Cutaneous Hydrophilic Polymer Embolism: An Important and Overlooked Clinical Entity.

ABSTRACT: Hydrophilic polymer embolism from vascular medical devices is an underrecognized clinical entity that can cause deleterious end-organ ischemia and culminate in mortality. This is concerning as we are in the era where minimally invasive procedures are commonplace. Diagnosis is often made retrospectively after obtaining histopathological tissue samples showing endoluminal, cerebriform, amorphous, anucleate, basophilic, nonrefractile, nonpolarizable foreign body material. We detail 2 more cases of cutaneous hydrophilic polymer embolism to underscore its salient clinicopathological features and increase awareness of this important iatrogenic entity.

Risk factors for a false negative Ortolani and Barlow examination in developmental dysplasia of the hip.

INTRODUCTION: Although universal screening by neonatal clinical examination with Ortolani and Barlow manoeuvres is widely adopted, its role as a sole screening tool is controversial due to its poor sensitivity and failure in identifying hip joints that eventually require surgical intervention. HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to identify risk factors for a false negative Ortolani and Barlow examination in neonatal screening for DDH. The hypothesis is that risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hips could similarly be risk factors for a false negative Ortolani and Barlow examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the 14-year retrospective cohort study, all newborn infants born in a single institution from 1st January 1999 to 31st December 2013 were screened clinically with the Ortolani/Barlow manoeuvre by a neonatologist. Infants with positive risk factors, despite a normal clinical examination, were then scheduled for bilateral hip ultrasound in the first three months of life and evaluated according to the Graf's method, Harcke's method of dynamic ultrasound screening and Terjesen's method of evaluation for femoral head coverage. RESULTS: A total of 164 infants with normal Ortolani and Barlow examinations were scheduled for bilateral hip ultrasound due to the presence of risk factors. Amongst these, 32 (19.5%) infants were evaluated to have an abnormal hip on ultrasound. Breech position was the only statistically significant risk factor for a false negative Ortolani/Barlow examination (14/34, 41.2% vs. 18/112, 13.8%; p<0.001). DISCUSSION: Sonographic hip examinations are recommended for all infants with breech presentation even if they have a normal Ortolani and Barlow examination. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; case-control study.

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of hidradenitis suppurativa among young adults in Singapore.

Background: The prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is 0.00033% to 4.10% globally. Few epidemiological studies derive from Asia, with social stigmatization postulated to result in under-diagnosis. Objective: This study aimed to assess the self-reported prevalence of HS, and the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards HS among Singaporean young-adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study (n = 158) was conducted by anonymous online questionnaire. The association between demographic factors and risk of potentially undiagnosed HS was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Differences between attitude-perception scores by demographic factors and knowledge of HS were tested using two-sample t-tests. Results: The prevalence of diagnosed and potentially undiagnosed HS was 0.63% and 8.9%, respectively. Non-Chinese had significantly higher social attitude-perception scores than Chinese (P = .029). Females had significantly higher social (P = .048) as well as economic and work (P = .037) attitude-perception scores than males. Those with knowledge of HS had significantly higher attitude-perception scores for interpersonal (P = .031) and social (P = .0052) subsections. Limitations: Small sample size, low frequency of HS cases, and self-reported prevalence may not generalize to the broader population in Singapore. Conclusion: Our results suggest a potential underdiagnosis of HS. Non-Chinese stigmatize HS less than Chinese, and females less than males. Individuals with knowledge of HS might be more open to interpersonal and social interactions with HS sufferers.

Short-term Weight Trajectory of Severely Obese Individuals With and Without Pathogenic Satiety-Regulation Melanocortin 3/4 Receptor (MC3/4R) Mutations From a Multi-ethnic Asian Large Bariatric Surgery Program.

