Correlation of central and peripheral keratometric parameters after corneal collagen cross-linking in keratoconus patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the difference in the central and peripheral keratometric parameters in patients with keratoconus after corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL). METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of 32 patients (18 males, 16-28 years) affected by progressive keratoconus in different stages of evolution underwent CXL using the standard epithelium-off protocol. Corneal thickness and corneal curvature before CXL and after 6 and 12 months using the Sirius tomographer were analyzed. The values of the mean corneal thickness at the corneal apex (CAT), center of the pupil (PCT), thinnest point (CTTL) and along concentric circles of 2, 4, 6, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 and 10 mm diameter were evaluated; the values of the mean curvature at the corneal apex and at the points in which the inferior, superior, nasal and temporal meridians crossed the above-mentioned concentric circles were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean preoperative values for CAT, PCT and CTTL were 461.4 ± 30.3, 475.3 ± 30.5 and 441 ± 32.0, respectively. The values after 12 months of CXL were 444.6 ± 36.2, 451.6 ± 36.7 and 418.2 ± 41.4. The peripheral corneal thickness at the eight points ranged from 479 to 733 preoperatively. At 12-month post-CXL, the values ranged from 444.6 to 734.1. The mean posterior curvature from apex to periphery ranged from - 4.5 to - 9.1 days preoperatively and from - 4.5 to - 9.2 days at 12 months. These were not statistically significant (ANOVA and unpaired T test). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that CXL over an 8-mm zone can stabilize the peripheral cornea. Longer-term follow-up studies on the peripheral cornea after CXL will provide useful information.

[Nimodipine in ischemic cerebropathy]. / Nimodipina nella cerebropatia ischemica.

Fifty patients of either sex with acute and chronic cerebrovascular disorders were submitted to an observation protocol and treated with oral nimodipine (tablets or drops) at a daily dosage of 90 mg for 1 to 3 months. Nimodipine proved useful both from the therapeutic point of view and for its easy handling in acute pathology (TIA, RIND, minor stroke, complete stroke) as well as chronic cerebral ischemia. The drug was well tolerated both locally and systemically; in patients with concomitant arterial hypertension, nimodipine reduced blood pressure with a tendency towards stabilization at near-normal levels.

[Use of pefloxacin in boutonneuse fever]. / Sull'impiego della pefloxacina nella febbre bottonosa.

On the basis of previous studies, the authors tested pefloxacin, a new generation quinolone, for the treatment of Mediterranean spotted fever. Treatment with this drug brought about complete recovery with rapid subsidence of clinical symptoms and normalization of instrumental and laboratory parameters. This antibiotic should therefore be listed as one of the agents suitable for combatting rickettsial infections and its use should be encouraged in view of its easy handling, excellent compliance and the possibility for oral administration.

[Pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy of Pierre-Marie-Bamberger. Discussion of 5 cases and review of the literature]. / Osteoartropatia ipertrofizzante pneumica di Pierre-Marie-Bamberger. Discussione su cinque casi e revisione della letteratura.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) may be defined as a syndrome of chronic proliferative periostitis of the long bones, clubbing of the fingers and toes, arthralgia and or arthritis, oligo- or polysynovitis. It is often associated with primary pulmonary carcinoma, rarely with other intra- or extrathoracic disease processes. With the present report, the Authors would like to contribute some informations on the clinical aspects of pulmonary HOA and a review of literature.