Artificial Intelligence in Echocardiography for Anesthesiologists.

Echocardiography is a unique diagnostic tool for intraoperative monitoring and assessment of patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, there are high levels of interoperator variations in echocardiography interpretations that could lead to inaccurate diagnosis and incorrect treatment. Furthermore, anesthesiologists are faced with the additional challenge to interpret echocardiography and make decisions in a limited timeframe from these complex data. The need for an automated, less operator-dependent process that enhances speed and accuracy of echocardiography analysis is crucial for anesthesiologists. Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in the medical field and could help anesthesiologists analyze complex echocardiographic data while adding increased accuracy and consistency to interpretation. This review aims to summarize practical use of artificial intelligence in echocardiography and discusses potential limitations and challenges in the future for anesthesiologists.

Society of Dermatology Hospitalists supportive care guidelines for the management of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis in adults.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening conditions with high morbidity and mortality. Supportive care management of SJS/TEN is highly variable. A systematic review of the literature was performed by dermatologists, ophthalmologists, intensivists, and gynecologists with expertise in SJS/TEN to generate statements for supportive care guideline development. Members of the Society of Dermatology Hospitalists with expertise in SJS/TEN were invited to participate in a modified, online Delphi-consensus. Participants were administered 9-point Likert scale questionnaires regarding 135 statements. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to evaluate and select proposed statements for guideline inclusion; statements with median ratings of 6.5 to 9 and a disagreement index of ≤1 were included in the guideline. For the final round, the guidelines were appraised by all of the participants. Included are an evidence-based discussion and recommendations for hospital setting and care team, wound care, ocular care, oral care, urogenital care, pain management, infection surveillance, fluid and electrolyte management, nutrition and stress ulcer prophylaxis, airway management, and anticoagulation in adult patients with SJS/TEN.

Onset of disseminated cutaneous nodules following toe amputation in heart transplant patient.

Alternaria spp. infections are rare, but organ transplant recipients and immunosuppressed patients are particularly at risk of developing cutaneous alternariosis. Although cutaneous alternariosis is well-defined, instances of disseminated infection are exceedingly rare. We report a case of disseminated Alternaria infection in an immunocompromised patient from a primary focus of ungual phaeohyphomycosis.

The use of cyclosporine for Stevens-Johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis spectrum at the University of Louisville: A case series and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Cyclosporine therapy for Stevens-Johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJSTEN) was first reported in the literature by Renfro et al. in 1989. Herein we report an additional 4 cases of SJS-TEN treated with cyclosporine. METHODS: Case information was collected retroactively at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY. All cases had a diagnosis of SJS or TEN by a dermatologist. All patients were ≥18 years of age and treated with cyclosporine during their admission. RESULTS: Three of four patients re-epithelialized within an average of 3.67 days of starting 3-4 mg/kg/day of cyclosporine. One patient passed away, likely due to advanced endometrial cancer. DISCUSSION: We provide a review of the literature on cyclosporine use for SJS/TEN, including various outcome measures - stabilization (cessation of new lesions), time to re-epithelialization, mortality rate, and hospital length of stay and, where available, comparison to other systemic agents. CONCLUSION: The outcomes appear to be consistent with rapid re-epithelialization and low mortality as seen in many previous reports. Treating SJS-TEN with systemic agents including cyclosporine will remaincontroversial because the vast majority of data comes from case reports, case series, or small open prospective trials.

Fractionated Er:YAG laser versus fully ablative Er:YAG laser for scar revision: Results of a split scar, double blinded, prospective trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ablative laser resurfacing is a common treatment for post-surgical scars. Fractional ablative laser resurfacing has been an emerging treatment option that is replacing fully ablative lasers in many applications. Data comparing fractionated and fully ablative lasers in treating post-operative scars are lacking. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients were enrolled in a split scar study following excisions from dermatologic surgery. Wounds had to be older than 8 weeks but less than 1 year. The scars were randomly divided into two halves. One half of the scar was treated with fully ablative erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) and the other was treated with fractionated Er:YAG. The scars were treated at monthly intervals for 3 months, then followed up at months 1 and 2 after the last treatment. POSAS was used to evaluate the scars by a panel of dermatologists blinded to the lasers in conjunction with the patients, who were also blinded. RESULTS: Physicians and patients both observed a superior outcome of 32.5% (P = 0.019) and 58.1% (P = 0.001), respectively, using the POSAS. There was no trend in difference in pain reported by the patient between the two lasers. Patients overwhelmingly preferred the fractionated Er:YAG laser (94%) to the fully ablative laser when asked at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study is limited by a short follow-up period, it shows a statistically significant superior outcome in fractionated Er:YAG over fully ablative Er:YAG for scar revision. It also adds quantitative values to the assessment of scar appearance when treated with fractionated lasers compared to fully ablative lasers. It was also found that the fractionated Er:YAG had increased patient satisfaction, but there was no difference in reported pain scores. These data are useful when counseling patients undergoing laser surgery. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:837-843, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Solitary and multiple tumors of follicular infundibulum: a review of 168 cases with emphasis on staining patterns and clinical variants.

