[Management of acute pancreatitis. A literature review]. / Prise en charge de la pancréatite aiguë. Revue de la littérature.

The management of acute pancreatitis is now fairly codified, with specific recommendations developed by expert groups. These recommendations deal in particular with the minimum initial assessment, recognized severity scores, initial medical management with hyperhydration, preventive anticoagulation, early refeeding, delays in imaging and management of complications. In this work, we have tried to bring together the various recommendations, articles and studies dealing with this subject, based more particularly on European recommendations, in order to guide the management of acute pancreatitis in current practice.

Trichilemmal carcinoma of the scalp.

This report describes the case of an 86-year-old male who presented with a large scalp tumour. Imaging revealed a large vertex mass, without intracranial extension, and multiple nodular subcapsular hepatic lesions suspected to be secondary in nature. Surgical resection was performed. Pathological examination revealed an adnexal carcinoma of follicular origin, thus a trichilemmal carcinoma. Controlled wound healing (budding of the diploë) was completely successful within 12 months. The patient refused the assessment and treatment of his metastases.

Analysis of norovirus outbreaks reveals the need for timely and extended microbiological testing.

BACKGROUND: Norovirus outbreaks in hospitals remain a substantial threat despite many recommendations for prevention published recently. AIM: To analyse the factors contributing to onset of a norovirus outbreak in hospitals in order to identify new prevention options. METHODS: Data from 71 norovirus outbreaks occurring in five German hospitals between 2002 and 2012 were analysed focusing on the start conditions: the weekday of outbreak, the time span between the first symptomatic cases and the outbreak onset date, the timing of a positive norovirus test result in an outbreak, and presence of concomitant Clostridium difficile infections. FINDINGS: In 68 (96%) outbreaks index cases were identifiable. In 30 of 44 (68%) outbreaks the index case patient acquired norovirus infection in hospital. In 20% of all outbreaks, the index case was a staff member. Nine outbreaks were caused by not isolating contact patients during the incubation time after their exposure to a symptomatic case. Case numbers in norovirus outbreaks were lower when the norovirus test results were available before the outbreak onset (P = 0.028). In 30 of 46 (64%) norovirus outbreaks, C. difficile toxin tests were positive in up to ten patients. Co-infection or subsequent infection with norovirus and C. difficile in single patients occurred in nine (20%) outbreaks. CONCLUSION: Future prevention strategies should focus not only on patients but also on staff. Constant surveillance for new cases of diarrhoea and vomiting and timely adherence to contact precautions for all exposed persons is crucial in outbreak control, as is the need for extended microbiological testing.

Use of leucocyte esterase reagent strips in the diagnosis or exclusion of prosthetic joint infection.

Infection is a leading indication for revision arthroplasty. Established criteria used to diagnose prosthetic joint infection (PJI) include a range of laboratory tests. Leucocyte esterase (LE) is widely used on a colorimetric reagent strip for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections. This inexpensive test may be used for the diagnosis or exclusion of PJI. Aspirates from 30 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and 79 knee arthroplasties (KA) were analysed for LE activity. Semi-quantitative reagent strip readings of 15, 70, 125 and 500 white blood cells (WBC) were validated against a manual synovial white cell count (WCC). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to determine the optimal cut-off point for the semi-quantitative results. Based on established criteria, six THAs and 15 KAs were classified as infected. The optimal cut-off point for the diagnosis of PJI was 97 WBC. The closest semi-quantitative reading for a positive result was 125 WBC, achieving a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 93%. The positive and negative predictive values of the LE test strip were 74% and 95% respectively. The LE reagent strip had a high specificity and negative predictive value. A negative result may exclude PJI and negate the need for further diagnostic tests.

Automated registration of optical coherence tomography and dermoscopy in the assessment of sub-clinical spread in basal cell carcinoma.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been shown to be of clinical value in imaging basal cell carcinoma (BCC). A novel dual OCT-video imaging system, providing automated registration of OCT and dermoscopy, has been developed to assess the potential of OCT in measuring the degree of sub-clinical spread of BCC. Seventeen patients selected for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for BCC were recruited to the study. The extent of BCC infiltration beyond a segment of the clinically assessed pre-surgical border was evaluated using OCT. Sufficiently accurate (<0.5 mm) registration of OCT and dermoscopy images was achieved in 9 patients. The location of the OCT-assessed BCC border was also compared with that of the final surgical defect. Infiltration of BCC across the clinical border ranged from 0 mm to >2.5 mm. In addition, the OCT border lay between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm inside the final MMS defect in those cases where this could be assessed. In one case, where the final MMS defect was over 17 mm from the clinical border, OCT showed >2.5 mm infiltration across the clinical border at the FOV limit. These results provide evidence that OCT allows more accurate assessment of sub-clinical spread of BCC than clinical observation alone. Such a capability may have clinical value in reducing the number of surgical stages in MMS for BCC. There may also be a role for OCT in aiding the selection of patients most suitable for MMS.

