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Sebaceous nevus is a congenital malformation of the skin that usually occurs on the scalp or face. Syndromic forms do rarely exist with associated cerebral and ocular malformations. The skin lesions are pale at birth and become irregular by puberty. In the adult patient, tumors (usually benign) develop from sebaceous nevus. Their surgical excision during childhood can give a better result in terms of the definitive scar.
The aim of this study is to analyze our cases of syndromic sebaceous hamartoma, perform a review of the existing literature, and propose guidelines for the therapeutic plan.
This is a retrospective study reviewing the cases of syndromic sebaceous nevus treated in the Department of Orthopedic Plastic Pediatric Surgery in Montpellier, France, and the Department of Pediatric Surgery in Lausanne, Switzerland, between 1994 and 2016.
The files of six patients with syndromic sebaceous nevus were analyzed. The average age at the first consultation was 4 months. The location was craniofacial in all cases. Cerebral radiological imaging was performed on all patients; two showed abnormal findings. Four patients underwent ophthalmic examination, which all revealed abnormalities. Three patients had other associated malformations. Three patients presented with epilepsy or learning difficulties in the course of follow-up.
All patients presenting with extensive sebaceous nevus of the craniofacial region should benefit from cerebral imagery and ophthalmic examination since there is a very high probability of associated abnormalities. The developmental problems encountered could not be definitively associated with the skin malformations.
Thyroid , Vol. 0, No. 0.
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Thyroid , Vol. 0, No. 0.
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Is it possible to remove milia? We look at home remedies, medical treatments, and ways to prevent these small, white bumps from occurring.
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Publication date: Available online 16 February 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Aren Bezdjian, Hanneke Bruijnzeel, Sam J. Daniel, Hans G.X.M. Thomeer
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Publication date: Available online 15 February 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Wan-Yi Hsueh, Wei-Chung Hsu, Jenq-Yuh Ko, Te-Huei Yeh, Chia-Hsuan Lee, Kun-Tai Kang
ObjectiveTonsil surgery in children is a common surgical procedure, and is mostly performed as an inpatient procedure in Taiwan. This study elucidates the epidemiology and postoperative hemorrhage of inpatient tonsillectomies in Taiwanese children.MethodsThis study used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for analysis. From 1997 to 2012, all in-hospital children (aged <18 years) who underwent tonsillectomies were identified through the International Codes of Diseases (9th Revision). Incidence rates and trends of inpatient pediatric tonsillectomies during the study period were identified. Major complications, including readmission, reoperation, and mortality were identified. The factors associated with major complications were analyzed.ResultsFrom 1997 to 2012, 17326 children received inpatient tonsillectomies (mean age, 8.6 ± 3.8 y; 65% boys). The overall incidence rate was 20.6 per 100,000 children. The incidence rate was highest in children who were 6–8 years of age, and boys exhibited a higher rate than girls (P < 0.001). Longitudinal data indicated that the incidence rate increased from 1997 (15.7/100,000 children) to 2012 (19.2/100,000 children) (P trend < 0.001). The proportions of readmission for any reason, readmission for bleeding, and reoperation were 1.8%, 0.9%, and 0.3%, respectively. No mortality occurred within 30 days of the tonsillectomy. A multivariable logistic model indicated that toddlers were associated with an increased risk of readmission for any reason (OR, 2.70; 95% CI 1.60–4.56), and adolescents were at risk of bleeding-related readmission (OR, 2.81; 95% CI 1.91–4.14) and reoperation (OR, 2.86; 95% CI 1.47–5.55). Children with comorbidities (OR, 3.14; 95% CI 1.93–5.09) or a surgical indication of tumor (OR, 11.73; 95% CI 4.93–27.91) had a higher risk of readmission. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids is associated with an increased risk of readmission or reoperation. Moreover, concurrent procedures (i.e., adenoidectomy, ear surgery, or nasal surgery) did not increase the risk of readmission or reoperation.ConclusionsThe incidence rate and indications of obstructive sleep disorders for inpatient pediatric tonsillectomy increased during 1997–2012 in Taiwan. Postoperative readmission and reoperation were rare. Age, surgical indication, comorbidities, and drug administration were associated with readmission or reoperation in this study cohort.
