Splenectomy--a therapeutic option in splenic marginal zone cell lymphoma.

We present the case of a 65 years old male, admitted in the Hematology Department of the Universitary Emergency Hospital Bucharest, complaining of physical asthenia and weight loss; periodical medical examination has revealed splenomegaly and leucocytosis with lymphocytosis, persistent for the past 3 years. The clinical and paraclinical exam demonstrated splenomegaly (21 cm in diameter on computer tomography scan), hepatomegaly and generalized lymphadenopathies. The laboratory tests confirmed leucocytosis with lymphocytosis--a clonal population of B lymphocytes CD20+ CD19+ CD23+/- CD79b+(low), CD43+ FMC7+ CD5+ CD38+ ZAP70+ cyclin D1-. Lymph node and bone marrow biopsy together with flowcytometry established the diagnosis of Malignant non-Hodgkin Lymphoma--Atypical Splenic Marginal Zone B-cell lymphoma (aberrant expression of CD5) stage IVB, with leukemic picture, complicated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia with highly positive Coombs' tests. We performed therapeutic splenectomy, which was difficult because of the dimensions of the organ. The short term evolution was complicated by acute complete thrombosis of the splenic vein, but the long term evolution (1 year follow-up) was favorable--remission of anemia, significant improvement of performance status, decrease of leucocytosis and reduction of the tumoral mass.

Smooth-pursuit eye movement and saccadic intrusions in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Although several reports agree that smooth-pursuit eye movement (SPEM) is abnormal in some obsessive-compulsive disordered (OCD) patients, differences between treatments and lack of accuracy in control selection make the results controversial. Although reduced gain seems the most accepted abnormality, the characteristics of saccadic disruption of smooth pursuit are as yet unspecified. SPEMs in 21 OCD patients (DSM-III-R) and 21 healthy subjects recruited from the community were studied through a multiple target velocity task . The two groups were individually matched on age, gender, and level of education. None of the subjects had a history of substance dependence apart from the smokers who refrained from smoking in the 2 hours prior to the test. A significantly lower SPEM gain and increased number and frequency of anticipatory saccades (ASs) was found in OCD patients as compared with control subjects. No relationship emerged between eye movement abnormalities and clinical variables explored.

Absence of APP713 mutation in Italian and Russian families with schizophrenia.

A recent study has shown a mutation at codon 713 of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene in a schizophrenic patient. We have analyzed the MaeIII restriction site caused by that mutation in Italian and Russian families with schizophrenia. No mutations were observed suggesting that the APP713 mutation is unlikely to be linked to the pathogenesis of such a psychiatric disorder.

Perception of early parenting in panic and agoraphobia.

Thirty-two patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of panic disorder (PD) were administered the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), a 25-item self-report questionnaire devised to evaluate parental rearing practices. Compared with 32 matched healthy controls, PD patients scored both their parents as being significantly less caring and more overprotective. Moreover, the consistency of parental attitudes between the 2 parents was significantly lower, indicating lesser uniformity in the rearing patterns.

Pachydermoperiostosis and acro-osteolysis.

The authors present a case of pachydermoperiostosis (digital hippocratism, periostosis, pachydermia) associated with acro-osteolysis. This is the first association of this type described in Italy, and it is only recently that foreign authors have reported the presence of acro-osteolysis in patients affected with pachydermoperiostosis. The results obtained from studies of the micro and macro circulation in pachydermoperiostosis are reported.