Cutaneous Hydrophilic Polymer Embolism: An Important and Overlooked Clinical Entity.

ABSTRACT: Hydrophilic polymer embolism from vascular medical devices is an underrecognized clinical entity that can cause deleterious end-organ ischemia and culminate in mortality. This is concerning as we are in the era where minimally invasive procedures are commonplace. Diagnosis is often made retrospectively after obtaining histopathological tissue samples showing endoluminal, cerebriform, amorphous, anucleate, basophilic, nonrefractile, nonpolarizable foreign body material. We detail 2 more cases of cutaneous hydrophilic polymer embolism to underscore its salient clinicopathological features and increase awareness of this important iatrogenic entity.

Acute iododerma presenting as cryptococcoid neutrophilic dermatosis: A clinicopathological pitfall and interesting findings gleaned from a review of the literature.

Iododerma is an uncommon dermatosis caused by excessive iodine exposure and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Because of its heterogenous clinical presentation and variable histopathological findings, which depend on the time the skin biopsy is performed, the diagnosis of iododerma is often delayed. We report a rare case of acute iododerma in a woman with end-stage diabetic nephropathy with antecedent radioiodine contrast exposure, presenting histopathologically as cryptococcoid neutrophilic dermatosis (CND). We underscore important clinicopathological pitfalls to avoid misdiagnosis with similar overlapping entities such as Sweet syndrome, review all published cases of CND and draw novel insights into its associated entities.

Cryocrystalglobulinemia-An Uncommon Cutaneous Presentation of Multiple Myeloma and Novel Finding of Transepidermal Elimination of Crystals.

ABSTRACT: Cryocrystalglobulinemia (CCG) is a rare subset of type 1 cryoglobulinemia that is classically associated with an underlying paraproteinemia. The cryocrystalglobulins are characterized by extracellular crystals, which are eosinophilic, periodic acid-Schiff positive, and exhibit nonbirefringence under polarized light. This archetypal appearance renders CCG readily diagnosable histologically. Unlike in mixed cryoglobulinemias (types II and III cryoglobulinemia) where there is complement-mediated inflammation amounting to vasculitis, the deposition of crystallized paraproteins within vessels in CCG result in an occlusive vasculopathy and culminate in severe systemic involvement. Aside from cutaneous lesions, the resultant ischemic hypoperfusion manifest frequently with fulminant acute kidney failure, polyarthralgia, peripheral neuropathy, or gastrointestinal ulceration, conferring a poor prognosis. We present an unusual case of a patient diagnosed with immunoglobulin G kappa multiple myeloma that first presented with cutaneous necrosis as a result of CCG and did not have any renal impairment or fatal outcome. We highlight this uncommon entity to underscore the clinical importance of early diagnosis to avoid significant morbidity and mortality. In addition, we also discuss a novel feature of transepidermal elimination of crystalline precipitates demonstrated on his skin biopsy.

A relook at the reliability of Rockwood classification for acromioclavicular joint injuries.

BACKGROUND: Controversies for treatment of acromioclavicular joint injuries in particular type III injuries may be partially attributed to the lack of a standardized method of radiography and measurement technique. Previous studies looking at the Rockwood classification showed poor inter- and intraobserver reliability (Kappa value approximately 0.20-0.50). We hypothesized that the use of unilateral instead of bilateral acromioclavicular joint radiographs was the cause of this finding. In this article, we standardized the methodology to perform the radiograph and to measure the coracoclavicular distances. We designed the study to focus on the reliability of differentiating type III and type V injuries. METHODS: A standardized radiographic protocol for bilateral Zanca view was established in our institution. All patients who underwent this radiographic examination over a 3-year period were reviewed. Radiographs of 55 patients with significant (type III or V) injury met the inclusion criteria. For the interobserver reliability, a retrospective radiographic review was performed by 6 orthopedic surgeons and graded as either type III or V. For intraobserver reliability, a similar process was repeated by 3 observers after a period of 6 weeks. RESULTS: Going by the majority agreement of the 6 reviewers, there were 34 type III injuries and 19 type V injuries. The Fleiss kappa for interobserver reliability was calculated to be 0.624. The Cohen kappa for intraobserver reliability was calculated to be 0.696. DISCUSSION: The use of a standardized radiographic protocol-taking bilateral Zanca views on the same radiographic plate-would help eliminate a significant amount of variability and improve the reliability of classifying acromioclavicular joint injuries using the Rockwood classification, which uses a relative measure to the contralateral site as its definition criteria. Other possible sources of poor reliability may include the masking of injuries by muscle spasm, resulting in a misdiagnosis of a high-grade injury as a lower-grade one and the possible need to subclassify type III injuries. CONCLUSION: Reliability of the Rockwood classification can be improved through the use of a standardized radiographic protocol to improve the detection of vertical instability. Similar to Rockwood dividing up Tossy grade 3 injuries when he noted the differential outcome and intervention, Rockwood type III injuries would likely require further subclassification as it remains an anomalous tool with high variability. Further studies are required to understand the pathologic basis of transition of type III into type V injury.

