Ethaverine Therapy for Multiple Leiomyomas

To the Editor.—  A 41-year-old white man has been followed up during the past year for multiple leiomyomas. The patient's lesions are scattered in a general and symmetrical distribution, sparse on the torso, slightly increased on the upper extremities, but almost confluent on the lower extremities. The patient came to me with a history of prior examination at University of California Los Angeles clinics; the treatment consisted of excision of painful nodules, desiccation and curettage, and amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil HCl) therapy, which brought intermittent relief of the pain.The major complaint was pain. The patient also indicated that pain could be brought on by a cool breeze and changes in temperature.Since, ethaverine HCl (Ethaquin) therapy produces smooth muscle relaxation affecting the larger blood vessels, I hoped that this therapy might lessen the pain, which I attributed to contraction of abnormal smooth muscle cells. The patient is being maintained on