Evaluation of Pericardial Effusions in Alopecia Patients on Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Minoxidil is an anti-hypertensive vasodilator increasingly used off-label for the treatment of alopecia. It is associated with an increased risk of pericardial effusions, with recent reports even in patients on low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether LDOM is associated with increased prevalence of pericardial effusions in patients with alopecia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, point-of-care ultrasound was used to screen alopecia patients at dermatology appointments. Scans were evaluated by two independent cardiologists for the presence and size of effusions. The prevalence of effusions was compared between patients on LDOM therapy and patients not on minoxidil therapy. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were evaluated for pericardial effusion: 51 LDOM patients and 49 control patients. The two groups were similar in terms of age (53.7 vs 54.1; P=0.91), sex (86% vs 73% female; P=0.14), and race. Small pericardial effusions (<1 cm) were identified in 5.8% of LDOM patients and 6% of control patients (P=1), none of which were symptomatic. LIMITATIONS: This is a small, cross-sectional study with limitations on speculation of causality in confirmed cases. CONCLUSION: We did not find evidence of increased prevalence of pericardial effusions in a small group of alopecia patients on LDOM. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(9):725-728. doi:10.36849/JDD.8029.

Firearm Violence Surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Reopening Phenomenon.

INTRODUCTION: Past research has demonstrated a "reopening phenomenon" of increased firearm violence associated with the initial lifting of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related restrictions after the first wave. Now, with widespread societal reemergence from stay-at-home measures, we hypothesize another spike in firearm violence in the United States (US). Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the trends in firearm violence before and after extensive community reopenings during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The Gun Violence Archive was utilized to collect data on daily firearm violence incidents, injuries, and deaths as well as on types of firearm violence. Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed for trends and types of firearm violence "before" (12/14/20-4/9/21) versus "after" (4/10/21-7/31/21) widespread societal reopening in the US. Additional analyses also sought to compare the after reopening time-period to historical data (2017-2020) of similar calendar dates, to better control for possible annual/seasonal variation. RESULTS: Median daily firearm violence incidents (153 versus 176, P < 0.001), injuries (89 versus 121, P < 0.001) and deaths (54 versus 58, P < 0.001) increased from before versus after reopening. Compared to all historical years, in the after reopening time-period there were consistent increases in total as well as mass shooting incidents/injuries/deaths (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Firearm violence incidents, injuries, and deaths increased after societal reemergence from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there has been an increase in mass shootings despite a relative lull initially brought on by the pandemic. This suggests the "reopening phenomenon" has worsened an already substantial national firearm epidemic.

Neurosurgery compared to orthopedic spine consultation: A single level I trauma center experience.

Introduction: Both Orthopedic Surgery (OS) and Neurosurgery (NS) perform spine surgery in the setting of trauma. However, it is unknown whether outcomes differ between these specialties. This study compares management and outcomes for vertebral fractures between NS and OS, hypothesizing similar operation rate, length of stay (LOS), and readmission. Research question: Do outcomes differ between NS and OS in the management of vertebral fractures following trauma? Methods: A retrospective single-center study was conducted on adult patients with cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral fractures treated at a single trauma center, where no standardized pathway exists across NS and OS. Patients were compared for injury profile, diagnostic imaging, and operative techniques as well as LOS, mortality, and complications. Results: A total of 630 vertebral fracture patients (OS:350 (55.6%); NS:280 (44.4%)) were included. NS utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) more commonly (36.4% vs. 22.6%, p < 0.001). NS patients more often underwent operation (13.2% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.016) despite similar fracture number and severity (p > 0.05). Post-operative complications, LOS, and readmission rates were similar between cohorts (p > 0.05). Discussion and conclusion: Despite similar injury profiles, NS had higher rates of MRI usage and operative interventions in the context of traumatic spine fractures. Despite differences in management, major clinical outcomes were similar between NS and OS. However, we do call for further standardization of evaluation and treatment of patients based on established algorithms from such as the AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System (ATLICS).

Intravenous Lobular Capillary Hemangioma: A Case Report and Proposal for New Cutaneous Tender Tumor Differential Diagnosis Acronym.

Here, we report a case of a 70-year-old female who presented with a slowly enlarging tender nodule on the right forearm for several months. Physical examination showed a faintly blue-tinged freely mobile subcutaneous nodule. Excision was complicated by greater than expected bleeding and revealed an unexpected intravenous mass. Histopathology demonstrated capillary lobules separated by fibrous septae within a vein, consistent with intravenous lobular capillary hemangioma (IVLCH). IVLCH is a rare benign capillary proliferation of unclear etiology. Excision is typically curative and relieves any pain and discomfort the patient might be experiencing. With the addition of IVLCH, we respectfully propose a new acronym for the differential diagnosis of cutaneous tender tumors: intravenous lobular capillary hemangioma, foreign body (reaction), hidradenoma, osteoma cutis, glomus tumor, scar, fibromyxoma, leiomyosarcoma, eccrine angiomatous hamartoma, Dercum's disease (adiposis dolorosa), piezogenic pedal papule, eccrine spiradenoma, neurilemmoma (schwannoma), calcinosis cutis, angioendotheliomatosis, leiomyoma, metastases, angiolipoma, neuroma, dermatofibroma, granular cell tumor, endometriosis, thrombus, blue rubber bleb nevus, angioma, chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis, and keloid ("IF HOGS FLED PEN, CALM AND GET BACK"). Future additions to the cutaneous tender tumor differential diagnosis may require creative additions and rearrangements to this acronym. However, continual updates will allow it to serve both clinicians and pathologists alike as a comprehensive representation of etiologies to consider for cutaneous tender tumors.