Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R I Ecker.
A punch biopsy was done to diagnose a progressive pustular facial rash in a middle-aged woman. The biopsy specimen disclosed an intact extrafollicular Demodex folliculorum, which may be the causative organism. A review of 30 cases of granulomatous facial lesions from the Mayo Clinic indicated that this finding is uncommon.
A review of inflammatory subcutaneous disease revealed that lymphoid follicles are observed frequently in lupus panniculitis. They are found rarely in other lymphocytic inflammatory diseases involving the panniculus, such as morphea, erythema nodosum, and erythema induratum. The lymphoid follicle may be an indication of immunoreactive and connective tissue disease, and cases should be evaluated with this in mind.
A 42-year-old woman had an acquired zinc deficiency. The patient was malnourished, secondary to chronic alcohol (ethanol) abuse and cirrhosis, with associated low serum and urinary levels of zinc. Her acrodermatitis was unresponsive to topically applied triamcinolone acetonide but cleared after oral zinc sulfate therapy.