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Publication date: Available online 16 February 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Author(s): Veronika Moslerová, Martina Dadáková, Ján Dupej, Eva Hoffmannova, Jiří Borský, Miloš Černý, Přemysl Bejda, Karolína Kočandrlová, Jana Velemínská
ObjectivesTo evaluate facial asymmetry changes in pre-school patients with orofacial clefts after neonatal cheiloplasty and to compare facial asymmetry with age-matched healthy controls.Methods and materialsThe sample consisted of patients with unilateral cleft lip (UCL), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). The patients were divided in two age groups with a mean age of 3 years (n = 51) and 4.5 years (n = 45), respectively, and 78 age-matched individuals as controls. Three-dimensional (3D) facial scans were analyzed using geometric morphometry and multivariate statistics.ResultsGeometric morphometry showed positive deviations from perfect symmetry on the right side of the forehead in the intervention groups and the controls. The UCL groups showed the greatest asymmetric nasolabial area on the cleft-side labia and the contralateral nasal tip. The UCLP group showed, moreover, asymmetry in buccal region due to typical maxillar hypoplasia, which was accentuated in the older group. The BCLP groups showed slightly similar but greater asymmetry than the control groups, except for the philtrum region.ConclusionsAsymmetry of each of the cleft groups significantly differed from the controls. Except for the buccal region in the UCLP and BCLP groups, asymmetry did not significantly increase with age.
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Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) most commonly manifests with nasal mucosal telangiectasias, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a significant role in this angiodysplasia. We describe a patient with HHT with epistaxis recalcitrant to several endonasal procedures and six cycles of intravenous bevacizumab, for which he was dependent on iron infusions and packed red blood cells transfusions. He then started pazopanib at 100 mg with dramatic improvements in epistaxis and normalization of hemoglobin and iron levels, without replenishment needs for 12 months. This is the first report on the efficacy of pazopanib with high selectivity for abrogating VEGF receptor-2 signaling in HHT, and needs to be explored further. Laryngoscope, 2018
This study compared and assessed long-term voice outcomes when thyroidectomy-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis (VFP) was managed using injection laryngoplasty (IL) and recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation (RLNR).
Prospective clinical study.
A prospective clinical trial was performed from March 2005 to January 2016 at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital (Bucheon, South Korea). Nineteen patients who underwent ansa cervicalis to RLNR or direct reinnervation, and 43 patients who underwent IL to treat thyroidectomy-related unilateral VFP, were enrolled.
All voice parameters exhibited statistically significant improvement 12 months post-IL, which persisted for 24 and 36 months (P < 0.05). However, at 36 months post-IL, some voice parameters had deteriorated relative to the values at 24 months post-IL. After RLNR, all voice parameters exhibited statistically significant improvement after 12 months, and the improvements remained stable until 36 months postsurgery without deterioration of voice parameters (P < 0.05). At 36 months, RLNR provided better voice results than IL (P < 0.05).
Both RLNR and IL yielded statistically significant voice improvements at 36 months postoperatively. However, after 36 months, RLNR provided better results than IL.
III. Laryngoscope, 2018
The purpose of this study was to use quantitative tissue phenotype (QTP) to assess the surgical margins to examine if a fluorescence visualization-guided surgical approach produces a shift in the surgical field by sparing normal tissue while catching high-risk tissue.
Using our QTP to calculate the degree of nuclear chromatin abnormalities, Nuclear Phenotypic Score (NPS), we analyzed 1290 biopsy specimens taken from surgical samples of 248 patients enrolled in the Efficacy of Optically-guided Surgery in the Management of Early-staged Oral Cancer (COOLS) trial. Multiple margin specimens were collected from each surgical specimen according to the presence of fluorescence visualization alterations and the distance to the surgical margins.
The NPS in fluorescence visualization-altered (fluorescence visualization-positive) samples was significantly higher than that in fluorescence visualization-retained (fluorescence visualization-negative) samples. There was a constant trend of decreasing NPS of margin samples from non-adjacent-fluorescence visualization margins to adjacent-fluorescence visualization margins.
