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Biomedical subjects

R M Pujol

Publications and source records attributed to R M Pujol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Persistent subcutaneous nodules in patients hyposensitized with aluminum-containing allergen extracts.

BACKGROUND: The development of persistent nodules that cause pain and itching at a vaccination or hyposensitization injection site is a rare event. These lesions have been mainly attributed to a hypersensitivity reaction to aluminum hydroxide, which is used as an absorbing agent in many vaccines and hyposensitization preparations. Patch tests with standard antigens and aluminum compounds and histopathologic and ultrastructural studies were performed on 10 patients with persistent subcutaneous nodules on the upper part of their arms after injection of aluminum-adsorbed dust and/or pollen extracts. OBSERVATIONS: The nodules appeared 1 month to 6.5 years after injections. The results of patch tests with 2% aluminum chloride were positive in five patients. Histopathologic examination revealed two different patterns: some biopsy specimens (from lesions of less than 9 months' duration) showed a pure foreign body histiocytic reaction characterized by extracellular amorphous dermal basophilic deposits with a histiocytic-macrophagic reaction; others showed a delayed hypersensitivity granulomatous reaction in association with an histiocytic foreign body response. The lesions were characterized by a unifocal or multifocal unencapsulated granulomatous reaction in the deep dermis and/or subcutaneous tissue. Eosinophilic necrotic areas surrounded by dense fibrous bands and a massive inflammatory infiltrate (lymphoid follicles, large histiocytic cells, abundant eosinophils, and some plasma cells) were observed. A granular basophilic material in extracellular spaces and within the cytoplasm of some histiocytes was also noted. Electron microscopic studies revealed intracytoplasmic and extracellular deposits of a fibrillar electron-dense material. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent subcutaneous nodules that develop after the administration of aluminum-containing preparations may show two characteristic histopathologic patterns. A pure histiocytic foreign body reaction was observed in early lesions, and a delayed hypersensitivity granulomatous reaction was seen in older lesions. No relationship between histopathologic pattern and patch test results was observed. Aluminum-free preparations should be used in patients in whom these nodules develop.

Adsorption

Infantile eosinophilic pustular folliculitis.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is a cutaneous inflammatory follicular disorder of unknown etiology. The diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical and histopathologic features. In only a few instances has EPF been described in children. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We describe the clinical and histopathologic features of a recurrent follicular eosinophilic pustular eruption involving the scalp in 2 children. Previously reported cases of EPF in childhood below 14 years of age are reviewed. RESULTS: Two patients (9-month-old and 6-month-old boys) presented current crops of follicular pustules on the scalp of 4 and 5 months' evolution. The lesions resolved spontaneously without scarring. Histopathologic examination revealed an acute follicular inflammatory infiltrate with abundant eosinophils. Scraping from the lesions showed abundant eosinophils in 1 case. A peripheral eosinophilia was also detected in both patients. CONCLUSION: EPF in children below 1 year of age seems to represent a unique disorder bearing distinctive clinical (constant involvement of the scalp), evolutive (self-healing recurrent crops) and prognostic (the lesions may last until 3 years of age) features. A possible relationship between this disorder and other idiopathic pustular dermatoses of early childhood (especially with infantile acropustulosis) is suggested.

Eosinophilia

Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome): report of two cases with minor cutaneous and extracutaneous manifestations.

Two women, ages 33 and 16 years, had focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome) with unusual, minimal clinical manifestations. The lesions consisted of patchy, atrophic, scaly, telangiectatic macules arranged in a linear pattern along Blaschko's lines, involving the anterior and lateral aspects of both legs (patient 1) and the anterolateral aspect of the left leg (patient 2). Type I partial syndactyly involving the second and the third toes in both patients was also present. The clinical and histopathologic features and diagnostic difficulties of cases of this disorder with minimal cutaneous and extracutaneous manifestations are discussed.

Adolescent

Tufted-hair folliculitis.

A 21-year-old man presented with an erythematous pruritic plaque on the right parietal scalp of 2 years' evolution. Physical examination disclosed multiple bundles of hairs emerging from single dilated follicular openings. The disorder followed a relapsing and progressive course, in spite of several topical and systemic treatments. New tufts of hairs appeared in previously non-involved areas only after inflammatory changes occurred. The clinicopathological features, aetiological mechanisms and management of tufted-hair folliculitis are discussed. Tufted-hair folliculitis (THF) is a localized, inflammatory and exudative disease of the scalp characterized by a tufted appearance of the scalp hair, that may result in permanent and irreversible scarring alopecia. This condition was initially described by Smith and Sanderson in 1978 who coined the term THF to illustrate the phenomenon of multiple hairs emerging from single follicular openings. Only nine additional cases of THF have been reported elsewhere. We present herein a patient with recurrent and progressive THF resistant to several therapeutic strategies.

Adult

Tegafur-induced acral hyperpigmentation.

Four patients with colorectal cancer treated with tegafur (a fluoropyrimidine structurally similar to 5-fluorouracil) noted a macular, spotted hyperpigmentation limited to the palms, soles, nails, and glans penis. Histopathologic examination disclosed epidermal basal hyperpigmentation with a lentiginous pattern. Mucocutaneous lesions resolved spontaneously two months after treatment was discontinued. This peculiar phenomenon seems to represent a previously unreported side effect of this cytotoxic drug.

Aged

Disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma not associated with HIV infection in a bisexual man.

We report a 42-year-old white bisexual man with disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma limited to the skin and gastrointestinal tract. Results of several serum tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies have been negative. The CD4/CD8 ratio has remained normal, and his Kaposi's sarcoma has had a benign clinical course during 30 months of follow-up. Similar reports of disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma with a benign clinical course in homosexual or bisexual men without demonstrable HIV infection are reviewed. Some cellular immune impairment that might be more prevalent in the homosexual population may be implicated in the pathogenesis of this type of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome