Concurrent onabotulinumtoxinA treatment of cervical dystonia and concomitant migraine.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the clinical benefits of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) treatment on the symptoms of cervical dystonia and the frequency, severity, and associated symptoms of migraine in patients with cervical dystonia and concurrent migraine. BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin is established as first-line treatment of cervical dystonia. Recent clinical trials have shown onabotulinumtoxinA to be an effective prophylactic therapy for patients with chronic migraine, and onabotulinumtoxinA has been approved for use in this patient population by the Food and Drug Administration. Patients with headache associated with cervical dystonia have been identified as a specific subpopulation of patients in whom botulinum toxin treatment may be effective for controlling the symptoms of both conditions. METHODS: An open-label pilot study was conducted for 7.5 months in patients at least 18 years old with primary cervical dystonia of moderate severity (baseline rating of at least 20 on the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale) complicated by migraine headache meeting the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II criteria for migraines with or without aura. Each patient received 2 cycles of treatment at Visit 3 (baseline) and Visit 6 (Day 90). For cervical dystonia, each patient was injected with a maximum of 175 units. At the same visit, a maximum of 125 units was also injected for migraine using a fixed-site, fixed-dose injection paradigm, with additional cervical dystonia injection-site treatment to a maximum dose of 300 units. Patients were assessed following onabotulinumtoxinA injection and at follow-up on Visit 4 (Day 30), Visit 5 (Day 60), Visit 6 (Day 90), and at Visits 7, 8, and 9 (Days 120, 150, and 180). The primary outcome measures for this study were change in Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale total score for cervical dystonia and frequency of headache episodes per 28-day period. Migraine episodes were defined as at least 4 hours of sustained pain with no upper limit. An episode was considered new if the patient was pain free for at least 24 hours. Secondary study end points included number of headache days per month, headache intensity, headache disability (assessed using Headache Impact Test-6 and the Migraine Disability Assessment score scales), acute headache medication use, resource utilization, and allodynia pain. Adverse events were reported. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients (24 women, mean age 50.5 years; mean age of disease onset 21.9 years) were enrolled in the study. Patients experienced improvement in cervical dystonia symptoms with significant reductions from baseline in Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale scores at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days (-9.84 ± 8.49, -12.67 ± 8.22, -13.63 ± 7.27, -14.92 ± 7.05, -14.76 ± 6.97, -14.49 ± 6.14, respectively, P < .0001 at all time points from a baseline of 31.03 ± 3.61). Changes from baseline were assessed using the t-test. Reductions in the number of headache episodes from baseline on concurrent onabotulinumtoxinA treatment for coexistent chronic migraine did not attain significance. However, patients experienced significant reductions from baseline in the number of headache days at 90, 120, and 180 days (-3.39 ± 6.78, P = .0289; -4.29 ± 7.94, P = .0194; -4.38 ± 7.99, P = .0178, respectively, from a baseline of 15.33 ± 6.76). Changes from baseline were assessed using the t-test. The change from baseline in Headache Impact Test-6 total scores was significant at 30, 60, 90, 150, and 180 days (3.21 ± 4.14, P = .0009; -3.04 ± 4.04, P = .0012; -2.41 ± 2.79, P = .0006; -2.59 ± 3.87, P = .0050; -3.09 ± 3.80, respectively, from a baseline of 22.68 ± 3.20). Changes from baseline were assessed using the t-test. The change from baseline in Migraine Disability Assessment was significant at 120, 150, and 180 days (-38.09 ± 47.87, P < .0001, Wilcoxon signed rank test; -16.91 ± 62.69, P = .0358, Wilcoxon signed rank test; -23.73 ± 40.57, P = .0122, t-test, respectively, from a baseline of 56.68 ± 50.41). There were no serious adverse events or treatment-related discontinuations. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA is effective and well tolerated in controlling the symptoms of cervical dystonia complicated by concurrent migraine.

Success rate of infrazygomatic miniscrews considering their design and insertion techniques. A review.