Our results suggested that using fluorescence visualization to guide surgery has the potential to spare more normal tissue at surgical margins.
The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical course of hearing loss in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the clinical factors affecting its severity.
The time course of hearing loss in patients with NPC was assessed using threshold shift from baseline and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade.
In the chemoradiotherapy (CRT) groups, the threshold shift was significantly higher from 3 months at 4 kHz (P = 2.30 × 10−9, concurrent CRT only) but not within 2 years posttreatment in the radiotherapy (RT) group. The CRT groups had worse CTCAE grades than the RT group (percentage of latest CTCAE grade ≥1: 64.9% vs 29.0%, respectively). Cumulative cisplatin dose and cochlear RT dose significantly affects threshold shifts, especially at high frequencies.
Although cisplatin led to high frequency hearing impairment from about 3 months posttreatment, RT conferred no significant hearing impairment in the first 2 years.
Postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is considered standard of care in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer with positive margins and/or extracapsular extension (ECE).
The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried to identify patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with stages III to IVB disease or with positive margins and/or ECE diagnosed between 2004 and 2012 receiving postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Using univariable and multivariable logistic and Cox regression, we assessed for predictors of CRT use and covariables impacting overall survival (OS), including in a propensity-matched subset.
Of 12 224 patients, 67.1% with positive margins and/or ECE received CRT as well as 54.0% without positive margins and/or ECE. The 5-year OS was 61.6% for RT alone versus 67.4% for CRT. In the propensity-matched cohort, OS benefit persisted with CRT, including in a subset with positive margins and/or ECE but not without.
Postoperative CRT seems underutilized with positive margins and/or ECE and overutilized without positive margins and/or ECE. The CRT was associated with improved OS but the benefit persisted only in the subset with positive margins and/or ECE.
Publication date: Available online 15 February 2018
Source:Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Matthew Walker, Jeremy Green, Ryan Ferrie, Ashley Queener, Mark H. Kaplan, Joan M. Cook-Mills
BackgroundMechanisms for the development of food allergy in neonates are unknown but are clearly linked in patient populations to a genetic predisposition towards skin barrier defects. Whether skin barrier defects functionally contribute to development of food allergy is unknown.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to determine whether skin barrier mutations, that are primarily heterozygous in patient populations, contribute to the development of food allergy.MethodsMice heterozygous for the Flgft and Tmem79ma mutations were skin sensitized with environmental allergens and food allergens. After sensitization, mice received oral challenge with food allergen and then inflammation, inflammatory mediators, and anaphylaxis were measured.ResultsWe define development of inflammation, inflammatory mediators, and food allergen-induced anaphylaxis in neonatal mice with skin barrier mutations following brief concurrent cutaneous exposure to food and environmental allergens. Moreover, neonates of allergic mothers have elevated responses to suboptimal sensitization with food allergens. Importantly, the responses to food allergens by these neonatal mice were dependent on genetic defects in skin barrier function and on exposure to environmental allergens. Blockade of ST2 during skin sensitization inhibited development of anaphylaxis, antigen-specific IgE and inflammatory mediators. The neonatal anaphylactic responses and antigen-specific IgE were also inhibited by oral pre-exposure to food allergen but, interestingly, this was blunted by concurrent pre-exposure of the skin to environmental allergen.ConclusionThese studies uncover mechanisms for food allergy sensitization and anaphylaxis in neonatal mice that are consistent with features of human early life exposures and genetics in clinical food allergy and demonstrate that changes in barrier function drive development of anaphylaxis to food allergen.
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A 48-year-old man presented to urgent care with recurrent epistaxis over 6 months. Initially, nosebleeds were controlled with packing or cautery. Ultimately, he was referred to ear, nose and throat department and underwent nasal endoscopy which revealed polypoid tissue. A biopsy of the polyp showed non-specific inflammation with no evidence of malignancy. Follow-up maxillofacial CT revealed a large mass lesion in the right maxillary sinus, right nasal fossa, much of the ethmoids and right sphenoid, with destruction of adjacent bony structures. MRI revealed a mass in the right nasal cavity with extension into the ethmoid and anterior sphenoid sinus, anterior cranial fossa and medial orbits. Staging CT discovered metastatic disease in the adrenal glands and lymphadenopathy in the neck. The patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery with debulking and tissue diagnosis of malignant melanoma. He completed radiation therapy to sinus and was subsequently enrolled in a clinical trial. Most recent imaging revealed complete metabolic response on positron emission tomography.
