The effectiveness of low-strength anthralin in psoriasis. A paired comparison study.

Recent trends in psoriasis therapy favor using lower-strength anthralins. To assess the effectiveness of a low concentration (0.01%) v a mid concentration (0.1%) of anthralin, combined with UV-B therapy, a prospective double-blind study was undertaken. Nine patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis involving more than 25% of the total body surface (excluding the scalp) were treated in a paired comparison manner. Patients were examined each day and the degree of erythema, induration, and scale of lesions was recorded for each side of the body. In all nine patients, the side receiving 0.1% anthralin required an average of 10.8 treatment days to achieve the predefined end point: complete flattening of all plaques to palpation. An identical rate of improvement for the 0.01% anthralin-treated side was noted in five of nine patients. The remaining four patients failed to reach the end point on the 0.01% anthralin-treated side even after an average of 15 treatment days.

Effectiveness of cefoperazone in treating cutaneous infections.

Twenty-eight patients with severe cutaneous infections received cefoperazone, 2 grams intramuscularly twice a day for seven days. A wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens were isolated from admission cultures. All patients showed rapid clinical improvement. Two patients did not complete the full course of therapy because of intervening medical problems unrelated to the antibiotic. No significant side effects were noted. Relapses or reinfections occurred in two patients. In conclusions, cefoperazone is a safe and effective antibiotic for use in skin infections requiring parenteral therapy.

Sclerotherapy treatment of varicose veins.

The protocol for clinical examination and diagnostic evaluation of patients with varicose veins is described in this article. The specific techniques of sclerotherapy for treatment of the saphenofemoral junction, sapheno-popliteal junction, incompetent perforators, and truncular and reticular varices is outlined. Recommended dosages for both saphenous and nonsaphenous varicose veins are listed in order to help the practitioner achieve satisfactory sclerotherapy.

Gram-negative bacterial toe web infection: successful treatment with a new third generation cephalosporin.

Fifteen patients with gram-negative bacterial toe web infections were treated for 1 week with intramuscular cefoperazone, a broad-spectrum third generation cephalosporin. Initial bacterial cultures in eleven patients (73%) grew more than one gram-negative organism. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequent isolate. All bacteria isolated were sensitive to cefoperazone (Cefobid). Swelling, redness, and flow of exudate resolved within 1 week of antibiotic administration. By day 7 there was no evidence of inflammation, and denuded areas had begun to re-epithelialize. Side effects were mild and did not require cessation of therapy. This antibiotic causes rapid resolution of a disease which previously required prolonged hospitalizations.