Extensive clostridial myonecrosis after gluteal intramuscular injection in immunocompromised patient treated with surgical debridement and negative-pressure wound therapy.

Gas gangrene is infectious disease caused by Clostridium perfringens infection. We are presenting extremely rare case of gluteal clostridial myonecrosis after intramuscular injection of diclofenac in immunocompromised young patient on a long-standing corticosteroid therapy presented with sepsis and initially absent clinical signs of severe anaerobic infection. After delayed diagnosis, she was treated with aggressive surgical removal of necrosed tissue and targeted antibiotic therapy which led to a rapid improvement allowing application of a negative-pressure wound therapy device with favorable outcome. This report shows the importance of timely diagnosis with pitfalls of imaging. It confirms that surgical debridement along with specific antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment, but also promotes negative-pressure wound therapy which has proved convenient for accelerated closure of large incisions with tissue loss without any adverse effects or the need for complex reconstructive procedures.

Epidermoid and Dermoid Cysts of the Head and Neck.

ABSTRACT: Epidermoid and dermoid cysts (ECs and DCs) are congenital anomalies occurring in areas of embryonic fusion. Their incidence in the head and neck region is low and ranges from 1.6% to 7%. The aim of this study is to report on the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of 22 patients from a single-institution experience. A retrospective analysis of patients treated for ECs and DCs of the head and neck over a 12-year period was performed. The present study included 22 patients (male/female ratio 1:1). The mean age of presentation was 11.68 years. The lesions were distributed in the orbital regions in 7 (31.82%) patients, auricular regions in 6 (27.27%), neck regions in 5 (22.73%), floor of the mouth in 3 (13.64%), and nose in 1 (4.55%). Complete surgical excision was performed as a definitive treatment method in 21 patients (95.45%). The mean size of the excised lesions was 21.36 mm at the widest length (range: 10-70 mm). On the basis of histopathological examinations, 15 (71.43%) lesions were classified as ECs and 6 (28.57%) as DCs. Post-operative complications were noted in 3 (14.29%) patients--2 (9.52%) with recurrences and 1 (4.76%) with hypertrophic scarring. All of these patients were successfully cured after a second surgery. The ECs and DCs of the head and neck present an interesting diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Successful management depends on a thorough knowledge of their clinical and radiological features.

Negative-pressure in treatment of persistent post-traumatic subcutaneous emphysema with respiratory failure: Case report and literature review.

Subcutaneous emphysema may aggravate traumatic pneumothorax treatment, especially when mechanical ventilation is required. Expectative management usually suffices, but when respiratory function is impaired surgical treatment might be indicated. Historically relevant methods are blowhole incisions and placement of various drains, often with related wound complications. Since the first report of negative pressure wound therapy for the treatment of severe subcutaneous emphysema in 2009, only few publications on use of commercially available sets were published. We report on patient injured in a motor vehicle accident who had serial rib fractures and bilateral pneumothorax managed initially in another hospital. Due to respiratory deterioration, haemodynamic instability and renal failure patient was transferred to our Intensive Care Unit. Massive and persistent subcutaneous emphysema despite adequate thoracic drainage with respiratory deterioration and potentially injurious mechanical ventilation with high airway pressures was the indication for active surgical treatment. Negative-pressure wound therapy dressing was applied on typical blowhole incisions which resulted in swift emphysema regression and respiratory improvement. Negative pressure wound therapy for decompression of severe subcutaneous emphysema represents simple, effective and relatively unknown technique that deserves wider attention.

Tumor angiogenesis as an important prognostic factor in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (Stage IIIA).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate angiogenesis by determining the micro vascular density (MVD) and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor samples, and to analyze their associations with clinical parameters and survival. Tumor tissue specimens of fifty patients (41 males and 9 females), who underwent radical surgical treatment for NSCLC in stage IIIA (T1-3N2) were collected for immunohistochemical analysis. MVD evaluation was performed using an anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody and VEGF-A expression using a polyclonal anti-VEGF-A antibody. The results were associated with two-year survival. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations in the level of angiogenesis (high MVD) and shorter survival of patients with NSCLC (P=0.0007). VEGF-A expression showed no association with micro vascular density (P=0.51) or survival (P=0.68). There was no significant association between MVD and VEGF-A. The measurable, clinical MVD parameters could be used as a reliable prognostic factor for the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC.

ANESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF A PATIENT WITH CENTRAL AIRWAY COMPRESSION DUE TO POSTERIOR MEDIASTINAL MASS.

Patients with mediastinal masses present unique challenge to anesthesiologists. Patients with anterior mediastinal masses have well documented cases of respiratory or cardiovascular collapse during anesthesia and in postoperative period. Masses in the posterior mediastinum have been traditionally regarded to carry a significantly lower risk of anesthesia related complications but cases of near fatal cardiorespiratory complications have been reported. We describe anesthetic management of a patient with posterior mediastinal mass compressing the trachea and the left main bronchus presented for left thoracotomy and tumor excision. The patient experienced pain and cough, and exhibited positional dyspnea. Airway was successfully secured with awake nasotracheal intubation and placement of single lumen endobronchial tube.

Blunt trauma of thorax with subclavian and axillary artery lesion--case report.