We describe a case of polymicrobial bacterial pericarditis with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis, caused by pericardial penetration of the tip of the catheter of a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB). The patient developed a cardiac tamponade, and subsequently emergency pericardiocentesis was performed. Analysis of earlier CT scans showed that the tip of the catheter had migrated through the liver and through the diaphragm into the pericardium, and was in contact with the myocardium. After stabilisation he was operated to remove the LAGB. In this case report, we describe the chain of events that led to the polymicrobial pericarditis—a complication of LAGB placement that to our knowledge has thus far never been reported. We furthermore present a detailed literature review of all published cases of polymicrobial pericarditis and its causes.
Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is caused by compression of left renal vein (LRV), usually between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). This can lead to obstruction of flow into the inferior vena cava and secondary left renal venous hypertension. Despite potential serious consequences, diagnosing NCS is often challenging, circuitous and commonly delayed. We report an extremely unique case of NCS. A 34-year-old woman presented with left flank pain and discomfort. On investigation, it was found that high pressure in the LRV, due to compression by the SMA, had led to a large venous aneurysm that had caused pelviureteric junction obstruction and hydronephrosis. Management was with stenting of the LRV and coil embolisation of the venous aneurysm with excellent clinical outcome.
Formation of a colonic J-pouch with anastomosis to the rectal stump is an accepted form of reconstruction after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal carcinoma. It is thought this can help prevent the onset of LAR syndrome as well as improve the quality of life in the first two years following surgery. Rectovaginal fistulation is a recognised complication of this form of surgery usually occurring because of technical failure leading to inclusion of the vaginal wall into the stapled anastomosis. We present an as of yet unreported case of fistulation between the upper horizontal staple line of a colonic J-pouch—the tip of the 'J'—which was formed extracorporeally with the posterior vaginal fornix. We postulate that pelvic irradiation was partly a causative factor alongside subsequent mechanical irritation. Ultimately, surgical intervention was required, following which the patient made a full recovery. Interposition of omentum may prevent this problem.
A healthy patient presented with painful skin lesions on the anterior surface of her legs. Erythema nodosum was diagnosed but all the usual causes were ruled out. The finding of bilateral enlarged axillary lymph nodes with necrosis and granulomas led to the diagnosis of Bartonella infection, an unusual cause of erythema nodosum. Imaging also revealed splenomegaly and small para-aortic lymph nodes. Up to one quarter of the patients with cat-scratch disease present atypically, a considerably higher prevalence than previously reported. A comprehensive review of the literature (PubMed, since inception, all languages) revealed a remarkable array of unusual presentations which are summarised and briefly discussed.
A left atrial appendage occluder device (Watchman) and leadless pacemaker (Micra) was implanted from a single right femoral vein access in a 73-year-old female patient with persistent atrial fibrillation and symptomatic tachy-brady syndrome and unable to take oral anticoagulants. Standard methods of implantation were followed for both procedures. The Watchman device was implanted first followed by dilatation of the same venous access site in order to implant Micra transcatheter pacing system. The patient tolerated the procedures well and there were no complications. At the end of 1 month, both the devices were found to be working well.
Description
An 80-year-old woman presented with a 2-day history of breathlessness and syncope. Her medical history included Parkinson's disease and a recent diagnosis of myelodysplasia for which she had undergone a (painful) bone marrow aspiration 2 days earlier.
Presentation blood pressure (BP) was 69/38 mm Hg (and fell further to 59/40 mm Hg with impaired conscious level), heart rate 78, respiratory rate 17 and oxygen saturation 100% on air. Her presentation of ECG revealed anteroseptal Q waves with 1 mm ST segment elevation (figure 1).
Figure 1
A 12-lead ECG at presentation.
Emergency primary percutaneous coronary intervention was declined due to the probability of established myocardial infarction with consequent cardiogenic shock. Medical treatment and inotropic therapy with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) were directed. She underwent emergency portable echocardiography to understand the aetiology for cardiogenic shock.