Outbreak of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia on an intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia causes opportunistic infections and remains a problem pathogen on intensive care unit (ICU) due to its multidrug resistance. AIM: An outbreak of S. maltophilia on ICU is described in order to highlight the risk from contaminated devices for supply of drinking water. METHODS: The outbreak was investigated by a combination of epidemiology, environmental sampling and molecular typing. FINDINGS: From 2009 to 2011 isolates of S. maltophilia from 23 patients were found to belong to only two genotypes by contrast with isolates from 52 other patients during this period, which represented distinct strains. The monthly incidence for all S. maltophilia strains ranged from 0 to 11% and for the two outbreak strains from 0 to 9%. Admission and weekly pharyngeal screening on ICU showed that the outbreak strains were acquired on ICU (range: 3-90 days). The majority of isolates (74%) were from the respiratory tract. Only two of 12 (17%) colonized intubated patients developed pneumonia. Environmental sampling found the two outbreak strains in two sinks and in the drinking water of the cooling unit in the ICU kitchen. S. maltophilia had formed a biofilm in the flexible tube from the carbon filter to the chiller and from the latter to the tap at the kitchen sink. This cooled water was used for providing drinking water and mouth care to ICU patients. The outbreak strains disappeared after removal of the water-cooler and the monthly incidence fell to <2% of ICU admissions. CONCLUSION: This outbreak report highlights the risk from biofilms in devices that supply drinking water for ICU patients.

Synovial fluid white cell and differential count in the diagnosis or exclusion of prosthetic joint infection.

Cut-off values with highest sensitivity and specificity for the synovial fluid white cell and differential count will facilitate the accurate diagnosis of infection in total knee (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR). All patients undergoing revision TKR or THR for suspected prosthetic joint infection between 2009 and 2011 at two hospitals were identified. A total of 75 patients were included with a mean age of 70.3 years (38 to 89). Synovial fluid was aspirated pre-operatively and peri-prosthetic tissue samples were taken intra-operatively for histological and microbiological examination. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots were constructed for white cell and differential counts in aspirated fluid. The optimal cut-off for TKR and THR was 1590 white cells/µl and 65% neutrophilia. The white cell count cut-off value identified for THR was notably lower than previously quoted in the literature. A cut-off value for white cell count in synovial aspirate in suspected prosthetic joint infection of between 1100 and 1700 white cells/µl is likely to be applicable to both THR and TKR.

[Prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip with or without cleft palate: retrospective study and review]. / Diagnostic anténatal des fentes labiales avec ou sans fente palatine : étude rétrospective et revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the management of prenatally diagnosed cleft lip with or without cleft palate and the immediate postnatal outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of all cases of cleft lip with or without cleft palate referred to our fetal medicine unit, between January 2005 and January 2011. The anatomical type of cleft, associated malformations, and the postnatal outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-three cases of fetal cleft lip with or without cleft palate were reviewed. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 24 weeks ± 4. The postnatal distribution of clefts was: 30 cleft lip and palate (70%) and 13 cleft lip (30%). The prenatal diagnosis of the cleft type was exact in 27 cases (62.8%). Nine cases had associated anomalies (21%), detected prenatally in three cases (37.5%). There was no karyotypical abnormality. Six pregnancies were terminated (14%). The immediate postnatal outcome was comparable with unselected newborns. CONCLUSION: The prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip with or without cleft palate is correct, with two thirds of exact diagnoses. Large clefts palate are the best detected. Associated malformations cannot always be diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound, but have to be searched for because they modify the fetal outcome.

[Impact of fetal urinary ascites on serum beta2 microglobuline in obstructive uropathies: a case report]. / Impact de l'ascite urinaire foetale sur le taux de beta2 microglobuline sérique dans les uropathies obstructives : à propos d'un cas.

We report a posterior urethral valves case diagnosed at 33 week's gestation on a fetus presenting with anamnios and urinary ascites. In this fetus, the serum beta2 microglobuline rate was high, suggesting a very poor renal prognosis. At 1-year-old, the creatinine rate is nearly normal. In case of urinary ascites, the serum beta2 microglobuline rate could be improved in relation with the transperitoneal reabsorption of this protein.

[Uterine rupture: risk factors, maternal and perinatal complications]. / Rupture utérine : facteurs de risque, complications maternelles et foetales.

OBJECTIVES: To determine risk factors, maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with uterine rupture in women with previous caesarean delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort analysis, comparing deliveries with and without uterine rupture in women with uterine scar during a 12-year period. Women attempting a trial of labour were selected with precise criterion. We analysed obstetric history, characteristics of labour, mode of delivery, maternal and perinatal complications. RESULTS: Thirty-six uterine ruptures were registered of which 11 were complete. These complete ruptures occurred at a rate of 0.4% among deliveries in women with previous caesarean delivery (n=2718) and 0.5% among women attempting a trial of labour (8/1440). Twenty-one ruptures (58%) were diagnosed during a trial of labour. Some risks factors were identified like a labor after 41weeks of amenorrhea and no medical history of natural childbirth. There were neither maternal nor neonatal deaths. The major maternal complications were postpartum haemorrhage (13.8%, n=5) and blood transfusion (8.3%, n=3), significantly most frequent than in the control group (p<0.01). No hysterectomy was required. Concerning neonatal morbidity, mean lactate rate was significantly higher for the rupture group. CONCLUSION: The low rate of uterine rupture, maternal and neonatal complications supports a rigorously selection of women attemping a trial of labor. A labor after 41weeks of amenorrhea and no medical history of natural childbirth should be added to common criterion.

