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Penicillamine-induced changes in elastic tissue of the upper respiratory tract

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

M. Babu Manohar ,
D. A. R. Boldy ,
R. L. Bryan  and
K. Pearman
M. Babu Manohar*
Affiliation:
departments of Otolaryngology, East Birmingham Hospital.
D. A. R. Boldy
Affiliation:
departments of Respiratory medicine, East Birmingham Hospital.
R. L. Bryan
Affiliation:
departments of Pathology, East Birmingham Hospital.
K. Pearman
Affiliation:
departments of Otolaryngology, East Birmingham Hospital.
*
Mr M. Babu Manohar, ENT Registrar, ENT Department, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TH.
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Abstract

We describe a patient who developed upper respiratory tract symptoms following long-term treatment of Wilson's disease with penicillamine. These symptoms were attributed to areas of pharyngeal thickening and were treated with a laser. Histological examination of the lesions showed proliferations of abnormal elastic fibres similar to those previously described at other sites, especially the skin, in patients receiving penicillamine. This drug impairs the maturation and reduces the stability of elastic fibres and although elastic tissue throughout the body is affected, we are aware of no previous reports of penicillamine- induced changes presenting with upper respiratory tract symptoms.

Keywords

Wilson's diseasePenicillaminecomplications
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 107 , Issue 1 , January 1993 , pp. 62 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1993

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