Complications of acute mastoiditis in a paediatric population at a UK Tertiary Centre: A retrospective review.

OBJECTIVES: Acute mastoiditis (AM) and its associated intra and extracranial complications are rare complications of acute otitis media. However, they are associated with a high morbidity. The management of AM with complications carries significant variations in approach. We aimed to evaluate the presentation of children with AM with complications to a tertiary referral centre in the United Kingdom and describe evolution of the treatment approaches. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective chart review of all children admitted with AM to the University Hospitals of Leicester between 2013 and 2022. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children were included in this study: 7 patients had sigmoid sinus thrombosis (SST), 4 had an intracranial collection, 3 had cranial nerve palsy and 16 had a subperiosteal abscess (SPA); some patients had more than 1 complication. In this study, treatment of SPA with incision and drainage (I&D) and grommet insertion was effective, as all patients treated with grommet insertion and I&D recovered well and did not require a subsequent cortical mastoidectomy. All patients with SST received anticoagulation and intravenous (IV) antibiotics; surgical input consisted of grommet insertion alone and cortical mastoidectomy was not routinely performed in these patients. CONCLUSION: In our series, management of SPA with grommet insertion and drainage had good outcomes. SST management mainly consisted of IV antibiotics, anticoagulation and grommet insertion with good recovery. The evidence to guide the management of complications of mastoiditis is of poor quality and further research is needed to clarify the optimal management of these complications.

Breast infections: A review of current literature.

Breast infections are common, affect women of all ages, and are associated with significant morbidity. Despite overall prevalence, treatment varies significantly based on provider or institution and no central treatment guidelines exist to direct the management of breast infections. This article provides a summary of the current trends in management of breast infections. The etiology, epidemiology, risk factors, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of mastitis and breast abscesses (and their relative subdivisions) are explored based on the current literature. Trends in microbiology are reviewed and an approach to antibiotic coverage is proposed. Overall, there is a lack of randomized-controlled trials focused on the treatment of breast infections. This has resulted in an absence of clinical practice guidelines for the management of breast abscesses and variable practice patterns. The development of best-care protocols or pathways could provide more uniformity in care of breast infections.

Pediatric orbital subperiosteal abscess outbreak in Iran: characteristics and causes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate demographics, characteristics, and management of pediatric patients with subperiosteal abscesses (SPA) secondary to orbital cellulitis and discuss the etiology of a dramatic rise in SPA. METHODS: Data were gathered by retrospective chart review of patients admitted to a tertiary referral eye hospital (Farabi Eye Hospital) diagnosed with orbital cellulitis with subperiosteal abscess from October 2022 to March 2023 (six months). Data on demographic information, clinical examination, radiographic evidence of sinusitis, orbital cellulitis, SPA, surgical and non-surgical management taken, isolated bacteria, and duration of hospital stay were gathered. RESULTS: 24 patients were admitted during these six months, with a diagnosis of orbital SPA secondary to paranasal sinusitis, confirmed by an orbital Computed Tomography (CT) scan. The age range was 11 months to 16 years. 75% of patients were male. All patients had a history of flu-like illness before developing orbital cellulitis. All patients had concurrent sinusitis, and 18 underwent initial surgical abscess drainage. The ethmoid sinus was the most involved, and most patients had a medially located SPA. Abscess volume ranged from 0.78 to 7.81 cm3 (mean: 3.52 cm3). One patient had concurrent central retinal artery occlusion due to orbital cellulitis. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we report a dramatic increase in the incidence of SPA referred to our hospital. Larger abscess volumes and an increased number of cases that needed initial surgical drainage are also of note. An influenza outbreak in the autumn and winter, undiagnosed Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, increased antimicrobial resistance due to excessive off-label use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more virulent bacterial infections are the most probable hypotheses to justify this observation.