The melanocortin (3 or 4) receptor (MC3/4R) is involved in regulating satiety and body weight. Therefore, pathogenic mutation in MC3/4R is associated with severe obesity, for which bariatric surgery is one of the treatment options. However, there is limited data on whether individuals with MC3/4R mutation will have differential weight response to surgery, especially among the Asian populations-the epi-center of the evolving global obesity epidemic. From our large prospective Obesity-Metabolism & Intervention Cohort Study (OMICS; N = 654, recruited between 2007 and 2022), 5 individuals with pathogenic MC3/4R mutations ("case") were identified using candidate-genes panel next-generation sequencing (Illumina iSeq). These subjects were carefully propensity score-matched (baseline body mass index [BMI], age, sex, ethnicity, proportion with diabetes, type of bariatric surgery) in a 1:4 ratio to other controls. We performed linear mixed model analysis (for repeated measurements) to compare their longitudinal weight trajectories (percentage total weight loss, %TWL) over 12 months. The 5 cases with MC3/4R mutations were 48 ± 11 years, BMI 40.8 ± 11.2 kg/m2, 60% with diabetes, and all males. Their weight at baseline (pre-op), and 6 months and 12 months after surgery were 120 ± 38, 100 ± 31, and 101 ± 30 kg, respectively. Compared with propensity score-matched controls (N = 20), linear mixed model analysis suggested no difference in surgically induced %TWL (ß coefficient = -5.8 ± 3.7, P = .13) over 12 months between the groups. Therefore, we conclude that rare pathogenic MC3/4R mutations do not significantly modify weight change (%TWL) in response to bariatric surgery.

Translating Guidelines into Practical Practice: Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Pediatric Critical Care Clinicians.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is now transitioning from an emerging technology to a standard of care for critically ill children. POCUS can provide immediate answers to clinical questions impacting management and outcomes within this fragile population. Recently published international guidelines specific to POCUS use in neonatal and pediatric critical care populations now complement previous Society of Critical Care Medicine guidelines. The authors review consensus statements within guidelines, identify important limitations to statements, and provide considerations for the successful implementation of POCUS in the pediatric critical care setting.

Acute iododerma presenting as cryptococcoid neutrophilic dermatosis: A clinicopathological pitfall and interesting findings gleaned from a review of the literature.

Iododerma is an uncommon dermatosis caused by excessive iodine exposure and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Because of its heterogenous clinical presentation and variable histopathological findings, which depend on the time the skin biopsy is performed, the diagnosis of iododerma is often delayed. We report a rare case of acute iododerma in a woman with end-stage diabetic nephropathy with antecedent radioiodine contrast exposure, presenting histopathologically as cryptococcoid neutrophilic dermatosis (CND). We underscore important clinicopathological pitfalls to avoid misdiagnosis with similar overlapping entities such as Sweet syndrome, review all published cases of CND and draw novel insights into its associated entities.

Potentially avoidable emergency department transfers from residential aged care facilities for possible post-fall intracranial injury.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the percentage of potentially preventable residential aged care facility (RACF) to ED transfers for potential intracranial injury post-fall. To describe rates of CT brain (CTB) performance, intracranial trauma-related findings, neurosurgical intervention, and patient outcome. METHODS: Patient lists were obtained from the hospital electronic medical record, screened for eligibility and data abstracted. Potentially preventable was defined as: (1) RACF return from ED within 24 h, regardless of CTB performance or finding; (2) ED management could reasonably have been provided at the RACF. Comparisons between those with CTB performed or not, including external signs of craniofacial trauma, anticoagulant medication use, baseline cognitive impairment and presence of an advanced care directive (ACD) were made. RESULTS: Of 784 patients, 415 (53%) were classified as potentially avoidable. Of these, 314 (76%) had a CTB. Of all 784 patients, 538 (69%) had a CTB performed. CTB was more likely with presence of external signs of craniofacial trauma (26% [95% CI 23-30] vs 20% [95% CI 15-25], P < 0.001) and anticoagulant use (59% [95% CI 55-63] vs 42% [95% CI 37-49], P < 0.001) but not for presence of cognitive impairment or ACD. From the 538 CTBs, 31 (6%) patients had acute intracranial trauma-related findings with all having conservative management. None of the 11 (1%) deaths were in the potentially preventable subgroup. CONCLUSION: Just over half of the RACF to ED transfers were classified as 'potentially avoidable'.

