Cutaneous manifestations of acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common medical problem with a multitude of aetiologies. Prompt diagnosis and management is key in the prevention of complications. Cutaneous signs can often give diagnostic clues of underlying systemic diseases causing AKI. This review summarizes cutaneous findings of diseases causing AKI in adults. Knowledge of such cutaneous signs could lead to earlier diagnosis of underlying kidney disease and facilitate management strategies in a timely manner. Acute interstitial nephritis, polyarteritis nodosa, Kawasaki's disease, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (previously Wegener's granulomatosis), microscopic polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (previously Churg-Strauss syndrome), Henoch-Schönlein purpura, cryoglobulinaemia, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis and cholesterol embolization syndrome were highlighted as diseases causing AKI with cutaneous manifestations.

HIV testing in dermatology - a national audit.

Forty percent of individuals have late-stage HIV at the time of diagnosis, resulting in increased morbidity. Identifying key diseases which may indicate HIV infection can prompt clinicians to trigger testing, which may result in more timely diagnosis. The British HIV Association has published guidelines on such indicator diseases in dermatology. We audited the practice of HIV testing in UK dermatologists and General Practitioners (GPs) and compared results with the national guidelines. This audit showed that HIV testing in key indicator diseases remains below the standard set out by the national guidelines, and that GPs with special interest in dermatology have a lower likelihood for testing, and lower confidence when compared to consultants, registrars and associate specialists. Large proportions of respondents believed further training in HIV testing would be beneficial.

Treatment of 63 Subjects With Digital Mucous Cysts With Percutaneous Sclerotherapy Using Polidocanol.

BACKGROUND: Digital mucous cysts (digital myxoid cysts or DMCs) are benign cystic swellings typically affecting the digital distal interphalangeal joint or the proximal nail fold. Many treatment modalities exist; however, permanent scarring, wound infection, and recurrence are common. Polidocanol sclerotherapy has been reported as a potential treatment. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous polidocanol sclerotherapy in the treatment of DMC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed polidocanol sclerotherapy in 63 patients (23 men and 40 women). For each patient, the DMC contents were extruded and 3% polidocanol (0.02-0.5 mL) was injected to gently refill the cyst to its previous size. Subjects were reviewed after 6 weeks and offered a second treatment if necessary, and reviewed again after 12 weeks. Changes in lesions and adverse reactions were noted. RESULTS: Of the 63 subjects treated, 43 (68.3%) experienced complete resolution of the cyst by 6 weeks, and 49 (77.8%) experienced complete resolution by 12 weeks. Side effects were minor and had resolved in all patients by 12-week review. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous polidocanol sclerotherapy is a simple, safe, and effective approach to treating DMC, and is suitable for office-based practice.