A prospective study on skin and soft tissue infections: a fact-finding mission from a tertiary centre in north India.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence and poor outcome of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), very few studies from India have dealt with the subject. We planned a prospective study of inpatients with SSTIs to study the aetiology, clinical presentation (severity) and outcome of patients with SSTIs in our facility. METHOD: Patients with SSTIs involving >5% body surface area (BSA) and/or systemic signs were admitted to the surgery department of a teaching tertiary level hospital in Delhi, India, and were clinically classified into cellulitis, necrotising soft tissue infections (NSTIs), pyomyositis, and abscess. Demographic and clinical variables such as: age; sex; occupation; history of trauma/insect or animal bites; duration of illness; presenting symptoms and signs; comorbid conditions; predisposing factors such as lymphoedema or venous disease; hospital course; treatment instituted; complications; hospital outcome; presence of crepitus, bullae, gangrene, muscle necrosis and compartment syndrome were recorded. The chief outcome parameters were death and length of hospital stay; others, such as abscess drainage, the need for plastic surgical procedures and amputations were also noted. RESULTS: Out of 250 patients enrolled in the study, 145 (58%) had NSTIs, 64 (26%) had abscesses, 15 (6%) had cellulitis and 26 (10%) had pyomyositis. Mortality was observed with NSTIs (27/145, 19%) and with pyomyositis (3/26, 11.5%). Factors affecting mortality by univariate analysis in the NSTI group were: abnormal pulse; hypotension; tachypnea; bullae; increased blood urea and serum creatinine; inotrope or ventilator support (all with p<0.001); local tenderness, gangrene, dialysis support and BSA (9.33±6.44 versus 5.12±3.62; p<0.05 for the last four). No factor was found to be significant on multivariate analysis. Variables associated with hospital stay >12 days were immunocompromise, pus discharge, ulceration or gangrene, and after interventions such as blood transfusion, drainage or skin grafting. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of NSTI and pyomyositis with high mortality was observed in our SSTI patients, often in immunocompetent young individuals. Epidemiological studies focused on virulent strains of Staphylococcus aureus may be required to identify the cause, since Staphylococcal toxins have been implicated in other infections.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its possible impact on the treatment of odontogenic and intraoral abscesses.

Most odontogenic and intraoral abscesses can be treated on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia. However, severe disease progression may require an incision under general anesthesia (GA) with postoperative inpatient treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the first "COVID-19 year" in Germany and compare the first "COVID-19 year" with the two previous years. All consecutive cases with odontogenic or intraoral abscesses treated in an outpatient or inpatient setting between 2018 and 2021 were included in this study. Data were collected, including the type of anesthesia, length of hospital stay, and healthcare costs. Despite the lower total number of abscess treatments in the first year of COVID-19 (n = 298 patients) than that in the two previous years (n = 663 patients), the number of advanced abscesses requiring intervention under GA was significantly higher (p < 0.001). This increased burden of care was also reflected in increased healthcare costs. The measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the course of other diseases, for example, odontogenic and intraoral abscesses. The results showed an emerging conflict in patient care during the pandemic crisis that should be considered in possible future pandemics.

Clinical characterization of patients with anal fistula during follow-up of anorectal abscess: a large population-based study.

