Bilateral ocular myositis as a late complication of dermatomyositis

The association of bilateral ocular myositis with primary inflammatory muscle disease is rare. We describe a 30-year-old man with a 2-month history of eyelid edema, erythema, and orbital pain, occurring in the course of previously undiagnosed and untreated dermatomyositis (DM). Although ocular myositis is a very rare manifestation of DM, it might be overlooked by clinicians who are not aware of this complication.

Assessing hydroxychloroquine toxicity by the multifocal ERG

Twenty patients on Plaquenil treatment were evaluated for retinal toxicity using the (EOG) and the mfERG. Group 1 comprises 15 patients (30 eyes) with normal EOG. From these patients 11 (22 eyes) showed normal RRD of mfERG in area 1 and area 2. The rest four patients (8 eyes) the RRD were reduced. Six months after interruption of HC, the mfERG improved in three cases. Group 2 comprises 5 patients (10 eyes) with subnormal EOG. Four (8 eyes) of these showed a decrease of RRD of the mfERG in area 1 and 2. In the rest one (2 eyes) the RRD were normal. Six months after interruption of HC the mfERG and the EOG improved in 2 cases. These results postulate that the mfERG may be used as an alternative method, perhaps more sensitive, for the detection of the HC retinopathy and the follow up of the patients on hydroxychloroquine.

[Auriculotemporal syndrome in patient with prostatic secondaries to the cervical vertebrae and neck lymph nodes]

Auriculotemporal syndrome is characterized by flushing sweating and hypersensitivity in the temporal, parotid and preauricular area during mastication. The syndrome is a rare complication after 1) injuries in this area, 2) parotidectomy, 3) surgery of fractures of the temporomandibular articulation 4) neoplasms of the parotid gland. It usually appears a few days to 1-2 years after the appearance of the above mentioned causes. A case of auriculotemporal syndrome in a 70 year old man with metastatic Ca from the prostate to the cervical vertebrae and neck lymphnodes is reported. On this occasion, the literature is reviewed and emphasis is given in pathogenesis and treatment of the syndrome.