EFFICACY OF SHORT-CONTACT THERAPY WITH DITHRANOL IN CHILDHOOD PSORIASIS

Background. Dithranol is a potent reducing substance and is thought to achieve its effect on psoriasis by reduction of cell turnover. It was shown to be efficacious in adults, but its efficacy has not been documented in children. Methods. The efficacy of short-contact therapy, a dithranol cream preparation, was retrospectively evaluated in 58 children with psoriasis. Dithranol cream (0.1-2%) was applied daily for 30 minutes to affected skin areas. Patients were evaluated at 1-4-week intervals. Results. The median duration of therapy before the onset of remission was 2 months. Remission was achieved in 81% of the children. The median duration of remission was 4 months. Mild adverse skin reactions occurred in 20% of patients, but only one patient had to discontinue therapy. Conclusion. Short-contact therapy with dithranol cream preparation is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for childhood psoriasis. A thorough explanation of the disease and mode of therapy to patients and their parents is essential for good compliance and subsequent success.     

Crohn's Disease of the Appendix

A case of Crohn's disease of the appendix (presenting as acute appendicitis) is reported. The problem of appendiceal involvement in Crohn's disease is reviewed.     

Genital condylomata acuminata in pregnancy: effectiveness, safety and pregnancy outcome following cryotherapy

Summary. Fifty-one patients, 16 in the second trimester and 35 in the third, were treated by cryotherapy for genital condylomata acuminata; 19 of them had cervical cryotherapy in the second and third trimesters for cervical involvement. Cryosurgical treatment was performed on an out-patient basis, with no general anaesthesia or analgesia, and repeated every 2 weeks until resolution of the condylomata. Male partners were treated as necessary. Patients were followed every 2 weeks before and after delivery until 6 weeks postpartum. The newborn infants were examined for the presence of genital or laryngeal condylomata. Most women required two cryosurgical treatment sessions before complete resolution of condylomata; all resolved in pregnancy and no patient had residual disease at 6 weeks postpartum. There was no case of preterm premature rupture of membranes or premature delivery following cryotherapy, and no case of fetal injury. Labour and delivery were unaffected even by cervical cryotherapy.     

Uroflowmetry for predicting postoperative voiding difficulties in women with stress urinary incontinence

Summary. Pre-operative knowledge of uroflowmetry and postvoiding residual urine volumes in a group of 45 women undergoing urinary incontinence surgery failed to predict risks of postoperative voiding difficulties. Only one out of nine patients needing prolonged post-operative bladder drainage (7 days) gave a pre-operative history of voiding difficulties. More than half the patients (5/9) who needed prolonged catheterization had normal flow rates pre-operatively and five of the nine patients with reduced flow rates were able to resume spontaneous voiding within 7 days following incontinence surgery.     

The theràpeutic effect of intralesional interferon in classical Kaposi's sarcoma

Interferon alpha-2a, which has antineoplastic, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antiangiogenic effects, was evaluated in a prospective study, treating 10 lesions of patients with classical Kaposi's sarcoma. Ten patients received injections of interferon alpha-2a intralesionally in a dose of 3 million units three times weekly for 4 weeks, and in a variable dose for 4 more weeks. Two of the patients had a complete response, and in one of these, distant lesions also responded. Seven had a partial response, and one did not respond. The treatment was generally well tolerated. The results of our study support the use of interferon in the therapy of classical Kaposi's sarcoma, although it would appear that to achieve maximum efficacy, a longer period of treatment is needed.