Dermatologic clinics
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The Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is a rare disorder of unknown etiology characterized by a triad of recurrent orofacial swelling, relapsing facial paralysis, and fissured tongue. Exacerbations and recurrences are common. The orofacial swelling is characterized by fissured, reddish-brown, swollen, nonpruritic lips or firm edema of the face. ⋯ Orofacial granulomatosis is a clinicopathologic entity describing oral lesions with noncaseating granulomas. The spectrum of this entity includes patients with oral Crohn's disease, patients with oral lesions who will develop typical bowel symptoms of Crohn's disease in the ensuing months to years, patients with tooth-associated infections, patients with sarcoidosis, and patients with food or contact allergies. The value of the clinicopathologic construct of orofacial granulomatosis is to provoke the careful search for provocative causes for the reactive symptom complex of the Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome.
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Systemic fungal diseases are primary pulmonary diseases caused by the dimorphic fungal pathogens, Blastomyces dermatitides, Coccidioides immitis. Histoplasma capsulatum, or Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Infection occurs after inhalation of the infectious form of the fungus and may be acute, self-limited, or subclinical. ⋯ Erythema nodosum or erythema multiforme may accompany the acute form of the disease. Other cutaneous manifestations represent disseminated disease and, as such, require systemic antifungal therapy. Because cutaneous lesions have occurred coincidentally with other cutaneous pathologies, emphasis should be placed on a complete clinical history, physical examination, and diagnosis by histopathology and culture.
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Camouflage therapy is a system of cosmetic techniques designed for patients to use to assist themselves in coping constructively with the psychological and physical trauma of their disfigurements. It is described as a "system" because these techniques are interrelated. ⋯ They are as follows: (1) the use of opaque, waterproof cover creams to conceal scarring; (2) the application of pancake makeup for patients with oily or acne-prone skin; (3) color correctors to obliterate discoloration from postoperative trauma; and (4) recreating imperfections on the skin. For more information about the use of cosmetics to normalize the appearance of physical disfigurements, the following books are recommended.
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Cowden syndrome (multiple hamartoma syndrome) is characterized by multiple facial papules, gingival papillomas, acral keratoses, and other hamartomatous lesions. There is a high incidence of breast and thyroid carcinoma. Recognition of this syndrome may lead to the early diagnosis of cancer.
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Dermatologic clinics · Oct 1994
ReviewBrazilian pemphigus foliaceus, endemic pemphigus foliaceus, or fogo selvagem (wild fire).
Brazilian pemphigus foliaceus, also known as fogo selvagem, is the endemic form of pemphigus foliaceus occurring in certain regions of Brazil. Epidemiologic data strongly support the notion that this disease is caused by exposure to an environmental agent or agents. ⋯ The environment agent may sensitize the patient to produce autoantibodies. These autoantibodies may cross-react with the epidermis and induce disease in the patient.