Biomedical subjects

Shikha Bansal

Publications and source records attributed to Shikha Bansal.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

En bloc excision of proximal nail fold for treatment of chronic paronychia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic paronychia is a very recalcitrant dermatosis, which is particularly prevalent in housewives. Medical treatment for this condition is unsatisfactory in a significant number of cases. Surgical approach forms an important part of management, however, this area has received little attention. Various surgical approaches have been tried in the past but a comparative analysis has not been attempted. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims at assessing the efficacy of en bloc excision of proximal nail fold (PNF). Moreover, a comparative analysis has been undertaken to assess whether or not simultaneous nail plate avulsion improves the treatment outcome. METHODS: Thirty patients of chronic paronychia with nail plate irregularities were randomly divided into two treatment groups (15 patients each). After a detailed evaluation, en bloc excision of PNF with or without nail plate removal was performed. Postoperative measures were advised and the patients were kept under regular follow-up thereafter. Assessment of postoperative complications was also performed. RESULTS: Twelve patients in group I and 13 patients in group II completed the treatment protocol. Of these, 70% of patients were cured in group II (en bloc excision with nail avulsion) whereas only 41% were cured in group I (en bloc excision without nail avulsion). CONCLUSION: En bloc excision of the PNF is a useful method in recalcitrant chronic paronychia. Simultaneous avulsion of the nail plate improves the surgical outcome. Strict avoidance of irritant exposure is necessary to ensure complete treatment and prevent recurrence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide in various acquired nail dystrophies.

The treatment of nail disorders is currently an unsatisfying exercise. Isolated nail involvement generally does not warrant any systemic therapy. At the same time, treatment is requested because of significant cosmetic and functional handicap. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in the proximal nail fold was evaluated as a treatment modality in 30 patients with twenty-nail dystrophy, 14 with nail lichen planus, and 6 with nail psoriasis. The number of involved nails varied from 1-20, and 1-10 nails were treated with TA. Fourteen patients discontinued treatment after 1-2 sittings. Out of the 28 patients completing the treatment protocol, 16 showed 75-100% improvement. Predominant side effects included pain, subungual hematoma formation, proximal nail fold hypopigmentation, and atrophy. TA given as a single injection in the proximal nail fold produced good improvement in a significant number of patients completing the treatment protocol. Lower concentrations of TA (5 mg/ml) were quite effective in treating various dermatoses affecting the nail unit. Our technique had fewer side effects than needle-less injection or multiple injection techniques. Careful attention to injection technique further minimized the side effects associated with the procedure. Sixteen patients completed the six-month follow-up and a relapse of nail changes was seen in 10. The relapses were equally responsive to retreatment. TA injected into the proximal nail fold area is a useful, cheap and efficacious treatment for dermatoses affecting the nail unit.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Pigmentation: a potential cutaneous marker for AIDS?

Pigmentation of skin, nails and mucosae has frequently been described in HIV positive patients. Various causes for this phenomenon have been ascribed, which include intake of various drugs like zidovudine, opportunistic infections like toxoplasmosis and adrenocortical suppression. However, there has been no uniform explanation. We describe three AIDS patients with different personal and disease profiles but essentially the same pattern of pigmentation. This pattern of pigmentation is thereby discussed. We also propose that this pigmentation could be a result of late stage HIV disease per se and thus could serve as a useful cutaneous marker for the same.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