Lateral temporal bone resections for peri-auricular cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic indicators and radiological predictive values.

BACKGROUND: Lateral temporal bone resections are used in the management of locally advanced peri-auricular cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, but there is still conflicting evidence regarding the staging, surgical and adjuvant treatment decisions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who underwent lateral temporal bone resection for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma between January 2015 and December 2019 at a dedicated tertiary oncology referral centre. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included, with a median age of 77 years. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography showed good diagnostic accuracy in identifying disease in the parotid gland, external auditory canal and mastoid bone, but had poor sensitivity in identifying cervical nodal metastasis. Six patients had recurrence at a median of 4.8 months post-operatively. Tumour differentiation (p = 0.0040) and post-operative radiotherapy (p = 0.0199) were associated with significantly better recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSION: Lateral temporal bone resection for peri-auricular cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma requires careful surgical planning using clinico-radiological correlation, particularly in patients with poorly differentiated tumours.

Erythroderma (exfoliative dermatitis). Part 2: energy homeostasis and dietetic management strategies.

Erythroderma (exfoliative dermatitis) is associated with important metabolic changes that include an enhancement in energy expenditure. The key components to total energy expenditure (TEE) include basal metabolic rate (~68% of TEE), physical activity (~22% of TEE) and thermic effect of food (~10% of TEE). In the erythrodermic state, there are likely multiple contributors to the increase in basal metabolic rate, such as 'caloric drain' resulting from increased evaporation of water from enhanced transepidermal water loss, increased activity of the cardiovascular system (including high-output cardiac failure), increased nonshivering thermogenesis and hormonal changes such as hypercortisolaemia. A change in the patient's level of physical activity and appetite as a result of ill health status may further impact on their TEE and energy consumption. In Part 2 of this two-part concise review, we explore the key constituents of energy homeostasis and the potential mechanisms influencing energy homeostasis in erythroderma, and suggest much-needed dietetic management strategies for this important condition.

Erythroderma (exfoliative dermatitis). Part 1: underlying causes, clinical presentation and pathogenesis.

Erythroderma (exfoliative dermatitis), first described by Von Hebra in 1868, manifests as a cutaneous inflammatory state, with associated skin barrier and metabolic dysfunctions. The annual incidence of erythroderma is estimated to be 1-2 per 100 000 population in Europe with a male preponderance. Erythroderma may present at birth, or may develop acutely or insidiously (due to progression of an underlying primary pathology, including malignancy). Although there is a broad range of diseases that associate with erythroderma, the vast majority of cases result from pre-existing and chronic dermatoses. In the first part of this two-part concise review, we explore the underlying causes, clinical presentation, pathogenesis and investigation of erythroderma, and suggest potential treatment targets for erythroderma with unknown causes.

Goitre in southern Chinese children in Hong Kong.

In a 9-year retrospective review of goitre in Chinese children in Hong Kong, 84 children and adolescents were identified. There was a female predominance with a male:female ratio of 1:5.5. The majority of patients (95%) were found to have diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland. Forty-nine were found to have Graves' disease. The mean age of presentation of patients with Graves' disease was 11.34 years. Forty-three of them were found to have thyroid autoantibodies. Only two cases of autoimmune thyroiditis with thyroid autoantibodies were diagnosed. The other causes of goitre include simple colloid goitre, multinodular goitre and suppurative thyroiditis. The spectrum of disease causing goitre in Chinese children is thus quite different from that reported in Caucasian children in developed countries. Further studies are necessary to define the genetic or environmental factors resulting in the observed differences.

Blood coagulation abnormalities associated with envenoming by Trimeresurus albolabris in Hong Kong.

Snake bites in Hong Kong are most commonly due to Tr. albolabris (White-lipped pit viper, bamboo snake). We studied 21 cases of envenoming by Tr. albolabris prospectively in order to document the incidence and severity of associated coagulation abnormalities. Eighteen patients (86%) had increased blood concentrations of fibrin degradation products (FDP) ranging from 10-40 micrograms/l to greater than 200 micrograms/l (normal: less than 10 micrograms/l), the majority of whom also had detectable soluble fibrin monomers. Among these 21 patients, 10 had decreased blood concentrations of fibrinogen ranging from 0.3 kg/l to 1.9 g/l (normal: 2-4 gl/l). In 11 cases (52%), the euglobulin clot lysis time was shortened (less than 150 minutes) in association with elevated blood concentrations of FDP (n = 10) and decreased circulating fibrinogen levels (n = 8). Thrombocytopenia and/or prolongation of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and/or thrombin time (TT) were present in 10 patients (28%). Increased blood concentrations of FDP and decreased circulating fibrinogen levels were present in most of these cases. Envenoming by Tr. albolabris is therefore frequently associated with a coagulopathy compatible with increased fibrin/fibrinogenolysis. Measurement of blood concentrations of FDP is the most sensitive test for detecting the coagulopathy. There is, however, little correlation between the patterns of clinical manifestations and coagulation abnormalities although more severe clinical features were usually associated with high circulating FDP levels. Only one patient developed systemic bleeding but no fatality was observed. The coagulation abnormalities are usually correctable by replacement therapy. Further studies are required to study the mechanisms of this coagulopathy and its relationship with venom antigenaemia.