Miniscrews offer the possibility of performing dental movements, minimizing unwanted side effects and enhancing effectiveness. Extra-alveolar miniscrews are ideal as they provide excellent primary stability and avoid anatomical structures. However, in some cases the primary stability is lost before achieving the success of the mechanics used and thus, the most likely causes of failure should be determined. The purpose of this review was to analyze the success rate of infrazygomatic miniscrews, considering their design and the insertion techniques used. Data collection of this literature review was carried out by searching PubMed, Wiley, Google Scholar sites, SCIELO, Elsevier and Dialnet for publication made from 2003 to June 2022. The search was carried out on June 10th, 2022 and the following keywords were used; infrazygomatic crest, miniscrews, anchorage and stability. Different topics were analyzed and discussed highlighting their clinical relevance. After analyzing the 798 articles, 566 were excluded. The remaining articles were re-analyzed and 153 articles were excluded for the title or abstract and 33 articles were excluded for the methodology. Finally, 46 items remained. After thoroughly analyzing all the articles included, this study concluded that the alloy of the miniscrew (stainless steel or titanium), perforation of the maxillary sinus and the placement area (adhered mucosa or mobile mucosa) do not influence the survival of the miniscrew. The evidence also indicates that the percentage of failure is lower in infrazygomatic compared to intraradicular miniscrews. Orthodontists can confidently and safely include infrazygomatic miniscrew in different orthodontic procedures.

Los minitornillos ofrecen la posibilidad de realizar movimientos dentales, lo que minimiza los efectos secundarios no deseados y potencia la eficacia. Los minitornillos extraalveolares son ideales ya que proporcionan una excelente estabilidad primaria y evitan estructuras anatómicas. Sin embargo, en algunos casos se pierde la estabilidad primaria antes de lograr el éxito de la mecánica utilizada y, por lo tanto, se deben determinar las causas más probables de la falla. El propósito de esta revisión fue analizar la tasa de éxito de los minitornillos infracigomáticos, considerando su diseño y las técnicas de inserción utilizadas. La recolección de datos de esta revisión bibliográfica se realizó mediante la búsqueda en PubMed, Wiley, sitios de Google Scholar, SciELO, Elsevier y Dialnet para publicaciones realizadas desde 2003 hasta junio de 2022. La búsqueda se realizó el 10 de junio de 2022 y se utilizaron las siguientes palabras clave: cresta infracigomática, minitornillos, anclaje y estabilidad. Se analizaron y discutieron diferentes temas destacando su relevancia clínica. Tras analizar los 798 artículos, se excluyeron 566. Los restantes fueron reanalizados y 153 resultaron excluidos por el título o resumen, y 33 por la metodología. Finalmente, quedaron 46 artículos. Tras analizar exhaustivamente todos los artículos incluidos, este estudio concluye que la aleación del minitornillo (acero inoxidable o titanio), la perforación del seno maxilar y la zona de colocación (mucosa adherida o mucosa móvil) no influyen en la supervivencia del minitornillo. La evidencia también indica que el porcentaje de fracaso es menor en los minitornillos infracigomáticos en comparación con los intrarradiculares. Los ortodoncistas pueden incluir con confianza y seguridad minitornillos infracigomáticos en diferentes procedimientos de ortodoncia.

Effects of GnRH and hCG administration during early luteal phase on estrous cycle length, expression of estrus and fertility in lactating dairy cows.