PURPOSE: Approximately 15-50% of patients with an anorectal abscess will develop an anal fistula, but the true incidence of this entity is currently unknown. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of anorectal abscess and development of a fistula in a specific population area and to identify potential risk factors associated with demographic, socioeconomic and pre-existing disease (e.g. diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease). METHODS: A longitudinal observational study was designed including a large cohort study in an area with 7,553,650 inhabitants in Spain 1st january 2014 to 31st december 2019. Adults who attended for the first time with an anorectal abscess and had a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. The diagnosis was made using ICD-10 codes for anorectal abscess and anal fistula. RESULTS: During the study period, we included 27,821 patients with anorectal abscess. There was a predominance of men (70%) and an overall incidence of 596 per million population. The overall incidence of anal fistula developing from abscesses was 20%, with predominance in men, and a lower incidence in the lowest income level. The cumulative incidence of fistula was higher in men and in younger patients (p < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, patients aged 60-69 years (hazard ratio 2.0) and those with inflammatory bowel disease (hazard ratio 1.8-2.0) had a strong association with fistula development (hazard ratio 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: One in five patients with an anorectal abscess will develop a fistula, with a higher likelihood in men. Fistula formation was strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Diagnosis and Clinical Features of Perianal Lesions in Newly Diagnosed Crohn's Disease: Subgroup Analysis from Inception Cohort Registry Study of Patients with Crohn's Disease (iCREST-CD).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Perianal lesion is a refractory phenotype of Crohn's disease [CD] with significantly diminished quality of life. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of perianal lesions in newly diagnosed CD patients and the impact of perianal lesions on the quality of life in Japanese patients with CD. METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with CD after June 2016 were included between December 2018 and June 2020 from the Inception Cohort Registry Study of Patients with CD [iCREST-CD]. RESULTS: Perianal lesions were present in 324 [48.2%] of 672 patients with newly diagnosed CD; 71.9% [233/324] were male. The prevalence of perianal lesions was higher in patients aged <40 years vs ≥40 years, and it decreased with age. Perianal fistula [59.9%] and abscess [30.6%] were the most common perianal lesions. In multivariate analyses, male sex, age <40 years and ileocolonic disease location were significantly associated with a high prevalence of perianal lesions, whereas stricturing behaviour and alcohol intake were associated with low prevalence. Fatigue was more frequent [33.3% vs 21.6%] while work productivity and activity impairment-work time missed [36.3% vs 29.5%] and activity impairment [51.9% vs 41.1%] were numerically higher in patients with than those without perianal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: At the time of CD diagnosis, approximately half of the patients had perianal lesions; perianal abscesses and perianal fistulas were the most common. Young age, male sex, disease location and behaviour were significantly associated with the presence of perianal lesions. The presence of perianal lesion was associated with fatigue and impairment of daily activities. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry System [UMIN-CTR, UMIN000032237].

Deep odontogenic infections - Computed tomography imaging-based spreading routes and risk for airway obstruction.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate deep odontogenic infection (DOI) spread and features utilizing head and neck computed tomography (CT) imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with acute DOI and preoperative contrast-enhanced CT-imaging were included in the study. Infection spaces, radiological features of these infections, CT imaging-based compromised airway and patients' background factors were evaluated and associations between these and need for postoperative mechanical ventilation (MV) were reported. RESULTS: Altogether 262 hospitalized patients were included in the final analysis. Typically affected spaces were submandibular (74%), mandibular buccal/vestibular (37%), and sublingual (26%). Retropharyngeal (1%), mediastinal (1%) and danger space (1%) involvements were unusual. The infections were quite evenly distributed between multispace abscesses (53%) and other infections (47%). In multivariate analysis, CT-based compromised airway (OR 5.6, CI 95%, 2.9-10.9, P <0.001), midline crossing (OR 3.3, CI 95%, 1.2-8.8, P = 0.018) and extension at the level or below hyoid body (OR 2.4, CI 95% 1.2-5.1, P = 0.016) predicted the need for MV. Other radiological findings and patients' background variables remained statistically non-significant for MV. CONCLUSION: Anterolateral and superior spread to the neck is typical in DOIs, whereas caudal progression is rare. Postoperative need for MV can be well recognized from CT.

The role of environmental enrichment in the aetiopathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus facial, periorbital and retroorbital abscesses in mice.

In this observational retrospective study, an outbreak of Staphylococcus aureus abscesses was correlated with the presence of sharp edges in damaged plastic environmental enrichment within the cages. In 2010, Lawson reported cases of S. aureus mandibulofacial and maxillofacial abscess in mice and proposed excessive barbering or grooming, leading to the mastication and fragmentation of hair, as an aetiopathogenesis of S. aureus abscesses. In contrast, in this study, the presence of hair was not found in any of the histopathology, and abscesses were present in the periorbital area. S. aureus colonises the skin, nasopharynx and intestines, and may cause pyogenic infections if a breach in local defences promotes staphylococcal invasion. Whole genome sequencing and analysis supported the hypothesis that this outbreak resulted from clonal expansion of S. aureus infected C57BL6/J mice imported into the area and infection transmission from humans to mice was ruled out. An additional aetiopathogenesis is proposed for S. aureus abscesses with the sharp edges of damaged plastic environmental enrichment items leading to oral mucosal injury allowing S. aureus entrance into tissues, its carriage into the submucosa, followed by abscess formation.

