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- $Unique_ID{BRK03953}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner}
- $Subject{Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner Benign Lymphocytic Infiltrate of
- the Skin Jessner-Kanof Lymphocytic Infiltration of the Skin Lymphocytoma Cutis
- Mycosis Fungoides Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Leprosy }
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992 National Organization for Rare
- Disorders, Inc.
-
- 447:
- Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible the main title of the article (Lymphocytic Infiltrate of
- Jessner) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on
- the next page to find alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related
- disorders covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Benign Lymphocytic Infiltrate of the Skin
- Jessner-Kanof Lymphocytic Infiltration of the Skin
-
- Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Lymphocytoma Cutis
- Mycosis Fungoides
- Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
- Leprosy
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
- section of this report.
-
-
- Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner is a skin disorder characterized by
- benign accumulations of lymph cells in the skin. These small lesions are
- solid, pink or red in color, and appear on the face, neck, and/or back. Skin
- surrounding these lesions is itchy and reddened. The lesions may remain
- unchanged for several years and then spontaneously disappear leaving no
- scars.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Symptoms of Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner are itchy lesions, most
- commonly on the upper face, eyelids, and cheeks. The back and neck may also
- be affected. These pink or red lesions are typically smooth with no plugging
- of hair follicles, and may occasionally have clear centers. The skin
- surrounding the lesions may be reddened and itching. Sensitivity to sunlight
- may occur, but is unusual. Generally the symptoms disappear after several
- years.
-
- Causes
-
- The exact cause of Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner is not known. For
- unknown reasons, lymph cells abnormally accumulate in the skin.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner affects males and females in equal numbers.
- The first case identified in the medical literature in the United States
- occurred in 1953.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to Lymphocytic Infiltrate
- of Jessner. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
-
- Lymphocytoma Cutis is characterized by a skin nodule caused by dense
- accumulation of lymph cells and histiocytes which are cells that are usually
- found in connective tissue. These lesions often form purplish, yellow-brown,
- glistening, spherical masses. They may be widespread or limited to a small
- area, and are separated from the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) by a
- narrow noninfiltrating layer.
-
- Mycosis Fungoides is a chronic progressive lymph disorder which initially
- resembles eczema or other inflammatory skin disorders. Later, tumors
- resembling mushrooms tend to appear on the skin. Thickened layers of skin
- (acanthosis) and a band-shaped infiltration of the upper skin layer by two
- kinds of atypical lymphoid cells occurs. In advanced cases, ulcerated tumors
- and cellular infiltrations of lymph nodes may occur. (For more information
- on this disorder, choose "Mycosis Fungoides as your search term in the Rare
- Disease Database.)
-
- Discoid Lupus Erythematosus is a form of Lupus Erythematosus in which
- only skin lesions are present. These degenerative plaques commonly appear on
- the face causing redness, roughness (hyperkeratosis), plugged hair follicles,
- and dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia). In some cases, this disorder can
- progress to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. (For more information on these
- disorders, choose "Lupus" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
-
- Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) is a progressive, contagious disorder usually
- found in warmer climates and characterized by abnormal cell (granulomatous)
- formations around the nerves in the skin. It is caused by a type of airborne
- bacteria known as Hansen's Bacillus (Mycobacterium Leprae). (For more
- information on this disorder, choose "Leprosy" as your search term in the
- Rare Disease Database).
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Treatment of Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner usually consists of
- chloroquine or other antimalarial drugs for six weeks to three months. The
- lesions may also respond to small doses of superficial X-Ray. Other
- treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- When Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner is resistant to other treatment, the
- experimental drug thalidomide may provide improvement. This drug should not
- be taken during pregnancy. Thalidomide is not approved for use in the United
- States. Thalidomide is available from Penn Pharmaceuticals of Tredegar,
- South Wales.
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- January 1992. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
- every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
- Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
- current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Lymphocytic Infiltrate of Jessner, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
- Clearinghouse
- Box AMS
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 495-4484
-
- References
-
- LYMPHOCYTIC INFILTRATION OF THE SKIN (JESSNER AND KANOF): W. Kenneth
- Blaylock; In Clinical Dermatology. Demis, et al.; Harper & Row, Publishers,
- 1982.
-
- TREATMENT OF JESSNER-KANOF DISEASE WITH THALIDOMIDE: G. Moulin, et al.;
- Ann Dermatol Venereol (1983, issue 110(8)). Pp. 611-614.
-
- LYMPHOCYTIC INFILTRATION OF THE SKIN (JESSNER): A T-CELL
- LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISEASE: R. Willemze, et al.; Br J Dermatol (May 1984,
- issue 110(5)). Pp. 523-529.
-
-