5-fluorouacil in the treatment of odontogenic keratocysts-incidence of recurrence and inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the recurrence rate of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) after treatment with 5-fluoracil as an adjunctive therapy and to evaluate, as well, the efficacy of this medication in reducing the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia associated with other chemotherapeutic agents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research question (developed according to the patient/population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes [PICO] method) addressed was "Does the use of 5-fluorouracil as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of OKC reduce both the recurrence rate and the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia as compared with other chemotherapeutic agents?" A systematic review was performed by searching 4 databases: PubMed, EBSCO, Portal Evidencia, and Cochrane Reviews. Each search was conducted twice. Two independent reviewers evaluated the data. For each database, a search strategy was developed that included the following generic terms: Fluorouracil, 5-Fluorouracil, or liquid nitrogen and odontogenic cyst or odontogenic keratocyst. Three filters were applied to the searches, as well, consisting of the terms clinical trials, English papers, and Spanish papers. RESULTS: Of the 74 papers retrieved. The titles and abstracts of the selected papers were reviewed to determine whether those papers were relevant to our research question; only 3 papers were selected for this systematic review: 2 retrospective cohort studies and 1 clinical trial. Assessments risk bias and the quality of evidence were performed. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of bias and quality of evidence in this systematic review are moderate due to the study's design, although the clinical results were excellent with respect to the reduction of both OKC recurrence and paresthesia associated with this kind of cyst.

Caso clínico: Notalgia parestésica / Case report: Notalgia Paresthetica

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is an under-diagnosed condition characterized by the presence of neuropathic pain associated with itching, in most cases localized at the dermatomes corresponding to the dorsal column of T2-T6; these symptoms are associated with the presence of skin lesions described as hyperpigmented macules in the affected areas. The etiology is multifactorial and multiple theories have been described, among them, the compromise of the cutaneous endings coming from the posterior branch of the nerve roots from T2 to T6. Different approaches are mentioned in the literature as treatment for NP, including systemic pharmacological management with neuromodulators, topical management with local anesthetics and capsaicin, and interventional analgesic strategies, among others. We present the case of a patient with NP who received multimodal pharmacological management with a favorable response.

La notalgia parestésica (NP) es una condición poco diagnosticada que se caracteriza por la presencia de dolor de componente neuropático y prurito, se localiza a nivel de los dermatomas correspondientes a la columna dorsal de T2-T6 en la mayoría de los casos; dichos síntomas se asocian a la presencia de lesiones en piel descritas como máculas hiperpigmentadas en los sitios afectados. Su etiología es multifactorial y se han descrito múltiples teorías, dentro de ellas se destaca el compromiso de las terminaciones cutáneas provenientes de la rama posterior de las raíces nerviosas de T2 a T6. Como tratamiento de la NP se menciona en la literatura diferentes abordajes incluyendo el manejo farmacológico sistémico con neuromoduladores, tópico con anestésicos locales y capsaicina y tratamiento analgésico intervencionista entre otros. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con NP que ha recibido manejo farmacológico multimodal con una respuesta favorable.

Successful treatment of notalgia paresthetica with lidocaine 5% medicated plaster: a case report.

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a sensory neuropathy characterized by chronic, localized pruritus in a circumscribed area on the upper back. Pruritus, frequently resistant to treatment, may be accompanied by pain, paresthesia, allodynia and alloknesis. There is a paucity of data in the NP literature about the use of lidocaine 5% medicated plaster. This case involves a 75-year-old woman with NP and a history of many unsuccessful local or systemic treatments. The patient was treated with lidocaine 5% medicated plaster, while other therapies were progressively retired. After 11 weeks of therapy, a significant reduction in the intensity of itching was achieved and the itching area was reduced. The patient also reported an associated improvement in her quality-of-life throughout therapy. In conclusion, lidocaine 5% medicated plaster was successful in relieving itching and other symptoms in this case of NP.