Impact of drug consumption rooms on non-fatal overdoses, abscesses and emergency department visits in people who inject drugs in France: results from the COSINUS cohort.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of drug consumption rooms (DCRs) for people who inject drugs (PWID) has been demonstrated for HIV and hepatitis C virus risk practices, and access to care for substance use disorders. However, data on other health-related complications are scarce. Using data from the French COSINUS cohort, we investigated the impact of DCR exposure on non-fatal overdoses, abscesses and emergency department (ED) visits, all in the previous 6 months. METHODS: COSINUS is a 12-month prospective cohort study of 665 PWID in France studying DCR effectiveness on health. We collected data from face-to-face interviews at enrolment, and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. After adjusting for other correlates (P-value < 0.05), the impact of DCR exposure on each outcome was assessed using a two-step Heckman mixed-effects probit model, allowing us to adjust for potential non-randomization bias due to differences between DCR-exposed and DCR-unexposed participants, while taking into account the correlation between repeated measures. RESULTS: At enrolment, 21%, 6% and 38% of the 665 participants reported overdoses, abscesses and ED visits, respectively. Multivariable models found that DCR-exposed participants were less likely to report overdoses [adjusted coefficient (95% CI): -0.47 (-0.88; -0.07), P = 0.023], abscesses [-0.74 (-1.11; -0.37), P < 0.001] and ED visits [-0.74 (-1.27; -0.20), P = 0.007]. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show the positive impact of DCR exposure on abscesses and ED visits, and confirms DCR effectiveness in reducing overdoses, when adjusting for potential non-randomization bias. Our findings strengthen the argument to expand DCR implementation to improve PWID injection environment and health.

Renal abscesses in children: an 11-year retrospective study and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature on renal abscesses in children and therefore no consensus on management. The objectives of this study were to describe renal abscesses in a contemporary paediatric Australian population and present a 20 year review of the literature. METHODS: An 11 year retrospective comparative study was conducted of paediatric patients with renal abscesses. A literature review of all eight original articles on paediatric renal abscesses from January 2001 to December 2021 was performed. RESULTS: Fourteen children with a mean age of 11 years were diagnosed with a renal abscess on ultrasound and/or computed tomography. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (n = 13, 93%) and flank or abdominal pain (n = 12, 86%). The most common causative organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 7, 50%) and Escherichia coli (n = 4, 29%). All renal abscesses less than 3 cm were managed with antibiotics alone. Five out of nine abscesses 3-5 cm were managed with percutaenous drainage (56%). Two multi-loculated abscesses greater than 5 cm required open drainage in theatre (100%). CONCLUSIONS: The most common causative organism in the North Queensland population was S. aureus, with a higher incidence of MRSA. This should be taken into consideration when prescribing empirical antibiotics. Most renal abscesses in children that are less than 3 cm in size can be managed with antibiotic therapy only. The evidence for management of larger abscesses is less clear, but where clinically appropriate conservative management with antibiotic therapy should be considered in the first instance, with percutaneous drainage in cases of antibiotic failure.

High risk and low prevalence diseases: Tubo-ovarian abscess.

