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Biomedical subjects

V S Neild

Publications and source records attributed to V S Neild.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

A comparison of liver ultrasound with liver biopsy histology in psoriatics receiving long-term methotrexate therapy.

A comparison of liver ultrasound and liver biopsy histology was made on 54 paired investigations from 28 patients about to receive or already receiving methotrexate for severe psoriasis. Ultrasound scans were reported as normal, or abnormal showing either fatty change or fibrosis. Eighteen of the scans were reported as normal and in no instance did the simultaneously-obtained liver biopsy show significant fibrosis. Thirty-one of the scans were reported as showing fatty change without fibrosis; in 12 cases the liver histology showed mild but significant fibrosis and in four cases fibrosis was of sufficient severity to necessitate methotrexate withdrawal. Five of the scans were reported as showing fibrosis and in all the biopsy showed significant fibrosis. This was of sufficient degree to necessitate methotrexate withdrawal in two cases. No patient with a normal ultrasound scan showed significant fibrosis and thus we concluded that such patients may be spared liver biopsy and safely continue with methotrexate therapy. Ultrasound cannot reliably distinguish between fatty change and fibrosis, so all patients with abnormal scans require liver biopsy.

Adult↗

Egg and milk exclusion diets in atopic eczema.

Fifty-three patients with atopic eczema took part in a double blind controlled cross-over trial of an egg and cow's milk exclusion diet. Response to the diet was assessed in terms of areas affected, day and night time itch, and topical steroid usage. Twenty-five percent of the patients failed to comply adequately with the trial regime and were excluded from the analysis. Of the remaining 40 patients, ten appeared to benefit from the diet and were advised to continue egg and milk avoidance. This response rate to the diet was not statistically significant.

Adolescent↗

Plasma levels of 8-methoxypsoralen in psoriatic patients receiving topical 8-methoxypsoralen.

Using a high-pressure liquid chromatographic technique, plasma psoralen levels have been measured in patients receiving total-body topical photochemotherapy (PUVA). Levels comparable with those found during oral 8-MOP) treatment were observed, suggesting that topical therapy has no advantage over the oral route as far as the hazards of systemic therapy are concerned.

Administration, Topical↗

The dilution of proprietary corticosteroid ointments--an attempt to evaluate relative clinical potencies.

Ten subjects were assessed using the vasoconstrictor assay technique in a double-blind study in order to evaluate the potencies of several diluted and undiluted proprietary corticosteroid ointments. Results showed that clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Dermovate) ointment at a dilution of one part in ten (clobetasol propionate 0.005%) in white soft paraffin was equipotent with betamethasone valerate 0.1% (Betnovate) ointment; and no difference in potency was demonstrated between beclomethasone dipropionate 0.025% (Propaderm), betamethasone valerate 0.1% (Betnovate) and clobetasone butyrate 0.05% (Eumovate).

Administration, Topical↗