The panel of images (figure 2A–C)...
By Marcus Chong
In 2016, while conducting medical research in a rural village of Northern Samar, the Philippines, Professor Allen Ross and his global health research team met a patient with severe electrical burns. He was a construction worker who had suffered an electrical burn at work from an overhanging high voltage electrical wire carrying 20,000 Volts. He had sustained burns to 25% of his body with significant scarring on the skin under the armpits and the amputation of all four limbs.
After the accident, he was transported to a local hospital by a family member; he remained there without medical treatment for eight hours. Public hospitals in Metro Manila are typically overwhelmed – with a lack of physicians available to treat emergency patients. Approximately eight hours later an ambulance was found to transport the patient to a local burns centre. By then his untreated injuries had resulted in thromboses requiring amputations of all four limbs. His relative in Manila sold their company truck in order to pay for his surgical procedures and hospital care. He remained in hospital for a few weeks after the operation. At this point his family had used up all their savings. He was discharged in a wheelchair as physiotherapy, prostheses and rehabilitation were prohibitively expensive. He returned to his home village in Simora Palapag, Northern Samar (Image, left).
The published BMJ case report that resulted can be found here.
In 2017, with the patient and family's consent, Thao Ross (Allen's wife) organised crowd funding on a Go-fund-me website. Funds came from people of all walks of life. It took several months to raise the required funds for four prosthetic limbs.
We were able to buy prostheses made of aluminium and coated with an alloy that made them durable and water-proof in Manila, from the prosthetic limb company Ottobock. There were also sufficient funds to provide the patient with rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting services. The prostheses provided by the company for the lower limbs can be seen in the above image (right) and the patient is currently (2018) having his upper limbs custom made and fitted. The patient was able to walk again after a few weeks of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. The patient waited almost seven years to walk again and we are very happy to have made this possible!
Competing Interests
None Declared
Seromucinous hamartoma (SH) is a rare benign glandular proliferation of the sinonasal tract and nasopharynx. Only few cases have been reported in recent years.
We performed a retrospective medical record review of seven patients diagnosed with sinonasal SH who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery.
There were 5 males and 2 females, ranged in age from 40 to 98 years (mean 60 years, SD ± 18.9). Two lesions arise from middle turbinate, two from uncinate process, and 3 (but 4 specimens) from nasal septum. Pathological features revealed a polypoid lesion with submucosal proliferation of seromucinous glands arranged in lobular and haphazard patterns. In immunohistochemical study, the seromucinous glands of SH were reactive for cytokeratin, including CK7, CK19, HMWK, but negative for CK20.
Sinonasal SH is a rare diagnosis characterized by a polypoid lesion with a haphazard proliferation of seromucinous glands. The rhinologists should consider it in the differential diagnosis of a polypoid lesion in the nasal cavity.
Publication date: Available online 16 February 2018
Source:European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases
Author(s): N. Khoueir, B. Verillaud, P. Herman
IntroductionThe extent of bone exposure is one of the major factors contributing to failure of endoscopic frontal sinusotomy procedures. Double flaps providing cover of exposed bone have already been described for Draf III procedures in a cadavre study using posterior and lateral pedicled nasoseptal flaps. As these flaps overlap on the septal side, they cannot be raised from the same nasal cavity in a Draf IIb procedure. We describe a new technique using 2 local mucoperiosteal flaps raised from the same side to entirely cover the bone margins exposed by Draf IIb frontal sinusotomy.Surgical techniqueA left Draf IIb procedure was performed to drain a frontal mucocele. A posterior septoturbinal flap (PSTF) was raised to cover the posterior sinusotomy margin. A lateral pedicle nasoseptal flap (LNSF) was raised on the same side to cover the anterior margin. With a follow-up of 6 months, the Draf IIb cavity was fully patent and the flaps were well integrated.ConclusionPSTF and LNSF flaps can be raised on the same side to cover the posterior and anterior margins of the Draf IIb frontal sinusotomy, respectively.
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Eosinophils, a central factor in asthma pathogenesis, have the ability to secrete exosomes. However, the precise role played by exosomes in the biological processes leading up to asthma has not been fully defined.
