Diagnostic and treatment challenges in neurofibroma concerning the external nose.

BACKGROUND: This paper discusses clinical features and management aspects of an extremely rare entity, neurofibroma of the external nose. METHODS: Database searches were performed using PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar to identify previously published articles. RESULTS: Twelve articles comprising 13 patients with neurofibroma of the external nose were included. The mean age of presentation was 31 years. Sixty-nine per cent of patients were diagnosed at final histopathology. External approach rhinoplasty was performed in 76.9 per cent of patients, while the intranasal approach was used in 15.3 per cent of patients. There was a 15.3 per cent association with neurofibromatosis type 1. Recurrence was noted in 23 per cent of patients. CONCLUSION: It may be challenging to diagnose this entity clinically because of its rarity and striking features on histopathology. Neurofibroma of the external nose should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis for any soft progressive swelling over the nose. Management requires complete excision, with cosmesis and restoration of functions.

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: fungal epidemic in a viral pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 infection can result in immunosuppression. Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis is a frequent co-infection, even after recovery. METHODS: An ambispective interventional study was conducted of 41 coronavirus patients with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis at a tertiary care centre from March to May 2021. RESULTS: There were 28 males and 13 females with a mean age of 48.2 years (range, 21-68 years). Twelve had long-standing diabetes mellitus and 28 had been recently diagnosed. Thirty-six had received systemic corticosteroids for coronavirus disease 2019. Nasal signs were present in 95 per cent of patients, ophthalmic symptoms and signs in 87 per cent, palatal necrosis in 46.3 per cent, facial signs in 24.3 per cent, nerve palsies in 60.9 per cent, and intracranial involvement in 21.9 per cent. Treatment with amphotericin B was based on clinical features and co-morbidities. Endonasal debridement was performed in 51.2 per cent of patients, total maxillectomy in 14.6 per cent and orbital exenteration in 9.7 per cent. At the last follow up, 37 patients (90.24 per cent) were on antifungal therapy; 4 (9.75 per cent) did not survive. CONCLUSION: Early detection may improve survival. Follow up of high-risk patients after coronavirus disease 2019 infection is paramount.

Single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic studies of tramadol immediate-release tablets in children and adolescents.

In these combined analyzes from 3 open-label, phase-1 studies, the pharmacokinetic profile of tramadol and its metabolite (M1) following administration of tramadol immediate-release (IR) tablets in children and adolescents, 7-16 years old (studies 1 and 2: n = 38; study 3: n = 21) with painful conditions following single oral dose of tramadol IR (25-100 mg) (studies 1 and 2) or multiple oral doses of tramadol IR tablets every 6 hours for 3 days (study 3) were compared with that of healthy adults following similar treatment. Area under the curve of tramadol and its metabolite M1 in children and adolescents was lower compared with adults (Dose-normalized [DN] AUC, h ng/mL: tramadol: 1316.87 [children]; 1418.02 [adolescents];1838.29 [adults]; M1: 342.56 [children]; 475.4 [adolescents]; 636.13 [adults]) while the Cmax remained similar (DN Cmax , ng/mL: tramadol: 203.75 [children]; 165.35 [adolescents]; 226.92 [adults]; M1: 34.93 [children]; 38.42 [adolescents]; 52.14 [adults]). The DN AUC was further lower in children and adolescents with a lower body weight (<50 kg). The weight normalized oral clearance of tramadol was higher in children and adolescents compared with adults (CL/F, mL/min/kg: 12.66 [children]; 11.75 [adolescents]; 9.06 [adults]). No new safety findings emerged. Tramadol was generally safe and well-tolerated by children and adolescents with painful conditions.

Phase I and pharmacological study of the farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib (Zarnestra, R115777) in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumours.

This phase I trial was designed to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of tipifarnib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumours. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of each of these agents was evaluated. Patients were treated with tipifarnib b.i.d. on days 1-7 of each 21-day cycle. In addition, gemcitabine was given as a 30-min i.v. infusion on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin as a 3-h i.v. infusion on day 1. An interpatient dose-escalation scheme was used. Pharmacokinetics was determined in plasma and white blood cells. In total, 31 patients were included at five dose levels. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) consisted of thrombocytopenia grade 4, neutropenia grade 4, febrile neutropenia grade 4, electrolyte imbalance grade 3, fatigue grade 3 and decreased hearing grade 2. The MTD was tipifarnib 200 mg b.i.d., gemcitabine 1000 mg m(-2) and cisplatin 75 mg m(-2). Eight patients had a confirmed partial response and 12 patients stable disease. No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions were observed. Tipifarnib can be administered safely at 200 mg b.i.d. in combination with gemcitabine 1000 mg m(-2) and cisplatin 75 mg m(-2). This combination showed evidence of antitumour activity and warrants further evaluation in a phase II setting.

A multicentric study to evaluate efficacy and safety of cefetamet pivoxyl in lower respiratory tract infections in Indian patients.

This multicentric, open label, non-comparative study was designed to evaluate the extended spectrum of third generation oral cephalosporin, cefetamet pivoxyl in the treatment of patients with lower respiratory tract infections. This study was conducted among 111 patients with clinical, radiological and bacteriological findings consistent with the diagnosis. After obtaining written informed consent, patients were given cefetamet 500 mg tablet twice a day for 7 days. Cefetamet consistently decreased all clinical signs and symptoms at post-therapy visit. All the treated patients were either cured or improved. Cefetamet was well tolerated with a low incidence of drug related adverse events. The findings of this study indicate that cefetamet pivoxyl was well tolerated and is suitable option for the treatment of patients with lower respiratory tract infection.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in enteric encephalopathy (EE).

BAEPs and SEPs were studied in 25 patients of enteric encephalopathy in acute phase and the results were compared with 25 healthy control persons. In the study the important observations of BAEPs were delayed peak latency of wave III, wave V and delayed ILP I-V, and of SEPs was prolonged peak latency of N20. The electrophysiological evidence suggests metabolic cause for the coma and the SEP changes were similar to those observed in cerebral malaria reported earlier in this laboratory.

Splenic capping: an experimental study of a new technique for splenorrhaphy using woven polyglycolic acid mesh.

The use of polyglycolic acid (PGA) stretchable mesh applied to the experimentally injured canine spleen can achieve satisfactory immediate hemostasis by tamponade and simplifies the use of sutures to control remaining areas of hemorrhage. PGA mesh with 1/4" and 1/8" openings was utilized for splenorrhaphy in 12 adult mongrel dogs subjected to sharp splenic trauma. By gross and histologic examination, the PGA mesh material appears to undergo progressive absorption to complete absorption by 85 days. For the 12 animals and 30 operative procedures the only complications of the use of the mesh were the occurrence of an intrasplenic seroma in a single animal at 6 weeks after operation and three wound infections. With this material, rapid, simple canine splenic injury repair can be achieved. PGA mesh further assists in the healing process, and in maintaining maximum splenic architecture and function. The material used in this study was manufactured and supplied by Davis & Geck, American Cyanamid, Danbury, Connecticut.