1/240. A silver-sulfadiazine-impregnated synthetic wound dressing composed of poly-L-leucine spongy matrix: an evaluation of clinical cases.The management of severe burns requires the suppression of bacterial growth, particularly when eschar and damaged tissue are present. For such cases, silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) cream has been traditionally applied. This antibacterial cream, however, cannot be used in conjunction with a temporary wound dressing that is needed to promote healing. The authors developed a synthetic wound dressing with drug delivery capability for clinical use by impregnating a poly-L-leucine spongy matrix with AgSD, which is released in a controlled, sustained fashion. In general, the dressing adhered firmly to the wound in the case of superficial second-degree burns, and during the healing process it separated spontaneously from the re-epithelialized surface. In the management of deep second-degree burns where eschar and damaged tissue were present, the dressing had to be changed at intervals of 3 to 5 days until it adhered firmly to the wound. Once the dressing had firmly attached to the wound, it was left in place until it separated spontaneously from the re-epithelialized surface. Dressing changes were fewer than with other treatments and the pain was effectively reduced. Cleansed wounds were effectively protected from bacterial contamination. Of 52 cases treated with this wound dressing, 93% (14/15) of superficial second-degree burns, 75% (3/4) of deep second-degree burns, 85% (6/7) of superficial and deep second-degree burns, and 75% (12/16) of split-thickness skin donor sites were evaluated as achieving good or excellent results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/240. Familial primary cryofibrinogenemia.BACKGROUND: To our best knowledge this is the second case ever described of familial primary cryofibrinogenemia (CFG). patients: A 29-year-old Moroccan female and two of her three children suffered from painful purpura, slow healing small ulcerations and edema of both feet during the winter season. Laboratory investigations revealed the presence of cryofibrinogen in their blood plasma. All three patients were otherwise healthy and no associated disease could be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of CFG has to be considered in patients with livedo reticularis, edema, painful purpura and slow healing ulcera after cold exposure. Cryofibrinogen-precipitates in the blood plasma have to be determined. Because secondary CFG occurs much more frequently than the primary form, it is important to rule out associated diseases through extensive physical examination and laboratory investigations. This communication also stresses the importance of a through family history of patients with CFG. An autosomal dominant mode of inheritance is supposed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/240. Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in an hiv-negative patient.We report a case of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in an hiv-negative patient, who presented with painless, ulcerated lesions involving the right forearm (fingers and elbow), which developed over 45 days. On the basis of the clinical appearance, serological and cultural examinations were performed to confirm the diagnosis; the histological evaluation of a skin biopsy showed an acute inflammatory infiltrate containing several PAS Cryptococci. Subsequently, the patient was treated with fluconazole (400 mg/day for 10 days, then a maintenance therapy of 200 mg/day); after one month, the cutaneous lesions were remarkably improved, but, although a series of further laboratory and clinical examinations was scheduled, the patient repeatedly refused any other re-evaluation, and he was lost from follow-up.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/240. Algosteril calcium alginate dressing for moderate/high exudate.Algosteril is a new alginate dressing manufactured by Les Laboratoires BROTHIER and distributed by Beiersdorf Medical. It is a natural, pure, non-woven dressing made from calcium alginate fibres. It complements other products in the Beiersdorf wound care family such as Cutinova, Cutifilm and Cutisorb. Algosteril rapidly absorbs and retains wound fluid to form an integral gellified structure, thereby maintaining an ideal moist wound healing environment. It traps and immobilizes pathogenic bacteria in the network of gellified fibres, stimulates macrophage activity and activates platelets, resulting in haemostasis and accelerated wound healing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.5keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/240. Long-term extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy for treatment of chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease: observations in four patients.BACKGROUND: Chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) can arise as a late complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. patients with extensive disease to date require intensive early and long-term immunosuppression; however, treatment is often insufficient. Since the beneficial effects of phototherapy for chronic cutaneous GvHD are well known, extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy (ECP) was also tried with some success for a few single patients with this disease. OBJECTIVE: The long-term effect of ECP was evaluated in 4 patients with therapy-resistant severe chronic cutaneous GvHD after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. methods: Four patients were treated with monthly sessions of ECP over a period of 16-40 months. disease severity was assessed by a semiquantitative score adapted from the literature including extent of skin area involved, rigidity of the skin, involvement of joints and immunosuppressive drug consumption. RESULTS: In all patients, a favorable response was observed after 6-12 treatment cycles. One patient had a complete response, 2 patients had a partial response, and 1 patient had a minor response after treatment. In 2 patients, immunosuppressive medication started before initiating ECP could be reduced or completely withdrawn under ECP. Peripheral blood lymphocyte immunophenotyping revealed reduction of CD3 CD4 T cells in 3 patients and of elevated CD3 CD8 and CD57 CD8 T cell subsets in 2 patients. Conclusion: ECP is effective in treating severe chronic cutaneous GvHD. ECP possibly exerts its effects by reducing the number of CD8 suppressor/cytotoxic T cells, the presumptive effector cells of GvHD. ECP is well tolerated with essentially no side effects and allows reducing the dosage of immunosuppressive agents.