We hypothesised that exosomes released by eosinophils contribute to asthma pathogenesis by activating structural lung cells.
Eosinophils from asthmatic patients and healthy volunteers were purified from peripheral blood, and exosomes were isolated from eosinophils of asthmatic and healthy individuals. All experiments were performed with eosinophil-derived exosomes from healthy and asthmatic subjects. Epithelial damage was evaluated using primary small airway epithelial cell lines through 2 types of apoptosis assays, i.e. flow cytometry and TUNEL assay with confocal microscopy. Additionally, epithelial repair was analysed by performing wound healing assays with epithelial cells. Functional studies such as proliferation and inhibition-proliferation assays were carried out in primary bronchial smooth muscle cell lines. Also, gene-expression analysis of pro-inflammatory molecules was evaluated by Real-Time PCR on epithelial and muscle cells. Lastly, protein expression of epithelial and muscle-cell signalling factors was estimated by Western blot.
Asthmatic eosinophil-derived exosomes induced an increase in epithelial cell apoptosis at 24 h and 48 h, impeding wound closure. In addition, muscle-cell proliferation was increased at 72 h after exosome addition and was linked with higher phosphorylation of ERK1/2. We also found higher expression of several genes when both cell types were cultured in the presence of exosomes from asthmatics: CCR3 and VEGFA in muscle cells, and CCL26, TNF, and POSTN in epithelial cells. Healthy eosinophil-derived exosomes did not exert any effect over these cell types.
Eosinophil-derived exosomes from asthmatic patients participate actively in the development of the pathological features of asthma via structural lung cells.
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Sebocytes, the major cell type in sebaceous glands (SGs), are differentiated epithelial cells that gradually accumulate lipids and eventually disrupt, releasing their content (sebum) in a secretory process known as holocrine secretion. Via the hair canal, sebum reaches the skin surface, where it has several known or postulated functions, including pheromonal, thermoregulatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Altered sebum secretion and/or structural SG changes have also been involved in the pathogenesis of skin diseases, such as acne vulgaris and some forms of alopecia. Here we assess how recent work employing primary sebocytes and SG cell lines contributed for our understanding of sebaceous lipogenesis and its role in skin health and disease.
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In the United States (U.S.), dermatology training program rankings often stem from assessments by practicing physicians or evaluations of scholarly achievements such as grants and publicatons.1 To the best of our knowledge, similar ranking systems outside of the U.S. do not exist. In fact, outside of the U.S., dermatology departments are assessed in alternative ways such as utilization of inpatient bed capacity, research funding, and metrics of patient care.
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Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, solitary or multiple, chronically progressive, painful, destructive, sterile neutrophil inflammation of unexplained aetiology and pathogenesis, which often remains resistant to treatment. An autoimmunological and autoinflammatory genesis is discussed, which is the main reason why there are so many immunosupressant therapies available. PG may occur in association with inflammatory and haematological disorders, such as Crohn's disease, myeloma, leukaemia, lymphoma and polycythemia vera (PV), as it is the case in our patient presented here.
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Case reports and case series remain an important part of journals and are often first to document medical breakthroughs. This article reviews their characteristics, aims and limitations. It provides information on how to increase the validity of the bedside decision-making process that these studies report, using tools such as validated outcomes and split body or n-of-1 trials. A section describing tools to improve writing of case reports and case series provides suggestions for detailed reporting and good evaluation of novelty, validity and relevance. It includes general and British Journal of Dermatology specific guidance.
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Psychosocial stress impacts both healthy and diseased skin1. Whilst acute stress activates the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, chronic stress induces suppression and impairs wound healing in humans and animals1,2. Although the underlying pathomechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated, it is clear that a better understanding of the complex relationship between neuroendocrine pathways, the immune system and the skin (the "brain-skin axis") is pivotal to the optimal management of both stress-responsive dermatoses and cutaneous wound healing.