BACKGROUND: Tumor of the follicular infundibulum (TFI) is an uncommon benign adnexal tumor that usually presents as a solitary keratotic papule in the head and neck area. Infrequently, it may present as multiple lesions or in association with other conditions. Although it was initially described in 1961, the pathogenesis of this lesion is still controversial. METHODS: The clinical and histologic features of 168 cases of TFI were reviewed. Random cases were stained with elastic Van Gieson, cytokeratin (CK)20 and Ber-EP4. Clinical data and clinical images were collected. RESULTS: The median age at presentation was 66 years with a slight female predominance. As subset of patients (7.7%) had multiple TFI, some of which presented with hypopigmented lesions of the head and neck area. TFI has a unique staining pattern; all cases tested showed a brush-like network of elastin fibers, no cases stained for Ber-EP4 and 91.7% of cases show single cell positivity to CK20. This is in contrast to basal cell carcinoma used for comparison purposes. CONCLUSION: TFI is a distinct neoplastic entity with a unique staining pattern and variable clinical presentation. One should be aware of the potential clinical presentation of multiple TFI as hypopigmented lesions especially in the head and neck area.

Cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorder complicating infectious mononucleosis in an immunosuppressed patient.

Infectious mononucleosis is the syndrome produced by primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus during adolescence or early adulthood. In immunosuppressed individuals, depressed T-cell function allows the Epstein-Barr virus-driven B-cell proliferation to continue unabated, potentially leading to a lymphoproliferative disorder. A 15-year-old girl with a history of ulcerative colitis treated with 6-mercaptopurine and mesalamine presented with the acute onset of a rapidly enlarging, ulcerative nodule on her left lower eyelid 4 weeks following recovery from infectious mononucleosis. The biopsy revealed an Epstein-Barr virus-positive lymphoproliferative disorder. Systemic disease was absent. Following discontinuation of 6-mercaptopurine, the patient was treated with two courses of intravenous cyclophosphamide. The lesion resolved completely and she remains disease free at 14 months following diagnosis. We report a solitary cutaneous lesion of an immunosuppression-related lymphoproliferative disorder (IR-LPD) occurring as a complication of infectious mononucleosis, and review the pathogenesis and reported cases of Epstein-Barr virus-related immunosuppression-related lymphoproliferative disorder arising in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease. It is important for dermatologists and dermatopathologists to be aware of the occurrence of IR-LPD in patients being treated for inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease. Given the role of primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus in the development of IR-LPD, consideration may be given to assessing Epstein-Barr virus status prior to initiating immunosuppressive therapy in young patients.

Recognition and Management of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions (Including Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis).

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions to medications (SCARs) include drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. They are all non-immunoglobulin E mediated hypersensitivity reaction patterns, distinguished from simple cutaneous drug eruptions by immunologic pathogenesis and internal organ involvement. Herein the clinical features, diagnostic workup, and management considerations are presented for each of these major SCARs.

New patterns of cutaneous drug eruptions.

Cutaneous adverse drug reactions produce a significant clinical, financial, and psychological burden on our healthcare industry. The importance of considering a drug reaction in the cause of any dermatitis is underscored by the diversity of clinical manifestations and the prolific rate of drug discovery and approval. We present an update on the variety of drug reactions encountered in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Immunomodulatory drugs used in oncology will be reviewed separately as their clinical manifestations cross many reaction patters and morphologies.