INTRODUCTION: Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a rare but serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and even mortality. OBJECTIVE: This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of TOA, including diagnosis, initial resuscitation, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: TOA is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) as well as intrauterine devices, uterine procedures, multiple sexual partners, diabetes mellitus, and immunocompromised states. While usually arising from a gynecologic infection, TOA can be associated with a gastrointestinal source. History and physical examination are limited, demonstrating predominantly lower abdominal pain, but a minority of patients will present with vaginal symptoms. Half of patients will exhibit systemic illness to include fever, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory evaluation may reveal elevations in white blood cell count and other inflammatory markers. Transvaginal ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) may be utilized for diagnosis, though CT has higher sensitivity and can differentiate this disease from similarly presenting gastrointestinal pathology. Initial medical management includes antibiotics. Surgical intervention is indicated in those who fail initial medical therapy, which is more likely in those with bilateral abscesses, large abscesses, and older patients. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of TOA can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this potentially deadly disease.

Epidemiologic, Imaging, and Clinical Issues in Bezold's Abscess: A Systematic Review.

Bezold's abscess is a deep neck abscess related to otomastoiditis. Due to the insidious clinical presentation, diagnosis can be extremely challenging, leading to delays in treatment and possible life-threatening complications. The literature currently provides a fragmented picture, presenting only single or small number of cases. The present study aims at examining our experience and the literature findings (based on PRISMA criteria) of 97 patients with Bezold's abscess, summarizing their epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and treatments. Bezold's abscess is found at any age, with overt male prevalence among adults. The clinical presentation, as well as the causative pathogens, are strikingly heterogeneous. Otomastoiditis and cholesteatoma are major risk factors. A clinical history of otitis is commonly reported (43%). CT and MRI are the main diagnostic tools, proving the erosion of the mastoid tip in 53% of patients and the presence of a concomitant cholesteatoma in 40%. Intracranial vascular (24%) or infectious (9%) complications have also been reported. Diagnosis might be easily achieved when imaging (CT) is properly applied. MRI has a limited diagnostic role, but it might be crucial whenever intracranial complications or the coexistence of cholesteatoma are suspected, helping to develop proper treatment (prompt antibiotic therapy and surgery).

Acute infectious supraglottitis in adult population: epidemiology, management, outcomes and predictors of airway intervention.

PURPOSE: The purpose is to analyze the incidence of acute infectious supraglottitis in our center between 2010 and 2020, define the characteristics and trends of those patients and identify factors associated with the need of airway intervention. METHODS: A retrospective single-center observational study of a cohort of patients diagnosed with acute infectious supraglottitis between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients were stratified according to airway management. RESULTS: Eighty eight patients were included: 59 men (67%) and 29 women (33%). A significant upward trend of 9% in the annual incidence rate of supraglottitis was seen during 2010-2020, with an important increase in cases during 2019. Muffled voice (41%) and respiratory distress (38%) were the most common presenting symptoms; and the median duration of symptoms before hospital admission was 2 days [IQR 1; 3]. Airway intervention was performed in fifteen patients (17%). Nine patients (10%) were intubated and six required tracheotomy (7%). Comparing the patients who required airway intervention with those who received a conservative treatment, younger patients (p < 0.01) were more likely to need airway intervention. In logistic regression analysis, we found that epiglottic abscess (p = 0.015), hypersalivation (p = 0.027) and smoking (p = 0.036) were independent factors with a significant association with airway intervention. CONCLUSION: There was an important increase in cases and its severity in 2019, but due to COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible to define if it was an isolate event or an upward trend. Epiglottic abscess, hypersalivation and smoking could be possible risk factors for airway intervention.

The association between appendicitis severity and patient age with appendiceal neoplasm histology-a population-based study.