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Another winter cold and flu season is well underway and I find myself staring in disbelief at the amount of fluorescent green mucus dripping from my son's raw nose. I start trying to count how many days it's been since I've seen his nose NOT full of snot. Let's see… 1,2,3….8. Ok so it's been 8 days this time. I'm not sure it's getting better but he seems fine. The only thing bothering him is his mother constantly trying to wipe his nose. At this thought, I reach over and attempt to clear out his nose with a tissue for the hundredth time today. He pushes my hand away again and wipes his drippy nose on his sleeve. At 9-years-old he knows he does NOT like the taste of Sudafed or Mucinex and would rather have a root canal than let me spray Afrin in his nose. He simply doesn't care that he cannot breathe through his nose and that his mother is grossed out. He's fine. So I wait another couple of days and then, "poof," the snot has disappeared as if it were never been there in the first place.
Not the flu, not a sinus infection, just a "common cold" and there was nothing I could do but wait it out.
Winter brings a variety of generally benign respiratory viruses that cause the "common cold" or "viral upper respiratory infection." Young children in daycare can have 8-10 colds a year and most of these will fall during the winter months. Influenza is a respiratory virus that causes a more significant "cold." Kids with influenza or "the flu" look and feel sicker than they would with a cold. Sinus infections can follow the flu or a common cold and can sometimes be difficult to separate from the back-to-back colds (aka "daycare boogies") that young children catch in daycare. Sinusitis in older children will often have more classic symptoms of headaches and sinus pain or pressure while diagnosis in younger children may be based on duration of runny nose or cough or prolonged or returning fever. Color of nasal drainage is not an indicator of one type of infection over another. Snot can take on the colors of the rainbow in any infection – viral or bacterial.
Picture this: A playful child with low grade fever for 3-4 days, runny nose, coughing and congestion. These symptoms gradually worsened over the first 4-5 days but then level off for a couple of days and are begin to improve in the second week of illness. By 2 weeks, this child is free of symptoms.
This is the common cold
Now picture this: A slightly less playful child with coughing, congestion or runny nose for 2 or more weeks, worsening after the first 7-10 days or fever returning after resolving. Was more playful and recently has become less active and more tired. Fever had resolved after the first 3-4 days of illness then returns on day 8 of symptoms. Additional symptoms common in older children include headaches, sinus pain or pressure, tooth pain.
This is a sinus infection
And finally this: A very unhappy, tired, ill appearing child with sudden onset of sore throat, chills, fever to 104, body aches, congestion and coughing. Symptoms remain unchanged for 5-7 days, then fever resolves and the child begins to regain appetite and activity. Once the fever has resolved for 24 hours, it does not return and the coughing does not worsen after the first 5-7 days of illness.
This is influenza
Helping your child feel better
If you suspect a sinus infection, your child should see seen by your pediatrician. If you suspect influenza, you should talk to you pediatrician, who may then want to see your child. Antibiotics are used to treat sinus infections. Your doctor may recommend Tamiflu under certain circumstances for influenza but this is not a cure like an antibiotic will be for a sinus infection. The best "treatment" for influenza is still PREVENTION with yearly flu shots. Even during years when the flu vaccine is not as effective, it still effectively decreases the severity of illness as well as prevents complications and death from influenza infection. Would you rather feel like you were "hit by a mack truck" without the flu vaccine or feel like you have a really, bad cold with some bodyaches and fever with the flu vaccine? Get the vaccine.
There is no treatment for the "common cold" and more children are not as bothered by their symptoms as their worried parents tend to be. It's important to keep in mind that if you child is drinking, sleeping and generally feeling and acting well, you do not need to treat their cold symptoms.
Tips for 2 of the more annoying symptoms of upper respiratory illnesses.
Nasal congestion
-If your child is older than 4, you can use over-the-counter medications to relieve nasal congestion. Nasal congestion can interfere with sleeping and eating. Mucinex and Sudafed both have pediatric preparations and can be helpful in improving nasal congestion. Afrin nasal spray works very well to decrease congestion and can be used for up to 3 days. These medications also help with the postnasal drainage that many children find annoying when dealing with a cold, flu or sinus infection
-Younger children can find relief from nasal congestion with saline drops and nasal suction. The Nose Frida has become a very popular suction device, particularly for young infants with nasal congestion. Nasal congestion in young infants can make feeding and breathing through the nose very difficult. Many parents of young infants find themselves praising the Nose Frida!
