Canine sterile nodular panniculitis: a retrospective study of 14 cases.

BACKGROUND: Sterile nodular panniculitis (SNP) is an uncommon inflammatory condition of subcutaneous fat that can be idiopathic, but has also been associated with underlying conditions such as pancreatic disease or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The pathogenesis and clinical course of the condition are not well understood. OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively review cases of SNP associated with systemic signs, concurrent disease, or both and characterize the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and histopathologic findings, treatment, and response to treatment. ANIMALS: Fourteen dogs with histologically confirmed SNP diagnosed between 1996 and 2008. METHODS: Retrospective study. RESULTS: Skin lesions were ulcerated or draining nodules in 9 dogs and nonulcerative subcutaneous nodules in 5. Most dogs had systemic signs, such as fever, inappetence, lethargy, and multiple lesions. Common clinicopathologic findings included neutrophilia with or without left shift, increased alkaline phosphatase activity, mild hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, and proteinuria. Concurrent diseases included pancreatic disease, SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis, lymphoplasmacytic colitis, and hepatic disease. Dogs responded to immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids when administered. Prognosis for recovery was related to the underlying disease process. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: SNP is not a single disease. Rather, it is a cutaneous marker of systemic disease in many cases. After thorough evaluation for concurrent disease and infectious causes, immunosuppressive treatment is often effective.

Intrathecal morphine analgesia and low-dose dopamine for oliguria in severe maternal pulmonary hypertension. A case report.

Maternal pulmonary hypertension can be life threatening, and many problems and complications can occur during labor and delivery as well as postpartum. A case of severe maternal pulmonary hypertension was monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. Intrathecal morphine was administered for labor analgesia, and low-dose dopamine was utilized for maternal oliguria. Neither the morphine nor the dopamine resulted in adverse maternal hemodynamic effects. Both analgesia and resolution of the oliguria were accomplished.

Gender differences in body dysmorphic disorder.

Gender differences in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have received little investigation. This study assessed gender differences in 188 subjects with BDD who were evaluated with instruments to assess demographic characteristics, clinical features of BDD, treatment history, and comorbid Axis I disorders. Ninety-three (49%) subjects were women, and 95 (51%) were men. Men and women did not significantly differ in terms of most variables examined, including rates of major depression, although women were more likely to be preoccupied with their hips and their weight, pick their skin and camouflage with makeup, and have comorbid bulimia nervosa. Men were more likely to be preoccupied with body build, genitals, and hair thinning, use a hat for camouflage, be unmarried, and have alcohol abuse or dependence. Although men were as likely as women to seek nonpsychiatric medical and surgical treatment, women were more likely to receive such care. Men, however, were as likely as women to have cosmetic surgery. Although the clinical features of BDD appear remarkably similar in women and men, there are some differences, some of which reflect those found in the general population, suggesting that cultural norms and values may influence the content of BDD symptoms.

The use of fetal neuromuscular blockade during intrauterine procedures.

Advances in fetal therapy have led to the utilization of such techniques as intravascular transfusion of the Rh-affected fetus, bladder shunt placement in the fetus with obstructive uropathy, and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling. Fetal movement makes these procedures technically more difficult while increasing the risk of fetal injury. However, maternal sedation rarely results in adequate suppression of fetal activity. Thus we tested the sedative effects of intramuscular d-tubocurarine (3 or 1.5 mg/kg) or pancuronium bromide (0.3 mg/kg) injected into the fetal gluteal region under ultrasound guidance in conjunction with 70 invasive in utero procedures. Short-term paralysis of the fetus was induced in all cases. No deleterious effects of this technique were noted on initial examination of the neonates. Neuromuscular blockade was found to be a very useful adjunct to both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving the fetus.