PURPOSE: Recent studies have reported alarming appendiceal tumor rates associated with complicated acute appendicitis, especially in patients presenting with a periappendicular abscess. However, the data on histology of appendiceal tumors among acute appendicitis patients is limited, especially in patient cohorts differentiating between uncomplicated and complicated acute appendicitis. We have previously reported the association of increased appendiceal tumor prevalence with complicated acute appendicitis in this population-based study. The objective of this secondary analysis was to evaluate the association of both appendicitis severity and patient age with appendiceal tumor histology. METHODS: This nationwide population-based registry study (The Finnish Cancer Registry) was conducted from 2007 to 2013. All appendiceal tumors (n = 840) and available medical reports (n = 504) of these patients at eight study hospitals were previously evaluated, identifying altogether 250 patients with both acute appendicitis and appendiceal tumor. RESULTS: The severity of acute appendicitis was significantly associated with more malignant tumor histology. The risk of adenocarcinoma or pseudomyxoma was significantly higher among patients with periappendicular abscess (OR 15.05, CI 95% 6.98-32.49, p < 0.001) and patients presenting with perforated acute appendicitis (OR 4.09, CI 95% 1.69-9.90, p = 0.0018) compared to patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Similarly, patient age over 40 years was significantly associated with the risk of adenocarcinoma and pseudomyxoma (OR 26.46, Cl 95% 7.95-88.09, p < 0.001). Patient sex was not associated with a more malignant appendiceal tumor histology (p = 0.67). CONCLUSION: More malignant appendiceal tumor histology of adenocarcinoma or pseudomyxoma was significantly associated with patient age over 40 years and complicated acute appendicitis, especially periappendicular abscess.

Aural Abscesses in Wild Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) Admitted to a Wildlife Hospital in Ontario, Canada, 2011-20.

Between 2011 and 2020, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre's veterinary hospital admitted 6,335 turtles of eight different species, with 3,246 being midland painted turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata). At the time of admission from the wild, aural abscesses were present in 26 of the painted turtles (0.8%). Aural abscesses were never observed in juvenile turtles and were not found in any other species of turtle admitted to the hospital. An equal number of males and females were affected. All cases showed signs of chronicity. Abscesses alone did not appear to affect the overall health of turtles regardless of clinical signs. All turtles with abscesses as the sole cause for admission were released after successful treatment.

Preseptal and Orbital Cellulitis: Analysis of Clinical, Laboratory and Imaging Findings of 123 Pediatric Cases From Turkey.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics and imaging methods of patients diagnosed with preseptal cellulitis and orbital cellulitis in the pediatric age group. METHODS: The study was designed retrospectively, and the medical records of all patients who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of preseptal cellulitis and orbital cellulitis were reviewed. The findings of preseptal cellulitis and orbital cellulitis groups were compared. The risk factors for the development of orbital involvement were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were included, 90.2% with preseptal cellulitis and 9.8% with cellulitis. The male gender ratio was 60.2%, and the mean age was 72 ± 43 months. While all patients had eyelid swelling and redness, 20.3% had fever. Ocular involvement was 51.2% in the right eye and 4.9% in both eyes. The most common predisposing factor was rhinosinusitis (56.1%). Radiologic imaging (computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging) was performed in 83.7% of the patients. Subperiostal abscess was detected in 7 cases (5.6%) in which three of the cases were managed surgically and four were treated with medically. The levels of C-reactive protein were significantly higher in patients with orbital involvement (P = 0.033), but there was no difference between the presence of fever, leukocyte and platelet values. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinosinusitis was the most common predisposing factor in the development of preseptal cellulitis and orbital cellulitis. Orbital involvement was present in 9.8% of the patients. It was determined that high C-reactive protein value could be used to predict orbital involvement.

