A multidisciplinary approach to managing lymphorroea in primary lymphoedema: a case study.

This case study describes the successful management of a patient with primary lymphoedema, who was experiencing lymphorrhoea and epidermolysis, using a multidisciplinary approach. The patient had Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. The multidisciplinary team, in an outpatient clinic in Japan, included a certified lymphoedema therapist, plastic surgeons, and a wound, ostomy and continence nurse. The team performed complex physical therapy and lymphaticovenular anastomosis, which promoted the resolution of the lymphorrhoea. This resulted in improvements in skin condition, the prevention of recurrent cellulitis, and no increase in limb circumferences during the 1-year follow-up period. This report highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to lymphoedema management, including lymphorrhoea control that fitted in with the patient's daily life. It is hoped that this article will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of patients with lymphoedema.

High risk and low prevalence diseases: Orbital cellulitis.

INTRODUCTION: Orbital cellulitis is an uncommon but serious condition that carries with it a potential for significant morbidity. OBJECTIVE: This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of orbital cellulitis, including presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: Orbital cellulitis refers to infection of the globe and surrounding soft tissues posterior to the orbital septum. Orbital cellulitis is typically caused by local spread from sinusitis but can also be caused by local trauma or dental infection. It is more common in pediatric patients compared to adults. Emergency clinicians should first assess for and manage other critical, sight-threatening complications such as orbital compartment syndrome (OCS). Following this assessment, a focused eye examination is necessary. Though orbital cellulitis is primarily a clinical diagnosis, computed tomography (CT) of the brain and orbits with and without contrast is critical for evaluation of complications such as abscess or intracranial extension. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbits with and without contrast should be performed in cases of suspected orbital cellulitis in which CT is non-diagnostic. While point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may be useful in differentiating preseptal from orbital cellulitis, it cannot exclude intracranial extension of infection. Management includes early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and ophthalmology consultation. The use of steroids is controversial. In cases of intracranial extension of infection (e.g., cavernous sinus thrombosis, abscess, or meningitis), neurosurgery should be consulted. CONCLUSION: An understanding of orbital cellulitis can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this sight-threatening infectious process.

Evaluating the cost of managing patients with cellulitis in Wales, UK: A 20-year population-scale study.

This study aimed to estimate costs associated with managing patients with cellulitis from the UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. The analysis was undertaken through the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank, which brings together population-scale, individual-level anonymised linked data from a wide range of sources, including 80% of primary care general practices within Wales (population coverage ~3.2 million). The data covered a 20-year period from 1999 to 2019. All patients linked to the relevant codes were tracked through primary care settings, recording the number of general practice visits (number of days with an event recorded) and number of in-patient stays. Resources were valued in monetary terms (£ sterling), with costs determined from national published sources of unit costs. These resources were then extrapolated out to reflect UK NHS costs. This is the first attempt to estimate the financial burden of cellulitis using routine data sources on a national scale. The estimated direct annual costs to the Welsh NHS (£28 554 338) are considerable. In-Patient events and length of stay costs are the main cost drivers, with annual Welsh NHS estimates of £19 664 126 with primary care events costing £8 890 212. Initiatives to support patients and healthcare professionals in identifying early signs/risks of cellulitis, improve the accuracy of initial diagnosis, prevent cellulitis recurrence, and improve evidence-based treatment pathways would result in major financial savings, to both the Welsh and UK NHS. In light of these findings, Wales has developed the innovative National Lymphoedema cellulitis Improvement Programme to address these burdens; providing a proactive model of cellulitis care.