Our objective was to determine the effects of a single treatment of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or GnRH from d 5 to 7 of the estrous cycle on cycle length, expression of estrus and fertility in lactating dairy cows. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 354) located in Farm 1 and lactating Jersey cows located in Farm 2 (n = 210) detected in estrus by an Automated Activity Monitor (AAM) system from 27 to 50 days in milk (DIM) were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments from d 5 to 7 of the estrous cycle: control (untreated; CON; Holstein, n = 111; Jersey, n = 66), GnRH (86 µg gonadorelin acetate im; Holstein, n = 116; Jersey, n = 75), or hCG (3,300 IU im; Holstein, n = 127; Jersey, n = 69). Ovaries were scanned with ultrasound in a random subgroup of cows (Holstein/Farm 1, n = 147; Jersey/Farm 2, n = 94) on the day of treatment and 3 or 4 d later to determine ovulation. Estrus was detected after treatment by an AAM, and peak activity and heat index were recorded. A random subgroup of cows observed in estrus after treatment received first AI from 51 to 80 DIM (Holstein, n = 208; Jersey, n = 138). Pregnancy diagnoses were performed by transrectal ultrasonography at 37 ± 3 d post-AI. Holstein and Jersey cows treated with GnRH and hCG had an increased (P < 0.05) ovulatory response compared with controls. Human chorionic gonadotropin decreased (74%; P = 0.05) and GnRH tended to reduce (75%; P = 0.07) the proportion of multiparous Holstein cows returning to estrus compared with CON (86%). Cows treated with hCG had a longer (P < 0.01) estrous cycle length (24.6 ± 0.3 d, Holstein; 23.0 ± 0.3 d, Jersey) compared with CON cows (22.7 ± 0.3 d, Holstein; 21.3 ± 0.3 d Jersey) and GnRH (22.9 ± 0.3 d, Holstein; 21.1 ± 0.3 d Jersey). The percentage of cows with high (≥80) peak activity and heat index did not differ (P > 0.50) between treatments, and milk production did not affect (P > 0.65) the duration of estrus. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) was not affected by treatments in Holstein (P = 0.93; CON: 34.3%, GnRH: 35.4%, and hCG: 31.5%) and in multiparous Jersey cows (P = 0.35; CON: 34.3%, GnRH: 35.4%, and hCG: 31.5%), but hCG had greater (P = 0.03; 55%) P/AI than GnRH (30.0%) and a trend (P = 0.06) for greater P/AI than CON (33.3%) in primiparous Jersey cows. In summary, inducing the formation of an accessory corpus luteum from d 5 to 7 of the estrous cycle with hCG reduced expression of estrus in multiparous Holstein cows. Moreover, hCG increased estrous cycle length in Holstein and Jersey cows, and it did not affect first service P/AI at 37 ± 3 d post-AI in Holstein and multiparous Jersey lactating cows. However, hCG increased P/AI in primiparous Jersey cows. Future research with a larger number of cows is needed to confirm these intriguing fertility results.

Modified lateral neck lymphadenectomy: prospective randomized study comparing harmonic scalpel with clamp-and-tie technique.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of harmonic scalpel (HS) with clamp-and-tie technique to evaluate their comparative merits in modified lateral lymphadenectomy (LL). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective and randomized. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were recruited and divided into Group A (conventional; n = 20) and Group B (HS; n = 17). Thyroid volume, neck circumference, operative time, diameter of the tumor and lymph node, drainage volume, pain, and complications were compared. Operation consisted of thyroidectomy and LL. RESULTS: Groups were homogeneous for thyroid volume, diameter of thyroid nodule and lymph node, and neck circumference. Operative time was shorter in Group B than in Group A. The fluid collection in the vacuum between 24 and 48 hours and the increase of neck circumference were lower in Group B. Pain was significantly lower in Group B after 12 hours and decrease was faster in Group B. CONCLUSION: The use of HS during LL is as safe as conventional technique and may allow shorter operative time, lower lymphatic spillage, and faster decrease of pain.

Papular elastorrhexis, a distinctive entity?

Papular elastorrhexis is a rare entity of elastic tissue characterized by multiple white papules usually located on the trunk. We report a case of papular elastorrhexis in a 22-year-old man with sparse lesions and discuss the main controversial facts in this entity: its consideration as an independent disease or as an incomplete form of Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome and the confusion with and its possible inclusion as a variant of elastic tissue naevi.

