Use of tocilizumab in systemic sclerosis: A brief literature review

The available treatments for systemic sclerosis (SS) have limited effectiveness. Treatment with tocilizumab (TCZ), a biological drug that inhibits interleukin 6 (IL-6), has recently been proposed. In this study, we conducted a literature review to assess the safety and efficacy of TCZ in SS. We found 52 articles, 10 of which we selected after evaluating the articles. In a randomised clinical trial, TCZ showed a nonsignificant improvement in the degree of skin induration, while another observational study showed neutral results. In this same clinical trial, the functional respiratory parameters showed a certain degree of stabilization. The safety profile of TCZ is acceptable; however, the current evidence regarding treatment of SS with TCZ is highly limited, although the drug could have a beneficial effect in skin disorder. New clinical trials are needed to determine the usefulness of TCZ in SS.

[Nerve reconstruction techniques in traumatic brachial plexus surgery. Part 2: intraplexal nerve transfers]

After the great enthusiasm generated in the '70s and '80s in brachial plexus surgery as a result of the incorporation of microsurgical techniques and other advances, brachial plexus surgery has been shaken in the last two decades by the emergence of nerve transfer techniques or neurotizations. This technique consists in sectioning a donor nerve, sacrificing its original function, to connect it with the distal stump of a receptor nerve, whose function was lost during the trauma. Neurotizations are indicated when direct repair is not possible, i.e. when a cervical root is avulsed at its origin in the spinal cord. In recent years, due to the positive results of some of these nerve transfer techniques, they have been widely used even in some cases where the roots of the plexus were preserved. In complete brachial plexus injuries, it is mandatory to determine the exact number of roots available (not avulsed) to perform a direct reconstruction. In case of absence of available roots, extraplexual nerve transfers are employed, such as the spinal accessory nerve, the phrenic nerve, the intercostal nerves, etc., to increase the amount of axons transferred to the injured plexus. In cases of avulsion of all the roots, extraplexal neurotizations are the only reinnervation option available to limit the long-term devastating effects of this injury. Given the large amount of reports that has been published in recent years regarding brachial plexus traumatic injuries, the present article has been written in order to clarify the concerned readers the indications, results and techniques available in the surgical armamentarium for this condition. Since the choice of either surgical technique is usually taken during the course of the procedure, all this knowledge should be perfectly embodied by the surgical team before the procedure. In a previous paper extraplexual nerve transfers were analyzed; this literature review complements the preceding paper analyzing intraplexual nerve transfers, and thus completing the analysis of the nerve transfers available in brachial plexus surgery.

[Nerve reconstruction techniques in traumatic brachial plexus surgery. Part 1: extraplexal nerve transfers]

After the great enthusiasm generated in the '70s and '80s in brachial plexus surgery as a result of the incorporation of microsurgical techniques and other advances, brachial plexus surgery has been shaken in the last two decades by the emergence of nerve transfer techniques or neurotizations. This technique consists in sectioning a donor nerve, sacrificing its original function, to connect it with the distal stump of a receptor nerve, whose function was lost during the trauma. Neurotizations are indicated when direct repair is not possible, i.e. when a cervical root is avulsed at its origin in the spinal cord. In recent years, due to the positive results of some of these nerve transfer techniques, they have been widely used even in some cases where the roots of the plexus were preserved. In complete brachial plexus injuries, it is mandatory to determine the exact number of roots available (not avulsed) to perform a direct reconstruction. In case of absence of available roots, extraplexual nerve transfers are employed, such as the spinal accessory nerve, the phrenic nerve, the intercostal nerves, etc., to increase the amount of axons transferred to the injured plexus. In cases of avulsion of all the roots, extraplexal neurotizations are the only reinnervation option available to limit the long-term devastating effects of this injury. Given the large amount of reports that has been published in recent years regarding brachial plexus traumatic injuries, the present article has been written in order to clarify the concerned readers the indications, results and techniques available in the surgical armamentarium for this condition. Since the choice of either surgical technique is usually taken during the course of the procedure, all this knowledge should be perfectly embodied by the surgical team before the procedure. In this first part extraplexual nerve transfers are analyzed, while intraplexual nerve transfers will be analyzed in the second part of this presentation.

[Intraneural cysts of the peroneal nerve in childhood: report of 2 cases and literature review]

Intraneural cysts are benign lesions filled with mucinous content and located inside the epineurum of the peripheral nerves. Peroneal nerve is the most affected nerve. The entity is rare and its ethiopathology still remains to be definitely elucidated. In 2003 Spinner et al published their articular theory, implicated in the formation and frequent recurrence of these lesions after surgical treatment. The practical application of this theory, nowadays almost universally accepted, generated an important diminution in the recurrence rate after surgical evacuation of this lesions, previously very elevated. Most of the cases of this entity are described in adults. In the present paper we describe two pediatric cases and analyze the clinical aspects of these cysts in pediatric and adults patients. Peroneal intraneural cysts are one of the differential diagnoses in foot drop, and an adequate treatment concludes in a complete remission of the symptoms.

[Alström Hallgren syndrome]

INTRODUCTION

Alström-Hallgren syndrome is an inherited condition in which the transmission of a double dose of a mutated gene leads to specific clinical findings. To the present time there has been only one gene detected which leads to this syndrome, the ALMS1 gene. Mutation of this gene leads to progressive blindness due to photoreceptor dystrophy, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, insulin resistant diabetes, morbid obesity and cardiologic abnormalities.

CLINICAL CASE

We present the case of a four-year-old male who, after a cardiopulmonary shutdown in the fourth month of life, was diagnosed with a dilated cardiomyopathy. Nystagmus and photophobia followed, and, after ophthalmologic exploration and an electroretinogram, the results were consistent with Alström syndrome. The appropriate genetic studies were then performed.

DISCUSSION

The diagnosis in this case was considered basically because of its uncommon clinical features, and the fact a multidisciplinary approach was used in its evaluation. We were only able to confirm the diagnosis by molecular biology techniques, with this resulting in the correct diagnosis in 25-40% of cases. Treatment is symptomatic and the prognosis extremely variable.

[Pathognomonic chorioretinal lacunar lesions in an infant with Aicardi's syndrome]

CLINICAL CASE

We report the case of an 81-day-old female infant who was brought to the Emergency Department because of a seizure. At 20 weeks of gestational age she was diagnosed to have agenesis of the corpus callosum, with this being confirmed later by magnetic resonance imaging. Ophthalmological examination of the fundus showed peripapillar chorioretinal lesions (lacunar chorioretinopathy) in both eyes.

DISCUSSION

Chorioretinal lacunar and retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities are the basis for the diagnosis of this syndrome.

Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in solid organ transplantation: report of five cases and review

Visceral leishmaniasis is an infectious disease that occurs only rarely in recipients of solid organ grafts but is associated with an elevated mortality rate despite proper treatment. We report five cases diagnosed in our hospital. All the patients were men aged 30 to 60 years who had undergone kidney transplantation (3 patients), heart transplantation (1), or liver transplantation (1). Three of the patients died, one had multiple recurrences, and one developed post-kala-azar cutaneous leishmaniasis. We review the clinical features, treatments, and outcomes of 26 previously reported cases, pointing out the lower cure rate associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.