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/240. Distant and delayed mitomycin C extravasation.mitomycin C is a vesicant chemotherapeutic agent used to treat solid tumors. Its ability to cause delayed and remote tissue injury after intravenous administration is reported in the literature. Two cases of delayed and distant mitomycin C extravasation injury occurred in our institution. In both patients, no evidence of acute extravasation was visible during or immediately after administration. Within 48 hours, one patient reported erythema, burning, and pain in the hand contralateral to the administration site. The second patient developed three distinct ulcerated lesions on her forearm within 6 weeks of receiving the agent. The lesions, located at sites of venipunctures, occurred 12-15 cm proximal to the site of mitomycin infusion. Because the drug has the potential to cause such unusual and unanticipated tissue injuries, health care professionals and patients should be aware of this hazard.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/240. subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn.subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn (SFN) is an uncommon disease that affects newborns who have suffered from tissue hypoxia during or following delivery. This disease appears during the first weeks of life. It consists of indurate, erythematous or purple-erythematous nodules and plaques in the skin. histology of a biopsy specimen shows granulomatous necrosis in the subcutis with radial crystals in lipocytes and giant cells. Spontaneous resolution in a few weeks is usual, but the mobilization of calcium from the necrosed subcutis together with the action of some hormones may cause hypercalcemia and certain serious complications. A newborn female child developed SFN after dystocic delivery causing cerebral frontal lobe hemorrhage. The skin nodules resolved spontaneously in a few weeks and no complications were observed 1 year later.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/240. wegener granulomatosis in a child: cutaneous findings as the presenting signs.wegener granulomatosis (WG) is a systemic disease that is particularly unusual in children. A limited form has been described without renal involvement. We report a 14-year-old girl in whom the disease started with acneiform nodular and papular lesions on the forehead. Later necrotic ulcers developed on her forehead, arms, and buttocks. The cutaneous lesions were associated with upper and lower respiratory tract involvement, low-grade fever and arthralgias. Subsequently clinical and laboratory evaluations (increased ESR; leukocytosis and presence of serum IgG antibodies cANCA = 1:160), with chest roentgenograms revealing pulmonary densities and parenchymal infiltration, suggested the diagnosis of WG. The histologic findings of a cutaneous biopsy specimen were ulceration of the epidermis with diffuse neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate and a late-stage small vessel vasculitis in the dermis. Histopathology of the nasal mucosa was characterized by a granulomatous process with a dense lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with few giant cells, a finding that confirmed the diagnosis of WG. No renal involvement was present. One month of cyclophosphamide (125 mg/day) and prednisone (70 mg/day) therapy markedly improved the patient's clinical condition. At present, 1 year later, she is free from any signs of the disease. According to the literature, the frequency of cutaneous lesions in WG ranges from 16% to 46%. They are the presenting sign only in 6% of patients. Cutaneous lesions are even more uncommon in children. In particular, an "acneiform" presentation is a rare finding in WG.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/240. Ulcerated cutaneous epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma described first by Weiss and Enzinger in 1982 is an uncommon vascular tumor usually involving soft tissue, less frequently the lung and the liver and exceptionally the skin. We herein report a 52-year-old woman who presented an isolated moderately painful persistant ulceration of the concha of her left ear. Histopathological findings showed strands and nests of epithelioid endothelial cells typical of cutaneous epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Immunohistochemical stainings confirmed the vascular nature of the tumor. Surgical excision by ear amputation was performed. In a review of the literature, to our knowledge, this clinical presentation as ulceration has never previously been reported.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.5keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/240. Cutaneous ulcers associated with hydroxyurea therapy in myeloproliferative disorders.hydroxyurea (HU) is an established chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) including chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia (ET). It is well tolerated, has minimal toxicities, and produces hematological response in most patients treated. Side effects of hydroxyurea are few and include myelosuppression, oral ulcers and skin rashes. Cutaneous toxicity is rare. This study aims to describe the occurrence of cutaneous ulcerations attributed to HU therapy in patients with MPD, and familiarize the oncology community with this unusual but disturbing toxicity of HU. Five patients with MPD receiving HU therapy at doses of 0.5 to 4 g/day who developed skin ulceration were reviewed (median age was 53 years). Three patients had philadelphia positive CML, and two had ET. Cutaneous ulcers developed after a long period of HU therapy (median 36 months, range 7 to 96 months). The time after discontinuation of HU to the healing of the ulcers was 1 to 4 months. Ulcers developed mainly in the lower extremities particularly adjacent to the malleoli, indicating a possible relation to trauma. In conclusion, cutaneous ulceration represents a poorly recognized and rare HU-related side effect. Discontinuation of HU usually leads to slow resolution of the ulcers over several months. The etiology of this rare side effect remains poorly understood.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = rate (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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