Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)

Connective Tissue (Collagen) Diseases

“…In some series one-half the cases had pulmonary fibrosis (87,96) with diminished vital capacity (81). Nonspecific electro cardiographic changes with or without cardiovascular symptoms were re ported in 93 per cent of the cases in one series (41). Widening of the peridon tal space with partial disappearance of the lamina dura was described (97).…”

“…Induration, atrophy, ulcera tion, hyperpigmentation, and vitiligo are common. Raynaud's phenomenon and articular symptoms (often simulating rheumatoid arthritis) are very prominent (41,87). Calcinosis frequently occurs in subcutaneous tissue, ligaments and skeletal muscle (88).…”

“…scleroderma (over 80 per cent)(41), SLE (35 per cent)(30), dermatomyosi tis (18 per cent)(42), and rheumatoid arthritis.Treatment and prognosis.-It is the consensus of experienced clinicians that the 11, 17 oxygenated steroids (prednisone, prednisolone, hydrocorti sone or cortisone) or corticotropin are therapeutic drugs of choice in all but the mild cases of SLE. These drugs are not curative, however(3, 19, 28, .43, 44, 45).…”

Acute Spontaneous Cerebral Vascular Accidents in Young Normotensive Adults

“…Downloaded From: http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/ by a Oakland University User on 06/10/2015 Case 9.-This 39-year-old white man was ad¬ mitted to the hospital on Feb 17,. 1954, because of right-sided paralysis.…”

“…Case 17.-This 32-year-old white man was ad¬ mitted to the hospital on May17, 1953. He ex¬ perienced a momentary lapse of consciousness six days before admission, followed by headache.Several hours later he awakened with nausea and vomiting and a few hours thereafter noted paralysis of his left extremities.…”