Bilateral breast necrotizing leukocytoclastic vasculitis: First case report.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a very rare immune complex-mediated condition affecting the small vessels walls. We present the case of a 48-year-old woman with necrotizing bilateral breast LCV on treatment with glatiramer acetate for multiple sclerosis. Bilateral mastectomies and debridement of the anterior abdominal wall were required due to the rapidly evolving necrotizing process. Rapid assessment and a multidisciplinary approach are fundamental in treating this rare life-threatening condition.

Is there a role for routine laryngoscopy before and after parathyroid surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is a potential complication of parathyroid surgery with significant morbidity and a cause of medico-legal litigation. Peri-operative laryngoscopy to assess RLN function helps identify a vocal cord palsy and guide management. The value of its routine use in asymptomatic patients is however unclear. The low risk of permanent palsy, rarity of true asymptomatic palsy and costs, discomfort and inconvenience to patients are arguments against routine laryngoscopy. This study assessed the results of routine laryngoscopy in patients having parathyroid surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). METHODS: All patients having parathyroid surgery for PHPT (exclusion: re-do surgery and concurrent thyroidectomy) over a 3-year period were included from a tertiary endocrine surgical unit. Data on voice-related outcomes and pre- and post-operative laryngoscopy, including its local cost, were collected and analysed. RESULTS: Of 189 patients who underwent parathyroid surgery, 66 had a unilateral neck exploration. The incidence of vocal cord palsy was 0.5% (1 in 186 patients) and 1.7% (3 in 179 patients) for pre- and post-operative laryngoscopy respectively. The single patient with pre-operative cord palsy was asymptomatic. Of the three with post-operative cord palsy, two were temporary and symptomatic and one was asymptomatic. In the region, the clinical commissioning group was charged £127.00 per laryngoscopy, amounting to £46,736.00 for the whole cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The rare nature of vocal cord palsy suggests laryngoscopy is not necessary for patients having surgery for PHPT. It may be reserved for patients with voice change and those having re-operative or concomitant thyroid surgery.

A case of epididymitis associated with Panton-Valentine leukocidin Staphylococcus aureus.

A new pattern of disease caused by Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive strains of Staphylococcus aureus is emerging in the UK and worldwide. Community-associated methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) is more likely to produce PVL, a pore-forming cytotoxin inducing leucocyte lysis, which often infects young healthy individuals. The worldwide emergence and continually increasing prevalence of community-acquired PVL-MRSA have recently attracted high-profile media attention and prompted concern regarding the transmissibility and virulence. This paper reports a case of genitourinary tract infection associated with PVL-positive community-associated MRSA in an immunocompetent young man.