Factors associated with cellulitis in lymphoedema of the arm - an international cross-sectional study (LIMPRINT).

BACKGROUND: Lymphoedema is a globally neglected health care problem and a common complication following breast cancer treatment. Lymphoedema is a well-known predisposing factor for cellulitis, but few have investigated the risk factors for cellulitis in this patient cohort on an international level. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of cellulitis in patients with lymphoedema of the arm, including potential risk factors for cellulitis. METHODS: An international, multi-centre, cross-sectional study including patients with clinically assessed arm lymphoedema. The primary outcome was the incidence of cellulitis located to the arm with lymphoedema within the last 12 months, and its potential associated risk factors. The secondary outcome was life-time prevalence of cellulitis. Adults with clinically-assessed arm lymphoedema/chronic oedema (all causes) and able to give informed consent were included. End-of-life-patients or those judged as not in the patient's best interest were excluded. Both univariable and multivariable analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 2160 patients were included from Australia, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Turkey and United Kingdom. Secondary lymphoedema was present in 98% of the patients; 95% of these were judged as related to cancer or its treatment. The lifetime prevalence of cellulitis was 22% and 1-year incidence 11%. Following multivariable analysis, factors associated with recent cellulitis were longer swelling duration and having poorly controlled lymphoedema. Compared to having lymphoedema less than 1 year, the risk increased with duration: 1-2 years (OR 2.15), 2-5 years (OR 2.86), 5-10 years (OR 3.15). Patients with well-controlled lymphoedema had a 46% lower risk of cellulitis (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39-0.73, p < 0.001). More advanced stages of lymphoedema were associated with cellulitis even after adjustment for swelling duration and control of swelling by logistic regression (stage II OR 5.44, stage III OR 9.13, p = 0.002), demonstrated in a subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced arm lymphoedema are at particular risk of developing cellulitis. Prevention of lymphoedema progression is crucial. The results lend towards a positive effect of having well-treated lymphoedema on the frequency of cellulitis.

The critical role of phlebolymphedema in cellulitis associated with lymphedema: Its incidence and economic impact in a large real-world population.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were: to define the incidence of cellulitis in patients with lymphedema (LED) overall and relate this to the etiology of LED; to determine how this rate might be affected by recurrence of cellulitis; and to quantify the contemporary economic burden of treatment. Understanding these factors is essential in developing targeted cellulitis prevention strategies and reducing health care costs. METHODS: The IBM MarketScan Research Database was examined from April 2013 to March 2019 for patients with a new diagnosis of LED (n = 85,601). Based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9/ICD-10 diagnosis codes, the incidence and cost of cellulitis were ascertained during the 3-year follow-up period. Incidence rates (per 100 patient-years [PYs]) and cost (per patient per year) of cellulitis were evaluated among all patients with LED and within subgroups of LED etiologies. RESULTS: Among the three most common morbidities associated with LED (breast cancer-related lymphedema [BCRL], n = 17,954 [20.97%]; gynecological cancer-related LED [GCRL], n = 1256 [1.47%]; and phlebolymphedema [PLED], n = 8406 [9.82%]), rates of cellulitis were markedly lower for BCRL (8.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.7-9.2) and GCRL (14.8; 95% CI, 13.4-16.4) vs PLED (47.7; 95% CI, 46.7-48.8). Patients with a history of cellulitis had markedly higher cellulitis rates during follow-up than those without-overall, 74.0% vs 16.4%; BCRL, 42.9%; 95% CI, 39.7%-46.3% vs 7.6%; 95% CI, 7.3%-7.9%; GCRL, 67.5%; 95% CI, 56.4%-80.8% vs 11.0%; 95% CI, 9.8%-12.4%; and PLED, 81.7%; 95% CI, 79.4%-84.1% vs 30.4%; 95% CI, 29.4%-31.4%, respectively. The mean $/patient/year of cellulitis-related costs for a patient with PLED ($2836; 95% CI, $2395-$3471) was significantly greater than that for BCRL ($503; 95% CI, $212-$1387) and GCRL ($609; 95% CI, $244-$1314). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cellulitis associated with LED varies by the etiology of LED. PLED has the highest rates of both an initial cellulitis episode and recurrent cellulitis events. Additionally, PLED has one of the largest cellulitis-related total costs per patient per year. Prevention, as well as early identification and treatment of PLED-associated cellulitis, could significantly decrease health care costs and improve patient quality of life.