Hematologic and inflammatory parameters for determining severity of odontogenic infections at admission: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Severe odontogenic infections in the head and neck region, especially necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) and deep neck abscess, are potentially fatal due to their delayed diagnosis and treatment. Clinically, it is often difficult to distinguish NSTI and deep neck abscess in its early stage from cellulitis, and the decision to perform contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging for detection is often a challenge. This retrospective case-control study aimed to examine the utility of routine blood tests as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for NSTI in the head and neck region and deep neck abscesses. METHODS: Patients with severe odontogenic infections in the head and neck region that required hospitalization were classified into four groups. At admission, hematologic and inflammatory parameters were calculated according to the blood test results. In addition, a decision tree analysis was performed to detect NSTI and deep neck abscesses. RESULTS: There were 271 patients, 45.4% in Group I (cellulitis), 22.5% in Group II (cellulitis with shallow abscess formation), 27.3% in Group III (deep neck abscess), and 4.8% in Group IV (NSTI). All hematologic and inflammatory parameters were higher in Groups III and IV. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score, with a cut-off value of 6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) + the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), with a cut-off of 27, were remarkably useful for the exclusion diagnosis for Group IV. The decision tree analysis showed that the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) of ≥ 282 or < 282 but with a CRP + NLR of ≥ 25 suggests Group III + IV and the classification accuracy was 89.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Hematologic and inflammatory parameters calculated using routine blood tests can be helpful as an adjunctive diagnostic tool in the early diagnosis of potentially fatal odontogenic infections. An SII of ≥ 282 or < 282 but with a CRP + NLR of ≥ 25 can be useful in the decision-making for performing contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging.

Diagnosis and Management of Cellulitis and Abscess in the Emergency Department Setting: An Evidence-Based Review.

BACKGROUND: Cellulitis and abscess are a common reason for presentation to the emergency department, although there are several nuances to the care of these patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this narrative review article was to provide a summary of the background, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of cellulitis and abscesses with a focus on emergency clinicians. DISCUSSION: The most common bacteria causing cellulitis are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and other ß-hemolytic streptococci, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus is most common in abscesses. The history and physical examination are helpful in differentiating cellulitis and abscess in many cases, and point-of-care ultrasound can be a useful tool in unclear cases. Treatment for cellulitis typically involves a penicillin or cephalosporin, and treatment of abscesses is incision and drainage. Loop drainage is preferred over the traditional incision and drainage technique, and adjunctive antibiotics can be considered. Most patients can be managed as outpatient. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential for emergency physicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the diagnosis and management of patients with cellulitis and abscess.

Diagnosis and treatment of the invasive extension of bacteria (cellulitis) from chronic wounds utilising point-of-care fluorescence imaging.

Early diagnosis of wound-related cellulitis is challenging as many classical signs and symptoms of infection (erythema, pain, tenderness, or fever) may be absent. In addition, other conditions (ie, chronic stasis dermatitis) may present with similar clinical findings. Point-of-care fluorescence imaging detects elevated bacterial burden in and around wounds with high sensitivity. This prospective observational study examined the impact of incorporating fluorescence imaging into standard care for diagnosis and management of wound-related cellulitis. Two hundred thirty-six patients visiting an outpatient wound care centre between January 2020 and April 2021 were included in this study. Patients underwent routine fluorescence scans for bacteria (range: 1-48 scans/patient). Wound-related cellulitis was diagnosed in 6.4% (15/236) of patients. In these patients, fluorescence scans showed an irregular pattern of red (bacterial) fluorescence extending beyond the wound bed and periwound that could not be removed through cleansing or debridement, indicating the invasive extension of bacteria (wound-related cellulitis). Point-of-care identification facilitated rapid initiation of treatments (source control and antibiotics, when warranted) that resolved the fluorescence. No patients had worsening of cellulitis requiring intravenous antibiotics and/or hospitalisation. These findings demonstrate the utility of point-of-care fluorescence imaging for efficient detection and proactive, targeted management of wound-related cellulitis.

[Odontogenic cervical-facial cellulitis: report of 87 cases]. / Cellulites cervico-faciales odontogènes: à propos de 87 cas.

