Microsphaeropsis arundinis skin and soft tissue infection in renal transplant recipients: three case reports and a review of the literature.

Microsphaeropsis arundinis, a dematiaceous mold, is emerging as a cause of skin and soft tissue infection in immunocompromised hosts. Diagnosis is challenging because of the difficulty in identifying Microsphaeropsis species morphologically and few data are available to guide optimal management. We report 3 renal transplant recipients with M. arundinis soft tissue infection, where the etiological agent was diagnosed using DNA sequencing, and who were successfully treated with prolonged courses of extended-spectrum triazole antifungal agents.

Use of pristinamycin for infections by gram-positive bacteria: clinical experience at an Australian hospital.

Thirty-six patients were treated with pristinamycin for 46 different microbiological isolates between April 2007 and July 2009. Pathogens included 9 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 13 methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci, and 9 vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Sites of infections included 12 osteomyelitis cases, 10 prosthetic joints, 4 other prostheses, and 1 epidural abscess. Five patients ceased treatment due to side effects. Ten patients were cured of their infections, and 21 patients had infections successfully suppressed.

Healing of infected wounds following iodine scrub or CO2 laser treatment.

This study compares CO2 laser sterilization with iodine surgical scrub in infected pseudomonas wounds in the rabbit, and on frequency of wound breakdown secondary to sepsis. Thirty-three New Zealand rabbits underwent bilateral flank incisions and infection with a standard solution of pseudomonas aeruginosa. After 4 days of incubation, the wounds were randomized to receive laser sterilization and routine iodine surgical scrub respectively. Following sterilization, excision of the wound, and suturing was carried out. After 12 days, the wounds were assessed for evidence of residual infection as well as wound breakdown in a double blind fashion. Clinical observation, qualitative microbiology, and in some cases histology, were used to document the presence of infection. Statistical analysis of wound breakdown secondary to infection revealed a significant difference in breakdown rates. Three laser and 12 iodine treated wounds displayed breakdown secondary to sepsis. We conclude that the CO2 laser sterilization technique is more effective than routine iodine surgical scrub.

Pediatric Chance fractures: association with intra-abdominal injuries and seatbelt use.

Seven cases of Chance fractures of the spine in children are presented, with their association to intra-abdominal injuries secondary to seatbelt use. A discussion and review of the literature suggest an increasing frequency of this particular injury with a high association given the clinical sign known as the "seatbelt sign." Also reviewed is the association of intra-abdominal injuries secondary to seatbelt restraints, and particular attention is paid to the concurrence of intra-abdominal injury with Chance fractures of the spine. The unique features of the pediatric anatomy in relation to the design of the adult seat restraint as it relates to the vertebral fracture and intra-abdominal injuries are noted. A review of the literature discusses the development of a classification for this flexion-distraction type of vertebral injury, and supports our experience of the increasing frequency of these particular injuries with increasing seatbelt use.

Familial diffuse cystic angiomatosis of bone.

Twelve cases of diffuse cystic angiomatosis of bone are presented in a family over four generations. The inheritance pattern of the disease appears to be one of an autosomal dominant distribution with no skipped generations and equal sex distribution. Individuals affected are clinically asymptomatic. All blood parameters are normal. Roentgenographically, the lesion occurs throughout the length of long bones and is osteolytic, with a thin sclerotic rim. The cortex of the bone is rarely involved and shows no periosteal reaction. Growth plate closure and remodeling are unaffected. The natural history is of increasing sclerosis, resulting in complete obliteration of the cyst with irregular reactive trabeculations. Although it resembles more serious conditions, the condition can be diagnosed clinically and radiographically, making invasive tests and treatment unnecessary.

The increasing activity of a vascular ultrasound service.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the change in activity of a vascular ultrasound service over 7 years. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Vascular studies unit, University hospital. METHOD: Audit of the number of vascular ultrasound tests carried out over the last 7 years using a prospective computerised database. RESULTS: Data shows that the overall workload has tripled over the 7-year period. In addition the complexity of investigations has increased during this time. The number of carotid scans has increased four-fold while the number of graft surveillance scans and vein scans has increased seven-fold. Assessment of lower limb arteries has developed from simple pressure measurements to detailed ultrasound scans and, as a consequence, the number of diagnostic angiograms has fallen by 75%. The factors that have influenced these changes are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an important increase in the role of colour Doppler ultrasound as it becomes the "first line" vascular diagnostic test. However this trend can only continue if vascular ultrasound services are appropriately resourced. It is therefore essential to maintain an efficient audit system.