Development and validation of the Baseline Recurrence Risk in Cellulitis (BRRISC) score.

OBJECTIVES: Cellulitis is often treated with antibiotics for longer than recommended by guidelines. Prolonged therapy may reduce recurrence in certain patients, but it is not known which patients are at greatest risk. Our objective was to develop and temporally validate a risk prediction score to identify patients attending hospital with cellulitis at highest risk of recurrence. METHODS: We included UK adult patients with cellulitis attending hospital in an electronic health records (EHR) study to identify demographic, comorbid, physiological, and laboratory factors predicting recurrence (before death) within 90 days, using multivariable logistic regression with backwards elimination in complete cases. A points-based risk score integerised model coefficients for selected predictors. Performance was assessed using the C-index in development and temporal validation samples. RESULTS: The final model included 4938 patients treated for median 8 days (IQR 6-11); 8.8% (n = 436) experienced hospitalisation-associated recurrence. A risk score using eight variables (age, heart rate, urea, platelets, albumin, previous cellulitis, venous insufficiency, and liver disease) ranged from 0-15, with C-index = 0.65 (95%CI: 0.63-0.68). Categorising as low (score 0-1), medium (2-5) and high (6-15) risk, recurrence increased fourfold; 3.2% (95%CI: 2.3-4.4%), 9.7% (8.7-10.8%), and 16.6% (13.3-20.4%). Performance was maintained in the validation sample (C-index = 0.63 (95%CI: 0.58-0.67)). Among patients at high risk, four distinct clinical phenotypes were identified using hierarchical clustering 1) young, acutely unwell with liver disease; 2) comorbid with previous cellulitis and venous insufficiency; 3) chronic renal disease with severe renal impairment; and 4) acute severe illness, with substantial inflammatory responses. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of cellulitis recurrence varies markedly according to individual patient factors captured in the Baseline Recurrence Risk in Cellulitis (BRRISC) score. Further work is needed to optimise the score, considering baseline and treatment response variables not captured in EHR data, and establish the utility of risk-based approaches to guide optimal antibiotic duration.

Smaller hospital discharge volume and urban area are associated with higher proportional cellulitis discharges.

Cellulitis is commonly misdiagnosed, resulting in increased healthcare costs and complications. There is little published work regarding the relationship between hospital characteristics and cellulitis discharge rates. Here, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of cellulitis inpatient discharges using publicly available national data to examine hospital characteristics associated with higher proportional cellulitis discharge rates. The results of our study showed a strong association of increased proportion of cellulitis discharges in association with hospitals that discharged fewer total patients and a direct association with urban location. The factors that influence hospital cellulitis discharge diagnoses are numerous, and while its overdiagnosis remains a source of medical overspending and complications, our study may provide direction for more focused efforts to increase dermatology care in lower volume hospitals and urban areas.

Bacterial findings in patients referred to hospital for the treatment of acute tonsillitis with or without peritonsillar phlegmon.