Conservación de tallos femorales no cementados fijos en pacientes con infección periprotésica crónica de cadera / Preservation of fixed cementless femoral stems in patients with chronic periprosthetic hip Infection

Introducción: La revisión en dos tiempos se considera el método de referencia para tratar a pacientes con artroplastia de cadera e infección crónica. Sin embargo, durante el retiro de un vástago femoral no cementado fijo, se puede dañar el fémur proximal, lo que puede plantear dificultades en el reimplante. Objetivo: Determinar si la infección periprotésica crónica de cadera se puede tratar con un intercambio parcial de sus componentes, conservando un vástago femoral no cementado fijo. materiales y métodos:Estudio de serie de casos retrospectivo, multicéntrico que incluyó a 9 pacientes con artroplastia de cadera e infección crónica, programados para el recambio parcial en uno o dos tiempos con retención del tallo femoral fijo, entre enero de 2014 y noviembre de 2019. Se evaluó la evolución mediante el examen clínico, el puntaje de cadera de Harris, y estudios de laboratorio y radiológicos. Resultados: En un seguimiento medio de 5.8 años de 9 pacientes con artroplastia de cadera no cementada, después del reimplante de la prótesis, la infección remitió en 8 pacientes (88,9%), y el puntaje medio de cadera de Harris fue de 81 en el último control. No hubo aflojamiento de componentes acetabulares ni femorales. Conclusiones: La conservación de vástagos femorales no cementados puede representar una opción aceptable para los pacientes con infección periprotésica crónica de cadera cuando la extracción del componente femoral daría como resultado una pérdida significativa de hueso y un compromiso de la reconstrucción. Sin embargo, se requieren más estudios sobre esta técnica. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: Two-stage revision is considered the gold standard for the treatment of chronically infected hip arthroplasty. However, during the removal of a fixed cementless femoral stem, the proximal femur can be damaged, which can lead to difficulties in reimplantation. Objective: We intend to determine if chronic periprosthetic hip infection can be treated with a partial exchange of its components, in two stages, keeping a fixed cementless femoral stem. materials and methods: This retrospective, multicenter case series study included 9 patients with chronic infection following hip arthroplasty, scheduled for single- or two-stage partial exchange with retention of the fixed femoral stem between January 2014 and November 2019. We assessed the patients' progress through clinical examination, Harris Hip Score evaluation, and laboratory and radiological studies. Results: In a mean follow-up of 5.8 years in 9 patients with cementless hip arthroplasty, 8 patients achieved infection remission (88.9%) after prosthetic reimplantation, and the mean Harris Hip Score reached 81 points at the last follow-up evaluation. There was no loosening of acetabular or femoral components. Conclusions: Uncemented femoral stem retention may represent an acceptable option for patients with chronic periprosthetic hip infection when removal of the femoral component would result in significant bone loss and compromise of the reconstruction. However, more studies are required on this treatment. Level of Evidence: IV

Complicaciones tempranas de la artroplastia total de cadera por vía anterolateral transglútea directa: estudio comparativo / Early complications in direct transgluteal anterolateral total hip arthroplasty. A comparative study

