Search

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent cutaneous tumour. Having as aim the identification of the clinical-evolutional and histopathologic aspects of the basal cell carcinomas, we have undertaken a retrospective study for a period of 5 years, from 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2008, on 706 patients interned in the Dermatology Clinic of Craiova, whom indicated 738 tumours. A clinical data was drawn for the patients, containing the identification data, environment, profession, cancer localisation and history of the disease, clinical and histopathologic diagnosis. Results. In our lot, the most numerous cases were of pearly BCC (33.6%), nodular BCC (22.2%), respectively scar plane BCC (13.1%).Regarding the histopathologic type, the repartition was as it follows: solid BCC (33.7%), polymorph (19.2%), adenoid (13.1%), keratinised (11.8%), superficial (7.0%), cystic (3.8%), pigmented (3.8%), scleroderma form (2.2%), in situ (1.4%).

Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp or dissecting folliculitis also known as "perifoliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens" (PCAS), is a rare, severe and distinct dermatological disease. It most probably occurs because of follicular occlusion via hyperkeratosis, having the same mechanism of acnea conglobata and hidradenitis suppurativa. These dermatoses may be associated or may have an isolated evolution. PCAS is one of the primitive cicatricial alopecia of neutrophilic type (with pustules). What is characteristic for the histopathologic picture of the disease is the deep inflammatory infiltrate, placed at the reticular derm or hypoderm level. The initial perifolliculitis evolves towards forming profound abscesses and the destruction of polysebaceous follicles because of granuloma, usually lymphoplasmocitary and with gigantic cells. Here is the case of a 24-year-old male with records of acne conglobata and cicatricial alopecia of the scalp, with relapsed inflammatory nodular lesions on the surface of the alopecic plaques and follicular pustules on their margin. The patient had followed before hospitalizing a systemic treatment with antibiotics (azithromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, in therapeutic schemes that the patient cannot mention, but anyway of short time) and after that a treatment with retinoids (isotretinoin, 20-30 mg/day, in two successive therapies of one month each). The evolution of the disease under these treatments was with outbreaks and short times of remission of the acne lesions and nodular lesions of the scalp. The clinical diagnosis of PCAS is difficult, especially in the initial stage of the disease, as it was the case of the patient presented here. We underline the importance of a correct history of the disease, of the complete clinical exams and the need of paraclinical investigations (histopathologic exam from the lesional biopsy - microscopy and immunohistochemistry) in order to come with a positive diagnosis of PCAS and a differential one.

This study was conducted in a southeast region of Romania, known to be selenium (Se) deficient. The fluorimetric method for the determination of Se in biological samples was used in a study on the serum Se content in time in a group of 10 cows with a high milk yield and in their calves. The same cows were sampled antepartum (late pregnancy) and postpartum (1, 7, 21, 30, and 60 d), and the calves were sampled on d 1 of life and 7, 21, 30, and 60 d postcalving. Colostrum and milk samples were also collected and analyzed at the same times. Throughout the study, the serum Se content in both the cows and the calves was below the reference values (0.040-0.100 microg/mL), except the control conducted 7 d postpartum, for which it was 0.044 +/- 0.017 and 0.023 +/- 0.007 mg/mL in cows and calves, respectively. The most significant drops were recorded 21 (p<0.01) and 60 d postpartum (p<0.05). The colostrum Se was higher (0.036 +/- 0.022 microg/mL), decreasing progressively throughout the study to the normal low limit (0.005 microg/mL). The milk Se concentration was lower by approx 78% than the colostrum one on d 1 postcalving. These data demonstrate the course of hyposelenosis both in the cows and their calves. The maternal body proved to "mobilize," even in case of deficiency, important Se amounts in the colostrum, during the first days in particular.