Cervical follicular dendritic cell sarcoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a rare tumour with a low-to-intermediate grade of malignancy. It frequently occurs in cervical, mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes. In approximately 30% of cases an extranodal localization has been reported (tonsils, oral cavity, mediastinum, liver, and spleen). Very little is known about possible treatment options and overall prognosis. This case reports a 66 year-old patient, who underwent surgical removal of a persistently enlarged right cervical lymph node. The histopathological examination revealed a spindle cell tumour with lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltrates. Neoplastic cells stained positive for CD21, CD23 and CD35, thus confirming the diagnosis of FDC sarcoma. The neoplasm recurred two years later and partial regression was achieved by IGEV rescue therapy. We briefly discuss clinical history, histopathological differential diagnosis and treatment options of FDC sarcoma.

[Endovascular treatment for recurrent carotid stenosis]. / Il trattamento endovascolare della restenosi carotidea.

PURPOSE: Surgery of recurrent carotid stenosis (RCS) has higher complication rates than primary carotid endoarterectomy (CEA). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent placement were evaluated retrospectively with a view to proposing then as alternative procedures for RCS. METHODS: In the last 10 years, 19 patients underwent 20 endovascular procedures for RCS at our Department. The mean interval between CEA and PTA was 21 months (range 4-96): 14 patients had PTA within 2 years, 3 patients within 2 and 3 years,and 2 after 3 years. The mean degree of stenosis was 92% (range 80-95%). PTA was performed by balloon catheters (size 4-7 mm) without using cerebral protection device; one self-expanding stent was used to treat RCS after PTA. All patients underwent physical examination and carotid color-coded Doppler sonography in autumn 1999 RESULTS: The procedure was technically successful, with residual stenosis lower than 50%, in 17 of 19 patients; 10 patients showed residual stenosis lower than 30%. Carotid PTA was stopped due to transient neurological deficit in one case. One RCS proved uncompliant even though high-pressure balloon catheters were used. The mean follow-up period in 16 patients was 37.4 months (range 3-99 months). Carotid restenosis after PTA developed in 3 patients, respectively after 29,18 and 7 months. In the last case RCS was successfully treated by stent placement (Wallstent). The primary patency rate was 81%, the secondary patency rate was 88% and the late clinical success rate was of 94%. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, PTA without the use of cerebral protection devices and stent placement proved to be a safe and effective alternative treatment for early RCS. When an atherosclerotic lesion is suspected surgery or endovascular treatment with cerebral protection devices are recommended.

Benzodiazepine receptor affinities, behavioral, and anticonvulsant activity of 2-aryl-2,5-dihydropyridazino[4,3-b]indol- 3(3H)-ones in mice.

The anticonvulsant properties of 1,4-benzodiazepines (BDZs), pyrazoloquinolones (CGS), 2-aryl-2,5-dihydropyridazino[4, 3-b]indol-3(3H)-ones (PIs) 1 1i 1d 1f 1e 1b 1c 1h, and 1a, the latter being inactive against audiogenic seizures. Some PIs 1 and abecarnil showed anticonvulsant properties against seizures induced by PTZ with a potency lower than that observed in audiogenic seizures. The pharmacological actions of 1d, 1f, and 1i were significantly reduced by a treatment with flumazenil (8.24 micromol/kg IP), suggesting a clear involvement of benzodiazepine mechanisms in the anticonvulsant activity of these compounds or their metabolites. The anticonvulsant activity of 1d, 1f, and 1i was also evaluated against seizures induced by two beta-carbolines namely methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCM) and methyl-6, 7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM), in DBA/2 mice: they gave better protection against seizures induced by beta-CCM than the ones by DMCM. The potency of various BDZs and PIs as inhibitors of specific [3H]flumazenil binding to neuronal membranes, was also evaluated. The radioligand binding study, carried out on stable cell lines expressing definite combinations of benzodiazepine receptor subunits, demonstrated that 1b, 1e, 1d, and 1h have preferential interaction with alpha(1), beta(3), gamma(2), receptor subtypes.