Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients with focal hyperhidrosis in multiple areas often report improvement of plantar hyperhidrosis after botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) therapy for palmar hyperhidrosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess sweat production from the soles in patients receiving BTX-A treatment for their palmar hyperhidrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with both palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis received 100 U of BTX-A per palm. Sweat production of palms and soles was assessed using a starch iodine test and gravimetry at baseline and 1, 3, and 8 months after treatment. Patients were subjectively assessed using a percentile scale. RESULTS: All patients had significant improvement in their palmar hyperhidrosis that lasted for 6.2 +/- 1.8 months. Gravimetry revealed marginal improvement of plantar hyperhidrosis in 12 patients (from 39.7 +/- 21.3 to 31.5 +/- 18.0 mg/min; p=.01) and statistically significant worsening in 24 patients (from 71.6 +/- 70.60 to 109.94 +/- 82.93 mg/min, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with BTX-A increased plantar sweating in many patients affected by both palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis in the population under study. Regardless, patients reported satisfaction with the results and were willing to repeat treatment.
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Given that anorectal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been related to anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) and rectal cancer, we conducted this study to evaluate the role of cytology of anal smears in the diagnosis of intraanal disease and related AIN and to correlate it to HPV genotypes. METHOD: A total of 72 patients (58 males and 14 females) with perianal warts underwent anoscopy with biopsies and anal cytologic examination. Cytology was carried out for the identification of any dysplasia according to the Bethesda system. All specimens were examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HPV DNA identification. Exclusion criteria included immunosuppression and high-grade squamous intraepitheliel lesion (HGSIL) or SCC in anal specimens. RESULTS: Seven patients were excluded from the study. Intraanal warts were detected with anoscopy in 57 out of 65 patients, whereas histology showed HPV infection in 56 out of 65 patients and cytology was positive in 52 out of 65 low-grade squamous intraepitheliel lesion (LGSIL) patients. In 43 out of 52 positive patients, simple HPV infection was detected whereas in 9 out of 52 positive patients AIN I. HPV DNA was detected in 51 out of 65 patients, whereas 3 specimens were characterized as invalids. In the majority, HPV 6 could be identified (39/48, 81%), whereas HPV 16 was detected in 4 patients (4/48, 8.3%). One fourth of the positive patients had been infected with more than 1 HPV types (13/48, 27%). Cytology presented a sensitivity 87.5% and specificity 67% in comparison with the histology. CONCLUSIONS: Cytology is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of intraanal warts comparable with histopathology. The combination of the 3 examinations (anoscopy, cytology, and PCR HPV typing) improves diagnostic accuracy and offers a global picture of the anorectal HPV disease.
Abstract: Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy have become an important tool for axillary lymph node staging in women with early-stage breast cancer. Many issues such as indications, usefulness, or best method of performing a sentinel node biopsy need to be addressed. Multiple studies now confirm that sentinel lymphadenectomy accurately stages the axilla and is associated with less morbidity than axillary dissection. Blue dye, radiocolloid, or both can be used to identify the sentinel node, and several injection techniques may be used successfully. Many patient factors previously thought to affect accuracy of the procedure have now been shown to be of limited significance. This paper's main purpose is to present the pros and cons of the sentinel lymph node biopsy, and to elucidate all questions regarding to the matter by reviewing the current medical literature.
Abstract: Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN), formerly known as pancreatic abscess is a late complication of acute pancreatitis. It can be lethal, even though it is rare. This critical review provides an overview of the continually expanding knowledge about WOPN, by review of current data from references identified in Medline and PubMed, to September 2009, using key words, such as WOPN, infected pseudocyst, severe pancreatitis, pancreatic abscess, acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), pancreas, inflammation and alcoholism. WOPN comprises a later and local complication of ANP, occurring more than 4 wk after the initial attack, usually following development of pseudocysts and other pancreatic fluid collections. The mortality rate associated with WOPN is generally less than that of infected pancreatic necrosis. Surgical intervention had been the mainstay of treatment for infected peripancreatic fluid collection and abscesses for decades. Increasingly, percutaneous catheter drainage and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography have been used, and encouraging results have recently been reported in the medical literature, rendering these techniques invaluable in the treatment of WOPN. Applying the recommended therapeutic strategy, which comprises early treatment with antibiotics combined with restricted surgical intervention, fewer patients with ANP undergo surgery and interventions are ideally performed later in the course of the disease, when necrosis has become well demarcated.
Abstract: Several human breast cancer cell lines have been shown to contain mutational activation of Ras oncogenes. The goal of this review is to clarify the physiology and biochemical pathways of Ras family oncogenes in order to understand thoroughly the mechanisms behind Ras gene mutations. Ras genes are involved in the early stages of mammary oncogenesis through augmented expression of the normal p21 protein. Recognition of the mechanisms resulting in aberrant expression of Ras, as well as unveiling the influence of the Ras family gene activation in the Ras signaling pathway, should have a major impact on clarifying the oncogenetic process, possibly offering candidate therapy and prevention strategies.
Abstract: Abstract Background Few epidemiological studies are available on childhood psoriasis. Methods Between 2005 and 2008, information was collected about all children diagnosed with psoriasis in the Pediatric Dermatology Unit of Andreas Sygros Skin Hospital, in Athens, Greece. Results A total of 125 children with psoriasis were examined, the male to female ratio was 1.4 : 1 and the peak age of onset was in the 9- to 10-year-old age group. Only 16% of the patients had a positive family history. Plaque type psoriasis was the most prevalent type at presentation with 56.8% of the children affected, followed by scalp involvement (33.6%). The limbs were the most prevalent site of involvement (70 children, 56%), followed by the body (59 children, 47.2%) and scalp (60 children, 48%) equally affected. Most of the children had <5% of their skin affected by psoriasis (53.2%). Age of onset had no influence on the severity of the disease (P = 0.107), whereas a positive correlation was found with sex and severity of the disease, with male patients being more severely affected (P = 0.008). Family history did not influence the age at presentation (P = 0.68). Topical steroids were used in most commonly followed by keratolytics, calcipotriol, topical tacrolimus and topical pimecrolimus. Conclusion Our study reflects the patterns of presentation of childhood psoriasis in sunny countries like Greece.
Abstract: Adenocarcinoid arising in the vermiform appendix is a rarity. The diagnosis of appendiceal adenocarcinoma has never been made preoperatively and is frequently an incidental finding at the time of operation for unrelated conditions. Because of the rarity of the disease, its natural history is poorly understood. Benefits from adjuvant radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination have not been reported. Most studies emphasize survival outcome based on surgical technique. There are few data and, consequently, much debate on the appropriate management of these lesions. The aim of this article is to review this entity and to assess and report new data, through a study of the literature.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Pityriasis rubra pilaris is an uncommon inflammatory and hyperproliferative dermatosis of juvenile or adult onset. The etiology of the disease is still unknown. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the cases of two Caucasian men aged 53 and 48 who presented with pityriasis rubra pillaris type 1; both patients also exhibited an abnormal immunological profile. CONCLUSION: Pityriasis rubra pillaris is currently classified as a keratinization disorder. The abnormal immunological profile reported in our patients along with the comorbidity of pityriasis rubra pilaris with autoimmune disorders reported in the literature poses the question of a possible pathogenetic role for the immune response in this disorder.
