Diagnosing, assessing and managing cellulitis.

Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection that affects the deep dermis and surrounding subcutaneous tissue. Although it is a common condition, it is often misdiagnosed because it can mimic a range of conditions that also cause inflamed, red, irritated and painful skin. Such misdiagnoses may lead to unnecessary hospital admissions and antibiotic overuse, with most alternative diagnoses being non-infectious. Undertaking a holistic patient assessment, skin assessment and thorough clinical history is important in the diagnosis of cellulitis, and it is vital to use a collaborative multidisciplinary approach in its acute management and to prevent recurrence. This article defines the term cellulitis and explores its presenting features. The author also discusses the associated risk factors, clinical assessment techniques and effective management strategies, as well as outlining the actions that nurses can take to prevent recurrence.

[Application of physical therapy methods in the early rehabilitation period after surgical interventions in patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region]. / Primenenie metodov fizioterapii v rannem reabilitatsionnom periode posle operativnykh vmeshatel'stv u bol'nykh s vospalitel'nymi zabolevaniyami chelyustno-litsevoi oblasti.

The increase in the number of purulent wound complications in the treatment of various surgical diseases in maxillofacial surgery determines the high importance of the medico-social problem of modern medicine. In this connection, the search for new approaches is urgent, including the complex application of 2 or more factors to increase the effectiveness of treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of a comprehensive physiotherapy program, including a low-frequency alternating electrostatic field and broadband electromagnetic therapy, on the severity of pain and local inflammation in patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region. MATERIAL AND RESEARCH METHODS: 60 patients with acute pyoinflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region (phlegmons, abscesses, abscessing boils of the maxillofacial region), mean age 41.2±3.5 years, who were divided into 2 groups: main - 30 patients who underwent a course of complex application of broadband electromagnetic therapy and a low-frequency alternating electrostatic field and control - 30 patients who received drug therapy (antibiotics, drugs of the metronidazole group, antihistamines, multivitamins, detoxification therapy, local treatment of the wound process), which served as a background in the main group. RESULTS: The combined use of a low-frequency alternating electrostatic field and broadband electromagnetic therapy contributes to a faster and more pronounced relief of the inflammatory process in the area of the pathological focus and pain syndrome in patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region, which is confirmed by the data of an objective examination and indicators of the visual analogue scale VAS. CONCLUSION: The developed complex, which includes a low-frequency alternating electrostatic field and broadband electromagnetic therapy, has pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region, which makes it possible to recommend it for use in wide surgical practice.

Hyperbaric oxygen management of recurrent cellulitis in poikiloderma with neutropenia.

Poikiloderma with neutropenia (PN), is a rare autosomal recessive condition with many associated complications and manifestations. Here we present a patient with confirmed PN who is of one-quarter Chucktaw or Cherokee heritage with no known descent from the Navajo tribe. The patient's condition was complicated by chronic bilateral lower limb cellulitis and associated osteomyelitis which was unresponsive to extensive antibiotic regimens. Subsequent treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was successful. To date, no author has reported on the treatment of recurrent cellulitis using HBOT in this patient population. Based on our experience, HBOT should be considered in patients with PN.

Mesotherapy: Safety profile and management of complications.

BACKGROUND: Mesotherapy is a procedure that involves the injection of active substances into the dermis and subcutaneous tissue in order to treat several local medical and cosmetic conditions. Despite being considered as a relatively safe method, a series of adverse reactions can occur due to its wide application and lack of standardization processes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to summarize all the mesotherapy-related complications published so far, and to provide an insight into their management. PATIENT/METHODS: Articles derived from the databases, PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS, and published between 1992 and 2018, were analyzed for this review. The study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: In this literature, there is a number of case series and isolated case reports describing various side effects of different severities. The therapeutic management of these complications is-in most cases-individualized. CONCLUSIONS: Larger systematic studies are needed in order to adequately evaluate the safety profile of mesotherapy, and in order to determine standardized therapy parameters, so as to minimize the risk of potential adverse reactions.

Necrotizing fasciitis. Possible profiles of professional liability with reference to two cases.