Introducción: En los últimos años, la introducción de diversas técnicas, el instrumental quirúrgico y las competencias del cirujano han contribuido a disminuir las complicaciones tempranas que pueden sobrevenir luego de una artroplastia de cadera. Las complicaciones más frecuentes son: el aflojamiento femoral, la trombosis venosa profunda y la luxación. Objetivos: Evaluar la tasa de complicaciones intraoperatorias y durante los primeros 12 meses luego de una artroplastia de cadera por vía anterolateral directa; y comparar los resultados con la serie publicada en 2007. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo que incluyó a pacientes operados por artrosis primaria de cadera en 2 instituciones, divididos en: grupo I (468 pacientes operados entre junio de 1999 y junio de 2003) y grupo II (344 pacientes operados entre enero de 2018 y enero de 2020). Resultados:La tasa global de complicaciones en la nueva serie fue del 4,7%. La trombosis venosa profunda fue la complicación que más se repitió, no hubo episodios de luxación. El empleo de cabezas de 22 mm de diámetro se asoció con un riesgo de luxación más alto que con cabezas más grandes (OR = 6,7; IC95% 1,2-78,2). Conclusiones: La artroplastia total de cadera con abordaje anterolateral transglúteo directo causó una baja tasa global de complicaciones dentro del primer año de la cirugía. Las complicaciones se redujeron casi a la mitad en las cirugías realizadas entre 2018 y 2020, con respecto a la serie anterior, fundamentalmente a expensas de la luxación. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction: In recent years, the advent of new procedures, surgical instruments, and surgeon skills has contributed to a reduction in the number of early complications that can arise after hip arthroplasty. Among the most frequent are femoral loosening, deep vein thrombosis, and dislocation. Objective: To evaluate the rate of intraoperative complications and complications within the first 12 months after a hip arthroplasty performed utilizing the direct anterolateral approach; and to compare the results to a series published in 2007. materials and methods: Retrospective cohort study, which included patients who underwent surgery for primary hip osteoarthritis at two institutions, divided into: group I (468 patients who were operated between June 1999 and June 2003) and group II (344 patients who were operated between January 2018 and January 2020). Results: The global rate of complications in group II was 4.7%. Deep vein thrombosis was the most frequent event, and there were no episodes of dislocation. The use of 22 mm diameter heads was associated with a higher risk of dislocation compared to surgeries in which larger heads were used (OR= 6.7 - 95% CI 1.2 - 78.2). Conclusions: Total hip replacement through a direct transgluteal anterolateral approach had a low global rate of complications within the first postoperative year. Complications were reduced by almost half in surgeries performed between 2018 and 2020, compared to the previous series, mainly in regards to dislocation. Level of Evidence: IV

Anetodermic mastocytosis: response to PUVA therapy.

Mastocytosis is a group of disorders characterized by the accumulation of mast cells in different tissues and organs. The skin is the most frequently involved organ (90% of cases) where mastocytosis may show a heterogenic clinical expression. Anetodermic lesions are an unusual clinical presentation of mastocytosis. We report a case of anetodermic mastocytosis in a 26-year-old man, with sparse lesions and a benign course. PUVA therapy obtained excellent results in this case. Darier's sign should be investigated in patients with anetodermic lesions of unclear origin in order to exclude cutaneous mastocytosis.

Neutrophilic dermatosis of the hands: presentation of eight cases and review of the literature.

Pustular dermatosis of the dorsal hands is a peculiar variant of Sweet's syndrome described by Strutton et al. Nevertheless, not all authors accept this entity. We present a retrospective study of eight cases of neutrophilic vasculitis of the hands. Three patients presented with lesions only on the dorsal hands, three with lesions on the palmar surface and two with lesions on the dorsal and palmar surfaces of the hands. The patients with lesions on the dorsal surface presented a pustular aspect, and the histopathological examination revealed a high degree of vascular damage with presence of vasculitis and, in one case, with fibrinoid necrosis. Therefore, the term pustular vasculitis of the dorsal hands introduced by Strutton et al. should probably be conserved. Our cases may have demonstrated a peculiar clinicopathological disease with its own entity.

[Endoluminal treatment for traumatic aortic rupture. Case report and literature review]. / Tratamiento endoluminal para ruptura aórtica por trauma. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura.

Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta is a near-lethal event presenting on-scene mortality rates of 80% and 60-80% perioperatively with an overall survival rate of 15%. Conventional treatment includes thoracotomy with aortic clamping and aortic replacement but this implies high complication and mortality rates with extended inpatient care. Endoluminal treatment has recently become an attractive treatment option with advantages such as lower death and complication rates as well as shorter inpatient care. We present an 18-year-old female victim of a frontal automobile crash who presented mediastinal enlargement and underwent CT evaluation confirming pericardial effusion, left hemothorax and a contained traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta. She was sent to our hospital where aortography was performed identifying the injury, and a preperitoneal left iliac artery approach was made to insert a Medtronic Talent 24F endograft. Under fluoroscopic guidance the graft was placed below the subclavian ostium. There was no endoleak after the procedure. A left iliac-femoral bypass was performed and a chest tube was inserted. The patient was managed in the ICU, being later operated by reconstructive and orthopedic surgeons for injuries related to the initial trauma. The patient was released from the hospital on the 10th postoperative day after a satisfactory evolution. We present also a brief review of recent articles.