Cervical-facial cellulitis are infections of the cellular fatty spaces of the face and neck with a tendency towards locoregional extension, septic and thromboembolic complications that can affect the patient's vital and/or functional prognosis. The management is multidisciplinary including a medical component, surgical drainage associated with the treatment of the causal tooth. This is a retrospective study including 87 cases of odontogenic head and neck cellulitis hospitalized in the ENT and head and neck surgery department at Fattouma Bourguiba Monastir hospital over a period of 4 years between January 2017 and December 2020. The study included 48 women and 39 men. The most affected age group was young adults (54 %). The main contributing factors were poor oral hygiene (76 %), tobacco (41 %) and alcohol (19 %). Anti-inflammatory medicines intake was found in 31 % of cases. The average consultation time was 5 days. The main reason for consultation was painful head and neck swelling associated with trismus (70 %) and fever (52 %). The cervical-facial scan was performed in 93 % of patients. It revealed suppurative cellulitis (64 %), extension to upper aerodigestive ways (20 %), compression of upper aero-digestive tract (11,5 %), Lemierre syndrome (4,6 %) and gangrenous cellulitis with mediastinal extension (1,1 %). All patients received large spectrum antibiotic, associated in 25 % of cases with surgical drainage. Treatment of the dental cause was performed in all patients. The evolution was favourable in 98,9 % of cases. There is only one death due to a septic shock (1,1 %), which is consistent with most of the results reported in the literature. Head and neck cellulitis can affect the functional and vital prognosis of the patient in the absence of rapid and adequate management. The treatment remains primarily preventive.

Les cellulites cervico-faciales sont des infections des espaces cellulo-graisseux de la face et du cou. Leur gravité est corrélée à leur extension locorégionale. Les complications septiques et thromboemboliques peuvent mettre en jeu le pronostic vital et/ou fonctionnel du patient. La prise en charge est multidisciplinaire, se basant sur un trépied thérapeutique comportant un volet médical (antibiothérapie), un drainage chirurgical et un traitement de la dent causale. Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective ayant colligé 87 cas de cellulites cervico-faciales odontogènes hospitalisés au service d'ORL et de Chirurgie cervico-faciale au CHU Fattouma Bourguiba Monastir sur une période de 4 ans entre janvier 2017 et décembre 2020. L'étude comportait 48 femmes et 39 hommes. La tranche d'âge la plus touchée était l'adulte jeune (54 %). Les principaux facteurs favorisants étaient la mauvaise hygiène bucco-dentaire (76 %), le tabac (41 %) et l'alcool (19 %). La notion de prise d'anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens était retrouvée dans 31 % des cas. Le délai moyen de consultation était de 5 jours. Le principal motif de consultation était une tuméfaction cervico-faciale douloureuse associée à un trismus (70 %) et une fièvre (52 %). Le scanner cervico-facial a été réalisé chez 93 % des patients. Il a objectivé une cellulite suppurée (64 %), une extension aux espaces profonds (20 %), une compression des voies aéro-digestives supérieures (11,5 %), un syndrome de Lemierre (4,6 %) et une cellulite gangréneuse avec extension médiastinale (1,1 %). Tous les malades ont bénéficié d'une antibiothérapie à large spectre. Seuls 25 % ont eu un drainage chirurgical associé. Le traitement de la porte d'entrée a été réalisé chez tous les patients. L'évolution a été favorable dans 98,9 % des cas. On recense un seul décès dû à un choc septique (1,1 %), ce qui est concordant avec la majorité des résultats rapportés dans la littérature. Les cellulites cervico-faciales peuvent mettre en jeu le pronostic fonctionnel et vital du patient en l'absence de prise en charge rapide et adéquate. Le traitement reste avant tout préventif.

[Application of physical therapy methods in the early rehabilitation period after surgical interventions in patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region]. / Primenenie metodov fizioterapii v rannem reabilitatsionnom periode posle operativnykh vmeshatel'stv u bol'nykh s vospalitel'nymi zabolevaniyami chelyustno-litsevoi oblasti.