BACKGROUND: The vast majority of patients with acute tonsillitis (AT) are managed in general practice. However, occasionally patients are referred to hospital for specialized management because of aggravated symptoms and/or findings suggestive of peritonsillar involvement. No prospective studies have been conducted aiming to investigate the prevalent and significant microorganisms in this highly selected group of patients. We aimed to describe the microbiological findings of acute tonsillitis with or without peritonsillar phlegmon (PP) in patients referred for hospital treatment and to point out potential pathogens using the following principles to suggest pathogenic significance: (1) higher prevalence in patients compared to healthy controls, (2) higher abundance in patients compared to controls, and (3) higher prevalence at time of infection compared to time of follow up. METHODS: Meticulous and comprehensive cultures were performed on tonsillar swabs from 64 patients with AT with (n = 25) or without (n = 39) PP and 55 healthy controls, who were prospectively enrolled at two Danish Ear-Nose-Throat Departments between June 2016 and December 2019. RESULTS: Streptococcus pyogenes was significantly more prevalent in patients (27%) compared to controls (4%) (p < 0.001). Higher abundance was found in patients compared to controls for Fusobacterium necrophorum (mean 2.4 vs. 1.4, p = 0.017) and S. pyogenes (mean 3.1 vs. 2.0, p = 0.045) in semi-quantitative cultures. S. pyogenes, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Prevotella species were significantly more prevalent at time of infection compared to follow up (p = 0.016, p = 0.016, and p = 0.039, respectively). A number of species were detected significantly less frequently in patients compared to controls and the mean number of species was significantly lower in patients compared to controls (6.5 vs. 8.3, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Disregarding Prevotella spp. because of the prevalence in healthy controls (100%), our findings suggest that S. pyogenes, F. necrophorum, and S. dysgalactiae are significant pathogens in severe AT with or without PP. In addition, infections were associated with reduced diversity (dysbacteriosis). TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov protocol database (# 52,683). The study was approved by the Ethical Committee at Aarhus County (# 1-10-72-71-16) and by the Danish Data Protection Agency (# 1-16-02-65-16).

Are insect bites responsible for the rise in summer flucloxacillin prescribing in United Kingdom general practices?

BACKGROUND: Insect bite inflammation may mimic cellulitis and promote unnecessary antibiotic usage, contributing to antimicrobial resistance in primary care. We wondered how general practice clinicians assess and manage insect bites, diagnose cellulitis, and prescribe antibiotics. METHOD: This is a Quality Improvement study in which 10 general practices in England and Wales investigated patients attending for the first time with insect bites between April and September 2021 to their practices. Mode of consultation, presentation, management plan, and reattendance or referral were noted. Total practice flucloxacillin prescribing was compared to that for insect bites. RESULTS: A combined list size of 161,346 yielded 355 insect bite consultations. Nearly two-thirds were female, ages 3-89 years old, with July as the peak month and a mean weekly incidence of 8 per 100,000. GPs still undertook most consultations; most were phone consultations, with photo support for over half. Over 40% presented between days 1 and 3 and common symptoms were redness, itchness, pain, and heat. Vital sign recording was not common, and only 22% of patients were already taking an antihistamine despite 45% complaining of itch. Antibiotics were prescribed to nearly three-quarters of the patients, mainly orally and mostly as flucloxacillin. Reattendance occurred for 12% and referral to hospital for 2%. Flucloxacillin for insect bites contributed a mean of 5.1% of total practice flucloxacillin prescriptions, with a peak of 10.7% in July. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotics are likely to be overused in our insect bite practice and patients could make more use of antihistamines for itch before consulting.

It can be difficult to know if redness, heat, swelling, and pain from insect bites are due to inflammation or infection. Prescribing unnecessary antibiotics may result in germs becoming resistant to antibiotics when needed. Ten general practices in England and Wales investigated their management of insect bites in the 6 months of April to September 2021 inclusive. There were 355 bites; women presented more often than men, and ages were from 3 to 89 years old, half of them were 30­69 years old. People mainly consulted their GP by phone with photos of their bites. Key symptoms were redness, itchness, heat, and pain. More people had itch than were taking antihistamines or using steroid cream. Most people (nearly 7 out of 10) were prescribed an oral antibiotic, usually flucloxacillin, which accounted for about 5% of total flucloxacillin prescribed in the practices. Only 2 in 100 people needed further hospital care. It is likely that general practice clinicians are over-using antibiotics for insect bites and that home management before seeking medical help with painkillers, antihistamines, and steroid creams could be used more. Now that we have baseline data, there is a need to set up studies to prove that these reduce antibiotic usage.

