Cutaneous presentation of disseminated histoplasmosis as a solitary peri-anal ulcer. Case report and discussion.

Disseminated histoplasmosis has a diverse and non-specific range of clinical signs and symptoms. In a significant minority of patients, cutaneous lesions are apparent at the time of initial presentation, affording an opportunity to establish the diagnosis from a skin biopsy. The most frequently reported clinical scenario in immunocompromised patients with cutaneous involvement is that of multiple papulo-nodular lesions on the face, trunk or extremities. The following report features an immunocompetent patient who presented with a solitary ulcerated plaque on the buttocks close to the anal verge. This case presentation underscores the broad spectrum of clinical presentations as well as the potential for diagnostic confusion with protozoa such as Leishmania or Trypanosoma species during histopathologic examination if special stains for fungal organisms are not performed.

Safety and efficacy of new glyceryl trinitrate suppository formula: first double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate suppository form in the healing of chronic anal fissure. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with symptomatic chronic anal fissures were assigned to 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate suppository (n = 21) or placebo (n = 13) in a double blind design. Patient's symptom scores were registered at first visit. A validated daily chart was given to assess their symptoms on a daily basis. Both groups received psyllium from the beginning of the study. They were assessed at two-week intervals for six weeks. Then, they started a washout period of one month and after that were crossed over for another six weeks. Chi-squared, t-tests, and analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Complete healing at six weeks was achieved in 12 of 21 patients (57 percent) in the glyceryl trinitrate group and 5 of 13 patients (38 percent) in the placebo (P < 0.05). The overall healing rates at the end of study were 15 of 21 (71 percent) vs. 11 of 13 (84 percent) in the glyceryl trinitrate and placebo groups, respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Application of 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate suppository form represents a new, promising, and effective treatment for chronic anal fissure.

Relation between botulinum toxin and nitric oxide donors in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.

Although the pathogenesis of fissure is not fully understood, we do know that surgical and/or pharmacological sphincterotomy promotes the healing of chronic anal fissures. A number of studies support the hypothesis that local ischemia is the reason for failure to heal in anal fissure. Therefore, sphincterotomy may work because it decreases anal canal resting pressure and enhances microcirculation at the fissure site. The vasomotor tone of arterioles controlled by metabolic and endothelial factors determines perfusion of tissue and fissure healing. In a novel approach, this paper proposes mechanisms for nitric oxide synthesis, regulation and action in the internal anal sphincter. The design demonstrates the direct interdependence between the activity mechanisms of botulinum toxin and nitric oxide. Endothelial lining can modulate not only vascular tone but also internal anal sphincter (IAS) tone. The application of botulinum toxin likely releases the blockage in glyceryl trinitrate bioactivation in smooth muscle cells and suppresses basal continuous sympathetic activity, causing IAS relaxation. Sufficient distension of the IAS during defecation also reduces the risk of trauma during defecation and complication after the trauma. Both eruption of tissue in the fissure region and release of contraction vessel mediators tend to arrest fissure healing.