Der Internist
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Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is one of the serious problems in the fight against tuberculosis on a global scale. This review article describes in brief the global epidemiology, diagnostics and treatment of DR-TB. The situation in Germany, Switzerland and Austria is addressed in detail. The article concludes with a presentation of current research topics in the field of resistant TB.
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We report the case of a 29-year-old Turkish woman who was admitted to hospital with a 4-week history of fever up to 39.0 °C, headache, sore throat, fatigue and painful cervical and right-sided axillary lymph node swelling. Computed tomography imaging of the neck, thorax and abdomen identified generalized but in particular bilateral cervical and right-sided axillary lymph node enlargement (up to 2 cm). The histological examination of the axillary lymph node biopsy revealed Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), a condition characterized by histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. The patient was treated symptomatically with analgesics and antipyretics and the symptoms and febrile condition slowly improved.
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Practice Guideline
[Diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis. Current standards].
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease that mainly affects the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes; however, virtually any organ can be affected. As an orphan disease, recommendations are mainly based on observational or small randomized studies as well as experts' opinion. Diagnosing sarcoidosis requires proof of non-necrotizing granulomas in patients with a compatible symptomatic pattern and the exclusion of other granulomatous diseases. ⋯ In case of functional organ impairment, cardial or CNS involvement, or other complications, steroid therapy is necessary with a starting dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight that should be tapered-off over 6-12 months. Steroid-refractory disease can be treated by adding methotrexate or azathioprine, two drugs long known in sarcoidosis treatment. Monoclonal antibodies against TNF and lung transplantation are further therapeutic options.
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Alopecia is the term used to describe hairless areas of the scalp. They can follow a specific pattern, be diffuse or circumscript. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) follows a pattern: in men thinning of temples and vertex up to total baldness; in women thinning of the midline or parietal area. ⋯ For therapy, the following medications are used: topical minoxidil solution for AGA of men and women; systemic finasteride 1 mg for men with AGA; topical diphencyprone immunotherapy for alopecia areata; systemic antimycotic agents for tinea capitis; antibiotics such as clindamycin and rifampicin for folliculitis decalvans; systemic corticosteroids and isotretinoin for folliculitis et perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens; topical corticosteroids for lichen planus and Kossard's frontal fibrosing alopecia.