A pigment derived from the acetaldehyde-mediated condensation between (+)-catechin and malvidin 3-O-glucoside has been prepared and isolated by semipreparative HPLC, and its characteristics of color and stability have been studied and compared with that of malvidin glucoside in aqueous solutions. When the pH was increased from 2.2 to 5.5, the solution of the pigment became progressively more violet (lambda(max) = 560 nm at pH 5.5), whereas similar solutions of the anthocyanin were almost colorless at pH 4.0. This behavior indicated that the anthocyanin moiety of the pigment was more protected against water attack, and thus the formation of its quinonoidal forms was favored. The color of the pigment also showed more stability with regard to bleaching by SO(2) than that of malvidin glucoside. Nevertheless, the pigment was more sensitive to degradation in aqueous solution than the anthocyanin. The cleavage of the ethyl bridge that links the anthocyanin and the catechin constituted the first step in its degradation, as demonstrated by the formation of malvidin glucoside as a major product.

Introduction: Neuromuscular choristoma (NC) is a rare tumor composed of striated muscle fibers admixed with nerve fibers that often affects large peripheral nerve trunks in children. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature of a NC of the ophthalmic nerve in an adult. Case description: A 27-year-old woman presented with a 20-day history of left periorbital headache radiating to the frontotemporal region, with associated tearing, nausea, and vomiting. The examination was normal, except for hypoesthesia in the distribution of the first trigeminal nerve branch (V1). Cranial computerized tomography showed a lesion in the left orbit and cavernous sinus with widening of the superior orbital fissure. On magnetic resonance imaging, the lesion was well-defined with fusiform morphology and showed a central cystic component and peripheral enhancement. An extradural approach was performed with subtotal tumor resection. Biopsy showed proliferation of striated muscle cells admixed with nerve fascicles and Schwann cells. A pathological diagnosis of NC of V1 was determined. Six months after surgery, left hypotropia with limitation of supraduction was observed, as well as hypoesthesia and paralysis of the left forehead with ipsilateral eyebrow ptosis. The rest of the examination remained within normal limits. Conclusion: NC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a young patient with periorbital headache and hypoesthesia in the V1 region.

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