Leishmaniasis of the lip in a patient with Down''s syndrome

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic protozoan infection in Sardinia, one of the major islands of the Mediterranean Basin. The main causative strain in this country is Leishmania infantum, which rarely involves mucocutaneous areas, but has the potential to cause visceral leishmaniasis. An atypical leishmaniasis involving the inferior lip of a 57-year-old female with Down's syndrome was observed at the Dermatology Department of Cagliari (italy). The diagnosis was mainly based upon histopathological examination, revealing intra- and extra-cellular leishmania amastigotes. The leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-111 was identified by isoenzymatic characterization. Laboratory investigations revealed a normal complete blood count and biochemistry profile, except for an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio. Treatment with meglumine antimoniate 60 mg/kg/day (Glucantime) intramuscularly for 15 days, followed by intralesional administration 1 ml weekly for 4 weeks led to complete recovery. No relapses were observed at 6-month follow-up. The unusual localization is likely to be a reflection of the uncommon site of inoculation of the protozoa, transmitted by bites from flying vectors. Nevertheless, the presence of Down's syndrome in our patient may have contributed to the atypical presentation by traumatic exacerbation of the lesion, due to repeated auto-induced microtraumas of the inferior lip accompanied by subclinical immunodeficiency. In fact, the specific immune response to Leishmania infection depends on a host-cell-mediated immune response, reported as defective in Down's syndrome patients. Differential diagnosis and early detection of the infection are necessary in order to start effective treatment and prevent more serious complications.     

皮肤交界性平滑肌瘤的复发与恶性转化

目的探讨皮肤交界性平滑肌瘤的复发与恶性转化。方法复习2例皮肤交界性平滑肌瘤及其复发恶性转化的临床病理特征、免疫组化表型及相关文献。结果2例病变位于下肢和额部，肉瘤组织平滑肌标记阳性。结论少数病理诊断为皮肤平滑肌瘤的病例，虽然浅表且组织形态良性，但其生物学恶性潜能尚不能确定，部分病例复发后可转变为典型的平滑肌肉瘤。     

Intercostal hemangioma

This paper presents a case of intercostal hemangioma, in which a complete surgical resection was accomplished based upon a tentative diagnosis provided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 27-year-old man visited our hospital for the evaluation of chest pain and shortness of breath after exertion. Computed tomography showed a soft tissue mass, 5.5×3.5 cm in size, arising from the right lateral 7th intercostal space. Dynamic MRI showed that the mass was enhanced rapidly in the early phase and that this early enhancement was maintained during the delayed phase, which was compatible with a diagnosis of intercostal hemangioma. The patient underwent surgery, and a complete resection of the tumor with the right 7th and 8th ribs and their intercostal muscles was accomplished. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of intramuscular hemangioma of the large-vessel type. Presently, 6 months after the operation, the patient is doing well, without any evidence of local recurrence.     

颞下锁孔入路的显微解剖与临床应用

目的进行颞下锁孔入路解剖学研究,探讨其临床应用价值.方法取甲醛固定的成人尸头标本15例(30侧),采用神经内镜辅助的显微外科技术进行颞下锁孔手术解剖学研究.并采用该入路手术切除8例颅内肿瘤.结果颞下锁孔入路可以充分暴露鞍上区、脚间窝、岩斜区及脑干腹外侧区的神经、血管结构;岩骨尖最大磨除面积为306mm2.肿瘤全切除7例(87.5%).结论经颞下锁孔入路能很好地处理鞍上、岩斜区、脚间窝以及脑干腹外侧区的病变.     

