Triamcinolone Acetonide Acetate

Reproducibility and scale-up production of microspheres through spray drying present significant challenges. In this study, biodegradable microspheres of Triamcinolone Acetonide Acetate (TAA) were prepared using a novel static mixing method by employing poly( lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as the sustained-release carrier.

TAA-loaded microspheres (TAA-MSs) were prepared using a static mixing technique. The PLGA concentration, polyvinyl alcohol concentration (PVA), phase ratio of oil/water, and phase ratio of water/solidification were optimized in terms of the particle size, drug loading (DL), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) of TAA-MSs. The morphology of TAA-MSs was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), while the physicochemical properties were evaluated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The in vitro release of TAA-MSs was compared to that of the pure drug (TAA) using a water-bath vibration method in the medium of pH 7.4 at 37°C.

The formulation composition and preparation condition for the preparation of TAA-MSs were optimized as follows: the PLGA concentration was 1%, the phase ratio of oil(dichloromethane) /water (PVA solution) was 1:3, the phase ratio of water (PVA solution)/solidification was 1:2. The optimized TAA-MSs displayed spherical particles with a size range of 30-70 μm, and DL and EE values of 27.09% and 98.67%, respectively. Moreover, the drug-loaded microspheres exhibited a significant, sustained release, with 20% of the drug released over a period of 28 days. The XRD result indicated that the crystalline form of TAA in microspheres had been partly converted into the amorphous form. DSC and FT-IR results revealed that some interactions between TAA and PLGA occurred, indicating that the drug was effectively encapsulated into PLGA microspheres.

TAA-loaded PLGA microspheres have been successfully prepared via the static mixing technique with enhanced EE and sustained-release manner.

Pachydermodactyly is a rare, benign, and non-inflammatory digital fibromatosis, typically presenting in adolescents with painless and progressive swelling of the soft tissues around the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. Most often observed in young males, it is frequently linked to repetitive mechanical behaviors such as finger rubbing, clasping, or habitual trauma. Despite its benign nature and preserved joint function, the condition is often mistaken for inflammatory arthropathies, leading to misdiagnosis and potentially inappropriate management. We describe the case of a 14-year-old girl with no prior medical history, referred to the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine from the pediatric department due to a six-month history of finger swelling. The initial concern arose from her family physician, and she denied any pain, trauma, or systemic symptoms. However, she had been taking piano lessons since the age of six. There was no family history of rheumatologic disease. On physical examination, bilateral fusiform swelling of the second and third fingers was observed, centered at the proximal phalanges. The patient had the full range of motion and was pain-free on palpation. Laboratory investigations and radiographs were unremarkable. Given the typical clinical features and absence of inflammatory or structural abnormalities, a diagnosis of pachydermodactyly was made. Treatment consisted of a local infiltration of triamcinolone acetate, which was well tolerated and led to a significant reduction in swelling at follow-up. We report this case to raise awareness of pachydermodactyly as a rare but important differential diagnosis in adolescents presenting with finger swelling. The condition is frequently underrecognized, particularly in women, and can be mistaken for inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. Early identification can prevent unnecessary investigations and treatments. This case also highlights a positive response to conservative interventional management, supporting individualized care based on clinical presentation and patient preferences.