Acute Urinary Retention Caused by an Ovarian Teratoma-A Unique Pediatric Presentation and Review.

BACKGROUND: Acute urinary retention (AUR) is a rare diagnosis both in pediatric and adult female populations, especially when compared to adult males. AUR occurs in women at a rate of 7 in 100,000 per year in a 1:13 female to male ratio. Multiple studies have shown that within the pediatric population AUR is far less common in females and is caused by different pathologies than AUR in adult women. CASE REPORT: We report the case of an 11 year-old prepubescent female who presented to the emergency department with acute urinary retention found to be caused by a mature cystic ovarian teratoma. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Our case is unique in that it describes an ovarian mass leading to AUR which has not previously been described in the pediatric literature. We will review the causes of AUR in the pediatric female population and compare these to the causes of AUR in other populations.

Reduced number of actinic keratoses with topical application of DNA repair enzyme creams.

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis is regarded as a carcinoma in situ by some dermatologists and its incidence continues to rise. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is considered to be an important risk factor for developing these pre-malignant lesions. DNA repair enzymes have been shown to reverse sun-damage, resulting in reduced rates of actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancers in specific patient populations. METHODS: Seventeen patients were evaluated for differences in actinic keratoses following topical application of T4N5 liposome lotion over 48 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, a statistically significant reduction in the number of actinic keratoses was seen following the treatment period. DISCUSSION: This study suggests that DNA repair enzyme creams effectively reduce the number of actinic keratoses in normal individuals with moderate-to-severe photodamaged skin.