-Cool mist humidifier or vaporizer helps with congestion and coughing in all ages
-Hydrate!
Coughing
-If over the age of 12months, you can use honey for coughing. Honey is a natural cough suppressant and has the ability to thin mucus and help with postnasal drainage which is often triggering coughing. You can give the honey on a teaspoon or in warm tea or water.
-Young infants can get some cough relief from snot suction (as above), humidifier in room and elevation of the crib mattress for sleep. Do not put a pillow or any other bolster directly under infant's head to create the incline.
-Hydrate!
When to call your doctor about upper respiratory symptoms
-Anytime you are concerned
-Fever more than 3 days in a child more than 3 months of age
-When the child is not drinking
-Any worsening symptoms after a week
-Fever that recurs after initial resolution
-Child is having trouble breathing
-Infant under 3 months of age
-Signs of influenza
The post You Think It's Ok But It's "Snot" appeared first on ChildrensMD.
This study explores the everyday experiences of children with facial morphea by examining the psychosocial impact of living with facial morphea and how children and their families manage its impact.
We used a qualitative, social constructionist approach involving focus groups, in-depth interviews and drawing activities with 10 children with facial morphea 8-17 years of age and 13 parents. Interpretive thematic analysis was utilized to examine the data.
Children and parents reported on the stress of living with facial morphea, which was related to the lack of knowledge about facial morphea and the extent to which they perceived themselves as different from others. Self-perceptions were based on the visibility of the lesion, different phases of life transitions and reactions of others, (e.g. intrusive questioning and bullying). Medication routines and side effects, such as weight gain added to participants' stress. To manage the impact of facial morphea, children and their parents used strategies to normalize the experience by hiding physical signs of the illness, constructing explanations about what 'it' is, and by connecting with their peers.
Understanding what it is like to live with facial morphea from the perspectives of children and parents is important for devising ways to support children with facial morphea to achieve a better quality of life. Health care providers can help families access resources to manage anxiety, deal with bullying and construct adequate explanations of facial morphea, as well as providing opportunities for peer support.
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Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms (AWP) is a condition characterized by oedema, confluent white papules and excessive wrinkling of the palms after few minutes exposure to water. The phenomenon may be associated with pain, numbness and pruritus1,2. It was first noticed and described in 1974 in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) by a paediatrician R.B. Elliott3.
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Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are rare cancers which can be difficult to diagnose, are incurable and adversely affect quality of life, particularly in advanced disease. Families often provide care, but little is known about their experiences or needs while caring for their relative with advanced disease or in bereavement.
To explore the experiences of bereaved family caregivers of patients with CTCL.
Single semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with bereaved family caregivers of patients with CTCL recruited via a supra-regional CTCL clinic. Transcribed interviews were analysed thematically, focusing on advanced disease, the approach of death and bereavement.
Fifteen carers of eleven deceased patients participated. Experiences clustered under four themes
1 Complexity of care and medical intervention
2 Carer roles in advanced CTCL
3 Person vs. organisation-centred care in advanced CTCL
4 Knowing and not knowing: reflections on dying, death and bereavement
Caregivers often had vivid recollections of the challenges of caring for their relative with advanced CTCL and some took on quasi-professional roles as a result. Advanced disease made high demands on both organisational flexibility and family resources. For many caregivers, seeing disease progression was a prolonged and profoundly traumatic experience. The extent to which they were prepared for their relative's death and supported in bereavement was highly variable.
Subthemes within each theme provide more detail about caregiver experiences.
Family caregivers should be considered part of the wider healthcare team, acknowledging their multiple roles and the challenges they encounter in looking after their relative with CTCL as the disease progresses. Their experiences highlight the importance of organisational flexibility and of good communication between health care providers in advanced CTCL.
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Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare inflammatory and ulcerative neutrophilic dermatosis with an estimated incidence of 3-10 cases per million people annually.1Given that our understanding of PG is limited by disease rarity and considerable misdiagnosis rates (~30-50%),2 establishing a method to identify cases in large databases would facilitate population-based research. This approach has been used in other dermatologic diseases,3–6 where case identification is performed by diagnosis-related queries based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code.
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