Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M L Diez.
We report a case in which a "false" aneurysm of the basilar artery developed after an assault on a patient resulting in head injuries. Diagnostic imaging and endovascular treatment are described. Formation mechanisms of traumatic intracranial aneurysms are discussed and the literature is reviewed.
Cross-reactivity between quinolones is uncertain. Recently, we studied three patients who had developed suspected allergic reactions to a quinolone. For all of them we performed skin test, histamine release test, RAST, and oral provocation with the suspected quinolone and also with another quinolone of the opposite generation. Five atopic and five nonatopic subjects were used as controls. Neither skin test, histamine release test, nor RAST was useful in the diagnosis. By means of oral controlled provocation, the reactions were reproduced, and all the patients also reacted to another quinolone. We concluded that cross-reactivity between quinolones seems to be very important, and avoidance of any quinolone should be recommended to any patient who has suffered an allergic reaction to one of these drugs.
We present two patients who experienced life-threatening immediate reactions and one patient who developed generalized urticaria following oral administration of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) combination. Skin prick tests with TMP were positive in the three patients. No patients reacted to skin prick tests with SMX. No significant levels of IgE antibodies to TMP were found by RAST in the serum of the patients. Normal subjects used as controls did not react to any of these tests. Single-blind, placebo-controlled oral challenges were positive with TMP and negative with SMX in all patients. These results suggest that the three patients developed type I hypersensitivity reactions to TMP. In our patients skin prick tests with TMP were useful in TMP hypersensitivity diagnosis.
A variety of plant substances may induce contact urticaria and the list of substances responsible for such reactions is increasing. We report eight patients suffering from occupational asthma caused by Obeche wood sawdust. These patients also presented with urticaria when they worked with this wood. Studies revealed immediate positive skin test reactivity to Obeche wood extracts in all patients. The presence of specific IgE antibodies against Obeche wood could also be demonstrated by a reverse ELISA method. Finally, skin provocation tests (rubbing test) on the eight patients evoked a positive reaction within 20 minutes. These findings strongly suggest an IgE-mediated immunologic mechanism as responsible for the patients' urticaria. Obeche wood should be considered a health hazard capable of causing both bronchial asthma and contact urticaria. At the present time, this timber constitutes the most frequently commercially exported African wood. Many individuals, including carpenters and hobbyists, may come into contact with this wood due to the common use of Obeche wood in the "Do it yourself" type of shops.