The Needle and the Damage Done: A Retrospective Review of the Health Impact of Recreational Intravenous Drug Use and the Collateral Consequences for Vascular Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The UK has one of the highest rates of recreational drug use and consequent deaths in Europe. Scotland is the "Drug deaths capital of Europe." Intravenous drug use can result in limb- and life-threatening pathology. This study aimed to characterise limb-related admissions associated with intravenous drug use, outcomes and healthcare expenditure. METHODS: Retrospective data collection between December 2011 and August 2018. Patients were identified through discharge codes. Admission details were extracted from electronic records and a database compiled. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Science, P < 0.05 denoted significance. RESULTS: There were 558 admissions for 330 patients (1-9 admissions/patient), mean age 37 years (+/-7.6 SD) and 196 (59.2%; 319 admissions, 57.2%) were male. Three hundred forty-eight (62.4%) admissions were to surgical specialties, predominantly Vascular Surgery (247). Including onward referrals, Vascular ultimately managed 54.8% of admissions. Patients presented with multiple pathologies: 249 groin abscesses; 38 other abscesses; 74 pseudoaneurysms; 102 necrotising soft tissue infections (NSTI); 85 cellulitis; 138 deep venous thrombosis (DVTs); 28 infected DVTs and 70 other diagnoses. Two hundred and seventy-seven admissions (220 patients) required operations, with 361 procedures performed (1-7 operations/admission). There were 24 major limb amputations and 74 arterial ligations. Eleven amputations were due to NSTI and 13 followed ligation (17.6% of ligations). During follow-up 50 (15.2%) patients died, of which 6 (12%) had amputations (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.04-9.61, P = 0.043). Cumulative cost of acute care was £4,783,241. CONCLUSIONS: Limb-related sequalae of intravenous drug use represents a substantial surgical workload, especially for Vascular. These are complex, high-risk patients with poor outcomes and high healthcare costs.

Microbiology of orbital cellulitis with subperiosteal abscess in children: Prevalence and characteristics of Streptococcus anginosus group infection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predominant pathogens and clinical course in pediatric patients with orbital cellulitis (OC) complicated by subperiosteal abscess (SPA). METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective chart review evaluating pediatric patients with OC complicated by SPA treated at a tertiary care center in the Pacific Northwest. Data were analyzed for characteristics, rates of infection, and antibiotic resistance of the predominant pathogens in pediatric patients. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children were identified with OC complicated by SPA and bacterial cultures drawn. The average age (SD) of the patients was 9.2 years (4.8), median 9.6; 15 range 5 months to 17.2 years. Seventeen (63.0%) were male. Sinusitis was present in all patients. Streptococcus species were the most common pathogen accounting for 52% (17/33) of isolates. Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) was the predominant species and were isolated in 10 out of 27 (37%) children in the study. Twenty-one (78%) patients required surgery for the treatment of SPA. Among surgically treated patients, females tended to be younger than males (p = .068). Pediatric patients with SAG infections required more surgery than children without this isolate, 100% and 65%, respectively (p = .030). Female patients tended to have SAG infections more often than males (p = .063). CONCLUSIONS: Orbital infections caused by SAG require surgical management more often than those caused by other pathogens. Our results suggest a difference in pathogenic organisms in male and female patients with SPA. SAG is one of the most common pathogens isolated in orbital cellulitis complicated by SPA in children.

Recurrence and incidence of fistula after urgent drainage of an anal abscess. Long-term results.

INTRODUCTION: Anal abscess is the most frequent urgent proctological problem. The recurrence rate and reported incidence of fistula after drainage and debridement of an anal abscess is widely variable. The objective of this study is to analyse the long-term recurrence rate and the incidence of fistula after drainage and urgent debridement of an anal abscess. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of a prospective cohort with anal abscess of cryptoglandular origin. All patients (n = 303) were evaluated two months and one year after the intervention. At the 5th year, all the medical records were reviewed and a telephone call or appointment was made for an assessment if necessary. Specific antecedents of anal pathology, abscess characteristics, time and type of recurrence, presence of symptoms in the first revision and presence of clinical and/or ultrasound fistula were recorded. RESULTS: Mean follow-up 119.7 months. Recurrence rate 48.2% (82.2% in the first year). Two hundred twenty-two ultrasounds performed. Incidence of ultrasound fistula: 70% symptomatic vs. 2.4% asymptomatic (p < 0.001). Global incidence of fistula 40.3%. The history of anal pathology and the presence of symptoms in the postoperative review significantly increase the possibility of recurrence (p < 0.001). The fistula is statistically more frequent if the abscess recurs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: After drainage and debridement of an anal abscess, half of the patients relapse and 40% develop fistula especially in the first year, so longer follow-ups are not necessary. Endoanal ultrasound for the evaluation of the presence of fistula is highly questionable in the absence of signs or symptoms.