The effects of Bleomycin A5 on infantile maxillofacial haemangioma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To examine the effects of bleomycin A5 on infantile maxillofacial haemangiomas.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Bleomycin A5 was given by multiple intralesinoal injections and the dosage was given according to the age of the patient and size of the lesion. Parts of patients were accompanied by prednisone treatment(2-5 mg/kg, po, QOD.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All the haemangiomas involuted completely after treated with bloemycin A5 with better recovery of skin color and less scar forming in small haemangiomas.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Infantile haemangioma could be effectively treated with bleomycin A5 without serious side effects.</p

Langzeitverlauf bei nekrobiotischen Xanthogranulomen mit Augenbeteiligung

Das seltene Krankheitsbild des nekrobiotischen Xanthogranuloms (NX) wurde vorwiegend anhand von Einzelfallberichten publiziert. Dementsprechend basieren bisherige Therapieempfehlungen hauptsächlich auf kasuistischen Beobachtungen. Kaum publiziert sind insbesondere Langzeitbeobachtungen dieser chronischen Erkrankung. Exemplarisch für einen typischen Verlauf des NX berichten wir über eine 64-jährige Patientin mit periorbitalen nekrobiotischen Xanthogranulomen mit Augenbeteiligung bei bekannter IgG-Paraproteinämie. Den Krankheitsverlauf der Patientin, die zum Zeitpunkt der Erstdiagnose der Erkrankung bereits in dieser Zeitschrift vorgestellt wurde, überblicken wir seit nunmehr 10 Jahren. Zahlreiche Therapieversuche mit Dapson, Chlorambucil, Fluocortolon, Interferon-α, Clofazimin, Melphalan, Fumarsäure, chirurgischer Intervention und physikalischen Therapieansätzen wie Radiatio, Plasmapherese sowie photodynamischer Therapie führten, wenn überhaupt, nur zu kurzfristiger Besserung und waren regelmäßig von einer erneuten Progression gefolgt. Derzeit findet ein Therapieversuch mit einer Cyclophosphamid-Dexamethason-Stoßtherapie statt

Fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of skin grafts: long-term results of a prospective, randomized, split-scar, evaluator-blinded study

BackgroundFractional ablative resurfacing is frequently used for treating atrophic and acne scars as well as for the early improvement of scars after surgery. No evidence-based clinical data on improving the appearance of skin grafts by fractional CO2-laser resurfacing have been available so far. ObjectivesThe primary outcome parameter was the adaptation of the skin graft to the surrounding skin 2, 6, and 12 months after the second laser treatment. Secondary outcome parameters were melanin variation, skin roughness, resizing of the skin graft, and patient satisfaction with cosmetic results. MethodsThe randomized half of the skin graft was treated with the fractional CO2-laser two times in a 4-week interval, whereby the first laser treatment was conducted 3-8 weeks after surgery. Two independent dermatologists assessed the adaptation of the treated area and the untreated control of the skin graft to the surrounding skin using follow-up pictures and an 11-point scale (0 representing no adaptation at all and 10 complete adaptation). ResultsAdaptation to the surrounding skin was significantly improved after laser therapy. The mean investigator ratings showed poor adaptation to the surrounding skin before the first treatment (treatment: 2.241.00; control group: 1.95 +/- 1.27; P<.001; n=26) but significant improvement at the follow-up visits (8 weeks: treatment: 6.38 +/- 1.47; control group 5.29 +/- 1.27; P<.001; 6 months: treatment: 7.31 +/- 1.24; control group 6.04 +/- 0.91; 12 months: treatment: 7.6 +/- 1.26; control group: 6.57 +/- 1.02; n=26). After fractional ablative laser treatment, appearance of the skin grafts was significantly improved for all time points. Profilometric analysis showed significantly reduced skin roughness 1 year after laser treatment compared to control (P=.003). Pigmentary irregularities were improved. Melanin distribution was significantly more uniform 1 year after laser treatment compared to control (P=.034). Patients were reasonably satisfied with both sides of the skin graft before treatment but more satisfied with the laser-treated side at the other time points (P<.001). ConclusionsAdaptation of the skin graft to the surrounding skin was significantly improved after ablative fractional skin resurfacing. Skin roughness and melanin variation were also improved. Patient satisfaction with the appearance of the skin graft was significantly higher after graft resurfacing. Thus, this treatment modality can be recommended for patients wishing to improve the appearance of their skin graft. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:1010-1016, 2018. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Efficacy and safety of rituximab in pemphigus: experience of the German Registry of Autoimmune Diseases

Background: Rituximab has been reported to be effective in various small case series of patients with severe and/or refractory pemphigus. However, no systematic evaluation is available to corroborate this observation. The aim of this study was to systematically determine efficacy and safety of rituximab in treatment-resistant pemphigus. Patients and Methods: Multicenter retrospective, observational study of 36 patients with severe pemphigus vulgaris (n = 33) and pemphigus foliaceus (n = 3) treated with rituximab before August 31st, 2008 and enrolled in a national observational registery between December 2008 and June 2009. Results: Within a mean period of observation of 11 (137) months, 21 (58 %) pemphigus patients showed complete, 13 (36 %) partial, and 2 (6 %) no response to rituximab treatment. This correlates with a mean improvement of the visual analog scale for well-being of 34 (2060) at baseline to 75 (4095) at the last control visit. In 4 (11 %) patients, severe adverse events were recorded including 1 (3 %) serious infection. Conclusions: Data collected in this systematic registry indicate that rituximab is an effective and relatively safe adjuvant treatment option for refractory pemphigus. To further extend our knowledge on efficacy and safety of this drug, controlled prospective trials are required