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1rem

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Opioid analgesics provide effective treatment for noncancer pain, but many physicians have concerns about adverse effects, tolerance, and addiction. Misuse of these drugs is prominent in patients with chronic pain. Recognition and early prevention of misuse helps physicians identify the causes and proceed with patient care. Most persons with chronic pain have a significant medical comorbidity (eg, asthma) that affects treatment decisions.

Addressing Abuse and Misuse of Opioid Analgesics

This image of the dorsum of the tongue of a 42-year-old African American woman shows parallel linear black coatings.

After a “swig” of  Kaopectate, this patient noticed tongue discoloration. Is this coincidental, or is there a clinical connection? 

Clinical Topics

Black Coating on a Woman’s Tongue

A 5-year-old boy with a history of atopic dermatitis since 6 weeks of age, presents with a rash around his mouth that has been present for approximately 1 year. The patient’s mother reports that desonide topical cream was applied to the affected area for about 5 days, which initially resulted in improvement, however the rash returned after this medication was discontinued. The rash also recently improved after the patient took amoxicillin for an infection. She also notes that the patient has been licking his lips more frequently.

On examination there is an erythematous papulopustular eruption restricted to the perioral region, with sparing of the vermillion border. Mild hyperpigmentation is noted on the patient’s neck. There is no active involvement of other areas of the body.

The eruption has been present for 1 year and is restricted to the perioral region. What is included in your differential? 

Rash Around the Mouth of a 5-year-old Child

Acromegaly was diagnosed in a 36-year-old woman who presented with loss of vision in the right eye that had initially involved the peripheral field. MRI scans of the brain revealed a 6 × 6 × 4-cm sellar mass with suprasellar and parasellar extension encasing the right cavernous sinus and carotid artery.

A. Excess growth hormone production from the pituitary gland as a result of a functional adenoma is the most common cause.

B. It remains undiagnosed for up to 10 years on average.

C. The diagnostic test of choice is an oral glucose tolerance test.

D. End-organ manifestations (eg, arthropathy, cranial nerve palsies, diabetes) contribute to overall mortality increase.

Acromegaly was diagnosed in a 36-year-old woman who presented with loss of vision in the right eye that had initially involved the peripheral field. Which statement about acromegaly is NOT true?

Acromegaly: A Pop Quiz

This 15-year-old has a pruritic, flat-topped, monomorphic papular rash on his face and arms for the past 6 days. He takes no medications, has not been sick recently, and has not been exposed to poison oak.

A.  Papular acrodermatitis of childhood (Gianotti-Crosti)

This monomorphic papular rash is unrelated to medications, recent sickness, or exposure to poison oak. It developed about 6 days earlier. 

Teen With Itchy Papular Rash on Face and Arms

A 76-year-old woman seeks your attention for an asymptomatic “red spot” on her neck. She has a history of multiple non-melanoma skin cancers.

Squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen  disease)

Lichenoid keratosis (an inflammatory variant of seborrheic keratosis)

A 76-year-old woman seeks your attention for an asymptomatic “red spot” on her neck. What does this look like to you?

What's This "Red Spot"?

Five days after a 41-year-old man started taking a new medication, this superficial but painful lesion appeared on his neck. It slowly resolved after the drug was stopped and a topical corticosteroid was applied twice daily.

Five days after starting a new medication, this lesion appeared on a man’s neck. It slowly resolved after the drug was stopped. Which of these drugs do you suspect might have caused the lesion?

Round Red Patch on a Man's Neck

Edgar L. Ross, MD

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