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a nerve disorder characterized by itching on the upper back. Sometimes the itch is so painful and intense that it can make it difficult to sleep, work and socialize, affecting quality-of-life. There are different treatments for NP and not everyone will have the same response to treatment. In this case, a woman with long-standing NP, after several unsuccessful therapies, were treated with lidocaine 5% medicated plaster, which can be applied to the skin where it hurts. After 11 weeks of therapy, an important reduction in the intensity of itching was achieved and the itching area was reduced. The patient also reported an improvement in her quality-of-life throughout therapy. In conclusion, lidocaine 5% medicated plaster was successful in relieving severe itch in this NP case.

[Sensory neuronopathy. Its recognition and early treatment]. / Neuronopatía sensitiva. Su reconocimiento y tratamiento temprano.

Sensory neuronopathies or ganglionopathies, or dorsal root ganglion disorders, represent a subgroup of peripheral nervous system diseases, frequently associated with dysinmune or neoplastic disorders and with toxic agents. A degeneration of both central and peripheral sensory proyections is present. Patients typically show early ataxia, loss of deep tendon reflexes and positive sensory symptoms present both in proximal and distal sites of the body. We retrospectively studied 10 cases with a final diagnosis of sensory neuronopathy. Sensory neuropathy was the presenting symptom and the course was subacute in all cases. Paresthesias in upper limbs were a predominant manifestation (100%). Other manifestations included: hypoesthesia (10/10), gait ataxia (8/10), autonomic symptoms (3/10) and perioral paresthesias (3/10). Electrophysiology showed sensory axonal neuronal pattern, with normal motor responses. Final diagnosis was acquired sensory neuronopathy in all patients, associated with Sjögren's syndrome in 2, with lupus erythematosus in 1, with rheumatoid arthritis in 1, with a cancer in 2 (paraneoplastic) and idiopathic in 4. In paraneoplastic cases, the tumor was small cell lung cancer in 1 (with positive anti-Hu antibodies), and epidermoid lung cancer in the other. Eight patients were treated with immunotherapy, high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and/or intravenous immunoglobulin; with poor response in 4 cases, neurologic improvement in 5, and without any change in 1 patient. The present work shows the typical clinical and electrophysiological pattern of subacute sensory neuronopathy, and the relevance of early treatment.

Efficacy of gabapentin in the improvement of pruritus and quality of life of patients with notalgia paresthetica.

BACKGROUND: notalgia paresthetica is a subdiagnosed sensory neuropathy presenting as a condition of intense itching and hyperchromic macule on the back that interferes with daily habits. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of treatment of notalgia paresthetica using oral gabapentin, assessing the degree of improvement in itching and influence on quality of life. Moreover, to evaluate the signs and symptoms associated with notalgia paresthetica. METHODS: We conducted an experimental, non-randomized, parallel, non-blinded study including 20 patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of notalgia paresthetica. After application of the visual analogue scale of pain adapted for pruritus and of the questionnaire of dermatology life quality index (DLQI), ten patients with visual analogue scale > 5 were given treatment with gabapentin at the dose of 300 mg/day for four weeks. The other ten were treated with topical capsaicin 0.025% daily for four weeks. After the treatment period, patients answered again the scale of itching. RESULTS: The use of gabapentin was responsible for a significant improvement in pruritus (p=0.0020). Besides itching and hyperchromic stain on the back, patients reported paresthesia and back pain. It was observed that the main factor in the worsening of the rash is heat. CONCLUSION: Gabapentin is a good option for the treatment of severe itching caused by nostalgia paresthetica.

Efficacy of gabapentin in the improvement of pruritus and quality of life of patients with notalgia paresthetica

BACKGROUND: notalgia paresthetica is a subdiagnosed sensory neuropathy presenting as a condition of intense itching and hyperchromic macule on the back that interferes with daily habits. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of treatment of notalgia paresthetica using oral gabapentin, assessing the degree of improvement in itching and influence on quality of life. Moreover, to evaluate the signs and symptoms associated with notalgia paresthetica. METHODS: We conducted an experimental, non-randomized, parallel, non-blinded study including 20 patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of notalgia paresthetica. After application of the visual analogue scale of pain adapted for pruritus and of the questionnaire of dermatology life quality index (DLQI), ten patients with visual analogue scale > 5 were given treatment with gabapentin at the dose of 300 mg/day for four weeks. The other ten were treated with topical capsaicin 0.025% daily for four weeks. After the treatment period, patients answered again the scale of itching. RESULTS: The use of gabapentin was responsible for a significant improvement in pruritus (p=0.0020). Besides itching and hyperchromic stain on the back, patients reported paresthesia and back pain. It was observed that the main factor in the worsening of the rash is heat. CONCLUSION: Gabapentin is a good option for the treatment of severe itching caused by nostalgia paresthetica. .