Incidence, seasonal pattern, and clinical manifestations of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis bacteremia; a population-based study.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) is a human pathogen causing severe invasive infections. Population-based studies on SDSE bacteremia are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, seasonal pattern, clinical manifestations, and recurrence of SDSE bacteraemia. Records regarding patients aged ≥ 18 years with SDSE bacteremia in the Pirkanmaa health district in August 2015 to July 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 230 SDSE bacteremia episodes were identified, with 217 episodes (involving 211 patients) available for analysis. The mean annual incidence rate of SDSE bacteremia was 16.9/100 000 inhabitants. Most episodes (33%) were detected in the summer (June to August) (p = 0.058). Episodes with bacteremic cellulitis were statistically significantly more common during the summer compared with other seasons (p = 0.008). Cellulitis was the most common presenting clinical manifestation of SDSE bacteremia (68% of all episodes). Risk factors of recurring bacteremia were chronic eczema and/or skin erosion (OR 3.96 [95% CI 1.11-14.1]), heart disease (OR 3.56 [95% CI 1.22-10.4]), diabetes (OR 3.77 [95% CI 1.35-10.5]) and a history of cellulitis. We found a remarkably high incidence of SDSE bacteraemia in the Pirkanmaa health district. Bacteraemic cellulitis, which was the predominant clinical manifestation is more often occurred in the summer. Risk factors of recurring SDSE bacteremia were a history of cellulitis, chronic eczema or skin erosion, diabetes, and heart disease.

Analysis of the Clinical Status and Treatment of Facial Cellulitis of Odontogenic Origin in Pediatric Patients.

The most common cause of the development of odontogenic infection is untreated dental caries, which initially leads to pulpitis. If an odontogenic infection is left untreated, it will pass through the limiting bone plate and will infiltrate deeper structures. Odontogenic infections are different in adults and children. The study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Pediatric Head and Neck Surgery of Upper Silesian Children's Health Center in Katowice in the 2020-2022. We included 27 patients aged 2-16 in the study. Patients were diagnosed with an active, acute odontogenic inflammatory process in the head and neck area. We assessed pain, trismus, extraoral and intraoral swelling and the level of CRP [C Reactive Protein], WBC [White Blood Cells], NLR [Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio], D-dimers and Prealbumins. The results were analyzed in terms of the location of the source of inflammation: maxilla or mandible and the type of source of infection: deciduous tooth or permanent tooth. Deciduous teeth are more often the cause of odontogenic infection in the maxilla, while permanent teeth in the mandible. Trismus, extraoral, and intraoral swelling occurred in all infections caused by permanent teeth. The CRP and NLR ratio is statistically higher in infection, which originates from permanent teeth. The mean hospitalization time was also longer for infections from permanent teeth 3.42 days than for deciduous teeth 2.2 days. The varied clinical picture of odontogenic infections in children requires periodic analyzes of statistical data related to epidemiology, etiology, and symptomatology in order to update diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Rate of concomitant cellulitis and osteoarticular infections in a pediatric population.

Concern for infection is a common presentation in pediatric emergency departments. Clinical signs of cellulitis in pediatric patients often lead to a workup for osteoarticular infection despite a lack of evidence to suggest that the two entities commonly co-exist. With this in mind, we asked: (1) What is the rate of concomitant cellulitis and osteoarticular infections in the pediatric population? (2) What factors are associated with concomitant cellulitis and osteoarticular infections? This is a retrospective study of 482 pediatric patients who underwent MRI to evaluate for either cellulitis or an osteoarticular infection at a single tertiary care children's hospital. Data were analyzed to assess the prevalence of osteomyelitis concomitant with cellulitis in our sample population. Concomitant cellulitis and osteoarticular infection were present in 11% of all cases (53/482). Of the concomitant infections, 92% percent (49/53) were present in distal locations (Group 1) and 8% (4/53) were present in proximal locations (Group 2). Bivariate analysis showed that concomitant infections on the distal extremities were significantly more common than concomitant infections on the proximal extremities ( P < 0.001). We found that concomitant cellulitis and osteoarticular infection were (1) uncommon and (2) significantly less common when clinical signs of cellulitis were present in the proximal extremities (proximal to ankle or wrist). This suggests that advanced imaging is most appropriate for patients who present with cellulitis on the distal extremities and can be used more judiciously in patients presenting with cellulitis on the proximal extremities. Level of Evidence - Level III.