Necrotizing fasciitis is one of the most dangerous complication of an abscess and it is still a disease with a high mortality. In this work, we decided to consider two cases: the first one concerns a male subject, aged 66, deceased because of a fatal necrotizing fasciitis associated to a cervical descending mediastinitis, which evolved from a primary peritonsillar abscess; the second is about a 50-year-old woman with a perineal abscess, then evolved into necrotizing fasciitis associated to a fatal septis shock. After a systematic consideration of necrotizing fasciitis as pathology and an analysis of the possible related risks to a diagnostic or therapeutic delay, we analyzed the particular history of both cases to underline the possible critical issues in professional behavior of the medical staff intervened. KEY WORDS: Abscess, Medical malpractice, Mortality, Necrotizing fasciitis, Professional liability.

Dissecting cellulitis (Perifolliculitis Capitis Abscedens et Suffodiens): a comprehensive review focusing on new treatments and findings of the last decade with commentary comparing the therapies and causes of dissecting cellulitis to hidradenitis suppurativa.

Dissecting cellulitis (DC) also referred to as to as perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (Hoffman) manifests with perifollicular pustules, nodules, abscesses and sinuses that evolve into scarring alopecia. In the U.S., it predominantly occurs in African American men between 20-40 years of age. DC also occurs in other races and women more rarely. DC has been reported worldwide. Older therapies reported effective include: low dose oral zinc, isotretinoin, minocycline, sulfa drugs, tetracycline, prednisone, intralesional triamcinolone, incision and drainage, dapsone, antiandrogens (in women), topical clindamycin, topical isotretinoin, X-ray epilation and ablation, ablative C02 lasers, hair removal lasers (800nm and 694nm), and surgical excision. Newer treatments reported include tumor necrosis factor blockers (TNFB), quinolones, macrolide antibiotics, rifampin, alitretinoin, metronidazole, and high dose zinc sulphate (135-220 mg TID). Isotretinoin seems to provide the best chance at remission, but the number of reports is small, dosing schedules variable, and the long term follow up beyond a year is negligible; treatment failures have been reported. TNFB can succeed when isotretinoin fails, either as monotherapy, or as a bridge to aggressive surgical treatment, but long term data is lacking. Non-medical therapies noted in the last decade include: the 1064 nm laser, ALA-PDT, and modern external beam radiation therapy. Studies that span more than 1 year are lacking. Newer pathologic hair findings include: pigmented casts, black dots, and "3D" yellow dots. Newer associations include: keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome, Crohn disease and pyoderma gangrenosum. Older associations include arthritis and keratitis. DC is likely a reaction pattern, as is shown by its varied therapeutic successes and failures. The etiology of DC remains enigmatic and DC is distinct from hidradenitis suppurativa, which is shown by their varied responses to therapies and their histologic differences. Like HS, DC likely involves both follicular dysfunction and an aberrant cutaneous immune response to commensal bacteria, such as coagulase negative staphylococci. The incidence of DC is likely under-reported. The literature suggests that now most cases of DC can be treated effectively. However, the lack of clinical studies regarding DC prevents full understanding of the disease and limits the ability to define a consensus treatment algorithm.

[Macrolane®: A severe case of calf cellulitis after modeling injection]. / Macrolane® : un cas grave de cellulite du mollet après injection modelante.

In recent years, the market for resorbable injectables has been steadily expanding. The European Community's seal of approval (CE) is a sufficient guaranty to get them distributed. These injectables do not require official approval because they are considered to be "implantable medical devices" and not medicines. Macrolane(®)is a hyaluronic acid in gel form (NASHA [non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid]) and has been on the French market since 2007. It can be injected into all areas except the face. It is highly cross-linked which, while slowing its absorption into the body, can also leave long-lasting residues. We report the first case of cellulitis after injection into the calf by a practitioner in his office.

[Cytological evaluation of laser therapy influence upon skin reparation].

Evidence on the studying of the effectiveness the low intensive laser radiation influence as complex treatment of patient with maxillofacial phlegmons with using of the cytological method were presented. Results of the laser therapeutist were in acceleration of the inflammation stage. The neutrophil granulocytes and macrophages settled down in wound earlier then in the control. This led to acceleration of the wound healing.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as adjunctive treatment for postoperative cellulitis involving intrapelvic mesh.

