Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Sep 1993
Case Reports[Intravenously-administered immunoglobulins as first-choice agent in juvenile dermatomyositis].
Dermatomyositis is an acquired disease characterised by symmetric predominantly proximal muscle weakness of the arms and legs, and misery. It may be associated with myalgia and there is often a characteristic rash. The mainstay of therapy is corticosteroids. ⋯ After two courses of IVIg infusions at a dose of 0.4 g/kg/day for five consecutive days, the patient made a rapid and complete recovery. This case shows that IVIg may be effective as initial therapy in patients with dermatomyositis. Whether IVIg is really a better treatment than corticosteroids should be investigated in a randomised study.
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Three patients who showed an allergic reaction to latex products are described. By means of history, skin tests, measurement of IgE antibodies against latex and challenge tests the diagnosis could be established. ⋯ Latex allergy should be considered when evaluating 'idiopathic' anaphylaxis during an operation. Moreover, latex allergy may be the cause of occupational rhinitis and asthma.
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Sep 1993
Case Reports[Peroperative anaphylactic reactions due to latex allergy].
A 10-year-old girl with spina bifida underwent surgery to increase the capacity of her neurogenic bladder using an isolated loop of intestine. During the operation serious circulatory and respiratory problems occurred after the peritoneum was opened, when the ileum was manipulated using gloves containing latex. Latex allergy can lead to potentially fatal anaphylactic reactions. A survey is presented of the risk groups, together with measures recently advocated in the literature to detect latex allergy and to avoid major reactions.