Circumferential penile defect reconstruction with pull-up double-opposing keystone-designed perforator island flaps: A case report.

RATIONALE: The challenges with reconstruction of penile defects are plenty. In addition, no single and universally accepted reconstructive method exists for penile defect repair. Herein, we present the application of a circumferential penile shaft defect reconstruction using pull-up double-opposing keystone-designed perforator island flaps (KDPIFs) in one patient. This is the first case report of a circumferential penile shaft defect reconstruction using KDPIFs. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 43-year-old man who injected petroleum jelly into his penis 10 years ago presented with multiple firm nodular mass-like lesions adherent to the overlying skin along the penile shaft. Our urologic surgeon removed the foreign bodies and performed a primary closure with undermining. However, wound dehiscence developed, and skin necrosis was exacerbated 5 days postoperatively. DIAGNOSES: We performed debridement, and the final post-debridement defect was circumferential (5.5 × 12 cm) from the base of the glans to the midpoint of the penile shaft. INTERVENTIONS: We covered the defect using pull-up double-opposing KDPIFs (10 × 13 cm each) based on the hot spots of the superficial external pudendal artery perforators on each side from the suprapubic area to the scrotum. OUTCOMES: The flaps survived perfectly, with no postoperative complications. The patient was satisfied with the final outcome and had no erectile dysfunction or shortening of penile length after a 6-month follow-up. LESSONS: We successfully reconstructed a circumferential penile defect with pull-up double-opposing KDPIFs both esthetically and functionally. Our technique can be a good alternative modality for extensive penile defect reconstruction.

A 65-Year-Old Man with Pulmonary Opacities and Worsening Cough.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old man was referred for evaluation of several years of chest congestion and cough productive of yellow sputum as well as recently noted abnormalities on chest imaging. He denied dyspnea, weight loss, fevers, chills, or hemoptysis. He had no history of systemic illness, pneumonia, other respiratory illness, gastroesophageal reflux, or sinusitis. He had a remote smoking history. He worked as a railroad conductor and had occupational exposure to asbestos, as well as to other uncharacterized dusts and fumes. The patient spent most of his life in Washington and California and regularly traveled through the California Central Valley. Other travel history included trips to Southeast Asia, Iceland, and Europe in the remote past. The patient had one dog but no exposure to other animals. His only medication was loratadine, taken daily for allergic rhinitis. He applied petroleum jelly to his nares nightly to moisturize his nasal passages.

Neumonia lipoidea: causa infrecuente de infiltrados pulmonares / Lipoid pneumonia: an infrequent cause of pulmonary infiltrates

La presencia de infiltrados pulmonares es un hallazgo frecuente que incluye un amplio diagnóstico diferencial basado en muchas ocasiones en la historia clínica. Entre ellas, la neumonía lipoidea exógena representa una entidad poco frecuente y es preciso un elevado índice de sospecha para alcanzar su diagnóstico y evitar su progresión. En estos casos, un contexto clínico adecuado y una TC con opacidades y áreas de baja densidad pueden ser altamente sugestivos de la enfermedad. Se presenta un caso de neumonía lipoidea exógena secundaria a la utilización continuada de sustancias oleosas intranasal, que debido a los antecedentes del paciente y a las posibilidades diagnósticas tras los hallazgos de la TC, precisó confirmación histológica.

The presence of pulmonary infiltrates is a frequent finding that includes a large differential diagnosis based on many occasions in the clinical history. Among them, exogenous lipoid pneumonia represents a rare entity and a high index of suspicion is necessary to reach its diagnosis and prevent its progression. In these cases, an adequate clinical context and a CT with opacities and low density areas are highly suggestive of the disease. We present a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia secondary to the continued use of oily substances at the nasal level, due to his antecedents and the diagnostic possibilities after the CT findings, histological confirmation was required.

[Injected non-absorbable fillers in large volumes]. / In''ektsionnye nerassasyvaemye fillery miagkikh tkanei v bol'shikh ob''emakh.

