Variations in Serum Copper and Ceruloplasmin Levels in Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancer Treated with Polychemotherapy

Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels (SCL, SCeL) in 57 patients with advanced cancer of the stomach (35 cases) or large intestine (22 cases) treated with polychemotherapy were studies. In gastroenteric cancer, SCL, which are already high in untreated patients, have a tendency to increase further in cases of progression of the disease, while they seem to significantly decrease in cases of remission. SCeL during the trial appeared to be correlated to the clinical evolution of the disease only in the case of stomach cancer. In large intestine cancer, SCeL did not show any significant variation in relation to the normal range. These observations, in particular on the behavior of SCL in the neoplasms of the digestive tract, are in accordance with the results of other studies. The authors are inclined to attach a diagnostic and prognostic value to the variation in SCL and SCeL in gastrointestinal cancer.

[Tuberculous meningitis. A case with severe ocular complications]

Tuberculosis in the world is the mean cause of death from single infectious agent. It is reported increase not only in underdeveloped countries but in developed too. Tuberculosis meningitis is a very serious form of tuberculosis. Outcome in tuberculosis meningitis is associated with the stage of the disease at presentation. When the child at presentation is extremely ill with coma the completely recovery is seen only in about 20% of cases. In our case patient had severe ocular complications: optochiasmatic tuberculomas. It is difficult recognize the two forms of tuberculomas intra- and perichiasmatic even with RNM. The good response at intrathecal therapy with recovery of the visus proves the perichiamsatic localitation of tuberculomas.

[Fat necrosis in the newborn]

Subcutaneous fat necrosis is an inflammatory disorder of adipose tissue that occurs in the newborn. Fat necrosis has been attributed to birth trauma, asphyxia, prolonged hypothermia. Usually involute spontaneously within weeks to months. Hypercalcemia and hyperlipemia have also been associated.

[Partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4 (the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome) with reference to the neurological and electroencephalographic aspects]

We describe a case of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4). The syndrome is characterized by mental and growth retardation and characteristic facial dysmorphism. The fetus was karyotyped for severe intrauterine growth retardation diagnosed on routine ultrasound. High resolution chromosomal analysis of infant and parents showed "de novo" deletion. Very interesting in our case are ictal phenomena and neurological development.