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We make a retrospective evaluation of clinical and radiologic features, treatment, and outcome of Erdheim-Chester disease, a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. We report a case of Erdheim-Chester disease and review 60 cases from the literature. These cases are consider to have Erdheim-Chester disease when they have either typical bone radiographs (symmetrical long bones osteosclerosis) and/or histologic criteria disclosing histiocytic infiltration with distinctive immunohistochemical phenotype of the non-Langerhans cell histiocytes with positive staining for CD68 and negative staining for S-100 protein and CD1a. Our patient undergoes chemiotherapy according to the LCH-II stratification and therapy plan (Vinblastine, Etoposide and Prednisone) and thereafter receives Carboplatin and Etoposide, and Somatostatin. She is alive and clinically well 33 months after onset of symptoms and the lesions don't appear to progress at imaging examinations. In conclusion, Erdheim-Chester disease may be confused with Langerhans cell histiocytosis as it sometimes shares the same clinical (exophthalmos, diabetes insipidus) or radiologic (osteolytic lesions) findings. However, the characteristics radiological pattern of Erdheim-Chester disease together the immunohistochemical phenotype of hystiocytic infiltration supports the theory that Erdheim-Chester disease is a unique disease entity distinct.

Background: A new combined technique for vaginal prolapse and cystocele using minimal access surgery is presented and evaluated., Methods: Thirty-five patients (mean age 57.1) with genitourinary prolapse (II-IV degree Baden-Walker) without urinary incontinence underwent surgery between January 98 and December 99 with 4-24 months of follow-up (mean 14.6 months). The surgical stages include total vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, wide opening of the vagina without excessive removal of the vaginal mucosa; the bladder is loosened and the polypropylene mesh (PPM) is lightly fixed to the bladder and stitched to the anterior and posterior vaginal wall. The PPM is introduced into the abdomen and laparoscopically fixed to the sacral promontory with titanium spirals having checked vaginally the right tension of the mesh. Accurately laparoscopic peritonization of the PPM ends the surgical procedure., Results: The operation time was 90'-140' (mean 112') followed by 3-7 days of hospitalization (mean 4.3). Vaginal prolapse and cystocele were corrected in all cases. No surgical complications, de novo urinary incontinence, prolapse recurrence or inconvenience to sexual activity have been observed. There was one erosion of the vaginal wall by the PPM 45 days after the operation., Conclusions: Initial studies suggest that laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy and cystocele repair with PPM is an effective treatment for genitourinary prolapse. If subsequent studies will confirm these findings, the development of minimal access techniques for genitourinary prolapse will represent a significant surgical advance.

A retrospective study was performed over the children admitted to three regional pediatric burn units, over a 5-year period (1986-1990). Out of 695 pediatric patients, 270 (38.8%) were admitted with burns of the head and neck. This whole childhood age group (up to 14 years of age) was examined epidemiologically. The age group presenting the highest incidence was within 0-3 years (71%); scalds were involved in high percentage (68%) and many injuries occurred at home (93%). Epidemiological aspects of the report are discussed with particular consideration of preventive programs.

Lateral labial cleft is exceptionally rare. This malformation gives the opportunity to evaluate its origin (following the embryology of facial segments) and its association with other deformities. Surgical treatment must reconstruct an anatomic and functional situation which must give a good aestetic result.

The authors have investigated the effect of pentoxifylline administration (400 mg in three doses) in diabetic subjects with lower limb vasculopathy. The results have shown a marked improvement in clinical symptoms and VRBC and a slight improvement in fibrinogen and blood lipid levels.

In recent years, the diffusion of antibiotic multiresistant staphylococcus strains in hospitals (especially aureus and epidermis) has created serious drawbacks as regards the treatment of severe septic forms and the systemic spread of these bacteria. The results of endovenous vancomycin treatment in three cases of sepsis with secondary localisations (endocarditis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia) caused by gram positive staphylococcus aureus are examined. The pharmaceutical was found to be effective in all cases and free from significant side effects.