[A case of acute and necrotizing cutaneous Mycobacterium marinum infection in a patient treated with infliximab for Crohn's disease]. / Infection cutanée aiguë et nécrosante a Mycobacterium marinum chez un patient traité par infliximab pour une maladie de Crohn.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of anti-TNFalpha exposes patients to emerging risks, particularly that of infection. We report a case of severe cutaneous Mycobacterium marinum infection in a patient treated with infliximab and we discuss therapeutic options. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A man treated with infliximab for Crohn's disease developed a severe cutaneous infection with M. marinum. Despite withdrawal of infliximab and the introduction of triple antibiotic therapy, the patient's lesions worsened and surgical treatment was required. DISCUSSION: The worsening experienced by our patient 1 week after the beginning of the treatment is comparable with the immune reconstitution syndrome occasionally observed in tuberculosis in immunocompromised hosts, thus raising the question of the potential value of continuing infliximab treatment. Recommendations are needed concerning the prevention and treatment of M. marinum infections in patients on anti-TNFalpha biotherapies.

Clostridium difficile ribotypes 027 and 106: clinical outcomes and risk factors.

The present study investigates risk factors for onset of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea, specific ribotype and environmental spore contamination in a District General Hospital in South East England. C. difficile isolates were ribotyped from 97 diarrhoeal cases, following detection of C. difficile toxin from faecal specimens by enzyme immunoassay (Health Protection Agency, Southampton). The isolates were tested for various antimicrobial susceptibilities by E-test. Cases were assessed for prior antibiotic use and followed up for clinical outcomes. Controls were matched for age, sex, ward, length of stay and comorbidity to identify any antibiotic risk factors using conditional logistic regression analysis. Environmental sampling on wards was performed with cycloserine-cefoxitin-egg yolk agar. Forty-five percent C.difficile isolates ribotyped as 027, 39% as 106 and 10% as 001. All ribotypes were resistant to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and cefotaxime but remained susceptible to metronidazole and vancomycin. The crude (death within 28 days) and early (death within 72h) mortalities were 23% and 11% for the 027 strain, whereas for the 106 ribotype they were 11% and 3%, respectively. The case-control study identified ciprofloxacin usage for >7 days as a significant risk factor (adjusted odds ratios of 3.72; 95% CI: 1.38-10.02; P=0.019). Environmental sampling revealed the presence of spores on faecally contaminated equipment such as commodes and bedpan shells, which persisted after cleaning. Ciprofloxacin appears to encourage C.difficile-associated diarrhoea and should be restricted to short courses. Cleaning agents for clinical equipment must have sporicidal activity to prevent cross-transmission.

Candida inferior vena cava filter infection and septic thrombophlebitis.

Candida infection following central venous catheterization (CVC) is a well known complication, most common infection being that caused by Candida albicans. Less common is infection with Candida glabrata. Candida septic thrombophlebitis of the central veins is an uncommon complication after CVC. We report the first case of inferior vena cava filter infection with C. glabrata following septic thrombophlebitis of the femoral veins and discuss management of this rare complication.

Treatment of refractory erosive oral lichen planus with extracorporeal photochemotherapy: 12 cases.

BACKGROUND: Case reports have suggested that extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) might be beneficial for the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus (OLP) recalcitrant to conventional immunosuppressive therapies. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate over a long-term period the clinical efficacy and toxicity of ECP in a series of patients with refractory OLP, and to monitor peripheral blood lymphocyte subset counts under treatment. METHODS: Twelve patients with refractory OLP underwent a standardized protocol of ECP. Sessions were performed twice weekly for 3 weeks, and then the treatment schedule was adapted according to clinical benefit. The disease severity was evaluated monthly on a clinical basis. Complete remission was defined as the absence of any erosion and partial remission as a decrease of at least 50% of erosion surface. Blood cell counts with CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte subsets were evaluated every 3 months. RESULTS: All patients showed a decrease of the erosive surface; nine (75%) achieved a complete remission and three (25%) a partial remission. Seven of the eight patients followed for more than 3 years had recurrences of erosions when ECP sessions became less frequent or were stopped. After resumption of an initially accelerated regimen of ECP, all again showed partial or complete remission. Blood lymphocyte counts decreased during treatment, without statistically significant changes in CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and increased during relapse. CONCLUSIONS: ECP is an effective alternative therapy in erosive OLP showing resistance to classical treatments. The decrease in blood lymphocyte counts appears to parallel the clinical improvement under treatment.