Pterygium inversum unguis. Report of 19 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Pterygium inversum unguis is a rare abnormality of the nail bed that remains adherent to the ventral surface of the nail plate, resulting in a subungual extension of the hyponychium and obliteration of the distal groove. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our article is to illustrate the cases of pterygium inversum unguis that we observed in the last 20 years and to discuss them according to a broad review of the literature. RESULTS: Nineteen new cases of pterygium inversum unguis have been observed: one congenital idiopathic form, five acquired idiopathic forms, and 13 secondary forms. CONCLUSION: Our study and the review of the literature demonstrate that the most common forms of pterygium inversum unguis are the acquired secondary ones. They are generally related to systemic connective tissue diseases and, in particular, to progressive systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Unusual features of pyoderma gangrenosum: two atypical cases.

Two cases of pyoderma gangrenosum are described that are atypical in the appearance of their skin lesions and their association with intestinal diseases.

[Efficacy and cardiovascular tolerability of minotricon in the treatment of seborrheic alopecia]. / Studio di efficacia e tollerabilità cardiovascolare di "Minotricon" nel trattamento dell'alopecia seborroica.

The paper reports the results of local treatment using minoxidil 2% in a watery solution at a dose of 2 ml/day in 50 patients affected by androgenetic alopecia. The results were analysed statistically using Wilcoxon's non-parametric test and Mac Nemar's test.

[1% econazole hair-shampoo in the treatment of pityriasis capitis; a comparative study versus zinc-pyrithione shampoo]. / Econazolo 1% hair-shampoo nel trattamento della Pityriasis capitis; studio di confronto vs zinco-piritione shampoo.

On the basis of the assumption that Pityrosporum ovale is an important pathogenic factor in the aetiology of Pityriasis simplex capitis (dandruff), the Authors intended to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of econazole (1% hair-shampoo) in the treatment of this scalp disease. Dandruff could be considered a problem more from a cosmetic than from a medical point of view; for this reason a conventional anti-dandruff hair-shampoo containing zinc-pyrithione was selected as a control. In this open controlled study, seventy patients suffering from different forms of Pityriasis simplex capitis were enrolled at the 1th Dermatological Institute, University of Milan, and randomly assigned to the econazole and zinc-pyrithione treatment groups, respectively. At the end of the four-weeks treatment (two applications/week) a marked decrease in signs (scaling, seborrhea, erythema) and symptoms (burning, itching) was observed in both groups. Regarding the antifungal efficacy, econazole hair-shampoo was slightly better than control. General evaluation on tolerability and cosmetical patterns was favourable for both formulations.

[Treatment of histamine-dependent allergic dermatoses with a 120-mg terfenadine tablet once a day]. / Trattamento delle dermatosi allergiche istamino-dipendenti con terfenadina compresse 120 mg in monosomministrazione giornaliera.

Terfenadine, an anti-H1-selective antihistaminic drug has been used in an experimental clinical study. The effectiveness and tolerance of the compound in the treatment of pruritic dermatitis such as urticaria, atopic dermatitis and topical dermatitis, have been evaluated. Terfenadine, administered in 120 mg tablets in a single daily dose in 30 patients demonstrated a fully satisfactory therapeutic activity and reliability of use.

[Use of a cream based on 20% azelaic acid in the treatment of melasma]. / Impiego di una crema a base di acido azelaico 20% nel trattamento del melasma.

A 20% azelaic acid base cream (Skinoren-Schering) known in the treatment of acne has been used in melasma. The statistically processed results refer to 39 patients treated for 6 months with 2 applications/die. The reduction in melasma intensity was obtained in all patients bar two whose basal pigmentation situation was already compromised. Overall assessment on a graduated scale in cm evidences, after 6 months of treatment, a mean reduction in pigmentation of 51.3% understood as intensity and surface. The overall judgment of physician and patient on the preparation coincide with some 79% excellent and good on the part of the physician and 85% on the part of the patient. Noteworthy is the absolute absence of sensitisation or leukoderma or any of the other typical side-effects of the other depigmentants available thus far.