[Jugular thrombosis and adenocarcinoma of the prostate: a state of hypercoagulability?]

The association between cancer and hypercoagulability states is well known. It usually presents as a complication of gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas. We present the case of patient diagnosed of prostatic adenocarcinoma who was admitted because of pain and inflammation in the left side of the neck. The ultrasound study showed a jugular vein thrombosis. In the bibliographic review (MEDLINE 1990-1995), we have not found any similar reports Jugular vein thrombosis is a rare complication and usually is secondary to central vein catheter insertion, although it has been also described with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, infections, head and neck tumors and rarely in other neoplastic diseases. The physiopathologic process is not well known, although it is known that neoplastic cells interact with the thrombin and plasmin generating systems and that there is also a decrease in coagulation inhibitors, all of which leads to prothrombin activation in the absence of the corresponding increases in thrombin inhibitor complexes.

Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) with intestinal involvement--a case report

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) or Buerger's disease is a nonatherosclerotic vascular disease of unknown etiology that occurs almost exclusively in young male tobacco users. The involvement of the medium-sized and small arteries and veins leads to ischemic complaints and trophic changes in the limbs. The authors report a case of Buerger's disease in a 29-year-old man, a heavy smoker, affecting the lower limbs and mesenteric vessels.

[Pseudo-thrombophlebitis syndrome: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations of 2 cases]

Pseudo-thrombophlebitic syndrome is a frequent clinical entity but many times insufficiently diagnosed. Described more than a century ago by Baker it is characterized for being clinically undistinguishable from a true thrombophlebitis, being its cause the presence of a synovial cyst in the knee joint (Baker's cyst) which can be complicated or not (breakage or dissection). Diagnosis is easy and is based mainly in echography and arthrography. The anticoagulant therapy used in true thrombophlebitis is contraindicated in this syndrome.

[Gastroenteritis with eosinophilia caused by Giardia lamblia]

A case of gastroenteritis due to Giardia lamblia with severe dehydration and complicated with arterial thrombosis, accompanied by eosinophilia and increased serum IgE levels, is presented. The relationship between Giardia and eosinophilia and allergic manifestations is discussed as well as its pathogenesis.