Feasibility of Percutaneous Bone Biopsy as Part of the Management of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis in a 100% Neuropathic, Grade 3 IDSA/IWGDF Population on an Outpatient Basis.

The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous bone biopsy in an ambulatory setting as part of the management of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) on an outpatient basis. DFO may complicate some cases of apparently nonsevere foot infections in patients with diabetes and greatly increase the risk of a lower extremity amputation. It has been suggested that bone culture-based antibiotic therapy is a predictive factor of success in patients with diabetes treated nonsurgically for osteomyelitis of the foot. It is recommended to identify the causative microorganism(s) by the means of either a surgical or percutaneous bone biopsy taken appropriately to select the proper antibiotic therapy. Percutaneous bone biopsy in patients not requiring surgery is, however, not performed in everyday practice as it should be according to the current recommendations. In the present retrospective study, we report a series of 23 consecutive patients with a suspicion of DFO in whom 28 bone samples were collected by percutaneous biopsy at the bedside in an outpatient setting. The percentage of positive cultures was in accordance with that reported in the literature. The mean number of isolates per specimen was 1.04. After a mean 12-month follow-up, the remission was almost of 78%. No adverse event related to the bone biopsy was noted. After a 1-year follow-up, no recurrence was recorded among the patients in remission. The results of the present study suggest that bedside percutaneous bone biopsy performed in the ambulatory setting is a valuable and safe tool in the management of DFO on an outpatient basis.

Use of GBT013, a Collagen-Based Dressing, for the Healing of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

The number of people with diabetes is expected to reach 592 million in the year 2035. Diabetic foot lesions are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other complication of diabetes. The aims of this study were to examine for the first time a new biocompatible and biodegradable tridimensional collagen-based matrix, GBT013, in humans for diabetic foot ulcer wound healing and to evaluate its ease of use to better define a protocol for a future clinical trial. Seven adult patients with a diabetic foot ulcer of grade 1A to 3D (University of Texas Diabetic Wound Classification) were treated using GBT013, a new collagen-based advance dressing and were monitored in two specialized foot care units for a maximum of 9 weeks. Five of seven wounds achieved complete healing in 4 to 7 weeks. Nonhealed ulcers showed a significant reduction of the wound surface (>44%). GBT013 was well tolerated and displayed positive wound healing outcomes as a new treatment strategy of chronic foot ulcers in diabetic patients.

Diagnosis and prevalence of onychomycosis in diabetic neuropathic patients: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: An observational study was conducted to assess the prevalence of onychomycosis in clinically suspected diabetic neuropathic patients and to assess the reliability of the diagnosis. METHODS: One hundred successive type 1 and 2 diabetic patients with diabetic neuropathy were followed. Diabetic neuropathy was defined by a vibration perception threshold greater than 25 V and onychomycosis by clinical diagnosis. Samples of the most affected nail were taken. Potassium hydroxide testing and culture were performed. Photographs of the nails were used by two dermatologists for diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean +/- SE age was 62.3 +/- 11.4 years for the 20 onychomycotic patients and 60.3 +/- 10.4 years for the entire cohort; 14 onychomycotic patients (70%) were male versus 56 in the full cohort (56%) (P < .05). The prevalence of onychomycosis was 20% (culture and potassium hydroxide test positive) and 24% (culture positive). Twenty or 30 patients were positive by the potassium hydroxide test, depending on the investigator. The most frequent pathogen found was Trichophyton rubrum (11 of 20 patients; 55%). The positive predictive values of the dermatologist's diagnoses were 57.8% and 35.6%, and the negative predictive values were 85.0% and 90.5%. The two expert's results were significantly different (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of onychomycosis is difficult to make. The diagnostic methods commonly used are not satisfactory. If onychomycosis is dangerous for the diabetic foot, a better diagnostic method is needed.