Early Anti-Tumor-Necrosis-Factor Therapy for Crohn's Disease-Related Abdominal Abscesses and Phlegmon in Children.

BACKGROUND: Internally penetrating Crohn's Disease complications, including abscesses and phlegmon, represent a high-risk Crohn's Disease phenotype. Anti-tumor-necrosis-factor-α (Anti-TNF) therapies are effective in treating penetrating Crohn's Disease and early initiation has shown unique benefits. However, timing of anti-TNF initiation in the setting of internally penetrating Crohn's Disease complications is typically heterogenous due to concern over precipitating serious infections. Recent studies demonstrate such an association may not exist. AIMS: We aimed to describe the multidisciplinary management of pediatric patients with internally penetrating Crohn's Disease complications, focusing on the utilization and timing of anti-TNF therapy relative to complication resolution and adverse events. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients with internally penetrating Crohn's Disease complications from 2007 to 2021. The safety and effectiveness of anti-TNF therapy initiation prior to complication resolution was assessed by comparing rates of infectious and Crohn's Disease-related adverse events between those who received anti-TNF therapy prior to complication resolution, versus those who did not. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with internally penetrating Crohn's Disease complications were identified. 7/21 received anti-TNF therapy prior to complication resolution. Infectious adverse events within 90 days of complication occurred in 0/7 patients initiating anti-TNF therapy prior to complication resolution and 10/14 patients who did not (p = 0.004). Crohn's Disease-related surgeries and hospitalizations within 1 year of complication occurred in 12/20 patients, with similar frequency between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Initiating anti-TNF therapy prior to internally penetrating Crohn's Disease complication resolution may be a safe and effective strategy to improve clinical outcomes.

Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic context on the microbiological epidemiology and management of flexor sheath phlegmons.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic in France has recently modified the patients' lifestyles, as well as methods of medical and surgical management. This could explain subsequent changes to the microbiological spectrum, the severity, as well as the scalability of phlegmons of the flexor tendon sheath. The objective of this study was to construct an epidemiological and bacteriological inventory of these hand infections, and to compare the clinical and microbiological data, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. HYPOTHESIS: The hypothesis of this work was that the phlegmons of the flexor tendon sheath presented specific microbiological characteristics in the tropical environment of our University Hospital Center, and that these characteristics could have changed with the recent introduction of hydro-alcoholic solution (HAS) associated to the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The preoperative epidemiological data of our patients were collected between January 2016 and December 2020. The stage of severity, according to the classification of Michon, the use of hydro-alcoholic solution, as well as the early clinical evolution were collected. The cohort was then divided into two groups in order to compare the microbiological profiles, the management and the clinical evolution of patients in the pre-COVID period with those in the post-COVID period. RESULTS: A total of 199 patients were included, 154 patients in the pre-COVID period and 26 in the post-COVID period. We found a majority of MSSA (58.3%, N=105) and negative samples comprised 18.9% (N=34). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the bacteriological results. The clinical course was judged to be favorable in 93.5% of cases in the pre-COVID group compared to 80.8% in the post-COVID group (p=0.046). The use of HAS (p<0.0001), as well as the initial stage of severity according to Michon, were significantly higher in group 2 (p=0.04). DISCUSSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has not shown any change in the microbiological spectrum, despite the now daily use of HAS in everyday life. The postoperative clinical evolution was significantly less favorable after the onset of COVID and could be explained by an increase in cases with a more advanced initial stage of severity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Observational epidemiological study.

To Study the Clinical Profile and Management of Cellulitis of Lower Limb in Northern India.

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues occupying a large proportion of hospital beds. This study was conducted for analysis of patients with cellulitis according to their demographics and clinical presentation and to examine their comorbidities, complications, and its management. This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Surgery at Santosh Medical College and Hospitals involving a total of 60 cases having cellulitis and other soft tissue infections of lower limb. Analysis of their demographic profile, management, and complications was done. Cellulitis is seen commonly in males, 46 (76.6%). The mean age of patients affected by cellulitis in the study was 36.4 ± 1.23 years. The most common site affected is leg involving more people in field jobs. The most common risk factor was trauma in 46.6%, and other factors were diabetes mellitus and smoking, while abscess formation was the most common complication observed in 36.6% of cases. A total of 56.6% cases were managed conservatively, while 43.3% cases required surgical intervention. Mean hospital stay in this study was 5.02 ± 0.23 days. It was concluded that cellulitis is subcutaneous, spreading bacterial infection is more common in males, and its incidence is highest in working age group population. Lower limb is commonly involved. Trauma, smoking, and diabetes are significant risk factors for development of cellulitis. Abscess is the most common complication. About 50% patients with cellulitis can be managed conservatively and the rest require surgical intervention.

