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Background: Pilot studies of adjuvant therapy with topically applied interferons (IFN) have shown promising results in reducing the recurrence of condylomata acuminata (CA). Objective: The aim of this multicenter placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to confirm the efficacy and safety of topically applied IFN in a large sample of patients. Methods: After removal of CA by CO₂ laser surgery, electrocautery or cryosurgery, 120 patients applied either recombinant IFN-β (0.15 or 1.0 × 10⁶ IU/g) or placebo gel to the affected areas 5 times daily for 4 weeks. The patients were followed for a total of 24 weeks or until recurrence of CA was observed, respectively. Results: In the 105 patients evaluated for efficacy after 24 weeks, recurrence rates were 75% (27/36 patients) in the placebo group, 62% (21/34) in the 1.0 × 10⁶ IU/g group (n.s.) and 54% (19/35) in the 0.15 × 10⁶ IU/g group (p = 0.034). Only few mild adverse events were noted, which were almost limited to the application site. Conclusion: Topical application of gel containing 0.15 × 10⁶ IU/g recombinant IFN-β is safe and appears to reduce the recurrence of CA after surgical treatment.

Fourteen patients with chronic genital warts were entered in a pair-matched crossover trial of recombinant interferon-α-2a. They received daily doses of either 1.5 × 10⁶ U or 18 × 10⁶ U interferon for one week by the subcutaneous route (abdominal skin). After an observation period of 4 weeks in case of no change or partial response, patients of the low-dose group were given 18 × 10⁶ U and those of the high-dose group 3 × 10⁶ U daily for another 7 days. Eight of 14 patients had a complete remission by the end of the therapy-free interval of 4 weeks, 5 patients of the low-dose group and 3 patients of the high-dose group. Acute side-effects consisted of a transient influenza-like syndrome. Remissions have been maintained for 6 to over 10 months. The data implicate that recombinant interferon-α-2a is highly effective in patients with human papillomavirus-related genital warts and that the low-dose regimen is at least equivalent to the high-dose treatment.

Ninety-one cases of hydatid disease of the chest are reported. Eighty-eight were involving the lung, two the chest wall, and one the mediastinum. All the patients were treated surgically. Conservative operations (simple removal of the parasite and closure of the remaining cavity) were performed in 78 patients, 37 unruptured and 41 ruptured cysts. Late postoperative complications occurred in eleven. In 10 patients, recurrent haemoptysis was the main symptom due to residual cavity in four, bronchiectatic changes in two, and unknown aetiology in four. In one patient, recurrence of multiple cysts occurred in the affected lobe. Radical operations were carried out in 10 patients, including segmental resection in four and lobectomy in six. Conservative operations were performed in all cases of unruptured cysts, with the exception of a giant cyst in which resection was the operation of choice. For ruptured cysts with mild infection conservative operation was also performed. Resection was necessary only in patients with ruptured cysts with suppuration, bronchiectatic changes, and giant cysts replacing a whole lobe. There was no mortality. We believe that conservative operation is the treatment of choice for hydatid disease of the lung. Indications for resection are very limited.The problem of hydatid disease in Greece is still serious, particularly among the rural population.During the last 10 years, 91 patients with hydatid chest disease were admitted to the Thoracic Surgical Clinic of Sismanoglion Chest Hospital. All *the cases were surgically treated and the patients were followed up for from 2 to 10 years. MATERIALThe total number of patients admitted to our clinic between 1960 and 1970 was 91; 88 cases involved the lung, one the mediastinum, and two the chest wall. In the 88 cases involving the lung, no liver hydatid disease was found, and similarly in the one located in the mediastinum no lung involvement was observed. The two cases involving the chest wall were recurrences following previous lung operations for hydatid disease. These recurrences occurred within one to three years.In the rural population 60 cases (65 93%) were found whereas only 31 (34 07%) were in urban districts. The distribution between the sexes is almost equal; 40 (4396%) were males and 51 (56-04%) females. The peak incidence is found below the age of 40 (60 patients -65 93%); 13 patients were between 40 and 50 (14-29%); 12 were between 50 and 60 (13-19%); and only six were over the age of 60 (6 59%).lReprint requests to C. J. A., 15 Kazneadon St., AthensOf the 88 cases of lung cyst (Table I), 75 were single cysts and 13 were multiple. In the multiple cases, both lungs were frequently involved. The right lung was more frequently involved than the left, 56 and 32 cases respectively, and the lower lobes were more often involved than the upper. Thirty-six cysts were found in the right lower lobe and 19 in the left lower lobe. The right upper and Imiddle lobes were involved in 20 cases and the left upper in 13 cases. Another characteristic finding...

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