The increase in the number of purulent wound complications in the treatment of various surgical diseases in maxillofacial surgery determines the high importance of the medico-social problem of modern medicine. In this connection, the search for new approaches is urgent, including the complex application of 2 or more factors to increase the effectiveness of treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of a comprehensive physiotherapy program, including a low-frequency alternating electrostatic field and broadband electromagnetic therapy, on the severity of pain and local inflammation in patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region. MATERIAL AND RESEARCH METHODS: 60 patients with acute pyoinflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region (phlegmons, abscesses, abscessing boils of the maxillofacial region), mean age 41.2±3.5 years, who were divided into 2 groups: main - 30 patients who underwent a course of complex application of broadband electromagnetic therapy and a low-frequency alternating electrostatic field and control - 30 patients who received drug therapy (antibiotics, drugs of the metronidazole group, antihistamines, multivitamins, detoxification therapy, local treatment of the wound process), which served as a background in the main group. RESULTS: The combined use of a low-frequency alternating electrostatic field and broadband electromagnetic therapy contributes to a faster and more pronounced relief of the inflammatory process in the area of the pathological focus and pain syndrome in patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region, which is confirmed by the data of an objective examination and indicators of the visual analogue scale VAS. CONCLUSION: The developed complex, which includes a low-frequency alternating electrostatic field and broadband electromagnetic therapy, has pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region, which makes it possible to recommend it for use in wide surgical practice.

Hyperbaric oxygen management of recurrent cellulitis in poikiloderma with neutropenia.

Poikiloderma with neutropenia (PN), is a rare autosomal recessive condition with many associated complications and manifestations. Here we present a patient with confirmed PN who is of one-quarter Chucktaw or Cherokee heritage with no known descent from the Navajo tribe. The patient's condition was complicated by chronic bilateral lower limb cellulitis and associated osteomyelitis which was unresponsive to extensive antibiotic regimens. Subsequent treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was successful. To date, no author has reported on the treatment of recurrent cellulitis using HBOT in this patient population. Based on our experience, HBOT should be considered in patients with PN.

Paediatric periorbital cellulitis: A 10-year retrospective case series review.

AIM: To identify the predictors of poor outcome and need for surgical management in paediatric patients with periorbital cellulitis. To assess the adherence to local guidelines in the management of periorbital cellulitis. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive analysis of clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics of 175 paediatric periorbital cellulitis presentations at a UK teaching hospital over a 10-year period. Regression investigated correlations for continuous and categorical variables. RESULTS: A total of 175 paediatric presentations were diagnosed as periorbital infections over the 10-year period. Of these, 139 had pre-septal cellulitis, 27 had a subperiosteal abscess, 6 had an orbital cellulitis, 1 had an orbital abscess, 1 a cavernous sinus thrombosis and 1 an extradural abscess. Median age at presentation was 5 years (range: 1 month-17 years). In total, 169 (97%) cases received systemic antimicrobial treatment. Cross-sectional imaging occurred in 30% of cases and 18% required surgical intervention. Increasing C-reactive protein was associated with greater risk of post-septal disease and requiring surgery. The best predictors of post-septal disease in the multivariate analysis (R2 = 0.49, P = ≤0.001) were ophthalmoplegia (P = 0.009), proptosis (P = 0.016) and pain on eye movement (P = 0.046). Proptosis was the single most significant predictor of surgical management (R2 = 0.53, P = <0.001). CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary involvement and early medical management can improve outcomes for most patients. Those who deteriorate despite medical management should be considered for prompt imaging and surgical management to avoid serious life-threatening or sight-threatening complications.

