Acute lipodermatosclerosis: an open clinical trial of stanozolol in patients unable to sustain compression therapy.

Acute lipodermatosclerosis (ALDS) is a painful counterpart of chronic lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) resulting from venous insufficiency. Severe pain is the leading symptom and many patients with ALDS are unable to tolerate compression therapy. We evaluated clinical efficacy of stanozolol (2 mg bid for 8 weeks) for the reduction of pain and dermal-thickness in 17 patients with ALDS. All patients had superficial venous insufficiency documented by duplex scans, and in all of them incompetent perforators were found under the area of ALDS. Mean pain scores prior to institution of stanozolol (7+/-2; range 4-10) lowered significantly at the end of the 8-week treatment (3+/-2; range 0-5, p<0.001). Dermal thickness was also significantly reduced (p<0.01) over the treatment period. Side effects were not noted. Stanozolol, given over 8 weeks, effectively and safely alleviates pain and reduces dermal thickness in patients with ALDS.

An alkylpolyglucoside surfactant as a prospective pharmaceutical excipient for topical formulations: the influence of oil polarity on the colloidal structure and hydrocortisone in vitro/in vivo permeation.

There is a growing need for research into new skin- and environment-friendly surfactants. This paper focuses on a natural surfactant of an alkylpolyglucoside type, which can form both thermotropic and lyotropic liquid-crystalline phases. The aim of this study was to relate some physicochemical properties (characterised by polarisation and transmission electron microscopy, thermal analysis and rheology) of the three formulations based on cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol, to the results of in vitro and in vivo bioavailability of hydrocortisone (HC). The three formulations contained oils of different polarity (medium chain triglycerides: MG, isopropyl myristate: IPM and light liquid paraffin: LP), respectively. In vitro permeation was followed through the artificial skin constructs (ASC), while the parameters measured in vivo were erythema index: EI (using instrumental human skin blanching assay), transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH). The vehicles based on cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol showed a complex colloidal structure of lamellar liquid-crystalline and lamellar gel-crystalline type, depending on oil polarity. Rheological profile of the vehicle was directly related to the in vitro profile of the HC permeation. In vivo results suggested that the vehicle with MG retarded the HC permeation, whereas less polar IPM and non-polar LP enhanced it. It is suggested that the enhancement is achieved either by a direct interaction with lipid lamellae of the SC or indirectly by improving skin hydration. There were no adverse effects during in vivo study, which indicates a good safety profile of this alkylpolyglucoside surfactant.

[Direct immunofluorescence technique in the diagnosis of Chlamydia nongonococcal urethritis]. / Tehnika direktne imunfluorescencije i dijagnostici hlamidijalnih negonoreicnih uretritisa

We evaluated the direct immunofluorescence technique in the diagnosis of nongonococcal urethritis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Urethral swabs taken from 210 patients with urethritis were investigated by this method. The results were compared with the results obtained from the same patients by conventional method - cell culture. Of 210 patients with nongonococcal urethritis Chlamydia trachomatis was established in 114 (54.3%) cases by cell culture method and in 113 (53.8%) by direct imunofluorescence method. Compatibile results were found in 195 (92.8%) of cases. A good coorelation (Rxy = = 0.86) between the results obtained by the examined method and the referentain vas found. The direct immunofluorescence technique is a specific and sensitive method in the diagnosis of chlamydia urethritis. The direct immunofluorescence technique is an alternative diagnostic method of the harder and lengthy cell procedure. It is very important in routine clinical practice.

Oral candidiasis and seborrheic dermatitis in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Mucocutaneous manifestations such as oral candidiasis (OC) and seborrheic dermatitis (SD) are very common HIV-related opportunistic events and are usually initial markers of immunodeficiency. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the regression of HIV-associated OC and SD. METHODS: In a prospective study, 120 HIV-infected patients with OC and SD were divided into two groups: HAART-treated patients (group 1, n=76) and non-HAART-treated patients (group 2, n=44). Non-HAART-treated patients were given antimicrobial therapy. Study subjects were matched for sex, age, risk, and stage of HIV infection. The results were analysed by chi2 test and the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: At baseline, OC was evident in 59 (77.7%) of the HAART-treated patients and in 34 (77.3%) of the non-HAART-treated patients, while SD was present in 19 (25.0%) of the HAART-treated patients and in 17 (38.6%) of the non-HAART-treated patients. After a median follow-up period of 22 months, regression of OC and SD occurred in 49 (83.1%) and 16 (84.2%) of the HAART-treated patients, respectively. In the control group, regression of OC and SD occurred in only five (14.7%) and seven (41.2%) patients, respectively, during the same period. CONCLUSIONS: HAART showed greater efficacy than standard antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of OC and SD in HIV-infected patients.

Tufted hair folliculitis: a pattern of scarring alopecia?

We present a patient with pemphigus vulgaris who, over the years, experienced the development of tufted hair folliculitis as a result of scalp involvement. Multiple hairs emerged from widely dilated follicular ostia surrounded by indurated, scarred skin. Histopathologic findings were typical for tufted hair folliculitis. We believe that because a specific host response to scalp injury might be crucial to the development of this rare disorder, it should be regarded as a type of scarring alopecia.

Ectrodactyly, soft-tissue syndactyly, and nodulocystic acne: coincidence or association?

We report severe nodulocystic acne in a 21-year-old man associated with ectrodactyly of the right foot and soft-tissue syndactyly of the third and fourth left fingers, and the first to fourth left toes. His acne was resistant to conventional topical (clindamycin phosphate, erythromycin, tretinoin, peeling agents) and systemic (tetracycline, erythromycin) antiacne medications. Moderate improvement was achieved with systemic isotretinoin. Apart from presenting this case, we imply the disparity of the clinical characteristics of our case and those of Apert syndrome, a rare congenital condition with craniofacial anomalies, symmetric syndactyly of the digits, and acneiform eruption. We discuss the possible explanation for the association of acne lesions and bone deformities based on recent reports of mutations of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 in the great majority of patients with this syndrome, as well as current experimental data on the involvement of the keratinocyte growth factor in the process of hair follicle growth, development, and differentiation.

Pseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic and micaceous balanitis. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of pseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic and micaceous balanitis (PEKMB) in a 64-year old man is presented. The patient presented with the 2-year history of a slowly enlarging, hyperkeratotic plaque on his glans penis that was compatible with a clinical diagnosis of PEKMB. The lesion has been treated successfully with tropical 5-fluorouracil cream, with no evidence of recurrence at 2-year follow-up. Histological examination revealed acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia with no cytological atypia. This rare penile condition was considered pseudomalignant, premalignant, or as a low-grade squamous malignancy. Apart from this patient we comprehensively review previously reported cases, and discuss a possible concept on etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this entity.