Treatment of pyogenic granuloma by shave excision and laser photocoagulation.

We present herein our technique for the management of pyogenic granulomas. Twenty such lesions were treated in 13 patients by shave excision followed by laser photocoagulation of the base. Recurrence was noted in just one case and was successfully treated by repeated laser treatment. The cosmetic results have been uniformly excellent. Shave excision followed by laser photocoagulation is an effective therapeutic alternative to excision and linear closure for the treatment of pyogenic granuloma, one that minimizes scar formation while preserving the ability to confirm the diagnosis.     

Intravenous pyogenic granuloma mimicking pleomorphic adenoma in a fine needle aspirate. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous pyogenic granuloma (IvPG) is a rare, benign lesion occurring usually as a subcutaneous mass in the neck or upper extremity. The cytologic features of IvPG have not been described before. CASE: A patient presented with a subcutaneous nodule on the lower border of the left parotid area. The clinical diagnosis was bronchial cleft cyst or lymphadenitis, and the fine needle aspiration diagnosis was pleomorphic adenoma. The tissue section, however, disclosed IvPG. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of subcutaneous nodules presenting cytologically as spindle cell lesions may be problematic, particularly in the neck and head region. Such lesions occurring in the parotid area may be interpreted as pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland.     

Carboxylic activity of giant cells of human granuloma produced by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

The carboxilic activity of giant cells of human granuloma produced by P. brasiliensis was studied. The enzymatic activity was revealed by reddish-brown, purple red, and indigo-blue cytoplasmic precipitate, using the substrates alpha-naphthyl-acetate, naphthol-AS acetate and 5-bromo-4-chloro-indoxyl acetate respectively. The giant cells were intensely positive in all cases studied. We believe this esterasic activity is related to the lytic, lisosomic activity of the macrophages and giant cells in response to the activity by the P. brasiliensis in tissue.     

A case of generalized granuloma trichophyticum

We describe a case of tinea unguis in a 20 year old female student from Caracas. The peri-ungual skin of a thumb appeared altered first and, since 6 months, the lamina was being progressively invaded and destroyed. At the direct mycologic examination numerous, regular and irregular, hyaline fungal hyphae were visible. Culture was performed 9 times: several molds did grow, among which, eight times, we got numerous colonies of a strain that has been identified to Nannizzia gypsea (+). Owing to the rarity of the observation the bases for the diagnosis are discussed and the pertinent literature is reviewed.     

Central giant cell granuloma of the jawbones--new insights into molecular biology with clinical implications on treatment approaches

Central giant cell granulomas (CGCG) constitute about 10% of benign jawbone lesions. Approximately one-third of CGCG exhibit local aggressive behavior with bone destruction and a tendency to recur. Cure of patients with aggressive CGCG can be achieved by en bloc resection with clear margins at the possible cost of esthetic, functional and psychological problems, mainly in young patients. It is in these cases where pharmacologic agents are most needed as an alternative treatment approach. Until now, pharmacologic agents for CGCG have been used empirically and, in a small number of cases, with various degrees of success. The purpose of this review is to present the recent findings on the phenotypic profile of the constituent cells in CGCG at the molecular level and discuss the inter-relations among them; to analyze the osteolytic potential concealed in the lesional cells; to provide an evidence-based rationale for the use of pharmacologic agents, and, consequently, to suggest a revised approach for their use.     

A unique advantage for giant eyes in giant squid

Giant and colossal deep-sea squid (Architeuthis and Mesonychoteuthis) have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom [1, 2], but there is no explanation for why they would need eyes that are nearly three times the diameter of those of any other extant animal. Here we develop a theory for visual detection in pelagic habitats, which predicts that such giant eyes are unlikely to evolve for detecting mates or prey at long distance but are instead uniquely suited for detecting very large predators, such as sperm whales. We also provide photographic documentation of an eyeball of about 27 cm with a 9 cm pupil in a giant squid, and we predict that, below 600 m depth, it would allow detection of sperm whales at distances exceeding 120 m. With this long range of vision, giant squid get an early warning of approaching sperm whales. Because the sonar range of sperm whales exceeds 120 m [3-5], we hypothesize that a well-prepared and powerful evasive response to hunting sperm whales may have driven the evolution of huge dimensions in both eyes and bodies of giant and colossal squid. Our theory also provides insights into the vision of Mesozoic ichthyosaurs with unusually large eyes.     

面部念珠菌性肉芽肿1例

报道1例面部皮肤念珠菌性肉芽肿.患者女,14岁,口角糜烂10 a,面部散在斑块、结痂6 a.表现为面部大小不等圆形暗红色斑块,表面见黄褐色厚痂.额部皮损真菌镜检见大量菌丝,真菌培养鉴定为白念珠菌.组织病理见真皮浅中层弥漫性淋巴细胞、少量中性粒细胞浸润,并见多核巨细胞.PAS染色示角质层及痂皮内见大量菌丝,真皮多核巨细胞内见孢子.诊断为念珠菌性肉芽肿.给予灰黄霉素治疗2个月、卡介菌多糖核酸治疗6个月、伊曲康唑治疗7个月后,皮损减少,面部痂皮大部分脱落,目前仍在治疗中.