Canine Retrobulbar Cellulitis and Abscessation in the Southeastern United States: A review of case management, diagnostic imaging, bacterial isolates, and susceptibility patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To describe common bacterial organisms cultured from retrobulbar cellulitis and abscess lesions, in vitro susceptibility patterns, common diagnostic techniques utilized, etiologies encountered, and prevalence of blindness. ANIMALS STUDIED: Thirty-eight dogs diagnosed with retrobulbar cellulitis or abscessation from 2007 to 2017. PROCEDURE: For cases of orbital cellulitis or abscess, signalment, orbital imaging, cytology, histopathology, bacterial culture and susceptibility testing, presence of vision at the initial examination and resolution, and presumed cellulitis/abscess etiology were recorded. RESULTS: Most cases were medically (78.9%) versus surgically managed (18.4%). Most common form of orbital imaging was computed tomography (48.5%) followed by ocular ultrasound (18.2%). Fifteen of eighteen cultures (83.3%) showed growth of aerobic bacterial organisms, anaerobic bacterial organisms, or both. Most common aerobic bacteria were gram-negative bacilli (40.0%) followed by Corynebacterium sp. (26.7%) and α-hemolytic Streptococci sp. (26.7%) but Micrococcus and Bacillus spp. were also identified. Most common anaerobic bacteria were gram-negative bacilli (40.0%). Antibiotics with highest susceptibility patterns included gentamicin, followed equally by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, and imipenem. No bacteria were susceptible to cefovecin. Six cases presented with vision loss due to retrobulbar disease (15.8%). Idiopathic (50%) disease and tooth root abscessation (23.7%) were most commonly diagnosed cause of orbital disease. CONCLUSION: Retrobulbar cellulitis/abscess is a serious and vision-threatening process, which can be effectively managed by broad-spectrum antibiotics such as gentamicin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, but not cefovecin. This study identified three organisms that have not been previously reported to be associated with orbital cellulitis (Corynebacterium sp., Bacillus sp. and Micrococcus sp.).

Treatment and outcome of eight horses with limb cellulitis and septic tendonitis or desmitis.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features, treatment, and outcome in horses with cellulitis and concurrent septic tendonitis and/or desmitis. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. METHODS: Medical records from 2000 to 2019 were reviewed, identifying horses with cellulitis and concurrent septic tendonitis and/or desmitis based on sonographic examination and positive bacterial culture. Signalment, ultrasonographic results, bacterial culture, treatment, duration of hospitalization, and complications were recorded. Long-term outcome data were obtained from follow-up examinations and/or telephone interviews. Successful outcome was defined as return to intended use. RESULTS: Eight horses met the inclusion criteria. All infections occurred in hindlimbs, with septic suspensory ligament in six of eight horses, and septic superficial digital flexor tendon in one of eight horses. Surgical debridement was performed in six of eight horses. All horses were treated with systemic and regional intravenous antimicrobials and were discharged from the hospital. Long-term follow-up was available in seven of eight horses. Of these, four horses returned to their intended athletic function, two horses returned to their intended function as a broodmare or pasture pet, and one horse is still rehabilitating. CONCLUSION: Septic tendonitis or desmitis is a rare but possible sequela of limb cellulitis. Based on the findings in this study, prognosis for return to athletic function is fair to good for horses diagnosed with cellulitis and concurrent septic tendonitis or desmitis.

[Is compression therapy contraindicated for lower leg erysipelas? : Results of a retrospective analysis]. / Ist die Kompressionstherapie bei Erysipel des Unterschenkels kontraindiziert? : Resultate einer retrospektiven Analyse.

In many medical expert recommendations and guidelines, the use of compression therapy for acute erysipelas is designated as a contraindication. Due to the sometimes massive oedema, compression therapy is nevertheless used in some clinics. This led to the question whether compression therapy for erysipelas of the lower leg actually leads to complications due to the acute infection and thus represents a contraindication. For the period 01 January 2018 to 30 June 2019, the records of 56 inpatients with acute erysipelas of the lower leg who received compression therapy in addition to systemic antibiotic therapy were retrospectively evaluated. The duration of inpatient treatment, the infection parameters determined as part of the ward routine and any complications that occurred were evaluated. While treated as inpatients the blood parameters for infection clearly dropped. Compression therapy was started on admission day in 92.9% of patients and continued until discharge. None of the patients showed an increase in fever or clinical signs of sepsis during the hospital stay. In this retrospective analysis it could be shown for the first time that compression therapy does not cause a clinical worsening or trigger a septic clinical picture in patients with acute erysipelas. Therefore, the authors consider the declaration of acute erysipelas as contraindication for compression therapy as not justified.

[Applying Swanson's Theory of Caring to Manage a Patient With Cellulitis].

