A severe persistent case of pemphigoid gestationis treated with intravenous immunoglobulins and cyclosporin

Pemphigoid gestationis is an autoimmune bullous eruption specific to pregnancy. It usually presents in the second or third trimester and is characterized by postpartum exacerbations of the disease. Most cases resolve within a few months of delivery, but the disease may be more persistent, developing characteristics of bullous pemphigoid which can be difficult to treat. We now report a patient with severe pemphigoid gestationis, in whom the disease has persisted for 1.5 years postpartum and who developed features more typical of bullous pemphigoid. We discuss this phenomenon and the management of such cases.     

Analysis of rhinomanometric data based upon a model of nasal airflow and logarithmic transformation of the data

Estimation of nasal airflow, flow asymmetry and nasal valve stiffness was performed using anterior rhinomanometry in a group of 12 normal subjects and a group of 12 patients suffering from nasal obstruction. The method, based upon a simplified mathematical model of nasal airflow and utilizing logarithmic transformation of inspiratory pressure and flow data, improved the sensitivity and specificity of rhinomanometry and gave a more comprehensive index of nasal function.     

CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES AND POLYMORPHISMS IN MEXICAN INFERTILE MEN

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of chromosome abnormalities and normal variable chromosome features (polymorphisms) in infertile men from northeastern Mexico. Karyotyping was carried out in 326 men with diagnosis of infertility. The sperm counts showed 204 patients with oligozoospermia, 87 with azoospermia and 35 normozoospermia. Five patients with oligozoospemia and two with azoospermia presented chromosome abnormalities. Nonzoospermic men did not show chromosomal abnormalities. Polymorphisms of heterochromatin and satellite length showed a significant increased in oligozoospermic and azoospermic men with respect to normozoospermic men, respectively. This study reports the prevalence of chromosome abnormalities, polymorphisms of heterochromatin length, and polymorphisms in satellites in Mexican infertile men. The prevalence in this study was similar to other studies in world literature.     

Persistent Agmination of Lymphomatoid Papulosis

Abstract: A 12‐year‐old boy had lesions clinically and histopathologically consistent with lymphomatoid papulosis (LP) which were persistent and appeared grouped in a circumscribed area of normal looking background skin on the right abdomen. Staging work‐up did not disclose systemic disease. Persistent agmination of lymphomatoid papulosis (PALP) is somewhat different from classical LP because it involves a circumscribed, patch‐sized area of the skin and the papules within never resolve completely despite some waxing and waning. PALP might be considered a localized or regional form of LP or a distinct lymphoproliferative disorder; in any case, at least a cautious long‐term follow up is recommended, with attention to the possible development of true lymphoma.