Chemoselective Union of Olefins, Organohalides, and Redox-Active Esters Enables Regioselective Alkene Dialkylation.

Multicomponent catalytic processes that can generate multiple C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds in a single step under mild conditions, particularly those that employ inexpensive catalysts and substrates, are highly sought-after in chemistry research for complex molecule synthesis. Here, we disclose an efficient Ni-catalyzed reductive protocol that chemoselectively merges alkenyl amides with two different aliphatic electrophiles. Starting materials are readily accessible from stable and abundant feedstock, and products are furnished in up to >98:2 regioisomeric ratios. The present strategy eliminates the use of sensitive organometallic reagents, tolerates a wide array of complex functionalities, and enables regiodivergent addition of two primary alkyl groups bearing similar electronic and steric attributes across aliphatic C═C bonds with exquisite control of site selectivity. Utility is underscored by the concise synthesis of bioactive compounds and postreaction functionalizations leading to structurally diverse scaffolds. DFT studies revealed that the regiochemical outcome originates from the orthogonal reactivity and chemoselectivity profiles of in situ generated organonickel species.

An instructive case of amlodipine-induced reversible granulomatous CD30+ T-cell pseudolymphoma.

We report an unusual case of drug-associated granulomatous CD30+ T-cell pseudolymphoma secondary to amlodipine. A 55-year-old Chinese man presented with a 6-month eruption of disseminated erythematous dermal papulonodules and annular infiltrated plaques over his neck and limbs symmetrically. Histopathology revealed a perivascular and interstitial infiltrate of histiocytes, eosinophils and morphologically normal lymphocytes associated with CD30 expression. The eruption improved rapidly after discontinuation of amlodipine and did not recur.

Pre-existing patellofemoral disease does not affect 10-year survivorship in fixed bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess 10-year functional outcome and survivorship analysis of patients with significant radiographic evidence of patellofemoral joint arthritis treated with fixed bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Two hundred and sixteen patients (263 knees) that underwent UKA from 2003 to 2005 for a mean of 10.5 ± 2.1 years were prospectively followed up. Preoperative radiological assessment of the patellofemoral joint state was assessed according to the Ahlback classification by an independent assessor and radiographically significant patellofemoral disease was defined as grade 2 or more. Patients with significant bone-on-bone contact in the patellofemoral joint were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 263 knees, 222 (84.4%) had normal patellofemoral joint state and 41 (15.6%) radiologically significant patellofemoral disease. At 10 years' follow-up, the normal and patellofemoral groups had similar OKS (20 ± 7 vs 20 ± 8, n.s.) and KSS scores (79 ± 20 vs 81 ± 20, n.s.), respectively. There were 12 revision surgeries in the normal group and the most common indication for revision was progression of contralateral compartment osteoarthritis (6 of 12 cases). There was only one revision in the patellofemoral group and it was due to progression of contralateral compartment osteoarthritis (n.s.). When all secondary surgeries to the operated knee were considered as failures, the 10-year survival rate was 95.1% (CI 95%: 92.2-97.7%). CONCLUSION: The presence of significant preoperative radiological patellofemoral disease does not affect long-term implant survival and patients have excellent functional outcomes 10 years postoperatively. These patients should not be contraindicated from undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Current status of lipid emulsions in the prevention of intestinal failure-associated liver disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The current review provides a summary of available lipid products and discusses current literature and the limitations to the use of various lipid products for treatment and prevention of intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) in pediatric patients dependent on parenteral nutrition. RECENT FINDINGS: Improvements in markers of cholestasis and liver function have been seen with minimizing soybean lipid, fish oil lipid, and mixed fish oil-containing lipid emulsions. Soybean-based lipid products are thought to be the biggest contributor to development of IFALD. Mixed fish oil-containing lipid emulsions are most promising for minimizing and improving IFALD. SUMMARY: Several types of lipid-based products are available for parenteral nutrition. Newer products like the mixed fish oil-containing-based lipid emulsions, that closely mimic the lipid composition provided by enteral feeding, may impact prevention and treatment of IFALD. Limitations exist in the current literature regarding mixed fish oil-containing-based emulsions, as many of the studies were designed to show efficacy with regard to growth, not prevention or treatment of IFALD. Based on available literature, it is reasonable to make some recommendations with regard to product selection for lipid provision.