This case report describes a nursing care experience that applied Swanson's Caring Theory to a patient who was suffering from the rapid progression of cellulitis, which had impaired physical mobility and induced anxiety. The associated health problems, including infection, impaired physical mobility, and anxiety, were affirmed after an integrated physical, psychological, social, and spiritual assessment was conducted during the nursing care period, which lasted between March 8th and March 22nd, 2020. After Applying Swanson's Caring Theory through five caring processes, the therapeutic relationships with the patient and his family members were established and their concerns and care needs were well known. Emotional support was provided through listening and accompaniment. In addition, the patient was encouraged to participate in strength training to improve physical mobility and maintain a positive outlook. In line with this, diaphragmatic breathing, muscle relaxation, shoulder massage, and divided attention were used to reduce anxiety and to assist the patient to face life after discharge positively and optimistically. It is hoped that this case report provides medical staffs with a reference for providing care to patients suffering from cellulitis, physical impairment, and anxiety.

Meningococcaemia causing necrotizing cellulitis associated with acquired complement deficiency after gastric bypass surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Neisseria meningitidis has rarely been described as an agent of necrotic soft tissue infection. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a septic shock with necrotizing cellulitis due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W, treated by urgent extensive surgical debridement followed by skin grafts. The invasive meningococcal disease occurred together with a complement deficiency, possibly acquired after bypass surgery that took place 1 year before. CONCLUSIONS: Necrotic tissue infections should be considered part of the invasive meningococcal diseases spectrum and should prompt clinicians to look for complement deficiencies. Gastric bypass surgery associated malnutrition may be implicated but further verification is needed.

Inequitable access to an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy service: linked cross-sectional study.

STUDY AIM: To assess whether Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) is provided equitably across gender and social groups in a tertiary care setting. BACKGROUND: OPAT is a widely used and growing approach in high income countries to early discharge or admission avoidance for patients requiring intravenous antimicrobials. There is however a risk that equitable access to healthcare could be eroded unintentionally by expansion of outpatient or ambulatory approaches such as this. Anecdotal evidence in our service, and from published studies, have identified a gender and social group equity gap in outpatient services. METHODS: Service data on inpatient cellulitis episodes over a seven-year period were matched to OPAT referral data to create a retrospective cross-sectional linked dataset. All individuals admitted from 2012 to 2017 inclusive for a primary diagnosis of cellulitis were included: 6295 admissions of 4944 individuals. Demographics, number of co-morbidities, length of hospital stay, number of admissions, distance from OPAT unit and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD; as a metric of deprivation) were recorded. Adjusted odds of a referral to OPAT across SIMD quintiles and for females compared to males were calculated using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Inequitable access to OPAT was identified. Deprivation was negatively associated with likelihood of OPAT referral. Inpatients from the most affluent SIMD quintile were more than twice as likely to have received an OPAT referral compared to those resident in the most deprived quintile (adjusted OR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.60-2.71, p <  0.0001). Women were almost a third less likely to receive an OPAT referral than men (adjusted OR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.82, p <  0.001). Results were adjusted for age, number of co-morbidities, admissions, length of stay, distance from nearest OPAT unit, time since first admission, deprivation and gender. CONCLUSIONS: OPAT services and other ambulatory care programmes should routinely evaluate the equity of their service provision and consider how they can reduce any identified imbalance. It is a critical responsibility of service planning to ensure an inequitable system does not develop, with those least able to access ambulatory care dispossessed of the associated benefits.

[EXPERIENCE OF TREATMENT OF THE SEPTIC PHLEGMONS OF THE LOWER LIMBS AFTER THE COMBINED PHLEBECTOMY].