AIM: To present treatment strategy for large volumes of injectable non-absorbable 'shell-less' soft tissue fillers (vaseline, synthol, silicone etc.). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors present an experience of surgical treatment of 8 patients who underwent injections of medical vaseline (breast augmentation, n=5) and synthol (muscles enlargement, n=3) and review of the current literature devoted to this problem. RESULTS: Injection of large amounts (over 50 ml) of non-absorbable fillers into soft tissues is unacceptable and leads to numerous complications. Oil-based 'shell-less' fillers cannot be removed by minimally invasive techniques (puncture, mini-incisions, etc.) due to multiple diffuse lesions in the form of oleogranulomas (cysts of different size) and surrounding widespread inflammation and fibrosis of tissues. Surgery is the only adequate method. However, this approach is followed by scars and often tissue contour deformation. Migration of these fillers to other anatomical areas (from the neck to the lower extremities) significantly complicates the situation, treatment and results. In case of categorical refusal of patients from surgical treatment and no complaints, they should be properly informed about possible consequences and complications and dynamic medical supervision is necessary. Intraoperative ultrasound examination is useful for the control of radical removal of pathological areas. Timely removal of non-absorbable fillers allows to avoid serious complications and to achieve good aesthetic results.

Paraffinoma, siliconoma and Co: Disastrous consequences of failed penile augmentation-A single-centre successful surgical management of a challenging entity.

The purpose of this study was to present our series of patients with disastrous consequences of failed penile self-augmentation and suggested surgical reconstruction. Ten patients with median age of 23 years and a variety of penile and scrotal deformities due to injections of several substances had undergone successful surgical reconstruction of external genitalia. The injections were self-performed in nine cases and the patients reported from 4 to 20 substance injections throughout the penile shaft. Three patients presented with fibrotic scirrhous masses in their scrotum, although they did not report any injections in scrotal area. All patients underwent extended penile-shaft skin excision, while all palpable scrotal lesions were removed in one-by-one fashion, as an attempt to destroy the less possible scrotal tissue. All patients were discharged on first post-operative day and reassessed at 2 months post-operatively. As a result, penile self-augmentation with injected substances may cause severe complications. Our proposed single-staged procedure seems safe and effective.

Neumonía lipoidea tras aspiración accidental de vaselina / Lipoid pneumonia after accidental aspiration of vaseline

La neumonía lipoidea es una patología pulmonar poco conocida que resulta de la acumulación de lípidos de origen endógenos o exógenos a nivel alveolar pulmonar. Suele ser subdiagnosticada dada que la presentación clínica es inespecífica, por lo que suele confundirse con otras patologías broncopulmonares, muchas veces no llegándose al diagnóstico preciso de esta. Dentro de los datos anamnesticos el antecedente, ya sea de uso reciente o de larga data, de la ingesta y/o inhalación accidental o voluntaria de alguna sustancia que contenga algún componente lipídico en su base es primordial. Pacientes de edades extremas suelen ser los más afectados y en quienes debemos tener la sospecha diagnóstica. Su diagnóstico es complejo requiriendo historia clínica, imágenes que apoyen un compromiso pulmonar (de preferencia tomografía computada) e idealmente la detección intraalveolar de lípidos y macrófagos cargados de éstos en el lavado broncopulmonar. Actualmente, no existe consenso sobre el manejo específico de esta patología. Lo importante es identificar la causa y descontinuar su uso. En neumonía lipoidea de causa exógena se recomienda manejo de soporte según sea la presentación clínica del paciente.

Lipoid pneumonia (LN) is an unknown lung disease due to lipid accumulation, of endogenous or exogenous origin, at the pulmonary alveolar level. Often it is underdiagnosed because of its nonespecific presentation whose differential diagnosis are other bronchopulmonary diseases. Anamnestic data, either recent or long-standing use of the intake and / or accidental or deliberate inhalationof any substance containing a lipid component as its base is relevant information. Extreme age groups are the most affected, and in whom wemust suspect LN diagnosis. The diagnosis of LN is complex and requires a complete medical history, images that support lung involvement (preferably computed tomography), and ideally intraalveolar detection of lipid-ladenmacrophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage. Currently, there is no consensus on the specific management of this disease. It is important to identify the cause and discontinue its exposure. Whatever the varity of the clinical presentation, support magement is recommended to treat LN.