Postoperative fixed flexion deformity greater than 10° lead to poorer functional outcome 10 years after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of postoperative fixed flexion deformity (FFD) on the clinical outcomes 10 years after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The secondary aim was to identify predictors for the occurrence of postoperative FFD. METHODS: Patients who underwent UKA between 2003 and 2007 were prospectively followed up for 10 years. A total of 172 patients were categorized into 3 groups based on the amount of postoperative FFD: (1) 0° or less (Min-FFD), (2) 1°-9° (Mid-FFD), and (3) 10° or more (Max-FFD). Functional outcome was quantified using Knee Society Function Score (KSFS), Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). RESULTS: At 10 years after UKA, the mean KSKS and OKS were 6 ± 5 (95% CI 6-18, p = 0.050) and 5 ± 2 (95% CI 0-9, p = 0.041) points lower in patients with Max-FFD than those with Min-FFD. Other clinical outcomes were not different between groups. Patients with a higher preoperative body mass index (OR 1.122 per unit increase, 95% CI 1.006-1.253, p = 0.040) or worse preoperative FFD (OR 1.108 per unit increase, 95% CI 1.022-1.201, p = 0.013) were at increased risk of having postoperative FFD of 10° or more at 10 years after UKA. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical relevance of this study was to demonstrate the long-term negative correlation between severe postoperative FFD and functional outcome and, therefore, the importance of achieving good knee alignment after UKA. The authors recommend that FFD should be fully corrected intra-operatively if possible while preserving knee balance and stable dynamic function through full range of motion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level II.

A safe and efficacious preventive strategy in the high-risk surgical neonate: cycled total parenteral nutrition.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic dysfunction in patients reliant on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may benefit from cycled TPN. A concern for neonatal hypoglycemia has limited the use of cycled TPN in neonates less than 1 week of age. We sought to determine both the safety and efficacy of cycled TPN in surgical neonates less than 1 week of age. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on surgical neonates placed on prophylactic and therapeutic cycled TPN from January 2013 to March 2016. Specific emphasis was placed on identifying incidence of direct hyperbilirubinemia and hypoglycemic episodes. RESULTS: Fourteen neonates were placed on cycled TPN; 8 were prophylactically cycled and 6 were therapeutically cycled. Median gestational age was 36 weeks (34, 37). Sixty-four percent (n = 9) had gastroschisis. There was no difference between the prophylactic and therapeutic groups in incidence of hyperbilirubinemia > 2 mg/dL (3 (37%) vs 5 (83%), p = 0.08) or the length of time to development of hyperbilirubinemia [24 days (4, 26) vs 27 days (25, 67), p = 0.17]. Time on cycling was similar though patients who were prophylactically cycled had a shorter overall time on TPN. Three (21%) infants had documented hypoglycemia, but only one infant became clinically symptomatic. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic TPN cycling is a safe and efficacious nutritional management strategy in surgical neonates less than 1 week of age with low rates of hypoglycemia and a shorter total course of TPN; however, hepatic dysfunction did not appear to be improved compared to therapeutic cycling.

