Cutaneous botryomycosis of the cervicofacial region.

BACKGROUND: Botryomycosis is a rare, chronic, bacterial infection of insidious onset involving the integument or viscera that often mimics actinomycosis or a deep fungal infection. The pathogenesis is thought to be a symbiotic relationship between the host and the infecting organism. METHODS: Case report of a patient with a chronic infection involving the cervicofacial region diagnosed as cutaneous botryomycosis arising from a chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible. The diagnosis was based on the chronicity of the infection along with the identification of botryomycotic (bacteria-containing) granules on histopathologic examination. Special stains excluded fungi and mycobacterium. Cultures identified the offending bacteria, and antibiotic therapy was initiated on the basis of the sensitivities, resulting in resolution of this chronic infectious process. A review of the English language literature revealed that this is the first case of cutaneous botryomycosis arising from a chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible. RESULTS: Medical therapy proved curative at 14 months follow-up. Surgery was performed for diagnostic purposes only. CONCLUSIONS: Botryomycosis is exceedingly rare in the head and neck, and consideration of this entity in the differential diagnosis is critical to the diagnosis. The mainstay of therapy is medical with surgery reserved for biopsy and/or excision of persistent disease. Published 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Head and neck pilomatricoma in the pediatric age group: a retrospective study and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical course and management of pilomatricoma involving the head and neck in the pediatric age group and to review the literature. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the author's case files between the years of 1996 and 2000, revealed seven cases of head and neck pilomatricoma involving children. A literature review was employed to compare this study to others. RESULTS: In all cases, the presenting sign was a superficially located rock-hard mass in the head and neck. The mean duration the mass was present at the initial otolaryngologic evaluation was 11 months. There was a total of seven patients of which five (71%) were female while two (29%) were male. Each patient presented with a single pilomatricoma. Five (71%) occurred in the neck while two (29%) occurred in the face. All were treated with surgical excision. There were no recurrences. CONCLUSION: Pilomatricoma is a rare, benign, skin neoplasm that is superficially located and most commonly occurs in the head and neck, thus otolaryngologists should be aware of its clinical presentation. Although malignant transformation has been described, it is exceedingly rare. Diagnosis is usually suspected based on palpation of a superficial, rock-hard mass and confirmed by histopathologic examination. Since this neoplasm doesn't spontaneously regress, surgical excision is both curative and the treatment of choice. Recurrence is rare.

Laryngeal tuberculosis.

Since the introduction of antituberculous medications, the incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis (TB) has decreased and remains stable. However, with the incidence of TB increasing, mainly caused by the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic, the incidence of laryngeal involvement may be on the rise. The main presenting symptom of laryngeal TB is dysphonia. The diagnosis is confirmed with the identification of granulomatous inflammation, caseating granulomas, and acid-fast bacilli on histopathologic examination of biopsied laryngeal tissue. However, making the diagnosis difficult can be the presence of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, which mimics squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment is primarily with antituberculous medications with surgery reserved for those cases of airway compromise. Laryngeal complications can occur; thus, long-term follow-up is recommended. We report a case of laryngeal TB in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative patient and review the literature.

Pleomorphic lipoma: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic lipoma is a rare, benign, pseudosarcomatous, soft tissue neoplasm typically involving the subcutis of the neck and shoulder in middle-aged to elderly men. It is characterized histologically by atypical, multinucleated giant cells and grossly as a well-circumscribed mass. Since this neoplasm can resemble a sarcoma, histopathologic diagnosis is critical in preventing unnecessary surgery. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of pleomorphic lipoma in the neck and to review the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of this neoplasm. METHODS: We present a case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: Local excision to completely extirpate this neoplasm has proven curative at 10 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Pleomorphic lipoma is superficially located and may be encountered in a dermatologic setting. Thus the dermatologist should become familiar with its clinical presentation and microscopic appearance.

Head and neck manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common esophageal disease. Besides the typical presentation of heartburn and acid regurgitation, either alone or in combination, GERD can cause atypical symptoms. An estimated 20 to 60 percent of patients with GERD have head and neck symptoms without any appreciable heartburn. While the most common head and neck symptom is a globus sensation (a lump in the throat), the head and neck manifestations can be diverse and may be misleading in the initial work-up. Thus, a high index of suspicion is required. Laryngoscopy can confirm the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Erythema of the posterior larynx may be seen, and the true vocal cords may be edematous. Treatment should be initiated with a histamine H2 receptor blocker or proton pump inhibitor. Lifestyle changes are also beneficial. Untreated, GERD can lead to chronic laryngitis, dysphonia, chronic sore throat, chronic cough, constant throat clearing, granuloma of the true vocal cords and other problems.