We report a rare case of blunt trauma of the axillary artery in a 20-year-old man who was injured as a motorcycle rider and received severe body injuries. Injuries included severe trauma of the left lower leg with contusion and extensive soft tissue and bone trauma of these regions with poor general condition and with the presence of clinical signs of traumatic shock. Upon arrival, we found that in addition to earlier clearly visible trauma to the leg, there was a hematoma of the medial side of the left supraclavicular region and the absence of the radial artery pulse with paralysis of the left arm. Given the clinical findings, emergency radiological examination was made to the patient (X-ray, US, CDFI, MSCT-angiography) and we found out that there was trauma of axillary artery with clear signs of thrombosis of extra thoracic part of subclavian artery due to its transition into the axillary artery. After hemodynamic stabilization, above knee amputation of the left leg was performed and emergency exploration of earlier mentioned arteries. Bypass of the damaged arteries with synthetic graft 6 mm in diameter was made. Control MSCT angiography showed normal flow in the arterial tree of the whole left hand and the MRI of the cervical spine and shoulder girdle did not found lesions of the brachial plexus. SSEP demonstrated the absence of pulses on the left hand. Patient on regular check-ups showed normal general condition, with adequate passable graft and pronounced paralysis on the left hand. In the process of rehabilitation physiotherapy was also included. Blunt trauma to the axillary artery is an extremely rare example of trauma of blood vessels which makes only 0.03% of all vascular injuries.

The role of videomediastinoscopy in staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most frequent malignant disease and the leading cause of death from malignant diseases in the world and its incidence is increasing. At the time when diagnosis is established most patients have advanced disease and are not candidates for radical surgical treatment. Patients without distant metastases are subjected to various diagnostic methods to detect metastases in mediastinal lymph nodes that make up the path of lymph drainage from the lungs. The most reliable invasive diagnostic procedures for detecting metastases in mediastinal lymph nodes are videomediastinoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound with transtracheal puncture. In the absence of mediastinal lymph node metastases surgery is the treatment of choice. If mediastinal lymph nodes are positive for metastases multimodal treatment is implemented. At the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zadar General Hospital, videomediastinoscopy for the staging of primary non-small cell lung cancer has been performed routinely since September 2009.

Venomous snakebites in the Croatian North Dalmatia region.

AIM: The aim of this research project is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory attributes of venomous snakebites and to ascertain the timely and efficient treatment at the location where the incident took place or in varying clinical conditions. METHODS: Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data were collected from people who were bitten by venomous snakes as well as treatments at Zadar General Hospital during a span of eleven years (1999-2009) which were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: During that period, 93 people were bitten by venomous snakes of which 57 patients (62%) were male and 36 (38%) were female. In 82 cases (90%), the bite area was localized on the limbs while in the remaining 11 cases the bite area was located elsewhere. At the time of the venomous snakebite, 31 (33%) patients were performing leisure activities and 44 (47.31%) of them were at work. The most common local snakebite signs are swelling and pain at the bite site (93 patients; 100%), hematomas and ecchymoses (87 patients; 89%). Of the affected patients, 8 suffered from compartment syndrome and one person (0.97%) expired. CONCLUSION: Antivenom treatment for preventing possible allergic reactions should take place at the medical institution where the victim was transported. However, when transport is not immediately available or in cases where the victim shows clear signs of envenomation, antivenom treatment should be used immediately because its effect is weaker if the venom is allowed to run its course.

Efficacy of IP6 + inositol in the treatment of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: prospective, randomized, pilot clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Prospective, randomized, pilot clinical study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) + Inositol in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with invasive ductal breast cancer where polychemotherapy was indicated were monitored in the period from 2005-2007. Fourteen patients in the same stage of ductal invasive breast cancer were involved in the study, divided in two randomized groups. One group was subjected to take IP6 + Inositol while the other group was taking placebo. In both groups of patients the same laboratory parameters were monitored. When the treatment was finished, all patients have filled questionnaires QLQ C30 and QLQ-BR23 to determine the quality of life. RESULTS: Patients receiving chemotherapy, along with IP6 + Inositol did not have cytopenia, drop in leukocyte and platelet counts. Red blood cell counts and tumor markers were unaltered in both groups. However, patients who took IP6 + Inositol had significantly better quality of life (p = 0.05) and functional status (p = 0.0003) and were able to perform their daily activities. CONCLUSION: IP6 + Inositol as an adjunctive therapy is valuable help in ameliorating the side effects and preserving quality of life among the patients treated with chemotherapy.

Fist fractures at child's age.

The aim of this work is to confirm or deny the hypothesis that the fist fracture medical treatment at child's age in the General Hospital in Zadar does not differ much from the medical treatment method in other centers which have already published their results. The work is based on the retrospective study. The examinees are children with fist fractures in the General Hospital in Zadar from 1999 to 2003. The control group is formed by the examinees of the published studies about children fist fractures, which have been collected and statistically elaborated. The examinees of our group and the control group are classified by the same criterion: age, sex, place, sort and type of fracture as well as the method of medical treatment. The used statistical methods are the testing of frequency differences and chi2 test. Statistically essential differences between our group and the control group have been noticed. There are also differences among the control group subgroups. The difference in the method of medical treatment is statistically essential and shows that the methods are not the same as in our group and the control group. The surgical way of treatment is less represented by our results than in those of the control group. The different attitude in medical treatment is conditioned by the attitude that surgical intervention of finger bones does not always give us the expected functional result.