Degenerative xanthate transfer to olefins under visible-light photocatalysis.

The degenerative transfer of xanthates to olefins is enabled by the iridium-based photocatalyst [Ir{dF(CF3)ppy}2(dtbbpy)](PF6) under blue LED light irradiation. Detailed mechanistic investigations through kinetics and photophysical studies revealed that the process operates under a radical chain mechanism, which is initiated through triplet-sensitization of xanthates by the long-lived triplet state of the iridium-based photocatalyst.

Outcomes from a 12-Week, Open-Label, Multicenter Clinical Trial of Teduglutide in Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine safety and pharmacodynamics/efficacy of teduglutide in children with intestinal failure associated with short bowel syndrome (SBS-IF). STUDY DESIGN: This 12-week, open-label study enrolled patients aged 1-17 years with SBS-IF who required parenteral nutrition (PN) and showed minimal or no advance in enteral nutrition (EN) feeds. Patients enrolled sequentially into 3 teduglutide cohorts (0.0125 mg/kg/d [n = 8], 0.025 mg/kg/d [n = 14], 0.05 mg/kg/d [n = 15]) or received standard of care (SOC, n = 5). Descriptive summary statistics were used. RESULTS: All patients experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event; most were mild or moderate. No serious teduglutide-related treatment-emergent adverse events occurred. Between baseline and week 12, prescribed PN volume and calories (kcal/kg/d) changed by a median of -41% and -45%, respectively, with 0.025 mg/kg/d teduglutide and by -25% and -52% with 0.05 mg/kg/d teduglutide. In contrast, PN volume and calories changed by 0% and -6%, respectively, with 0.0125 mg/kg/d teduglutide and by 0% and -1% with SOC. Per patient diary data, EN volume increased by a median of 22%, 32%, and 40% in the 0.0125, 0.025, and 0.05 mg/kg/d cohorts, respectively, and by 11% with SOC. Four patients achieved independence from PN, 3 in the 0.05 mg/kg/d cohort and 1 in the 0.025 mg/kg/d cohort. Study limitations included its short-term, open-label design, and small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Teduglutide was well tolerated in pediatric patients with SBS-IF. Teduglutide 0.025 or 0.05 mg/kg/d was associated with trends toward reductions in PN requirements and advancements in EN feeding in children with SBS-IF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01952080; EudraCT: 2013-004588-30.

Nephrectomy-induced reduced renal function and the health-related quality of life of living kidney donors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health impact of nephrectomy on living kidney donors (LKDs) by comparing the health-related quality of life (HrQOL) scores measured by Short Form-36 (SF36) between those with and without postdonation renal function impairment (PRFI). METHODS: Eighty-two LKDs (47 females, mean age=50.2±11.2 years) were prospectively recruited to participate in a SF-36 HrQOL survey. Chart review, individual baseline, and postoperative renal function (eGFR) was determined using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. PRFI was defined as eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or proteinuria. Mean SF-36 domain scores were compared between those with and without PRFI. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 5.7 years, the prevalence of postdonation comorbidities was 29.3% (n=24) PRFI, 25.6% (n=21) hypertension, 6.1% (n=5) diabetes, and 3.7% (n=3) heart disease, and no LKDs developed end-stage renal disease. Mean eGFR before and after donor nephrectomy was 95.5±23.4 and 71.0±17.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P<.01). Mean SF-36 scores of LKDs were not significantly different between those with and without PRFI in all the domains (all P>.05). Similarly, the proportion of LKDs with PRFI did not differ significantly between the patients with SF-36 domain scores above and below the published reference values. CONCLUSION: Nephrectomy-induced PRFI may not have a significant impact on the HrQOL of the LKD population with a low proportion of other major comorbidities such as diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Delayed lymphocele formation following lateral lumbar interbody fusion of the spine.

