1/6. scurvy in an unrepentant carnivore.For centuries, scurvy, or vitamin C deficiency, decimated crews of sailing ships on long sea voyages and populations deprived of fresh fruits and vegetables during times of war or famine. Today, scurvy is extremely rare in the united states, and its classic findings of perifollicular petechiae, edema and purpura of the lower extremities, corkscrew hairs, and hemorrhagic gingivitis may go unrecognized. We report the case of a man from rural Appalachia who developed typical signs and symptoms of scurvy on two separate occasions, approximately 2 years apart. Both times, the patient underwent an extensive work-up and was diagnosed with numerous other conditions before his vitamin C deficiency was recognized. We discuss the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of scurvy, with attention to specific findings that should alert the clinician to this diagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = fruit (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/6. hemarthrosis as initial presentation of scurvy.Vitamin C deficiency or scurvy is a disease now rarely seen except for certain populations at risk. When it occurs, diagnosis can be difficult as it can mimic other disorders. Its manifestations are primarily due to an abnormality in collagen formation causing bleeding in the skin, joints, muscles, or gastrointestinal tract and dystrophic hair deformities. We describe a case of scurvy in a 43-year-old man who presented with new onset hemarthrosis with no history of bleeding disorder. He was found to have perifollicular hyperpigmentation and corkscrew hairs, highly suggestive of scurvy. He admitted to completely eliminating fruits and vegetables from his diet and his serum vitamin C level was markedly decreased. Treatment with daily vitamin C supplement led to relief of symptoms and resolution of skin changes.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = fruit (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/6. carcinoma of the caecum in a scorbutic patient.The clinical findings of scurvy have been known for well over 3,000 years. In 1753, Sir James Lynd demonstrated the efficiency of citrus fruit in the prevention of this condition. scurvy still occurs from time to time in this country, notably in the elderly, particularly in bachelors who live alone and eat a poor diet. scurvy has been associated with gastrointestinal malignancy, but, as far as we know, it has not been reported in association with carcinoma of the caecum. We report the case of an elderly female patient who presented with features of scurvy and was also found to have carcinoma of the caecum.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = fruit (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/6. scurvy--a disease not only of historical interest.In the 1980's scurvy is rare. The majority of patients are at the two extremes of age, being either young children or elderly persons, who have faulty diets of milk products without fresh fruits or vegetables. Such a case, a 2.5 year-old boy, is presented and discussed. blood dyscrasias, anaemias and osteoporosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = fruit (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/6. adult scurvy.scurvy was diagnosed in two elderly alcoholic men in our emergency department. Both were ambulatory and had perifollicular petechiae and ecchymoses of the lower extremities and hypertrophic erythematous gingival lesions. There diets were deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables. Treatment with oral ascorbic acid resulted in dramatic resolution of the signs and symptoms. The first patient was admitted to the hospital, where extensive diagnostic studies failed to reveal other etiological explanations for the cutaneous lesions. The second patient was successfully treated as an outpatient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = fruit (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/6. Rheumatic manifestations of scurvy. A report of two cases.Bleeding into the muscles and joints can be the presenting manifestation of scurvy, as illustrated by two case-reports. One patient presented with hemarthrosis of the tibiotalar joint due to an insufficiency fracture and was suspected to have scurvy based on the presence of purpura and hypertrophy of the gums with loss of teeth. In the other patient, multiple hematomas in the lower limbs were found at presentation and the presence of coiled hairs suggested the diagnosis. Both patients had completely eliminated fruit and vegetables from their diet. Low levels of ascorbic acid were found in serum and urine. A full recovery was achieved in both cases under ascorbic acid supplementation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = fruit (Clic here for more details about this article) |