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Biomedical subjects

Patricia M Witman

Publications and source records attributed to Patricia M Witman.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

En coup de sabre morphea and Parry-Romberg syndrome: a retrospective review of 54 patients.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between en coup de sabre morphea and Parry-Romberg syndrome is unclear, and not much is known regarding their demographic and clinical characteristics or the efficacy of the treatments that are used. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe demographic data, clinical features, and medications used in a large cohort of patients with en coup de sabre morphea and Parry-Romberg syndrome. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with en coup de sabre morphea or Parry-Romberg syndrome at the Mayo Clinic from 1984 to 2004 was conducted. Demographic data, examination findings, and treatments were noted. RESULTS: We identified 54 patients who met criteria for inclusion in the study. Twenty-six patients (48%) had en coup de sabre morphea, 13 (24%) had Parry-Romberg syndrome, and 15 (28%) had both. Disease was present bilaterally in 7.4% of patients. Thirteen percent of all patients in the study group had seizures. Of patients who received treatment, most were treated with antimalarial agents (57.1%) or methotrexate (28.6%). LIMITATIONS: The study design was that of a retrospective review at a tertiary care center with referral bias. There were also limitations present because of the inherent nature of the diseases studied. CONCLUSION: En coup de sabre morphea and Parry-Romberg syndrome frequently coexist and are likely both variants of morphea. Bilateral disease is more common than previously reported. The efficacy of antimalarials and methotrexate in the treatment of these diseases remains unclear.

Adolescent↗

Complications following pulsed dye laser treatment of superficial hemangiomas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pulsed dye laser (PDL) has been reported to be safe and effective in the management of superficial hemangiomas of infancy. We report 12 patients with hemangiomas with complications following PDL. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients with hemangiomas and a known adverse outcome following PDL were reviewed. RESULTS: All were treated early (age range: 5 days to 4 months), and all hemangiomas were facial with a superficial component. Eleven were treated with a 585 nm wavelength, fluence range of 4.7-7 J/cm(2), without dynamic cooling. One patient received 7-12 J/cm(2) utilizing a 595 nm wavelength with dynamic cooling. In eight cases, treatment led to severe ulceration with subsequent pain, scarring, and in one instance, life-threatening hemorrhage. In four, permanent atrophic scarring was noted without ulceration. CONCLUSIONS: PDL treatment of superficial hemangiomas may rarely lead to significant complications including atrophic scarring and severe ulceration.

Atrophy↗

Acne fulminans.

Acne fulminans is a syndrome of fulminant, necrotizing acne associated with bone lesions, constitutional symptoms, and laboratory abnormalities. A case report of an adolescent male with acne fulminans following withdrawal of isotretinoin and prednisone is presented.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Upper aerodigestive tract complications in a neonate with linear IgA bullous dermatosis.

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is a rare immunobullous condition known to affect the skin and mucous membranes of the eye and oral cavity in adults and young children. We describe a newborn with skin involvement who had life-threatening respiratory compromise from disease affecting the larynx, subglottis, trachea, and esophagus. Management with both tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube placement was necessary. Treatment included systemic steroids, dapsone, and intravenous immunoglobulin. We compare our neonatal case to the only other report in the literature highlighting involvement of the mucous membranes of multiple levels of the aerodigestive tract leading to respiratory compromise.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Pediatric oral medicine.

A thorough examination of the oral mucosa can provide helpful clues toward making a diagnosis in a number of developmental, neoplastic, inflammatory, and infectious conditions. A number of oral lesions seen in infants and children are benign and of no medical significance. In these instances, the ability of the physician to confidently identify the diagnosis, and reassure parents that a lesion is not worrisome, carries significant value. Likewise, the ability to recognize an underlying systemic illness or genetic disease based on an oral examination can also be of tremendous value, particularly when oral involvement is the presenting feature.

Child↗