原发性输尿管癌31例临床分析

目的：提高原发性输尿管癌的术前诊断水平。方法：对南京医科大学第一附属医院1989-2002年间收治的31例原发性输尿管癌的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果：31例中，肉眼血尿22例(71．0％)，腰痛11例(35，5％)。B超、静脉肾盂造影(IVU)、CT和逆行造影检查的阳性率分别为输尿管腔内占位4例(13．0％)、输尿管腔内占位3例(11．5％)、膀胱或合并膀胱占位8例(36．4％)，输尿管充盈缺损6例(40．0％)。29例患者经手术治疗，其中13例行患侧肾、输尿管、膀胱袖状切除。结论：老年患者反复发作的腰痛及血尿应考虑原发性输尿管癌的可能，造影诊断对本病有较高价值，应作CT及MRU无创检查。     

NEW METHOD OF STENTING TREATMENT FOR MALIGNANT DUODENAL STENOSIS: USING DOUBLE‐BALLOON ENTEROSCOPY

Recently, a self‐expandable metallic stent has been recognized for treatment of malignant duodenal stenosis. But the complications by stenting are important problems even now. In the present study, we report our new method of duodenal stenting by using of double‐balloon enteroscopy considered safe and effective.     

Inflammatory biomarkers in blood of patients with acute brain ischemia

Although many failed surrogate markers are provided in the literature, inflammation may contribute to the outcome of ischemic stroke. In 50 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, in the absence of symptoms and signs of concomitant infection, we evaluated a panel of biomarkers reported to be variably associated with brain ischemia, and correlate their serum level with the brain lesion volume and clinical outcome. Infarct size was calculated on computed tomography (CT) scans by means of the Cavalieri's method. Neurological impairment was scored by using the Glasgow Coma Scale, Glasgow Outcome Scale and National Institutes of Health (NIH) scales at stroke onset and 3-month follow-up. Some markers showed a direct significant correlation with both initial and final NIH scale and with infarct size, particularly tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) (P=0.002), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (P<0.01) and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (P=0.001). In contrast to previous reports, interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum level showed a significant inverse correlation with both final neurological impairment and infarct size (P<0.001). This novel finding allows us suggesting that IL-6, in the context of a complex pro-inflammatory network occurring during stroke, is associated with neuroprotection rather than neurotoxicity in patients with ischemic brain injury.     

Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor of the Breast: A Case Report

A 66-year-old woman time of 10 days. One month after radicalmastectomy, there was local recurrence, followed by multiplepulmonary metastases, and the patient died of respiratory failure5 months after surgery. The gray-white-colored tumor measured13x12x;10 cm, and its border was well defined. The tumor wascomposed of diffusely growing round or polygonal cells withvesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and ample cytoplasm containingeosinophilic inclusions. Lymph node involvement was widespread.Both vimentin and keratin were clearly demonstrated by immunohistochemicalstaining. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the MRT cellscontained cytoplasmic whorls of intermediate filaments.     

Pemphigus Vulgaris Associated with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Elevated TNFα

A 76-year-old female was admitted with many bullae and erythema on her trunk and extremities. A biopsy specimen showed significant intercellular edema in the lower epidermis and eosinophilic infiltration into the dermis and the epidermis. Immunofluorescent staining revealed the deposition of IgG in the intercellular area of her prickle cells. From these histologic findings and the typical clinical features, we diagnosed her as having pemphigus vulgaris. Examination of her blood revealed that she also suffered from autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Despite intensive treatment with prednisolone, she finally died. This case is of interest because of its rarity and the TNFα detected significantly in the blister fluid of this patient.     

An Unusual Form of Skin Tuberculosis Following B.C.G. Vaccination

A 25-year-old female has had brown to erythematous telangiectatic patches and grouped papules on her face, neck, arm, and trunk since childhood following B.C.G. vaccination. Histopathologically, the lesions consisted of hyperkeratosis, slight acanthosis, tuberculoid granulomas with some Langerhans type giant cells in the mid-dermis. Although various forms of cutaneous tuberculosis after B.C.G. vaccination have been reported, it was difficult for us to assign the patient's skin lesion to any specific disease entity. Remission of her cutaneous lesions occurred clinically and histopathologically after treatment with isoniazid and rifampin.