PURPOSE: This paper aims to describe the rare post-operative complication of a lymphocele formation after lateral lumbar interbody fusion. METHODS: The patient in this case was a 76-year-old lady with a 10 year history of low back pain and neurogenic claudication. She had previously underwent multiple spine surgeries for her condition. She presented to our institution for a recurrence of her low back pain and right anterior thigh pain. She then underwent surgery in two stages; first, a mini-open lateral interbody fusion at L3/4 and L4/5; second, posterior instrumentation of T3 to S1 with sagittal spinal deformity correction. RESULTS: The patient recovered uneventfully in the initial post op period and was discharged within 8 days. However, she developed abdominal distension and discomfort 6 months after surgery. MRI and CT scan of her abdomen showed a retroperitoneal fluid collection compressing her left ureter, resulting in hydroureter and hydronephrosis. She was managed with a CT-guided drainage of the fluid collection. Fluid analysis was consistent with a lymphocele. Since the procedure, the patient has been asymptomatic for 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed lymphocele formation is a potential complication of lateral lumbar interbody fusion. When present, it can be managed conservatively with good results. This case suggests that surgeons should have a low threshold to investigate for a lymphocele development post-anterior or lateral lumbar spine surgery. The authors recommend the placement of a post surgical retroperitoneal drain, as it might assist in the early detection of a lymphocele formation.

Hypohidrosis in Individuals with Exertional Heat Injury: A Prospective Open Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypohidrosis is a risk factor for developing heat-related illnesses. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hypohidrosis in heat injury. METHODS: Soldiers from the Singapore Armed Forces who developed heat injury between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 were invited to participate in the study. Subjects were induced to sweat through exercising in a temperature- and humidity-regulated room, and then atomized starch-iodine powder was administered over their whole body to detect hypohidrosis. If this was found to be present, investigations to elucidate the cause of anhidrosis were performed. RESULTS: Out of 65 males, 30 consented to participation. One was excluded because an exogenous cause resulted in heat injury. Nine (31%) demonstrated hypohidrosis. Of these, 1 (11%) had miliaria profunda, 2 (22%) had acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis and 6 (67%) manifested a new phenotype which we termed acquired symmetrical hypohidrosis (ASH). CONCLUSION: Thirty-one percent of healthy soldiers who developed heat injury had hypohidrosis. Concurrently, a new clinical phenotype of ASH was identified.

Interpretation of hip fracture patterns using areal bone mineral density in the proximal femur.

INTRODUCTION: Bone mineral density scans are currently interpreted based on an average score of the entire proximal femur. Improvements in technology now allow us to measure bone density in specific regions of the proximal femur. The study attempts to explain the pathophysiology of neck of femur (NOF) and intertrochanteric/basi-cervical (IT) fractures by correlating areal BMD (aBMD) scores with fracture patterns, and explore possible predictors for these fracture patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single institution retrospective study on all patients who underwent hip surgeries from June 2010 to August 2012. A total of 106 patients (44 IT/basi-cervical, 62 NOF fractures) were studied. The data retrieved include patient characteristics and aBMD scores measured at different regions of the contralateral hip within 1 month of the injury. Demographic and clinical characteristic differences between IT and NOF fractures were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test and two-sample t test. Relationship between aBMD scores and fracture patterns was assessed using multivariable regression modeling. RESULTS: After adjusted multivariable analysis, T-Troc and T-inter scores were significantly lower in intertrochanteric/basi-cervical fractures compared to neck of femur fractures (P = 0.022 and P = 0.026, respectively). Both intertrochanteric/basi-cervical fractures (mean T.Tot -1.99) and neck of femur fractures (mean T.Tot -1.64) were not found to be associated with a mean T.tot less than -2.5. However, the mean aBMD scores were consistently less than -2.5 for both intertrochanteric/basi-cervical fractures and neck of femur fractures. Gender and calcium intake at the time of injury were associated with specific hip fracture patterns (P = 0.002 and P = 0.011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hip fracture patterns following low energy trauma may be influenced by the pattern of reduced bone density in different areas of the hip. Intertrochanteric/basi-cervical fractures were associated with significantly lower T-Troc and T-Inter scores compared to neck of femur fractures, suggesting that the fracture traversed through the areas with the lowest bone density in the proximal femur. In the absence of reduced T.Troc and T.Inter, neck of femur fractures occurred more commonly. T-Total scores may underestimate the severity of osteoporosis/osteopenia and measuring T-score at the neck of femur may better reflect the severity of osteoporosis and likelihood of a fragility fracture.