Efficacy of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine + artesunate, sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine + amodiaquine, and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine alone in uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Mali.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin has been reported in South-East Asia. Long half-life drugs are increasingly being used for malaria prevention. The potential spread of parasite resistance to these regimens is real and makes regular efficacy surveillance a priority. METHODS: From August to December 2004 and July to December 2005, a randomized open label trial of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) + artesunate (AS) versus SP + amodiaquine (AQ), and SP alone, was conducted in two villages of Mali. PCR was used to distinguish new infections from recrudescent P. falciparum infections. Patients were followed for 28 days to assess treatment efficacy. RESULTS: Overall 912 children aged between six to 59 months, with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were recruited. Baseline characteristics were similar in the three treatment arms. Crude ACPRs were 94.9%; 98.6% and 93.5% for SP + AS; SP + AQ and SP alone arms respectively (SP + AS versus SP + AQ, p = 0.01; SP + AS versus SP, p = 0.5; SP + AQ versus SP, p = 0.001). After PCR adjustment, cACPRs were 99%; 100% and 97.2% for SP + AS; SP + AQ and SP alone arms, respectively (SP + AS versus SP + AQ, p = 0.25; SP + AS versus SP, p = 0.12; SP + AQ versus SP, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine + amodiaquine therapy was as efficacious as sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine + artesunate, but more efficacious than sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine alone in the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Mali.

[Duodenal villous adenoma: a case report]. / Adenoma villoso del duodeno: un caso clinico.

Small bowel tumours are rare neoplasms representing just 1% of all the gastrointestal tract lesions. Adenomas are the benign forms which, developing in the duodenum, tend to localize in periampullary region, with high incidence of malignant degeneration. The authors report a case of a fifty-five-years old woman with a periampullary villous adenoma.

[Pseudomyxoma peritonei associated with mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix]. / Pseudomixoma peritoneale associato a cistoadenoma mucinoso dell'appendice.

The authors report a case of a male 86 years old patient with peritoneal pseudomyxoma associated to cystoadenoma of the appendix. Preoperative CT scan showed the presence of a mass in the appendiceal site containing a gelatinous fluid collection and calcifications. Notwithstanding, diagnosis of pseudomyxoma was preoperatively considered less probable due to the rarity of the affection and the advanced age. At laparatomy was revealed the presence of the large mass observed at CT scan, involving the caecum and occupying the retroperitoneal space along the ascending colon. Mucinous ascites was present without invasive mucinous implants in the peritoneum. Operation consisted in a right hemicolectomy with total removal of the retroperitoneal mass and evacuation of the mucinous ascites. Histology confirmed the clinical diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei associated to cystoadenoma of the appendix. The case is of paradigmatic interest as being quite correspondent to the classical Ronnett's definition of pseudomyxoma: a clinicopathological entity characterized by mucinous ascites and non-invasive mucinous implants with a characteristic distribution and containing histologically benign mucinous epithelium derived from an appendiceal mucinous adenoma and having a benign course. According to such definition, the authors stress the importance of an appropriate classification of the observed cases of pseudomyxoma, under whose term is often collected a heterogeneous group of pathological lesions, in order to better evaluate the prognosis and treatment.

[Indications for the surgical treatment of cavernous angioma of the liver in adults. Report of a case]. / Considerazioni sulle indicazioni al trattamento chirurgico dell'angioma cavernoso del fegato nell'adulto. A proposito di un caso.

The authors report a case of giant cavernous hemangioma of the liver, almost entirely extrahepatic, bulging from the inferior surface of the right lobe into the abdomen, treated surgically on account of worsening symptoms referable to continuing growth. A thorough search of the literature allows a critical review of the surgical indication in this benign pathology, rarely complicated by significant clinical events. Surgery is indicated, in lack of relevant complications, only when significant symptoms, continuing or worsening, are undoubtedly referable to the presence of the angioma.

Recurrent intussusception of the sigmoid colon caused by a transanal protruding sessile tubulo-villous malignant polyp.

We report a case of a 35 year-old woman with a large malignant sessile tubulo-villous polyp of the proximal end of a dolico-sigmoid colon causing intussusception and transanal prolapsing. The diagnosis presented some difficulties being the intussusception intermittent. The clinical feature had been initially misdiagnosed for a very large bleeding polyp (5 cm in size), protruding out of the anus with a long pedicle in the rectum. The histology of multiple bioptic samples of the lesion revealed malignancy. Conventional radiologic studies (plain x-rays, barium enema) after metal clips had been placed on the head of the polyp before it rose up the colon, led to the correct diagnosis without, nevertheless, documenting intussusception. An elective surgical resection of the dolico-sigmoid colon allowed the correct diagnosis and the curative treatment of the colonic intussusception and the malignancy.

Spielmeyer-Vogt disease: clinical and neurophysiological aspects.

Recent neurophysiological studies have identified a characteristic profile in the case of certain progressive infantile encephalopathies which, together with clinical data, may assist with the diagnosis. The authors report a case of juvenile ceroid lipofuscinosis (Spielmeyer-Vogt disease) and stress the importance of carrying out neurophysiological investigations for diagnostic purposes and for controlling the progression of the disease. The effect of antioxidant therapy (sodium selenite and vitamin E) on these investigations and on the natural evolution of the disease is also discussed.