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Chondrosarcoma is a tumor which arises from cartilage, and whose apparition can occur in any site. However, it remains rare in the larynx. Management depends on the grade and the stage of the tumor at the time of the presentation. Here is described the case of a 73-year-old man, who presented with a one-month history of dyspnea due to a low-grade (grade I) laryngeal chondrosarcoma. The tumor was successfully treated through a laser and radiofrequency ablation. A 73-year-old man presented with dyspnea that appeared one month earlier. He underwent clinic examination and CT-scan analysis, which revealed a laryngeal lesion. Histological analysis of the lesion led to the conclusion of a low-grade chondrosarcoma. A non-surgical management was chosen during a multidisciplinary consultation meeting, to preserve laryngeal functions. The patient underwent repeated laser and radiofrequency ablation, to reduce the tumor volume. At present, there is still a mass in the area, but the patient doesn't present any other symptoms. However, he has a close follow up, in order that the signs of an early tumoral evolution are promptly detected. Total laryngectomy is often used for laryngeal chondrosarcoma, but it leads to a complete loss of the laryngeal functions, among which we can quote the speaking. Thereby, it would be better for patients to find other ways of conservative management. Consequently, our case presents the success of laser and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of a laryngeal chondrosarcoma, which allowed to protect laryngeal functions. Nevertheless, this is a non-curative method showing some limitations but improving surgery outcomes and patient quality of life. This report highlights the importance of quick grading in primary laryngeal chondrosarcoma. In this case, localized low-grade chondrosarcoma was treated without surgery, with a successful outcome thanks to laser and radiofrequency ablation. • Laryngeal chondrosarcoma • Radiofrequency and laser ablation • Rare case of such a way of treatment for this type of lesion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides visual evaluation, skin irritation induced by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) may be characterized by bioengineering measurements, such as skin colour reflectance, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) or hydration. Short application times or low concentrations of the irritant usually do not modify the visual aspect of the skin, and the measurements described above are unchanged or only slightly altered. We were looking for a suitable method to measure cutaneous changes not detectable by usual bioengineering procedures. Therefore these measurements were compared to those of dynamic function testing of the stratum corneum, namely sorption-desorption and moisture accumulation tests. Different concentrations of SLS (0.1%, 0.5%, 2.5%), application times (15 min, 24 h) and times of testing (1 h, 24 h after patch removal) were investigated on the ventral forearm of human subjects. When SLS was applied for a short period (15 min), 1 h after patch removal skin colour, TEWL and hydration were not modified, while increases in hygroscopicity, water-holding capacity and water accumulation were detected depending on the applied concentration. Increase of hygroscopicity was closely correlated with the alteration of epidermal barrier function (TEWL). We demonstrated that sorption-desorption and moisture accumulation tests performed on SLS-treated areas for a short period, without visible modifications, could evaluate changes of the stratum corneum properties. We consider these tests as useful complementary methods to skin colour, TEWL and hydration measurements, particularly in the detection of subclinical skin injuries.

A method was developed to measure in vitro on human skin the effectiveness of barrier creams against three dyes (eosin, methyl-violet and oil red O) with different n-octanol/water partition coefficients (0.19, 29.8 and 165, respectively). Some galenic properties (water washability, water content and viscosity) of the products were also evaluated to try to understand the mechanisms of such a protection. The barrier creams were assayed by measurements of the dyes in the epidermis of protected skin samples after an application time of 30 min. Whereas some products showed some degree of protection, as claimed on the packaging, we demonstrated in several cases disagreement with the manufacturer's information. Surprisingly, petrolatum was found to provide the best protection of all tested products in our in vitro model. There was no correlation between the galenic parameters of the assayed products and the level of protections, indicating that neither the water content nor the consistence of the formulations influenced the protection effectiveness. In conclusion, regarding the possible skin effects of some irritants, our results stress that barrier creams should be used with caution, knowing the protection limits of some of the formulations marketed.

The effect of increased pressure, which is a mechanical property of massage, was investigated on the percutaneous absorption of an amphiphilic compound (caffeine) in vitro on Franz diffusion cells, using excised human skin. 50 microliters of either a 320 micrograms/ml or a 15 mg/ml acetone solution of caffeine were pipetted onto the surface of each skin sample, which represented caffeine skin deposits of 5 micrograms/cm2 and 240 micrograms/cm2 respectively. During each experiment, a pressure device delivering 0.25 bar over the atmospheric pressure was applied for the first 30 min on half of the cells. At 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h the aqueous dermal bathing solution, containing 14 g/l albumin, was removed and chromatographed. With the applied dose of 5 micrograms/cm2 no statistical difference was found between the cumulated absorbed amount under atmospheric pressure and increased pressure. On the other hand, with the applied dose of 240 micrograms/cm2, the permeation of caffeine was 1.8 times higher under increased pressure than the permeation under atmospheric pressure (p < 0.05). This enhancing effect of increased pressure was probably connected to either an improved transappendageal route during the percutaneous absorption process or a higher stratum corneum filling-up.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate differences in human skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in vivo related to site on volar forearm. Fourteen healthy volunteers entered the study and seven sites were tested. After randomization of both forearm and measure order, TEWL measurements were performed using the Servo Med Evaporimeter. TEWL values next to the wrist were found statistically greater than on the other sites. Hence wrist region should preferably be excluded from TEWL measurements on forearm.

A new tablet of micronized 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) and a commonly used tablet in therapy (Psoraderm 5) were compared in 12 healthy subjects. Each subject ingested 1.2 mg/kg body weight of each formulation on different days. Bioavailability and phototoxicity of 5-MOP were compared. The results showed that serum and suction blister concentrations were significantly higher and occurred earlier after the oral intake of the micronized preparation. A series of graduated UVA doses were administered, one dose each time the concentration serum peaked, in order to determine the minimum phototoxic dose for each formulation. The micronized preparation induced greater photosensitivity than the unmicronized one. The micronized 5-MOP tablet may thus allow lower doses of UVA to achieve therapeutic results in photochemotherapy and a shortened waiting period following ingestion of drug.

Diurnal variations in drug pharmacokinetics are a well known phenomenon. Chronopharmacology studies now appear to be attracting increasing interest with a view to establishing an optimum therapeutic prescription. In order to determine possible chronobiological variations of 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) pharmacokinetic, 5-MOP blood concentrations were quantified in 8 healthy subjects after drug ingestion at different times during the day. Stolk's High Performance Liquid Chromatography technique was used to assess the 5-MOP serum concentrations. Each subject underwent three pharmacokinetic studies after oral ingestion of 5-MOP (1.2 mg/kg), in conjunction with a standardized low-lipid meal. The first pharmacokinetic study was started in the morning, the second in the afternoon and the third in the evening. Drug intake was at intervals of 2 days, to avoid drug accumulation. The results showed that the evening intake of the drug induced a higher 5-MOP maximum concentration and a higher 'area under curve' than morning or afternoon ingestion. This study suggests an optimized PUVA therapy, when performed in the evening.