[Plasma exchange in dermatology: apropos of a case of dermatomyositis]. / Recambio plasmático en dermatología: a propósito de un caso de dermatomiositis.

We present a 45 years old male with dermatomyositis refractory to eight months of standard treatment who responded to plasma exchange. The efficacy of the procedure is estimated from clinical follow-up (increase in strength) and serum creatine-kinase activity (decrease from 3,380 to 44 u/ml.) after five sessions of plasma exchange. The therapeutic indications for PE are reviewed in dermatological diseases with emphasis on cases where the response to steroids or cytotoxic drugs is inadequate.

Slow infusion of vincristine in the treatment of refractory thrombocytopenic purpura.

Eight patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), who were refractory to glucocorticoid therapy, were given slow infusions of vincristine (VCR) over a 4- to 6-hour period at weekly intervals for 4 weeks. Three patients showed a return to normal platelet counts maintained for 3 months or longer. A transient recovery was observed in 1 patient and a partial response was observed in 3 patients. All patients tolerated therapy well, without side effects. In conclusion, therapy with slow infusion of VCR can be effective in refractory ITP.