Cutaneous malakoplakia arising on the ankle of a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum.

Malakoplakia is a rare chronic inflammatory condition that most commonly involves the urogenital tract. Cutaneous malakoplakia is extremely rare and many patients diagnosed with skin involvement are immunosuppressed. While the clinical presentation of cutaneous malakoplakia is variable, the histopathologic features are quite distinct and include sheets of closely packed dermal histiocytes with foamy-appearing cytoplasm and Michaelis-Gutmann bodies that are positive with certain immunohistochemical stains. While the exact pathogenesis of malakoplakia is unknown, it has been associated with certain bacterial infections. Treatment generally involves a combination of surgery and antimicrobial agents and/or modulation of immunosuppressant therapy if appropriate. Herein, the authors report a unique case of cutaneous malakoplakia arising in a patient on chronic immunosuppressive therapy for the management of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Postictal Petechiae as a Cutaneous Manifestation Following Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures.

Identifying cutaneous manifestations associated with systemic diseases is a crucial task for dermatologists and other providers in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Here, we present a rare case of postictal petechiae occurring after a generalized tonic-clonic seizure in a patient with poorly controlled epilepsy. This case illustrates a unique and underrecognized entity that may serve as the only cutaneous clue to assist in the diagnosis of recent seizure activity.

Lessons learned from a single-surgeon series of paediatric robot-assisted laparoscopic urological procedures: predictors of high-grade postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVES: To describe postoperative complications after robot-assisted laparoscopic urological surgery in children, and identify potential predictors of these complications by analysing the outcomes of a large-volume single-surgeon experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed our institutional database to identify all robot-assisted laparoscopy (RAL) cases performed between December 2007 and December 2017. Patients were grouped into three cohorts based on the anatomical location of the procedure: upper urinary tract (kidney and renal pelvis); lower urinary tract (ureter); and lower urinary tract reconstruction with bowel (bladder reconstruction). A descriptive analysis of baseline characteristics, intra-operative variables and postoperative outcomes was carried out. All complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo scale, and grouped based on type and time of occurrence (<30, 30-90, >90 days). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of high-grade complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III). We also measured complication rates based on year of surgery and surgical caseload. RESULTS: Our database included a total of 326 patients, of whom 57% (n = 186) underwent upper urinary tract procedures, 30% (n = 97) ureteric procedures, and 13% bladder reconstruction. The median follow-up for each procedure was 13, 11 and 57 months, respectively. Of the total, 10 cases were converted to an open approach and excluded from further analysis. The most common types of complication in all groups were infections (urinary tract infections) and urinary complications (urine leaks and urolithiasis). Bladder reconstructive procedures, which require the use of bowel, presented the highest rate of high-grade complications (32%). Length of hospital stay (LOS; odds ratio [OR] 1.33, confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.53), estimated blood loss (EBL) in surgery (OR 1.01, CI 1.002-1.019) and operating time (OR 1.004, CI 1.002-1.006) were all associated with increased odds of high-grade complications on multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-surgeon series, we have described the most commonly encountered complications after RAL in paediatric urology, finding rates similar to the complication rates reported in the current literature on other surgical approaches. In addition, LOS, operating time and EBL, which are probable surrogates of case complexity, were associated with increased odds of high-grade complications.

Common Annular Lesions in the Pediatric Population: Part 2.

Rash is a common chief complaint for patients presenting to their physician, especially within the pediatric field. The ability to distinguish characteristics of a rash, including morphology, distribution, and configuration, is critical to forming the differential diagnosis. This is the second article of a 2-part review that discusses the common rashes that present in an annular configuration. This articles discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of fixed drug eruptions, lupus erythematosus, erythema multiforme, urticaria, and erythema migrans. Although this review is not inclusive of all conditions that present with annular lesions, it can serve as a starting point for physicians managing a patient with these complaints. [Pediatr Ann. 2019;48(3):e135-e138.].

Common Annular Lesions in the Pediatric Population: Part 1.