Sclerosing lipogranuloma of the eyelid: unusual complication following nasal packing in endoscopic sinus surgery.

An eyelid or orbital lipogranuloma can occur following nasal packing with liquid paraffin, petroleum jelly or an antibiotic-based cream. It usually presents a few weeks or months after the initial procedure. We present a report of three such cases of sclerosing lipogranuloma involving the eyelid, which occurred following a sinonasal surgery where nasal packing using petroleum jelly was performed. The typical clinical course and the classical histopathological features are highlighted. All cases were diagnosed by histopathological examination as sclerosing lipogranuloma. Complete surgical removal resulted in complete resolution on 1 month follow-up. The diagnosis is based on a high degree of suspicion following a detailed history of prior use of lipid-based products for nasal packing following endonasal surgery. Histopathology is diagnostic. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice, however, due to its infiltrative nature, it may be difficult to obtain a complete cure.

Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia in Laryngectomy Patients: Radiological Findings.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare (incidence 1.0%-2.5%), often under-diagnosed disease, caused by the aspiration and accumulation of exogenous lipids within the pulmonary alveoli. Various cases have been described due to inhalation of lubricants via the nasal passages and oropharynx, aspiration of mineral oils in laxatives in patients with eating disorders, application of lip gloss, occupational exposure to liquid paraffin or mineral oils ("fire-eaters", industrial use in washing of machinery, automobile workshops, plastic paints, etc.) and application of Vaseline during the insertion of nasogastric tubes and in the care of tracheotomy patients. ELP usually presents radiologically as areas of low-attenuation peribronchial consolidation and ground glass opacities, with a predominantly bibasal distribution. We present 5 cases of long-standing laryngectomy patients diagnosed with ELP who admitted using Vaseline in their tracheal stoma care.

Ointment Granulomas Following Sutureless Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty: Diagnosis and Management.

PURPOSE: To describe a case series of ointment granuloma as a complication of sutureless transconjunctival blepharoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 8 patients with this complication was conducted, including the histopathology of excised tissues. Institutional review board oversight was waived as this was not an institutional study but a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant retrospective chart review from the private medical practice of one of authors' coauthors. It adhered to the principles set forth in the Declaration of Helsinki. RESULTS: Eight patients developed painless lower eyelid and anterior orbital masses following presumed successful blepharoplasty. Each had received intra- or immediate postoperative lubricating ointment. The mean time from surgery to appearance of the lesions was 50 days (range: 9 days-10 months). Three patients responded to intralesional injection of steroid with complete resolution. Five patients required surgical excision of the lesions without recurrence to date. Histopathological examination of the excised tissues revealed large, pleomorphic lipid-dropout pools bordered by attenuated histiocytes and giant cells. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of eyelid lumps or fullness in the early and mid-postoperative recovery should suggest ointment granuloma. If recognized early, management should commence with intralesional injection of steroids, although the definitive treatment is surgical excision. The authors recommend minimizing the access of topical ointments to the open inferior fornix, placing the medication sparingly onto the cornea at the close of surgery and instructing patients in avoiding overuse.

Adverse reactions to injectable soft tissue fillers: memorable cases and their clinico-pathological overview.