The aim of the study - to identify the causes and develop methods of treatment and prevention of septic phlegmons of the lower extremities after combined phlebectomy. The article presents the experience of treating 6 patients between the ages of 21 and 69 years with severe pyo-inflammatory complications (septic phlegmons) of the lower extremities after combined phlebectomy between 2012 and 2019. All patients had signs of a expressed systemic inflammatory response (SIRS3 and SIRS4) when they received admission. Against the background of intensive detoxification therapy in intensive care department, all patients were operated on emergency indications. Under anesthesia, they were performed an opening the subcutaneous phlegmons of the lower extremities using wide stripes incisions. Comprehensive therapy included the prescribing of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, stage necrectomy, the treatment of purulent wounds with various variants of surgical energy (plasma flows and NO-therapy) in various modes. The results of the treatment were estimated in the near and distant periods. Timely diagnosis, surgical treatment with the opening of purulent cavities with a wide excision of necrotized subcutaneous fat and fascia, as well as the subsequent plasmadynamic stage wound purification in therapeutic mode allowed in all cases to stop systemic inflammatory syndrome, to achieve rapid cleansing and healing of wounds. All patients were discharged for outpatient treatment. There were no fatalities. The long-term results of treatment were found to be satisfactory, and no patients were found to be disabled. The careful compliance to the main stages of the combined phlebectomy, especially the quality control of postoperative hemostasis, can minimize the development of septic complications. The comprehensive treatment with active surgical tactics and the use of air-plasma technologies allow to achieve a rapid cleansing of wounds and a speedy recovery of patients.

The ALT-70 cellulitis model maintains predictive value at 24 and 48 hours after presentation.

BACKGROUND: Cellulitis has many potential mimickers, and its misdiagnosis often leads to unnecessary hospitalizations and higher health care costs. The ALT-70 predictive model offers an objective tool to help differentiate between cellulitis and other clinically similar conditions at the time of initial emergency department (ED) presentation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the ALT-70 predictive model at 24 and 48 hours following ED presentation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of our prior cohort and expanded our data collection to include data at 24 and 48 hours after initial ED presentation. We compared classification measures for the ALT-70 at the time of initial ED presentation, 24 hours after presentation, and 48 hours after presentation. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in median ALT-70 score between patients with true cellulitis and those with mimickers of cellulitis at all time points. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the ALT-70 score was similar across all 3 time points. LIMITATIONS: Single-center design may reduce generalizability. CONCLUSION: At 24 and 48 hours, the ALT-70 performed similarly to the way it performed at the time of initial ED presentation, allowing for its use in a wider array of clinical settings.

Clostridioides difficile-related toxic megacolon after Cryptococcus neoformans cellulitis: A complex of two rare infections in an immunocompromised host.

A 76-year-old Japanese woman was admitted due to uncontrolled cellulitis of the right lower leg. She had deep vein thrombosis on the right limb. Moreover, she had a long history of rheumatoid arthritis treated with corticosteroids. Skin biopsy and lumbar puncture were performed to diagnose disseminated cryptococcosis. She was administered antifungal agents (liposomal amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine). On treatment day 14, debridement was performed, and cryptococcosis was controlled. However, she developed toxic megacolon due to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). On day 32, she was transferred to the intensive care unit due to severe acidosis and acute kidney injury secondary to CDI-related toxic megacolon. Vancomycin, metronidazole, and tigecycline were administered for treatment of CDI. After several weeks of intensive care, toxic megacolon was improved, but renal replacement therapy was discontinued according to the patient's will. On day 73, she died of renal failure. We experienced a complex of rare diseases, Cryptococcus neoformans cellulitis and Clostridioides difficile-related toxic megacolon. Both diseases were presumed to be the result of corticosteroid and methotrexate use. Hence, careful monitoring is required when treating immunocompromised hosts to reduce the risk of developing complications.

Hand Infections.

Infections are common in hand surgery and proper management is important to achieve optimal outcomes. Although most cases are not urgent, less common, severe infections such as flexor tenosynovitis and necrotizing fasciitis require urgent identification with both medical and surgical management. It is common for diagnoses to be missed or delayed because clinical and laboratory indicators are often variably present. Delayed identification and management can result in poor outcomes with permanent deficits. This article will provide a review of hand infections with a focus on identifying serious hand infections requiring urgent or emergent treatment, and distinguishing these from less urgent scenarios.