[Orbital cellulitis: diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic approach in a reference center in Tunis, Tunisia (a retrospective study of 109 cases)]. / Les cellulites orbitaires: approche diagnostique, thérapeutique et pronostique dans un centre de référence à Tunis, Tunisie (une étude rétrospective sur 109 cas).

Orbital cellulitis is a rare disease. Two anatomo-clinical forms can be distinguished: a preseptal "benign" form and a retroseptal "severe" form. The purpose of this study was to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic profile of orbital cellulitis in a third-line Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia. We conducted a retrospective study involving 109 patients hospitalized for orbital cellulitis. Two groups were distinguished: the retroseptal cellulitis group including 42 patients (38.5%) and the preseptal cellulitis group including 67 patients (61.5%). The average age of patients was 27.1 ± 34.8 years. The sex ratio M/F was 0.84 (45.9% of male patients). Acute sinusitis was the most frequently identified portal for retroseptal cellulitis entry (35.7%, n=15), while acute dacryocystitis was the most common cause of preseptal cellulitis (23.9%, n=16). Diabetes, non-functioning eye and prior use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were associated with retroseptal cellulitis (p=0.007, p=0.022 and p=0.014 respectively). All patients received systemic antibiotic therapy. Ten patients (23.8%) of the retro-septal cellulitis group and 5 patients (7.46%) of the preseptal cellulitis group underwent surgery. Nine cases of blindness (8.2%), a case of septic shock and a case of death were reported. Poor prognostic factors were a time of consultation > 7 days (aOR = 4.277, 95% CI = 2.504-32.426, p = 0.006) and Chandler stage>III (aOR = 7.009, 95% CI = 1.69-51.839, p = 0.029). In developing countries and especially in Tunisia, orbital cellulitis can be sight threatening or even life-threatening. Early management could lead to a favorable outcome without sequelae.

Monkeypox infection and bacterial cellulitis: a complication to look for.

Human monkeypox (MPX) is an endemic zoonotic disease in regions of Africa caused by the monkeypox virus, with recent outbreaks in several non-African countries. In this study, we present two cases of patients with MPX infection complicated by a deep skin infection. Both patients presented to our dermatology clinic with a clinical syndrome characteristic of MPX. The diagnosis was confirmed based on swabs of skin lesions. Both patients later returned to our clinic with erythema, pain, and edema at the site of previous papules and were diagnosed with deep skin bacterial infection. In this study we provide information on what we believe was an underreported MPX infection complication and give some advice on preventing cases of cellulitis in these patients.

Risk factors for developing upper limb cellulitis after breast cancer treatment.

Cellulitis is one of the most important troubling complications of breast cancer treatment. Therefore, elucidating the risk factors for cellulitis in patients that have undergone breast cancer treatment is crucial. This is a retrospective medical record study among 523 patients who had received breast cancer treatment and were referred to the Lymphedema Clinic. Data on age, height, weight, BMI (body mass index), education level, arm dominance, history of previous surgery, axillary lymph node dissection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were noted. The time between operation and onset of lymphedema, duration of lymphedema, history of cellulitis, and number of cellulitis attacks were recorded. Circumference measurements were taken at four points on the upper limb. Univariate analysis showed that longer duration of lymphedema, larger circumference of the unaffected arm and larger circumference of the arm with lymphedema were associated with higher risk of cellulitis (p=0.008, p=0.007, p< 0.001, respectively). The incidence of cellulitis was higher in patients with lymphedema than patients who had no lymphedema (p< 0.001). Moreover, the frequency of cellulitis was higher in patients with lower education level (p=0.015). It was deter-mined that patients with cellulitis needed more compression garments (p< 0.001) and multi-layered bandage therapy (p< 0.001) than those without. Regression analysis revealed that presence of lymphedema (p=0.036), duration of lymphedema (p=0.048), radiotherapy (p=0.01) and educational level (0.019) are significantly associated with developing upper extremity cellulitis. It is important to consider these risk factors for the prevention and management of cellulitis in patients who undergo treatment for breast cancer. Early detection and treatment of lymphedema also remains essential for these patients.

