Ziprasidone: a novel psychotropic with unique properties

Ziprasidone (Geodon) is a relatively new atypical antipsychotic medication with a unique pharmacological profile. It is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, but has also often been used off-label for other uses. This review summarizes its important properties, specifically the pharmacodynamic parameters, receptor-binding profile and relevance to clinical outcomes, side effects, and potential for drug-drug interactions and established clinical indications. Novel therapeutic applications and relevant clinical trials or reports are also examined. The authors review the current market and speculate on likely changes in 5 years.

Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in Cushing's syndrome. Series of 7 cases

A series of 7 patients (all females) with Cushing's syndrome are presented. The syndrome was due to an adenoma of the cortex in 4 cases, to a carcinoma in 1 and to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia in another. In the 7th patient the cortical hyperplasia was due to a bronchogenic carcinoma (ectopic production of ACTH). Surgery was performed in all patients except 1. In 5 patients (adenoma, carcinoma) the diseased adrenal was removed. In 1 patient a left total and a right subtotal adrenalectomy were performed. Out of those 7 patients 4 survived and 3 died. 1 died a few hours after surgery, another 3 months after operation and the last one was never operated on.