Placement of intrapelvic mesh has become an integral tool in pelvic reconstructive surgery. Infection is a serious complication of mesh placement, which not only compromises the surgical objective, but also may be disfiguring or potentially lethal. We report a case of serious postoperative cellulitis, where the combination of antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen contributed to the patient's recovery with complete preservation of her surgical repair. A 45-year-old woman underwent surgery for the treatment of cystocele, rectocele, and stress urinary incontinence. Surgical polypropylene and porcine acellular mesh was placed intraoperatively, and intravenous antibiotics were given preoperatively and postoperatively, followed by a course of oral prophylaxis. On postoperative day 8 the patient reported temperature elevation and a painful swelling in her left buttock. She had an area of cellulitis involving the operative site at the buttock extending anteriorly to the labia majora and posterior to the midgluteal area. Intravenous antibiotics were administered along with hyperbaric oxygen. The patient made an uneventful recovery during the following 9 days, preserving her repair. Cellulitis involving operative sites with artificial or naturally derived materials is a serious complication that may pose a threat to the repair at minimum, and may be life threatening at worst. The case reported illustrates the value of adjunctive hyperbaric therapy where the infection is presumed to be aggressive.

[Ozone in the treatment of purulent surgical diseases of fingers and hand].

Results of treatment of 116 patients were analyzed retrospectively. Study group consisted of 56 patients who treated with ozonized salt solution (3.3-4 mg/l) administered intravenously and through drainage system; 60 patients (control group) were treated traditionally. Bacteriological, cytological and special biochemical examinations were carried out. It is concluded that combination of ozone therapy with active surgical tactics leads to earlier recovery, early elimination of microorganisms, decreases of endotoxicosis parameters, and reduce hospital stay.

[Dynamic magnetotherapy use in comprehensive treatment phlegmons of maxillofacial region and mandible fractures].

145 patients (60 with phlegmons of submandibular and submental regions, 85--with fractures of mandible) were observed and treated with the use of moving pulse magnetic field (MPMF) produced by special apparatus (AMO-ATOS-E, <>, Saratov-city), 60 patients with the same pathology were treated by traditional physical methods and served as control. Use of MPMF led to quicker patient recovery: quicker reduction (if compared with traditional physical methods of treatment) of oedema and soft tissue inflammatory infiltration, quicker relief from inflammatory reaction (according to data of cytokinin profile), improvement of tissue blood supply in the region of fractures in patients with mandible fractures. As the result--we had shortening treatment terms of such patients and complication number reduction.

[Bacterial dermohypodermitis: a retrospective single-center study of 244 cases in Guinea]. / Dermohypodermites bactériennes: étude monocentrique rétrospective de 244 cas observés en Guinée.

BACKGROUND: Dermo-hypodermal bacterial infections (erysipelas, cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis) are frequent and may be life-threatening. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of a period of 4 years and 6 months (1 June 1999 to 31 December 2003) was carried out at the Donka University Hospital centre (Conakry-Guinea) in order to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of bacterial dermohypodermitis in a hospital environment. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-four patients (188 women and 56 men) were hospitalized for bacterial dermohypodermitis. Mean age was 38 years. The site of dermohypodermitis comprised the entire lower limbs in 4 cases (2%), legs and feet in 200 cases (82%), thighs in 12 cases (4%), buttocks in 4 cases (2%) and upper limbs in 24 cases (10%). A previous history of dermohypodermitis, chronic alcoholism, use of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, obesity and lymphoedema was identified. Necrotizing bacterial dermohypodermitis and necrotizing fasciitis were the main complications and were seen in 31 patients. These conditions were generally associated with use of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (90% vs. 25%) (OR=27, CI 95=8-94), delayed initiation of suitable treatment and use of traditional medicine. CONCLUSION: Our study shows female predominance of bacterial dermohypodermitis. This is explained by cutaneous atrophy in women resulting from use of depigmenting drugs that facilitate skin breaks, thus allowing ingress of bacteria. NSAID intake, while frequent in our series, was far higher in the fasciitis group, suggesting a potentially aggravating role of these drugs.

