O papel da patergia no pioderma gangrenoso em áreas doadoras de enxertos cutâneos: relato de caso / The role of pathergy in pyoderma gangrenosum at skin grafts donor sites: case report

O pioderma gangrenoso é doença crônica e recorrente,apresentando necrose e ulcerações cutâneas. Sua ocorrênciaem áreas doadoras de enxertos cutâneos é desconhecida,vendo-se poucas menções a respeito. Como nenhuma ssociaçãoentre pioderma gangrenoso e áreas doadoras de enxertoscutâneos foi encontrada na literatura, os autores Decidiram descrever este caso. A evolução clínica de uma paciente de 45 anos, com úlceras de difícil cicatrização em áreas doadoras de enxertos de espessura parcial é relatada, enfatizando-se que a demora no diagnóstico de pioderma gangrenoso retardou o início do tratamento específico. Nesse contexto, é importante o conhecimento do fenômeno da patergia, que é o desenvolvimento de uma nova lesão inflamatória na área do trauma. Na condição de patergia, um mínimo trauma pode ser seguido por uma progressiva destruição da pele saudável. O reconhecimentode pioderma gangrenoso pós-cirúrgico, geralmente, édemorado, pois os diagnósticos mais comuns são primeiramente considerados, como infecção ou deiscência da ferida. A natureza destrutiva das úlceras aparece com a progressão da doença, o que contribui para o diagnóstico correto, com cultura negativa e biópsia compatível. No caso em questão, algumas lesões poderiam ter sido evitadas se a terapia precoce tivesse sido aplicada. Tal suspeita deve ser, portanto, sempre aventada nessas situações.

Histologic response to injected phosphatidylcholine in fat tissue: experimental study in a new rabbit model.

The application of phosphatidylcholine to the fat tissue of humans for aesthetic purposes has recently been in evidence, despite the sparse literature corroboration of this practice. The authors developed a new experimental model to study injection of substances in fat tissue in rabbits. The objective of this particular study was to verify the possible effects of phosphatidylcholine injected in the animals. The animal weight, the fat pad weight, the presence of inflammatory infiltrate, and fibrosis and necrosis at the application sites were observed. Two groups of rabbits received five weekly applications to the dorsal fat pad. The control group received saline solution 0.9%, and the study group received phosphatidylcholine. The removed fat tissue was evaluated 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after the fifth application was completed. The phosphatidylcholine group presented more intense inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis than the control group (p = 0.05). Necrosis was not observed in any animal. There was no statistically significant difference with regard to the weights of the animal or the fat pad. On the basis of this study, the injection of phosphatidylcholine is relatively safe, but no effect was observed regarding the reduction of fat tissue volume. New studies with higher doses are needed to justify the clinical use of this substance.

Delisting of infants and children from the heart transplantation waiting list after carvedilol treatment.

OBJECTIVES: We performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of carvedilol effects in children with severe, chronic heart failure (HF), despite the use of conventional therapy. BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of carvedilol in youngsters with chronic HF and severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 22 consecutive children with severe LV dysfunction. The children had chronic HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <30%. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo (8 patients) or the beta-blocker carvedilol (14 patients) at 0.01 mg/kg/day titrated up to 0.2 mg/kg/day, followed-up for six months. RESULTS: During the follow-up and the up-titration period in the carvedilol group, four patients died and one underwent heart transplantation. In patients receiving carvedilol evaluated after six months, a significant increase occurred in LVEF, from 17.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.1 to 21.4%) to 34.6% (95% CI, 25.2 to 44.0%); p = 0.001. Modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved in nine patients taken off the transplant waiting list. All nine patients were alive at follow-up. In the placebo group, during the six-month follow-up, two patients died, and two underwent heart transplantation. Four patients persisted with HF symptoms (NYHA functional class IV). No significant change occurred in LVEF or fractional shortening. CONCLUSIONS: Carvedilol added to standard therapy may reduce HF progression and improve cardiac function, allowing some youngsters to be removed from the heart transplantation waiting list.