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Technique Accuracy: Prospective Comparison of Passive Magnetic Tracking Versus Unassisted Echogenic Needle Localization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia facilitates an approach to sensitive targets such as nerve clusters without contact or inadvertent puncture. We compared accuracy of needle placement with a novel passive magnetic ultrasound needle guidance technology (NGT) versus conventional ultrasound (CU) with echogenic needles. METHODS: Sixteen anesthesiologists and 19 residents performed a series of 16 needle insertion tasks each, 8 using NGT (n = 280) and 8 using CU (n = 280), in high-fidelity porcine phantoms. Tasks were stratified based on aiming to contact (target-contact) or place in close proximity with (target-proximity) targets, needle gauge (no. 18/no. 22), and in-plane (IP) or out-of-plane (OOP) approach. Distance to the target, task completion by aim, number of passes, and number of tasks completed on the first pass were reported. RESULTS: Needle guidance technology significantly improved distance, task completion, number of passes, and completion on the first pass compared with CU for both IP and OOP approaches (P ≤ 0.001). Average NGT distance to target was lower by 57.1% overall (n = 560, 1.5 ± 2.4 vs 3.5 ± 3.7 mm), 38.5% IP (n = 140, 1.6 ± 2.6 vs 2.6 ± 2.8 mm), and 68.2% OOP (n = 140, 1.4 ± 2.2 vs 4.4 ± 4.3 mm) (all P ≤ 0.01). Subgroup analyses revealed accuracy gains were largest among target-proximity tasks performed by residents and for OOP approaches. Needle guidance technology improved first-pass completion from 214 (76.4%) per 280 to 249 (88.9%) per 280, a significant improvement of 16.4% (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Passive magnetic NGT can improve accuracy of needle procedures, particularly among OOP procedures requiring close approach to sensitive targets, such as nerve blocks in anesthesiology practice.

African tick bite fever: a not-so-uncommon illness in international travelers.

BACKGROUND: African tick bite fever is a rickettsial illness that has recently emerged as a significant disease among international travelers. The vector is the Amblyomma tick, which is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the eastern Caribbean. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a middle-aged woman who returned from a mission trip to Zimbabwe with an influenzalike illness and inoculation eschar; she also had a history of travel to a game farm. Biopsy revealed a histopathologic pattern consistent with an infectious pathogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of rickettsial organisms. In light of the patient's history, the clinical constellation of signs and symptoms, and the results of ancillary laboratory testing, a diagnosis of African tick bite fever was made. The patient was treated with doxycycline hydrochloride and had an uncomplicated course. CONCLUSIONS: This report further highlights the epidemiological and clinical features of African tick bite fever. With the increase in international travel, it is important to recognize the illness in those who have been to endemic countries and to counsel patients regarding preventive measures for planned travel.

Cutaneous manifestations of lung cancer.

Skin findings can serve as a clue to internal disease. In this article, cutaneous manifestations of underlying lung malignancy are reviewed. Paraneoplastic dermatoses are rare, but when recognized early, can lead to early diagnosis of an underlying neoplasm. Malignancy-associated dermatoses comprise a broad group of hyperproliferative and inflammatory disorders, disorders caused by tumor production of hormonal or metabolic factors, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, among others. In this review, paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung malignancy are discussed, including ectopic ACTH syndrome, bronchial carcinoid variant syndrome, secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy/digital clubbing, erythema gyratum repens, malignant acanthosis nigricans, sign of Leser-Trélat, tripe palms, hypertrichosis lanuginosa, acrokeratosis paraneoplastica, and dermatomyositis.

Sweet-like dermatosis in 2 patients with clinical features of dermatomyositis and underlying autoimmune disease.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophilic dermatoses comprise a group of cutaneous disorders that are characterized histopathologically by infiltration of the dermis with mature neutrophils with or without vessel wall destruction. Neutrophilic dermatoses have been reported in association with a variety of autoimmune diseases, most recently as a manifestation of lupus erythematosus. OBSERVATIONS: We describe 2 patients with photodistributed violaceous plaques: one with associated heliotrope rash and malar erythema, and the other with scalp involvement and Gottron-like papules. In each case, the biopsy specimen revealed changes compatible with a neutrophilic dermatosis as opposed to an interface dermatitis. The first patient also had a history of Graves disease and primary biliary cirrhosis, while second patient had Wegener granulomatosis. The 2 patients responded to therapy with oral dapsone and prednisone, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The atypical presentation of neutrophilic dermatosis in 2 patients with clinical features of dermatomyositis and intercurrent autoimmune-mediated illnesses may suggest an expansion in the clinical spectrum of parainflammatory neutrophilic dermatoses. The finding of a neutrophilic dermatosis in a biopsy specimen from a patient without a classic clinical presentation should invoke a thoughtful search for underlying immune complex-mediated systemic disease.