A prospective study on canine atopic dermatitis and food-induced allergic dermatitis in Switzerland.

Canine atopic dermatitis sensu stricto and food-induced allergic dermatitis are common canine skin conditions, which are often considered clinically undistinguishable. Several attempts have been made to describe populations of atopic dogs and determine breed predisposition but the results were often biased by the use of hospital populations as control group. The present study aims to describe a population of Swiss atopic and food-allergic dogs and to compare it with a data set representing more than 85% of all Swiss dogs. The study, which was carried out during 1 year in several practices and teaching hospital in Switzerland, describes a group of 259 allergic dogs, determines breed predisposition for atopic dermatitis and food-induced allergic dermatitis, compares the clinical signs and features of both conditions, and outlines the clinical picture of five frequently affected breeds.

Acute reversible ataxo-myoclonic encephalopathy with flecainide therapy.

A 73 year-old patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and paroxysmic supraventricular tachycardia developed an acute reversible encephalopathy within 15 days of initiation of flecainide. The clinical picture was characterized by visual hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, but no disorientation, and a severe cerebello-myoclonic syndrome with total inability to stand up and walk, which was fully reversible on discontinuing the medication.

Lymphangiomyomatosis--newer concepts in pathogenesis and management--case reports.

Lymphangiomyomatosis was first reported more than forty years ago. Although its incidence is rare, its occurrence is being increasingly recognized and has been the subject of a growing number of cases reports in recent years. This study adds 2 more cases to the file. Both cases involved young women with the characteristic symptoms of dyspnea, cough, abdominal discomfort and swelling, chest pain, and hemoptysis, with abundant formation of refractory chylous, serous ascites. Although the progression of the disease differed in each case, pulmonary function was affected in a similar way by the presence of obstructive and restrictive defects and a decrease in diffusing capacity. Underlying abnormalities were dilated lymphatics, thickened lymphatic walls, and muscular proliferation of leiomyomatous origin, leading to bronchial restriction. The authors point to the subtlety required in arriving at a differentiated diagnosis of lymphangiomyomatosis lymphangioleiomyomatosis and the difference between the two conditions. They also make particular recommendations in respect to the importance of preliminary hormone receptor tests and to the wisdom to be exercised in ligating a main lymphatic duct in the chest to control the formation of ascites. Pneumothorax, a frequent manifestation of lymphangiomyomatosis, is found to be the result of chronic air trapping due to a combination of narrowing of conducting airways and disruption of normal lung parenchyma.

[Various encephalopathies caused by drugs]. / Quelques encéphalopathies d'origine médicamenteuse.

Practically all drugs administered in large amounts can give rise to neurologic symptoms such as drowsiness, insomnia, confusion, seizures or coma and extrapyramidal disorders. In this study, five classes of agents are reviewed: antipsychotic drugs, drugs for Parkinson's disease, antiepileptic drugs, calcium antagonists and salts of bismuth.

Immature angiomas: the importance of the Doppler exam in diagnosis and prognosis.

Immature angiomas are vascular hamartomatous malformations but clearly different from all other vascular, capillary, venous, arteriovenous, and lymphatic malformations, which, normally present at birth and established from a cellular viewpoint, grow because of the effect of hemodynamic stimuli and present no tendency toward spontaneous regression. The difference between immature angiomas and other hemangiomas has been demonstrated by investigations into cell dynamics. To facilitate a differentiated diagnosis and prognosis, the hemodynamics of the angiomas were studied with the Doppler flowmeter. The use of noninvasive techniques, such as those introduced by the Doppler flowmeter, permit a technical alternative and/or integration, giving results of equal relevance and importance, as well as the advantages of a more accessible and less expensive methodology.

Palpebral asymmetry and hyperthyroidism. Two cases in connection with Graves' disease.

The causes of eyelid retraction or ptosis are numerous. Eye changes associated with thyroid dysfunctions are frequent, and diagnosis is not difficult in patients who are thyrotoxic. In euthyroid patients more difficulty may be encountered, especially if the disorder is asymmetric. The cases are described of two patients with ptosis and eyelid retraction on the other side, who suffered from thyroid disorder.