Dermatologic presentations can quickly become overwhelming for clinicians due to the vast number of causes for these conditions. Characteristics of a rash, such as shape, color, size, and distribution, can significantly narrow the differential diagnosis. A solid framework to organize these presentations is critical for correctly identifying and treating skin issues. The shape of a rash, for instance, can serve as a foundation from which to build complex differential diagnoses. Annular rashes in the pediatric population are common complaints requiring clinical evaluation. This article is the first part of a two-part review that discusses some of the most frequent causes of these annular lesions in the pediatric population. Knowledge of these rashes can drastically improve a physician's ability to manage dermatologic issues. [Pediatr Ann. 2019;48(2):e92-e96.].

Biologics for the primary care physician: Review and treatment of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects approximately 7.5 million people in the United States. The disease results in significant suffering, morbidity, and economic impact. Psoriasis is a multifaceted disease with a strong genetic component. Genetic data has revealed the presence of particular risk alleles in patients with psoriasis. Triggers of the disease have been elucidated and include factors such as trauma, obesity, infection, stress, and medications. At its core, psoriasis is a result of a dysfunctional immune response with T-cells at the center of immunogenesis. Clinically, psoriasis is characterized by discrete, erythematous scaly plaques. These lesions are often found on extensor surfaces, especially the elbows and knees. Although extensor surfaces are the prototypical destination of lesions, psoriasis may affect any area of the skin including the scalp, intertriginous areas, nails, palms, and soles. Location of lesions are important in assessing the impact on quality of life for patients. Diagnosis of psoriasis can typically be made clinically based on characteristic history and physical examination findings. In rare cases, biopsy may be needed to rule out other papulosquamous disease. Histologic findings of psoriasis can be non-specific and include marked epidermal hyperplasia, dilated vessels within the dermal papilla, and elongated rete ridges. Importantly, psoriasis is a systemic disease and organ systems outside of the skin must be considered. Co-morbidities of psoriasis include psoriatic arthritis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disease, inflammatory bowel disease, neoplasms, and ocular disease. Management of psoriasis depends on the severity of the disease. In mild to moderate cases, topical medications are the cornerstone of treatment. Topical corticosteroids are the most commonly used and have limited systemic effects due to the localized application of medication. In moderate to severe cases of psoriasis, topical medications are ineffective and not feasible. Phototherapy and non-biologic systemic medications have been useful treatments; however, phototherapy is time consuming and non-biologic systemics have only modest response rates. In the last decade, biologic medications have become an important component of care for treating moderate to severe psoriasis. These medications target various cytokines responsible for psoriasis manifestations such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-12, interleukin-23, and interleukin-17. In the past 15 years, numerous biologic medications have been granted FDA approval, with the majority approved in the past several years. Some of the commonly used biologics include etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ixekizumab, secukinumab, brodalumab, guselkumab, ustekinumab, and tildrakizumab. Given the wealth of new biologics, current treatment guidelines have rapidly become outdated. This review provides summarized information of landmark trials that led to the approval of these medications.

Postpartum eruption of enoxaparin-induced erythema multiforme.

Enoxaparin is a commonly used hospital medication and in rare instances may result in development of erythema multiforme. Management of these patients can be challenging. Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion and consider the indication for enoxaparin therapy prior to withdrawal of the medication.

A Severe Case of Minocycline-induced Hyperpigmentation of the Lower Extremities.

Drug reactions are a common cause of cutaneous eruptions. The authors present a case of shin hyperpigmentation resulting from long-term minocycline treatment. This case illustrates a severe example of minocycline-induced pigmentation and reminds clinicians who prescribe this commonly used antibiotic to remain vigilant of this rare adverse reaction.

Setting up a pediatric robotic urology program: A USA institution experience.

Implementing a robotic urological surgery program requires institutional support, and necessitates a comprehensive, detail-oriented plan that accounts for training, oversight, cost and case volume. Given the prevalence of robotic surgery in adult urology, in many instances it might be feasible to implement a pediatric robotic urology program within the greater context of adult urology. This involves, from an institutional standpoint, proportional distribution of equipment cost and operating room time. However, the pediatric urology team primarily determines goals for volume expansion, operative case selection, resident training and surgical innovation within the specialty. In addition to the clinical model, a robust economic model that includes marketing must be present. This review specifically highlights these factors in relationship to establishing and maintaining a pediatric robotic urology program. In addition, we share our data involving robot use over the program's first nine years (December 2007-December 2016).