Notalgia parestésica / Notalgia paresthetica

La notalgia parestésica es una neuropatía sensorial caracterizada clínicamente por una mancha hiperpigmentada bien circunscrita localizada en la espalda, que afecta las áreas correspondientes a los dermatomos D2 a D6. El prurito es el síntoma más común, aunque algunos pacientes describen otras sensaciones, incluyendo ardor, parestesia, hiperestesia o dolor. Los hallazgos histopatológicos son inespecíficos. Su etiología no ha sido claramente demostrada, pero en algunos casos existe una llamativa correlación con patología de la columna vertebral, incluyendo cambios degenerativos y/o hernias del núcleo pulposo. El diagnóstico diferencial incluye la neurodermitis y la amiloidosis macular. No existe un tratamiento definitivo para la enfermedad. Se han empleado diversas terapias incluyendo capsaicina tópica, bloqueo anestésico para vertebral, oxcarbazepina, gabapentina y toxina botulínica.

Notalgia paresthetica is a sensory neuropathy characterizd clinically by a well-circumscribed hyperpigmented patch located on the back, affecting the areas corresponding to dermatomes D2-D6. Pruritus is its most common symptom, but some patients describe other sensations including burning, paresthesia, hypeesthesia or pain. Histopathological findings are not specific. The etiology of this condition has not be en clearly demonstrated but in some cases there exists a striking correlation with spinal pathology, including degenerative changes or a herniated nucleous pulposus. Differential diagnoses include neurodermitis and maclular amyloidosis There is no definitive treatment for the disease diverse therapies have been employed including topical capsaicin paravertebral local anesthetic block, oxcarbazepine, gabapentir and botulinum toxin type A.

The impact of a monophasic continuous estro-progestogenic treatment on Latin American menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to assess the impact, effectiveness and safety of a monophasic hormone replacement treatment (HRT) for continuous use with regards to the clinical effects, bleeding patterns and lipid profile of menopausal women in four Latin American countries. DESIGN: Three hundred and six postmenopausal women with natural menopause and uterus present were recruited. This was a multicentre prospective, clinical trial; the participating countries were Brazil (BR), Colombia (CO), Mexico (MX) and Argentina (AR). The study period was 12 months. The HRT regime was formulated in tablets containing 2 mg estradiol E2 and 1mg norethisterone acetate (NETA); one visit every 3 months was solicited. METHODS: HRT was given as one tablet every day without interruption for 1 year. Climacteric complaints, side-effects, reason for discontinuation, bleeding patterns, lipid profile at baseline and 12 months of treatment were documented. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the four populations on clinical measurements. Thirty-four women discontinued, 13 for bleeding problems. The five most common side-effects were mastalgia, bleeding problems, headache, pelvic pain and nausea. 44.8% of women experienced scanty vaginal bleeding during the first 3 months of therapy. Ninety seven percent of women had amenorrhea at the end of the study in MX, BR and AR, and 100% in CO. Body weight was constant during the study, and no correlation was found between body weight and total days with bleeding. The Kupperman index score was used to evaluate the climacteric complaints, and the score decreased from a mean of 25.4 to 5.1 at 12-months visit. Total cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in BR and CO (P < 0.05) between baseline and the final sample; serum triglycerides remained unchanged, HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased in MX (P < 0.05), and LDL-cholesterol was significantly reduced in CO (P < 0.05). The results of this 1-year study emphasize that a continuous combined HRT regimen with 2 mg E2/1 mg NETA is an attractive alternative for postmenopausal women who are at least 1 year after their menopause and optimally 2 years after their menopause. Although the combination of 2 mg E2 with 1 mg NETA in a continuous combined therapy scheme has been in use in the Nordic countries for over a decade and in Latin America for the last 6 years, there have been no previous published reports on its effectivity in Latin American women. This publication reports the experience in a group of 306 Latin American women, and it is the first Latin American publication with this formulation.