[Orbit evisceration: retrospective study on a consecutive series of 10 years]. / Exenteratii de orbita: studiu retrospectiv pe o serie consecutiva de 10 ani.

Exenteration of the orbit is challenging in its anatomical, surgical and postsurgical management-related issues. We describe a surgical series of 65 patients diagnosed at Neurosurgery and Ophthal-mology departments; between 2003 and 2012, 65 cases with intraorbital tumors were identified and underwent partial or total exenteration of the orbit. The most frequent dignosticated tumor which underwent exenteration were spinous and basal carcinoma of the orbit (41.5 %) followed by neurofibroma The most common preoperative sign was proptosis (100%), followed by ocular and orbital pain (6.1%) and visual acuity loss (3.07%). Preoperatively signs included alteration of the facial aspect (96.9%), behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, especially in young people (6,9%). Although there is an extremely mutilant surgical procedure, pain is often relieved. Therefore, the surgical aim should be life preserving and relief of leading symptoms; estetic aspect of the patients was also one of postoperative aims.

Clinical aspects and cytokine response in severe H1N1 influenza A virus infection.

INTRODUCTION: The immune responses in patients with novel A(H1N1) virus infection (nvA(H1N1)) are incompletely characterized. We investigated the profile of Th1 and Th17 mediators and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) in groups with severe and mild nvA(H1N1) disease and correlated them with clinical aspects. METHODS: Thirty-two patients hospitalized with confirmed nvA(H1N1) infection were enrolled in the study: 21 patients with nvA(H1N1)-acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and 11 patients with mild disease. One group of 20 patients with bacterial sepsis-ARDS and another group of 15 healthy volunteers were added to compare their cytokine levels with pandemic influenza groups. In the nvA(H1N1)-ARDS group, the serum cytokine samples were obtained on admission and 3 days later. The clinical aspects were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: In the nvA(H1N1)-ARDS group, obesity and lymphocytopenia were more common and IP-10, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-9 were significantly increased versus control. When comparing mild with severe nvA(H1N1) groups, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15 and TNFα were significantly higher in the severe group. In nonsurvivors versus survivors, IL-6 and IL-15 were increased on admission and remained higher 3 days later. A positive correlation of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-15 levels with C-reactive protein and with > 5-day interval between symptom onset and admission, and a negative correlation with the PaO(2):FiO(2) ratio, were found in nvA(H1N1) groups. In obese patients with influenza disease, a significant increased level of IL-8 was found. When comparing viral ARDS with bacterial ARDS, the level of IL-8, IL-17 and TNFα was significantly higher in bacterial ARDS and IL-12 was increased only in viral ARDS. CONCLUSIONS: In our critically ill patients with novel influenza A(H1N1) virus infection, the hallmarks of the severity of disease were IL-6, IL-15, IL-8 and TNFα. These cytokines, except TNFα, had a positive correlation with the admission delay and C-reactive protein, and a negative correlation with the PaO(2):FiO(2) ratio. Obese patients with nvA(H1N1) disease have a significant level of IL-8. There are significant differences in the level of cytokines when comparing viral ARDS with bacterial ARDS.

Pill esophagitis.

Pill esophagitis is a rare clinical diagnosis. We report a series of two patients who experienced ulcerative esophagitis while taking doxycycline (patient 1) and alendronate (patient 2). Both patients presented with retrosternal pain, odynophagia and dysphagia. Symptoms developed after 3 days of treatment with doxycycline in patient 1 and after 3 months of treatment with alendronate in patient 2. Endoscopy revealed ulcerative lesions in the mid-esophagus, sparing the distal esophagus. Biopsies showed inflammatory infiltrate (patient 1) and ulceration and hyperplastic cells (patient 2). Patient 1 recovered completely endoscopically after discontinuation of the antibiotic and a one month course of sucralfate treatment. Patient 2 did not accept the discontinuation of alendronate therapy. She also had a course of one month treatment with sucralfate. At one, two and even at seven months after the first diagnosis, endoscopy still showed the persistence of millimetric defects of epithelisation. She is still under endoscopical survey. In conclusion, doxycycline and alendronate can cause chemical esophagitis when taken improperly. In adults and elderly patients exclusion of esophageal carcinoma by histology is necessary. Continuation of treatment with the offending drug can delay healing. Pill esophagitis is a preventable cause of morbidity that consists of giving simple advice of how and when to take medication.