorsal plasty of the prepuce. The 9 other patients were treated medically with topical corticosteroids and/or androgens. One patient had died prior to evaluation. Among the 9 patients given medical treatment, lichen sclerosus persisted in 7, one developed a squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and one was cured. Among the 6 cases of surgical treatment, 5 were cured and 1 had persistent lesions. Considering the initial localization, long-term course showed that 7 of the 8 patients with a prepuce localization (alone or in association with glan involvement) were cured while the 7 patients with a lesion of the balanopreputial groove (alone or in association with glan involvement) or a lesion of the glan alone still had lichen sclerosus and atrophicus. The non parametric Fischer test showed that the chances of cure were better for preputial localizations than for balanopreputial localizations (p = 0.001) and that surgical treatment was more effective than medical treatment. DISCUSSION: This study of a small number of patients highlighted two points: prepuce localizations of lichen sclerosus and atrophicus cure better than balanopreputial localizations, and that medical treatment is partially effective in balanopreputial localizations. One patient developed squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. As the level of the cancer risk remains unknown, it would be important to provide the most effective treatment in all cases of penis lichen sclerosus and atrophicus.
Adult↗
The atrophic variant of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in childhood: a report of six cases.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is typically diagnosed during early adult life at a tumoral stage. It occurs only rarely in children. We report six childhood cases of DFSP which presented initially with the misleading clinical appearance of atrophic plaques, and we review over 140 cases of DFSP in childhood. As compared with adult forms, DFSP in children does not show distinctive features except for a tendency for acral localization. The diagnosis is difficult because of the slow course of the lesions, which present initially as apparently benign atrophic morphoeaor keloid-like plaques. We believe that DFSP in childhood is probably under-estimated, as a significant proportion of patients diagnosed as young adults had an onset several years earlier. Better knowledge of the initial appearance is important for making an early diagnosis and for an easier surgical treatment.
Adolescent↗
[Case for diagnosis. Leg ulcer secondary to drepanocytosis].
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Adult↗
[Giant buccal aphthosis caused by nicorandil].
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Aged↗
[Multicentric histiocytosis with hematological involvement].
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to present a case of multicentric histiocytosis with haematologic involvement. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old man presented with poor general health and a nodular eruption of the skin and larynx. On clinical examination there was an enlarged spleen and laboratory results revealed an inflammatory syndrome, platelet count 60,000 and myelemia with 10 p. 100 immature elements in a white cell count of 14,000. Pathology and ultrastructure examinations led to the diagnosis of multicentric histiocytosis. Bone marrow aspiration was normal. Pancytopenia then developed with bone marrow hypoplasia without infiltration. Corticosteroids then cyclophosphamide were uneffective for either the skin disease or the hematologic disorder. The patient developed severe buccal aphthosis which responded well to thalidomide. This treatment reduced the size and the number of skin nodules. Finally, renal failure of unknown origin was observed. DISCUSSION: Electron microscopy is essential for positive and differential diagnosis of atypical multicentric histiocytosis. Hematological disorders associated with multicentric histiocytosis may either be specific or totally independent.
Aged↗
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in childhood.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous tumor with a possibly misleading presentation. It is rare in childhood. We report an 18-month-old child with an acquired atrophic plaque of the left ankle. Based on clinical findings, initial proposed diagnoses included localized scleroderma and localized lipoatrophy. At the age of 5 years the plaque had increased in size and become a purplish color. Several firm nodules were seen at its periphery. A diagnosis of DFSP was proposed and confirmed histologically. A large surgical resection was performed. This case illustrates that DFSP may occur in childhood, during which initial diagnosis is generally more difficult than in adulthood.
Age Factors↗