Paraneoplastic pemphigus as the initial presentation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The case history of a 61-year-old male patient is described, who presented with severe stomatitis, conjunctivitis and leukocytosis. The diagnosis chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) stage A (0) was made, for which no treatment was necessary. Progression of stomatitis and conjunctivitis and erythosquamous skin lesions with bullae and vesiculae formation developed.

Endoscopic treatment of pharyngeal pouches: electrocoagulation vs carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.

Endoscopic treatment of a hypopharyngeal diverticulum was performed in 75 patients during the period 1976-1990. Initially electrocoagulation was used to divide the septum between the diverticulum and oesophagus. More recently, the CO2 laser combined with the operating microscope has been used.

Diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy in the upper respiratory tract.

A statistical analysis was made of data concerning diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy in the upper respiratory tract in 292 patients. A study was made of: skin test, total and specific IgE (RAST), X-sinus, red blood investigation, and cytology of nasal smear. It appears that screening for the presence of an IgE-mediated allergy in the upper respiratory tract can be performed efficiently with a limited number of skin tests (rye grass, timothy, birch, house dust mite and cat).

[The diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy of the upper airways].

A statistical analysis was made of data concerning diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy in the upper respiratory tract in 292 patients. It appears that screening for an IgE-mediated allergy can be performed with a limited number of skin tests (rye grass, timothy, birch, house dust mite and cat). In this study a larger number of skin tests (15 instead of 5) and investigation of specific IgE (RAST) yielded little additional information (in 2% and 3% of the patients, respectively).