[Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the enigma of bad progression]

Still, very little is known about the precise pathogenetic mechanisms, the triggering events and in particular, the evolution and treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is part of the broad spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLDs). Mainly, it has been reported as a benign disease, associated with metabolic disorders commonly occurrence en the general population. Nevertheless, the syndrome can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma, requiring liver transplantation. We present one patient with diagnosis of NASH, who was treated initially for overweight, HTA and hyperlipaemia with incompleted response and who showed a quickly progress to cirrhosis but no cause of liver decompensated disease could be identified. Currently she is at end-stage waiting a liver transplantation. Controlled and multicentric studies with the same definition of NASH and the study end-points are needed, and will provide information about diagnosis features and novel therapies to early management of the disease.

Fabry's disease: long-term study of a family

Fabry's disease is the second most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder after Gaucher's disease. It occurs as the result of a deficit in the alpha-galactosidase A enzyme. The gene coding for it is located on the long arm of the X chromosome (Xq22.1). This deficit causes the gradual accumulation of a glycosphingolipid. The main substance accumulated is globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). This accumulation leads to pain and angiokeratomas, and to cardiac, cerebral, and vascular involvement as the disease progresses. The treatment of Fabry's disease has so far only been symptomatic; however, new advances have now made it possible to prescribe alpha-galactosidase replacement therapy, which not only improves symptoms, but also enhances these patients' quality of life and lowers mortality. In this paper we review the status of Fabry's disease and we report the follow-up of a family with Fabry's disease, with some members receiving replacement therapy with alpha-galactosidase A and demonstrating good progress.

[Treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma with 131I MIBG: a long survival]

131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) is a structural analogue of adrenal hormone norepinephrine employed to localise tumours derived of neural crest and in the treatment of malignant pheochromocytomas. Although the number of patients is low, in the revised literature there are objective remissions and reduction of hormonal activity, with symptomatic answers. However, the reduction of size of tumour only has been described in some times and hardly ever in the presence of osseous metastasis. We present one patient diagnoses of malignant pheochromocytoma with osseous metastasis, who was treated with 131I-MIBG. It was administrated a total dose of 1,800 mCu, with an excellent tolerance and short adverse symptoms. There were a partial tumour response and a complete hormonal response, with a survival of 30 years after the diagnoses.

[Fabry's disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Multisystemic crossroads]

Fabry's disease is a rare congenic disorder of glycosphingolipid catabolism resulting from deficient activity of the alpha galactosidasa. Is an X-linked disorder and in hemizygous males the activity of this enzyme is very low, resulting in severe manifestations. Fabry disease is confirmed by the lack alfa-galactosidase in serum. In the literature have been reported a few cases of coexistent Fabry's disease and connective disorders, but there is not cases of rheumatoid arthritis coexistent. This report describes a case of a female with Fabry's disease who vas subsequently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The suspect diagnosis was very important because the two disorders are multisystem and new symptoms could be attributed to Fabry's disease. The accumulation of lipids may results in numerous pathogenic autoantibodies, which could make immunocomplex. This is the potential pathogenic mechanisms explaining the association between Fabry's disease and autoimmune diseases.