Preliminary report of the safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for specific complications of lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation (LTx) is a complex therapy requiring immunosuppression and is associated with significant infective morbidity and mortality. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been used successfully in the treatment of specific serious infections, ischemic injuries and cerebral arterial gas embolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HBO therapy after LTx, generally as indicated for refractory infectious complications. METHODS: This investigation was a retrospective study of all lung transplant recipients treated with HBO therapy at the Alfred Hospital between March 1990 and August 2005. RESULTS: In this study we describe 9 patients (1.7%) from a total of 544 overall lung transplants performed over the period. Indications included: sternal osteomyelitis (n = 4); refractory cellulitis (n = 2); refractory septic arthritis (n = 1); ischemic toes (n = 1); and cerebral arterial gas embolism (n = 1). The patients received 1 to 25 HBO treatments at 100% Fio(2) and 100 to 180 kPa for 100 minutes per treatment. The treatment was generally well tolerated, although 2 patients ceased therapy prematurely due to a seizure and ear barotrauma (n = 1 each). Five patients had complete resolution of these life-threatening complications. Long-term survival and graft function were excellent, although graft function temporarily fell. CONCLUSIONS: HBO is a safe therapy for traditional HBO indications after LTx and appears useful, particularly in the management of infectious complications, whereas other therapies have failed or are contraindicated.

[Non pharmacological treatment of severe cutaneous infections: hyperbaric oxygen therapy, dressings and local treatments]. / Traitements non médicamenteux des infections cutanées graves: oxygénothérapie hyperbare, pansements et thérapeutiques locales.

Beside conventional therapy, the management of necrotizing cellulitis and fasciitis is based on non-pharmacological treatments. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and dressings are the most frequently used techniques. The usefulness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is clearly demonstrated in experimental studies while the efficacy of this technique is poorly assessed in clinical practice. The French consensus conference has concluded to an adjuvant role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined to intensive care management, surgery and antibiotic therapy. Occlusive conventional dressings using humid or vaseline gauze dressings are largely used. Calcium alginate or silver coated dressings might be useful. In addition, vacuum-assisted closure therapy could be proposed in replacement of conventional dressings.

[Use of sodium hypochlorite and extracorporally oxidized autoblood in the treatment of pyoinflammatory maxillofacial diseases].

The paper compares the apparent blood viscosity (BV)-shift rate (SR) curves, by using uni- and multidimensional dispersion analysis. The study has indicated that when admitted to hospital, patients with maxillofacial phlegmons have higher BV due to worse blood rheological and coagulative properties. An analysis of the BV-SR curves has shown that there are the most significant differences between the parameters at moderate and high SR while the differences are frequently insignificant at low SR (on admission, on days 3 and 10). For hemocorrection of increased BV, co-administration of disaggregatory agents is indicated during the treatments proposed. Uni- and multidimensional analyses used to examine the curves of the apparent BV to the individual value of SR and throughout its range are the most informative tools for assessing the quality of treatment in patients with maxillofacial phlegmons and a statistically warranted method for multiple comparisons.

[Treatment of inflammatory pyodestructive processes of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, and neck by laser and magnetic-laser exposure of the carotid sinus using the Optodan laser apparatus]. / Lechenie vospalitel'nykh gnoino-destruktivnykh protsessov rta, cheliustno-litsevoi oblasti i shei lazernym i magnoto-lazernym vozdeistviem na karotidnyi sinus s pomoshch'iu lazernogo apparata Optodan.

This paper presents the priority original methods (patent No. 2101046, Russia) for the treatment of inflammatory pyodestructive processes in the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, and neck (odontogenic abscesses and phlegmons including those complicated by mediastinitis and sepsis), sinusitis, carbuncles and furuncles of face and neck skin, parotitis, sialadenitis, adenophlegmons, lymphadenitis, periotitis, alveolitis, arthritis, arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint, odontogenic and traumatic osteomyelitis, infected purulent traumas (including gunshot ones), fractures of the jaws, etc. making use of Optodan laser (patent No. 2014107, Russia) for laser and magnetic-laser therapy.

A case of dissecting cellulitis and a review of the literature.

Dissecting cellulitis (also called perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens) manifests with perifollicular pustules, nodules, abscesses and sinuses that evolve into scarring alopecia. It predominantly occurs in African American men between 20-40 years of age, but can occasionally affect other races and women too. Associated musculoskeletal findings are sometimes reported. When it occurs with acne conglobata, hidradenitis suppurativa, and pilonidal cysts, the syndrome is referred to as the follicular occlusion triad or tetrad. Its course is chronic and relapsing, and treatment is often difficult. Medical therapies include isotretinoin, antibiotics, and prednisone. Destructive therapies include X-ray therapy, surgical excision, and skin grafting. Laser epilation of hair follicles is a promising new therapy for dissecting cellulitis.