BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing skin disorder that affects about 2% of the U.S. population and involves the scalp approximately 50% of the time. Topical corticosteroids, including betamethasone valerate, have been used effectively in the treatment of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses of the skin and scalp. Betamethasone valerate (BMV) in foam vehicle (Luxiq) is designed to improve patient compliance with topical therapy. Superior efficacy over a BMV lotion preparation has been demonstrated with twice-daily use. Even greater compliance would be expected if the drug is effective with once-daily application. PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of the betamethasone valerate foam (Luxiq) in the treatment of scalp psoriasis following once-daily versus twice-daily dosing. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis from seven centers were enrolled and treated with BMV foam either once a day or twice a day for four weeks. The physician-grader was blinded to the treatment regimen, and the subjects were randomly assigned to either once-daily or twice-daily dosing in a 1:1 ratio. RESULTS: The signs of psoriasis (plaque thickness, scaling, and erythema) were assessed before and after treatment. The investigator's and the patients' global assessments were also evaluated. The composite score improved from 7.7 +/- 2.1 to 3.0 +/- 2.2 with twice-a-day use and from 8.1 +/- 2.2 to 3.9 +/- 2.8 with once-daily use (p > 0.05 for the difference between groups). DISCUSSION: BMV foam is effective for scalp psoriasis with both once-a-day and twice-a-day use. This feature of the BMV foam is encouraging for expected improvement in clinical use.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Temporal image database design for outcome analysis of lung nodule.

This paper presents the design of a temporal image database system and its application in thoracic imaging. The design of this information system is based on the client/server architecture. The system consists of a chest imaging database server, a library of image processing modules, a link to the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) archive, and a low end client workstation with motif-based graphic user interface (GUI). The database system can be used to aid the radiologists in quantitating solitary or multiple long nodules and in assessing effectiveness of therapeutic procedures for these lung cancers. The GUI allows a user to retrieve any patient study from PACS. After a nodule is visually identified, it will be segmented automatically to obtain relevant features, such as the center of mass, volume, and surface area. Such 3D nodule information, together with the patient textual information, is subsequently organized in the chest imaging database to facilitate outcome analysis.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of tolazoline on right-to-left shunting via a patent ductus arteriosus in meconium aspiration syndrome.

Since arterial blood oxygen tensions are used in the evaluation of treatment of patients with meconium aspiration syndrome, it is important to recognize the occurrence of significant right-to-left shunting via a patent ductus arteriosus. The clinical findings, evidence of right-to-left ductus shunting, and outcome in eight patients with meconium aspiration syndrome are presented. Administration of tolazoline HCl and curare produced a beneficial effect on their PaO2 values.

Ductus Arteriosus, Patent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Toxic shock syndrome in a 23-month-old male infant.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Bacterial Toxins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intraoral and cutaneous juvenile xanthogranuloma.

A three-year-old male with histologically proven intraoral and cutaneous juvenile xanthogranuloma is described. In our review of the literature published in English we were unable to find a similar case report. The clinical and histologic features of this disorder are discussed.

Child, Preschool↗