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By Kirkland Lau, DO, Lawrence A. Schiffman, DO, and Stephen M. Schleicher, MD
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CASE:
A 94-year-old man presents complaining of acne. He has no major health problems and spends his free time fishing. Examination of his face reveals open comedones (blackheads) scattered on the nose, forehead, and cheeks. In addition, coarse facial wrinkles and furrows are observed. His medical history is negative for skin cancer and he denies experiencing any acne as a teenager.
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Favre-Racouchot syndrome is a condition characterized by the presence of open and closed comedones occurring within actinically-damaged skin. The disorder afflicts elderly individuals who have spent years in the sun. Many patients give a history of heavy cigarette smoking. The most common locations are the forehead and periorbital regions. Inflammatory lesions are not present. Extraction using a looped instrument (comedo extractor) provides cosmetic improvement. Prevention of new lesions is best accomplished with topical retinoids and sun protection. |
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Dr. Lau is an associate with a division of DermDx Centers for Dermatology in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. Dr. Schiffman is currently a resident at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, New York. Dr. Schleicher is director of DermDx Centers and a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, at Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the EMERGENCY MEDICINE editorial board.
Emerg Med 39(8):53-4, 2007
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