BACKGROUND: Filler injection is a minimally invasive procedure widely used for soft tissue augmentation. Although the safety profile is favorable, adverse events can occur, especially after illegal filler injection. OBJECTIVES: The authors present memorable cases of filler complications and review their clinico-pathological features and treatment strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center case series. The authors identified eight patients with significant complications following filler injection. A medical record review was performed for clinical history, histopathological studies, and treatment. RESULTS: Six female and two male subjects presented with significant filler complications. The time interval between filler injection and the development of a complication varied greatly among cases (immediately afterwards to 14 years following filler injection). Four of the patients received illegal filler injection where the injected material was either unknown (25%) or was told as paraffin (12.5%) or Vaseline(®) (12.5%). Hyaluronic acid fillers were used in two patients (25%) and the rest were injected with porcine atelocollagen (12.5%) and polyacrylamide hydrogel (12.5%). The complications were classified as an allergic reaction (25%), filler material migration (12.5%), injection necrosis + embolism (25%), and foreign body granuloma (37.5%), based on their clinico-pathological features and were treated accordingly. CONCLUSION: Adverse effects are not uncommon following filler injection. Physicians should be aware of the potential side effects, recognize their presentations, and understand how to manage them.

Comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of a unique topical scar product vs white petrolatum following shave biopsies.

An excess of 70 million cutaneous surgical procedures are conducted annually in the United States that may result in scarring. Skin scars are a normal outcome of the tissue repair process. However, individuals with abnormal scarring may have aesthetic, psychological, and social consequences. As a result, there is a high patient demand for products that will reduce the scarring. The principles underlying scar formation are now better understood. Products are being developed to address those critical components of the wound-healing process, namely inflammation, hydration, and collagen maturation. A multicomponent scar product was previously shown effective in preventing exaggerated scarring in patients undergoing various surgical procedures. The present outpatient study was conducted in patients undergoing shave biopsies. Following reepithelialization, this investigator-blinded, randomized, 8-week trial compared twice-daily application of either the scar product or the standard of care, white petrolatum. Evaluation visits were conducted at baseline and at weeks, 1, 2, 4 and 8. Subjects were evaluated by the blinded investigator for clinical efficacy and tolerability using grading scales. Standardized digital photographs were taken at each visit, and subjects completed a self-assessment questionnaire regarding treatment effectiveness and satisfaction. Twenty-eight subjects completed the 8-week study. The scar product provided earlier improvements than the white petrolatum. At week 1, 70% of subjects receiving the scar product demonstrated at least 50% global improvement in scar appearance vs only 42% of the subjects receiving white petrolatum. The more rapid improvement was accompanied by greater reductions in stinging/burning and itching with the scar product at all visits. Importantly, there was also greater subject satisfaction with the scar product at all visits. This scar product may be useful in hastening the healing of cutaneous shave biopsies and reducing the stinging/burning and itching associated with the normal healing process.

Postoperative wound care after dermatologic procedures: a comparison of 2 commonly used petrolatum-based ointments.

An appropriate selection of topical agents for wound care is important to promote uncomplicated healing. Petrolatum-based ointments, such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment (AHO) and white petroleum jelly, are commonly employed to keep wounds moist postoperatively. While they have beneficial properties for wound healing, they also may cause wound redness and swelling. We decided to evaluate for wound reactivity postoperatively for these 2 commonly used petrolatum-based ointments. We found that surgical wounds treated with AHO had a higher incidence of wound redness (52%) than those treated with plain white petrolatum (12%).

Surgical solutions for the complications of the Vaseline self-injection of the penis.

INTRODUCTION: Penile girth enhancement by the injection of Vaseline is an existing practice. Many cases develop severe complications that need surgery. AIM: To report on the reconstructive surgical solutions of the complications of Vaseline self-injection and the outcomes. To develop a modification of a one-step reconstruction method involving the use of pedicled scrotal flaps. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The complications and their surgical solutions were classified as regards severity and difficulty. The outcomes were observed and a newly introduced one-step surgical method was investigated. METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive patients (87.2% of them with a history of imprisonment) were divided into three groups. In group A, aesthetic penile defects or phimosis caused by the Vaseline necessitated circumcision or local excision. In group B, the whole penile skin was involved, and total skin removal and two- or (a newly modified) one-step reconstructive surgery were performed. In group C, both the whole penile skin and the scrotum were involved: complete skin removal and skin grafting or skin pedicled flap transplantation were carried out. RESULTS: In five cases in group B, postoperative skin necrosis made a second operation necessary. There was one intraoperative urethral injury, where a urethral fistula developed and a second urethral reconstruction was performed. There was no major complication with the newly developed one-stage pedicled flap procedure. At the end of the therapy, all the cases were healed. All of the patients reported successful sexual intercourse after the operations and 91% were satisfied with the result. CONCLUSIONS: The complications depend mainly on the amount of Vaseline injected, the hygienic circumstances, and the personal tolerability. In the worst cases, only radical skin removal and skin transplantation can solve the problem. The newly developed one-step arterial branch-preserving scrotal skin flap reconstruction appears to be a suitable and cost-effective solution for these patients.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia secondary to Vaseline application to the tracheostomy in a laryngectomy patient: PET/CT and MR imaging findings.