Concomitant thrombosis in patients with cellulitis as incidental finding.

BACKGROUND: Although inflammation and thrombosis are tightly connected, only 45% of patients with lower leg cellulitis receive anticoagulant therapy. Available data about the prevalence of concomitant deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with cellulitis of the lower extremity is scarce and general guidelines regarding diagnosis and prevention of venous thromboembolism are missing. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine how frequently DVT occurs as an incidental finding in patients with cellulitis and to provide recommendations for diagnostics and anticoagulant therapy. METHODS: Patients' records were analysed and 192 consecutive patients with cellulitis were included in this study. The prevalence of concomitant DVT was examined by duplex ultrasound, as well as comorbidities and risk factors. RESULTS: We detected thrombosis in 12.0% of the patients with lower leg cellulitis, of which 43.5% were located in a proximal vein and 52.2% in the veins of the calf. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly indicate that cellulitis is not only a differential diagnosis, but should be considered a risk factor for venous thrombosis. Therefore, prophylactic anticoagulation should be considered in patients suffering from cellulitis and a systematic screening for venous thrombosis in patients with cellulitis should be performed.

Cervico-thoracic cellulitis at the Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital: About 50 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Cervicofacial cellulitis is mainly due to neglected oral/pharyngeal diseases. Untreated or incorrectly treated, they can be complicated by thoraco-cervical necrosis, which has a gloomy prognosis and is difficult to manage, especially in an under-medicalized environment. The aim of this work was to report the difficulties of management in precarious context by underlining the interest of primary prevention. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study from January 2018 to March. RESULTS: Fifty cases of thoracic-cervical necrosis were collected during this period. The man/woman sex ratio was 3.55. Dental etiology was found in 96% of cases. The main complications were: pneumopathy (n = 10), mediastinitis (n = 10), pleurisy (n = 3) and polyseritis (n = 2). The management combined medical and surgical treatment under local or general anesthesia. The mortality rate was 12.8%. The functional results were satisfactory in surviving cases. CONCLUSION: The management of thoracic-cervical necrosis remains a challenge in precarious conditions. Primary must play a major role in these conditions.

The inception of a hospital-based dental emergency department in a precarious region decreases the incidence of severe cellulitis of odontogenic origin.

INTRODUCTION: Although most localized odontogenic infections can be managed successfully without complications, some can cause extensive morbidity through the onset of cervicofacial cellulitis. The management of these more severe infections generally requires emergency treatment, including surgical treatment under general anesthesia, and prolonged length of hospital stay. MATERIAL & METHODS: In this work, we assessed the impact of the provision of a hospital-based dental emergency department on the regional incidence of severe odontogenic cellulitis in a socioeconomically precarious region. Monthly case rates of odontogenic cellulitis treated between January 2010 and December 2019 at the hospital-based dental emergency department of Lille Medical University Hospital were collected. RESULTS: The mean number of monthly severe odontogenic cellulitis cases treated under general anesthesia was significantly higher before than after the inception of the hospital-based dental emergency service [14.07 (5.83) vs 8.79 (4.42); p<0.0001]. Conversely, the monthly mean number of collected odontogenic cellulitis cases treated under local anesthesia was significantly lower before the emergency service was set up [22.42 (12.73) vs 43.32 (23.41); p<0.0001]. CONCLUSION: The provision of a hospital-based dental emergency department resulted in a decrease in severe dental infections in a region with high indices of socioeconomic precarity, morbidity and mortality. Greater accessibility to dental care allows for the rationalization of care through more precocious and fewer burdensome procedures.