ABSTRACT
The first case of Lyme disease was described more than 25 years ago in the city of Lyme, Connecticut (USA) and although the responsible pathogenic organism is known (Borrelia Burgdorferi) as well as its vector (a tick from the Ixode genus), it is still underdiagnosed and often poorly known by practitioners. The symptomatology is classically divided into three phases depending on the time between the tick bite and the first symptoms. However, in a number of cases this clinical division of the disease is not easily applied. We describe three cases of atypical ocular manifestations to illustrate this problem. Recently developed laboratory tests help confirm the diagnosis but should not be used without a good knowledge of the disease. This study aims to emphasize the difficulty of diagnosis and the importance of appropriate treatment and to avoid potentially permanent complications.
Subject(s)
Lyme Disease , Aged , Biomarkers/blood , Child , Female , Humans , Lyme Disease/blood , Lyme Disease/diagnosis , Lyme Disease/drug therapy , Male , Middle Aged , OphthalmologyABSTRACT
The pedicled fillet flap concept has been successfully applied in both the upper and lower extremities for the treatment of difficult wounds. However, in cases of complete extremity amputation, the transfer of pedicled flaps from the amputated part is not possible. In such instances, we have designed free-fillet flaps from the amputated limb to provide wound coverage when replantation of the amputated part was contraindicated. This technique allows immediate wound coverage and preservation of functional amputation stump length, without the morbidity of an additional donor site. We present three cases that demonstrate the utility of this technique as an additional reconstructive option in patients with unreplantable upper-extremity amputations.
Subject(s)
Amputation, Traumatic/surgery , Arm Injuries/surgery , Finger Injuries/surgery , Frostbite/surgery , Surgical Flaps/methods , Adult , Artificial Limbs , Child , Contraindications , Humans , Male , ReplantationABSTRACT
We report a case of anastomotic failure secondary to acute vasculitis in a free flap. Following transfer of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, massive hemorrhage from the anastomosis occurred six days postoperatively. This was associated with segmental infarctions of the areas of the flap, which was removed. Transmural necrosis of the thoracodorsal artery, secondary to acute vasculitis was demonstrated by histology. Subsequent biopsies revealed an autoimmune vasculitis.