Lymphedema as a postulated cause of cutis verticis gyrata in Turner syndrome.

Unusual skin lesions were present at birth in four infants with Turner syndrome. The skin changes in these patients appear to have resulted either from in utero entrapment or pinching of edematous skin or from redundant skin remaining after in utero resolution of lymphedema. Distention by lymphedema is thought to cause several of the phenotypic characteristics seen in patients with Turner syndrome, including nuchal webbing and nail changes. In three of these patients the clinical appearance of the skin changes was similar to cutis verticis gyrata, marked by fixed thickened plaques in folds.

Writing for publication: it's a matter of personal style.

One of the best ways a nurse practitioner can make a lasting contribution is through the published word. A nurse writer publishes to inform, instruct, challenge, and inspire. This sharing of ideas is critical for professional growth and visibility. The writing process may appear at first glance to be difficult, yet the tips and techniques described in this article demonstrate that writing is a craft which can be learned. Although the process that results in a final, published manuscript may, at times, appear lengthy, the approach to preparing a manuscript is simple, requiring a modicum of skill and a strong desire to share knowledge.

Cutaneous and cardiac myxomas: an important association.

Carny and others have described the association of cutaneous myxomas and various nevomelanocytic neoplasms with cardiac myxomas and endocrine neoplasms. The association between cutaneous and cardiac myxomas is especially important in view of the potentially serious, even fatal, embolic sequelae of the latter neoplasm.

Clinical features of photodamage and treatment with topical tretinoin.

Photodamage constitutes a skin disease that merits therapy. Immediate cosmetic improvement of photodamaged skin can be achieved most dramatically by surgical means. Medical intervention has been limited until the recent advent of topical retinoic acid products for photoaging. These medications have been shown to enhance cosmesis and to produce long-lasting physiologic changes. The clinical features of photodamage and treatment with topical tretinoin are discussed.

Seborrhea, psoriasis and the papulosquamous dermatoses.

Knowledge of the papulosquamous disorders is an important part of the diagnosis of skin diseases in general. Recognition of these commonly encountered cutaneous problems depends upon familiarity with the configuration and distribution of lesions on various parts of the body. Diagnostic tests (such as KOH to rule out tinea) should be performed, and when therapy does not seem to be successful, the diagnosis should be reconsidered with a biopsy and/or dermatologic consultation.