Aids-associated kaposi's sarcoma: 22 cases

Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS]-associated malignancy. Our aim was to analyse the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic findings in AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. This was a retrospective chart review of AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma diagnosed between 1991 and 2005. Epidemiological data, the stage of human immunodeficiency virus's [HIV] infection, clinical characteristics of Kaposi's sarcoma, treatment rendered and outcome were collected. The search of HHV8 was not done. Twenty two patients were included. They were 17 men and 5 females [sex-ratio=3.4/ 1] with a mean age of 33.6 years at the diagnosis of HIV infection. The Kaposi's sarcoma appeared after a period varying between 0 and 10 years. The Kaposi's sarcoma uncovered the infection in 5 cases. There were 6 homosexual men. The mean rate of CD4 was 216 21/mm3 at the diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma. All patients had skin lesions. Mucocutaneous lesions were isolated in 12 cases and associated with visceral involvement in 10 cases; lung [10 cases], gastrointestinal tract [5 cases], lymphadenopathy [5 cases], liver [4 cases], spleen [2 cases]. Antiretroviral therapy was prescribed for 13 patients. Six patients received chemotherapy and 3 others radiotherapy. Outcome was favourable in 4 cases with a partial improvement of the skin lesions in 3 cases and a complete regression in 1 case. Twelve patients died. AIDS associated Kaposi's sarcoma is a severe condition because of visceral localisations and the field of immunodeficiency. It requires a precocious diagnosis and collaboration. The identification of HHV8 in the aetiopathogenic mechanism of Kaposi's sarcoma can lead to the development new therapeutic approaches

[Shulman syndrome: a review of 4 cases]

The goal of this study is to report four cases of Shulman syndrome with a literature review. Shulman syndrome is a rare disorder recently considered a systemic disease. Our first case shows woody induration of the buttock and trunk with features of morphea. The diagnosis of eosinophilic fascitis, suspected on hypereosinophilia, was confirmed by histological findings of muscle biopsy. In the second and the third case, the induration affected arms and legs. Obvious strenuous exercise was noted in the third patient. Those patients full filed the criteria of eosinopfilic fascitis. Visceral involvement consisted on restrictive lung function defects on the second case and oesophageal hypokinesia in the third case. In the fourth case, there was a scleroderma-Iike on the extremitis with extension to abdomen. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was normal. Histological findings confirm the diagnosis of eosinophilic fascitis. All patients were treated with general steroids at high doses associated to cimetidine in the second patient. Once therapy ended, relapses occur in second and third cases