A 67-year-old female ex-smoker was referred to our hospital after chest radiographs revealed a nonresolving opacity in the right lower lung. Her past medical history was significant for laryngeal cancer. A whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) confirmed an ill-defined fluorodeoxyglucose-avid peribronchial opacity in the right middle and inferior lobes. The CT component of the study showed focal areas of low attenuation within the lung opacity; these focal areas followed fat signal intensity on a magnetic resonance study, confirming the suspicion of exogenous lipoid pneumonia. The patient admitted to applying petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to her tracheostomy in order to moisturize the area around the stoma.

Intraocular ophthalmic ointment following anterior segment surgery.

A 79-year-old man had uneventful phacoemulsification at an outside facility. During the postoperative period, his vision worsened secondary to chronic cystoid macular edema (CME). The patient was referred to the Veteran Affairs Boston Healthcare System for review 2 years and 4 months after the initial cataract procedure. The CME was confirmed, and a large pearly white globule that moved with changes in head position was noted. Surgical removal was performed, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identified the unknown substance as petroleum jelly. The patient was treated with topical ketorolac tromethamine and prednisolone acetate with subsequent resolution of inflammation and CME, resulting in a corrected distance visual acuity of 20/25. The visual acuity was maintained 5 years after surgery. This case highlights the importance of ensuring the integrity of clear corneal incisions and suggests that use of topical ointment at the conclusion of a clear corneal case should be avoided.

A comparative trial comparing the efficacy of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment with Aquaphor ointment for the treatment of keratosis pilaris.

Keratosis pilaris is common, but little information exists regarding effective therapy for this sometimes clinically and often cosmetically troublesome disorder. This small pilot study compared the efficacy of Aquaphor ointment with tacrolimus ointment 0.1% and found that both were effective and well tolerated by patients.

Palpebral lipogranuloma caused by transcanalicular ointment injection after laser canaliculoplasty.

PURPOSE: Laser canaliculoplasty is widely used to treat lacrimal duct obstruction. We describe 12 patients in whom eyelid lipogranuloma developed subsequent to laser canaliculoplasty, followed by tobramycin and dexamethasone, ofloxacin, or erythromycin ointment injected in the lacrimal duct. METHODS: Clinical history, ocular workup, and CT were performed. Histopathologic examination was performed after eyelid tissue excision. RESULTS: Over a period of 3 years, 12 patients were diagnosed with eyelid lipogranuloma caused by diffusion and deposition of ointment. Seven of 12 patients were injected with tobramycin and dexamethasone ointment, 3 patients were injected with ofloxacin ointment, and 2 patients were injected with erythromycin ointment. Histopathologic features of the excised tissue included multifocal spaces surrounded by multinucleated giant cells, considered to be lipogranulomatous inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lipogranuloma caused by transcanalicular ointment injection after laser canaliculoplasty is low. Surgical excision of the lipogranuloma should be performed only when it becomes relatively localized and has passed the acute phase of inflammation to avoid the recurrence of lipogranuloma and diffusion of the inflammation. A cosmetic outcome should be considered, and simultaneous blepharoplasty with transplantation of herniated fat pads may be performed in either or both eyelids to achieve a satisfactory appearance. Injection of ointment in the lacrimal duct should be avoided, as it might create unnecessary complications when a new channel is created or when canalicular walls are penetrated. Local massage after ointment injection is not recommended.