Eyelash length in HIV-infected patients.

Acquired trichomegaly of the eyelashes in HIV-infected patients usually appears at the late stage of HIV infection. Eyelash length was measured in a series of 204 HIV patients, and no correlation with CD4 cell count, viral load, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention category, and AIDS case criteria was established. Our data support the finding that eyelash trichomegaly is currently uncommon in HIV-infected patients, perhaps because of antiretroviral therapy or an improvement in their immune situation.

[Sclerosing mesenteritis. Presentation of three cases and review of the literature]. / Mesenteritis esclerosante. Presentación de tres casos y revisión de la literatura.

Sclerosing mesenteritis or panniculitis is a rare condition characterized by inflammation of the mesentery ranging from an acute to a chronic fibrotic process that can resemble an intestinal malignant neoplasm even though it is benign. Its etiology is unknown, although it is thought to be the result of a nonspecific inflammatory response of the mesentery to an allergic, chemical, thermal, infectious, autoimmune or surgical stimulus. Its natural history is benign and in most cases is self-limited. Surgery is reserved only for those cases where there is intestinal obstruction. We report three cases of sclerosing mesenteritis that occurred after abdominal surgery and we present a review of the literature.

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oxcarbazepine monotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective, open-label, multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of oxcarbazepine as monotherapy in patients with partial seizures who switched from their current antiepileptic drug (AED) monotherapy because of lack of efficacy or poor tolerability. METHOD: Patients (>or=12 years old) experiencing 2-40 seizures per month while receiving an AED were included. During a 16-week treatment phase, oxcarbazepine was initiated (8-10mg/kg for children; 600 mg/day for adults) and titrated up over 4 weeks while the existing AED was tapered off. Improvement in seizure frequency (defined as >or=50% reduction compared with baseline) was evaluated for all patients, as well as the subgroups of patients switched due to poor tolerability or lack of efficacy. RESULTS: Overall, 52% of patients experienced a 50% reduction in seizure frequency, 35% had a >or=75% reduction, and 18% were seizure-free. The most frequent (>10%) adverse events were dizziness, nausea, headache, somnolence, and fatigue. Overall, 17% of patients prematurely withdrew because of an adverse event; 62% of these withdrawals occurred during the conversion period. CONCLUSION: Oxcarbazepine as monotherapy may be a favorable treatment option for patients with partial seizures or poor tolerability of their existing monotherapy regimen.

Lupus erythematosus tumidus: a series of 26 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To study 26 cases of lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET), a subset of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), referred to in the literature as a rare entity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 26 patients diagnosed with LET between 1996 and 2002. The clinical characteristics, histopathologic and laboratory findings, response to treatment, association with other subsets of lupus, course, and diagnostic criteria were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence by sex was similar. The mean age of presentation was 49.19 years. The clinical presentation usually involved erythematous, edematous plaques located on the face, chest, back, or extremities, related to sun exposure. A dermal lymphocytic infiltrate with a perivascular disposition and differing degrees of mucin deposition was observed in all cases. Minimal epidermal changes were present in 18 cases, and 11 of these also showed minimal dermal-epidermal changes. Only one case showed dermal-epidermal changes without any epidermal alteration. Direct immunofluorescence test was performed in 15 patients, and 11 were negative. All cases showed a benign course without systemic manifestations. The response to topical steroids or antimalarial treatment was excellent, but a seasonal recurrence was usually observed. Discussion No defined criteria for LET are universally accepted. The main controversies are the acceptance of LET as a separate subset of CCLE, and the histopathologic diagnostic features, mainly the presence or absence of epidermal and dermal-epidermal changes in these lesions. CONCLUSIONS: No inflexible histologic criteria should be employed for the diagnosis of LET. This subset of lupus erythematosus is characterized by intense photosensitivity, definite clinical lesions, a benign course, the absence of systemic disease, good response to antimalarial treatment, and a tendency to recur. More studies should be performed in order to establish the true incidence of LET because this subset of CCLE is probably underestimated.