Reactive Epidermal Hyperplasia and Angiogenesis of the Rear (REAR): A Proposed Unifying Name for Senile Gluteal Dermatosis and Prurigiform Angiomatosis.

Senile gluteal dermatosis (SGD) is a common but seldom recognized condition. It is characterized clinically by unilateral or bilateral hyperkeratotic, lichenified plaques on the gluteal area, being attributed to prolonged sitting, particularly in the elderly. SGD also encompasses the recently proposed entity of prurigiform angiomatosis. Histologically, there are features of lichenification, such as epidermal hyperplasia and a preserved granular layer, with prominent dermal angioproliferation. We report 4 cases of this condition as well as novel findings of variably increased mast cells and superficial lymphatic vessels in addition to the proliferation of dermal blood vessels. We propose a unifying name for Reactive Epidermal hyperplasia and Angiogenesis of the Rear (REAR) to encapsulate the characteristic clinical and histological features of this distinct entity.

Outcomes of operatively treated calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures.

BACKGROUND: Calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures are uncommon but when present should be treated emergently due to the high risk of skin compromise. Multiple fixation techniques have been reported in the literature but there are little data regarding the ideal fixation construct and outcomes. We aimed to characterize the clinical presentation, focussing on soft tissue compromise and outcomes of operatively treated calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures with its associated complications. METHODS: A retrospective review of all surgically treated calcaneus fracture in our institution from Jun 2008 to Jun 2017 was done. We reviewed patients' demographics, types of avulsion fracture, presence of preoperative skin compromise, age of fracture, time to operation, types of fixation construct, postoperative weight bearing regime, union rates, complications and revision surgeries if present. RESULTS: We found 9 patients from our database who met the inclusion criteria. They had an average age of 55.6 (range: 43 - 90) years with 5 (55.6%) of them aged 60 years and older. Seven (77.8%) patients were female. Four out of 9 patients (44.4%) presented with soft tissue compromise (3 cases of skin tenting and 1 case of blistering). None of them required soft tissue reconstructive surgery for skin defects postoperatively. However, 2 patients (22.2%) had wound complications after surgery requiring prolonged wound care for up to 4 months. There were 2 patients with fixation failure whereby both were allowed weight bearing prematurely. All of them were able to ambulate independently at their last review. CONCLUSION: Calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures have a high prevalence of soft tissue compromise and warrant early attention. This condition should be treated as both a bony and soft tissue injury rather than just a bony fracture alone. Management of this injury should take into account fracture reduction and stable fixation with neutralization of the Achilles tendon forces.

Protein supplementation versus standard feeds in underweight critically ill children: a pilot dual-centre randomised controlled trial protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Protein-energy malnutrition, increased catabolism and inadequate nutritional support leads to loss of lean body mass with muscle wasting and delayed recovery in critical illness. However, there remains clinical equipoise regarding the risks and benefits of protein supplementation. This pilot trial will determine the feasibility of performing a larger multicentre trial to determine if a strategy of protein supplementation in critically ill children with body mass index (BMI) z-score ≤-2 is superior to standard enteral nutrition in reducing the length of stay in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a randomised controlled trial of 70 children in two PICUs in Singapore. Children with BMI z-score ≤-2 on PICU admission, who are expected to require invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours, will be randomised (1:1 allocation) to protein supplementation of ≥1.5 g/kg/day in addition to standard nutrition, or standard nutrition alone for 7 days after enrolment or until PICU discharge, whichever is earlier. Feasibility outcomes for the trial include effective screening, satisfactory enrolment rate, timely protocol implementation (within first 72 hours) and protocol adherence. Secondary outcomes include mortality, PICU length of stay, muscle mass, anthropometric measurements and functional outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial protocol was approved by the institutional review board of both participating centres (Singhealth Centralised Institutional Review Board and National Healthcare Group Domain Specific Review Board) under the reference number 2020/2742. Findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04565613.