A Case of Hypopigmented Mycosis Fungoides in a Young Caucasian Boy

Abstract: Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides is a variant of mycosis fungoides characterized by the presence of hypopigmented patches as the sole manifestation of the disease. It has been described aimost always in young black or dark-skinned patients. The only white patient described was a 64-year-oid woman who not oniy had hypopigmented lesions, but also nodular lesions with lymphadenopathy. We describe hypopigmented lesions arising in a white boy 12 years of age, born in northern Italy, without any foreign ancestors. The microscopic alterations, with epidermotropism, the immunoiogic markers, the negativity of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement, and the good response to PUVA therapy correspond to the main findings in black patients with this disease. Long-term follow-up of these patients is important to obtain better knowledge of the natural history of the disorder, Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides must now be included in the differential diagnosis of hypopigmented macular lesions not only in black or dark-skinned patients but also in white patients.     

Antiepileptic drug toxicity: Definition and mechanism of action

A detailed review of the adverse reactions of anticonvulsants is given, focusing on the definitions of drug toxicity, sources of information, patterns of durg utilization, pharmacokinetic variables and different mechanisms of action. The information available in the literature provides a wide spectrum of drug toxicity with no attempt at a practical definition of the reported events. This favors uncertainty among practising physicians, who are led to use the individual items with different attitudes. Suggestions are given for the evaluation, prevention and treatment of anticonvulsant drug toxicity.

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Sommario La presente è una revisione critica dei diversi aspetti della tossicità dei farmaci antiepilettici. L'analisi della letteratura è condotta con particolare riferimento alle diverse fonti di informazione, ai pattern di utilizzo dei singoli principi attivi, ai dati farmacocinetici ed ai meccanismi di azione farmacologica sottostanti. L'ampio panorama che ne deriva non consente una definizione pratica degli effetti indesiderati degli anticonvulsivanti. Ciò determina incertezza e confusione nella pratica medica, con conseguente diversità di comportamenti. La rassegna si conclude con la presentazione di alcuni suggerimenti pratici per la valutazione, la prevenzione ed il trattamento della tossicità da anticonvulsivanti.

     

Synthesis and Ca-antagonist activity of some benzhydryl derivatives

The preparation of a series of benzhydryl derivatives is described. Their activities as Calcium-antagonists were evaluated on the taenia coli of the guinea-pig. These new compounds show lower activities as Ca-antagonists than Cinnarizine.     

Congenital toxoplasmosis. Report of a case treated with spiramycin in the 24th week of pregnancy]

The Authors present one case of congenital toxoplasmosis; it was sustained by a primary maternal infection, contracted at the XXIII week of gestation. Even if we started the treatment with spiramycin at the XXIV week of gestation, both the prenatal ultrasound examination of the fetus, and the postnatal investigation of the newborn, showed that the young patient was affected by a severe form of congenital toxoplasmosis.     

Cholestatic jaundice secondary to distention of the gallbladder caused by cystic duct syndrome]

The Authors describe a rare case of cholestatic jaundice which persisted due to compression of the biliary tract by a hugely swollen gallbladder due to cystic duct syndrome.