Concurrent Sweet's syndrome and leukemia cutis in patients with myeloid disorders.

A 74-year-old woman with chronic auricular fibrillation, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, ischemic cardiopathy, and peripheral arteriopathy presented with purpuric lesions on the lower limbs (Fig. 1) and, to a lesser extent, on the anterior area of the chest. The mucous membranes were not affected. In 1989, she was diagnosed with anemia that evolved until 1998, when a bone marrow biopsy revealed a myelodysplastic syndrome unclassified in French-American-British Group (FAB). The patient has required periodic transfusions since February 1999. A skin biopsy of the purpuric lesions revealed a leukocytoclastic vasculitis; the lesions cleared with topical corticosteroid treatment. In May 1999, the patient presented with inflammatory and painful lesions localized on the vulva (Fig. 2), which had evolved over several days, without fever. No lesions were observed in other locations. A cutaneous biopsy showed an intense dermal edema and a diffuse and polymorphous dermal infiltrate involving the follicular structures. Exocytosis, spongiosis, and mucin deposits, demonstrated by Alcian blue stain, were observed in the follicular epithelium. Mature neutrophils were predominant in the dermal infiltrate, but a small number of eosinophils and immature cells were also present (Fig. 3). The myelogenous origin of the immature lining cells was further confirmed by positive staining of intracytoplasmic granules with naphthol-ASD chloroacetate sterase (Leder's stain). Vasculitis was not observed. Routine laboratory tests revealed 3030 leukocytes/mm(3) (60% neutrophils), a hemoglobin level of 8.4 g/dL, and 92,000 platelets/mm(3). Treatment with 30 mg/day of prednisone was started, and the lesions cleared slowly within 4 weeks. A new bone marrow biopsy in September 1999 showed a similar appearance to that taken in 1998. The patient died in January 2000 as a result of pneumonia with cardiac and respiratory failure. A 66-year-old man presented with a febrile syndrome that had evolved over 5 days, and painful and pruritic cutaneous lesions on the face and posterior neck (Fig. 4). Three months before, the patient was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in acceleration phase. Examination revealed an edematous and erythematous face with pustular lesions on the surface, also involving the neck and the upper part of the back. The histopathologic examination revealed an intense edema and abscesses in the dermis. The infiltrate of these lesions was composed of mature neutrophils with the presence of abundant immature cells with a myelogenous aspect (Fig. 5). Analytical studies revealed 26,130 leukocytes/mm(3) (42% blasts). No specific treatment for Sweet's syndrome was administered and the lesions showed an improvement within 5 days. Eight days after admission, the patient died as a result of acute hemorrhage, before treatment for leukemia was initiated.

Mesenteritis esclerosante: presentación de tres casos y revisión de la literatura / Sclerosing mesenteritis: presentation of three cases and review of the literature

Sclerosing mesenteritis or panniculitis is a rare condition characterized by inflammation of the mesentery ranging from an acute to a chronic fibrotic process that can resemble an intestinal malignant neoplasm even though it is benign. Its etiology is unknown, although it is thought to be the result of a nonspecific inflammatory response of the mesentery to an allergic, chemical, thermal, infectious, autoimmune or surgical stimulus. Its natural history is benign and in most cases is self-limited. Surgery is reserved only for those cases where there is intestinal obstruction. We report three cases of sclerosing mesenteritis that occurred after abdominal surgery and we present a review of the literature.