Offloading diabetic foot wounds using the scotchcast boot: a retrospective study

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate treatment outcomes associated with the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers using the Scotchcast boot. Data were extracted from the records of 180 patients with diabetes, 150 (83.3%) male, with a mean age of 55.3 +/- 10.9 years undergoing treatment for noninfected, non-ischemic neuropathic diabetic foot wounds at a university teaching hospital's tertiary care outpatient clinic. All patients who met the criteria were treated with the Scotchcast boot as the sole form of pressure relief. The average follow-up for each patient was 85.9 +/- 30.6 months (range 34.2 to 147.7 months). The mean time to healing for all patients was 130.5 +/- 106.7 days. Superficial (Grade 1) wounds healed significantly faster than deep (Grade 3) wounds (111.5 +/- 98.2 versus 180.8 +/- 138.8 days, P = 0.01) and 144 (80%) wounds healed during the follow-up period. Of the 36 (20%) that did not heal with Scotchcast boot therapy, 10 went on to more proximal amputation (5.6% of total population), two required surgical intervention to heal their wounds (0.6% of total population), one patient died with an unhealed wound (0.6% of total population), 23 patients (12.8% of total population) were lost to follow-up, and 47 (26%) died. Experience and the results of this and other studies suggest that this removable modality may be useful in outpatient care of deeper or complex wounds that require frequent inspection, but a device that ensures compliance may be the preferred treatment of superficial wounds.     

Ultrasonographic study of Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in chondrocalcinosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate by high frequency grey-scale ultrasonography (US) and power Doppler sonography (PDS) the modality and frequency of involvement of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in chondrocalcinosis (CC), and to correlate these findings with clinical complaints and radiographic evidence. METHODS: The heels of 57 consecutive patients with CC were evaluated by US, PDS, and radiography. One control group of 50 consecutive patients with osteoarthritis (OA) without signs of CC was studied in the same way. A second control group of 50 healthy subjects underwent only US/PDS examination. All subjects also underwent clinical assessment. RESULTS: US revealed Achilles tendon calcifications in 57.9% of those with CC, but none in the control groups. Plantar fascia calcifications were observed in 15.8% of CC and in 2% of OA cases, but not in healthy controls. US showed no significant difference in postero-inferior and inferior calcaneal enthesophytosis between subjects with CC (59.6% and 61.4%, respectively) and those with OA (46% and 44%, respectively). Such alterations were also present, in lower percentages, in the healthy controls. Posterior and inferior calcaneal erosions were absent in all groups. Achilles enthesopathy was found in 22.8% of patients with CC (14.9% of heels, with vascular signals in 11.4% of heels on PDS). Deep retrocalcaneal bursitis was found in 10.5% of patients with CC (7% of heels, with vascular signals in 5.2% of heels on PDS). Plantar fasciitis was found in 40.3% of patients with CC (36% of heels, with vascular signals in 2.6% of heels on PDS) and in 14% of OA patients, but not in healthy controls. No significant correlation was found between talalgia or sex of patients and presence of calcifications. A significant correlation was observed between talalgia and Achilles enthesopathy (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001), deep retrocalcaneal bursitis (r = 0.7, p < 0.0001), and plantar fasciitis (r = 0.31, p < 0.001). A significant correlation between talalgia and vascular signals on PDS was observed in Achilles enthesopathy (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001) and deep retrocalcaneal bursitis (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001). The presence of vascular signals on PDS was significantly associated with the presence of tendinous and bursal grey-scale US alterations. Achilles tendon calcifications were 39% sensitive, 100% specific, and 77% accurate for the presence of CC, whereas plantar fascia calcifications were 15% sensitive, 98% specific, and 54% accurate. Excellent agreement was found between US and radiography in detecting Achilles tendon calcifications (k = 0.86), plantar fascia calcifications (k = 0.77), postero-inferior enthesophytosis (k = 0.90), and inferior enthesophytosis (k = 0.83). CONCLUSION: Calcaneal tendon calcifications are frequent and asymptomatic findings in patients with CC, and they have a high specificity for this disease. US shows high agreement with radiography in depicting calcifications and enthesophytosis. Inflammatory changes of the calcaneal soft tissues are frequently observed by US and PDS in patients with chondrocalcinosis.     

Surgical management of peri-ampullary tumors: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgical resection still remains the best treatment for patients with periampullary tumors. This study aims to present the results of surgical treatment of this disease at our center. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1995 and December 2004, 216 periampullary tumors were treated by surgical resection. The mean age was 58 years with male to female ratio 2:1. The most common symptom was jaundice (97.7%). Abdominal pain occurred in 74% of patients. Pancreaticogastrostomy was done in 183 patients and pancreaticojejunostomy in 33 patients. RESULTS: Operative mortality occurred in 7 patients (3.2%). The median survival was 22.6 months for patients with ampullary tumors and 16.6 months for patients with pancreatic head tumors. Early operative complications occurred in 33% of patients; the most common one was wound infection (11.6%), pancreatic leak (10.6%), abdominal collection (10.6%) and delayed gastric emptying (8.8%). Factors associated with increased risk of developing complications were the type of pancreatico-enteric anastomosis (pancreatic leak was more frequent with pancraticojejunostomy), soft pancreatic texture and intraoperative blood transfusion of more than 4 units. Factors associated with better survival included tumor diameter (less than 3cm), origin (ampullary), differentiation (well differentiated) and margin status (negative resection margins). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy, especially with the adoption of pancreaticogastrostomy, occur with reasonable incidence. Survival largely depends on the origin of the tumor.     

Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in the elderly: results of a retrospective study

Seventy-four patients over 60 years of age with new cases of ANLL diagnosed between January, 1980 and December, 1986 were retrospectively evaluated. Twenty-nine (median age 63, range 60-70) received aggressive induction polychemotherapy: 15 achieved CR (52%), 10 were resistant (34.5%) and 4 died during induction (13.5%). Overall median survival was 6 1/2 months, median CR duration and median survival of responders were 9 and 13 months, respectively. Eight patients (median age 70.4, range 64-74) received low doses of Ara-C: 2 achieved CR, 5 were resistant and 1 died during induction, with an overall median survival of 6 1/2 months; 37 patients (median age 72, range 60-86) received only supportive care and cytostatic therapy for disease control with Hydroxyurea and 6-Mercaptopurine if WBC greater than 20 x 10(9)/l: overall median survival was 6 months and 2 patients are still alive after 18 and 26 months. Aggressive chemotherapy seems to be the treatment of choice in patients less than or equal to 70 years, while for those over 70 current supportive care may offer good survival and a good quality of life.     

Long-term results of small-diameter proximal splenorenal venous shunt: a retrospective study

AIM:To investigate recurrent variceal hemorrhage and long-term survival rates of patients treated with partial proximal splenorenal venous shunt.METHODS:Patients with variceal hemorrhage who were treated with small-diameter proximal splenorenal venous shunt in Ruijin Hospital between 1996 and 2009 were included in this study.Shunt diameter was determined before operation using Duplex Doppler ultrasonography.Peri-operative and long-term results in term of rehemorrhage,encephalopathy and mortality were follow...     

Conservative treatment of anal fissure: An unselected,retrospective and continuous study

Summary Three hundred and ninety-three patients who had anal fissures were followed continuously for approximately five years. More than 44 per cent of them were cured nonsurgically within a four-to eight-week period. There was an 8 per cent complication rate, consisting of abscesses and fistulas, necessitating surgical treatment. The recurrence rate following healing was 27 per cent, but a third of these patients had recurrent fistulas that healed in response to further conservative treatment. The authors feel that conservative treatment of anal fissure is justified unless there is advanced anal stenosis. Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Diego, California, June 11 to 15, 1978.     

Modification of right hepatectomy results in improvement outcome: a retrospective comparative study

Objective

To evaluate any change in the operative and survival outcomes in patients undergoing a right hepatectomy after adoption of the no-clamp technique using a radiofrequency dissecting sealer (TissueLink™) in liver resection.

Methods

In all, 58 consecutive patients who underwent a right hepatectomy from July 2003 to December 2007 (Group 1) were compared with 66 consecutive patients who underwent a right hepatectomy from January 1999 to June 2003 (Group 2). In group 1, a liver transection was performed with a cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) and TissueLink™ without hilar clamping whereas in group 2, a liver transection was performed with CUSA and diathermy with routine continuous hilar clamping.

Results

For the operative outcomes, there was significantly less blood loss (median 450 vs. 900 ml, P < 0.001) in group 1. The complication rate was also significantly lower in group 1 (22.4% vs. 47.0%, P = 0.004). In subgroup analysis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the overall survival rate was significantly better in group 1; 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 78%, 72% and 57% in group 1 vs. 72%, 44% and 39% in group 2, respectively (P = 0.048).

Conclusions

When compared with the retrospective cohort, a right hepatectomy utilizing TissueLink™ without hilar clamping was feasible with potential benefits in surgical outcomes.     

Delays in recognition and management of giant cell arteritis: results from a retrospective audit

Prompt institution of corticosteroids (CS) can prevent devastating neuro-ophthalmic complications (NOC) in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Guidelines on managing GCA place emphasis on early recognition of symptoms and prompt treatment of the disease where there is a high index of clinical suspicion. The aims of this study are to review the clinical findings in patients with GCA, evaluate the baseline practice in diagnosis and treatment and to identify delays in treating patients with NOC. The study utilised retrospective case notes review of patients diagnosed with GCA between 2003 and 2008. Sixty-five patients were identified (47 females, 18 males, mean age, 75 years). A significant minority presented with constitutional, polymyalgic and ischaemic symptoms. Mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis of GCA was 35 days. CS were not delayed in those diagnosed with GCA. Recognition of ischaemic symptoms was slow. Visual loss at presentation occurred in 16 patients (24.6%). Ten patients (15.4%) presented with NOC in the absence of headache, seven (70%) of whom developed permanent visual impairment. Five (7.7%) patients had cerebrovascular complications. There are major delays in the recognition and treatment of GCA. There is a high incidence of irreversible ischaemic complications which may partly result from diagnostic and treatment delay.     

Intracranial tuberculoma: Conservative management

Twenty cases of intracranial tuberculoma were treated by us. A cllnical-radiographic syndrome was recognized, consisting of an avascular enhancing mass lesion surrounded by marked edema and associated with relatively less severe clinical manifestations than would have been expected from the size and location of the lesion. This allowed successful medical therapy with three antituberculous drugs for an average of 12 months. Steroids, when used, were beneficial In relieving symptoms of cerebral edema without causing spread of tuberculosis. Medically treated patients had a significantly better functional recovery than those from whom the tuberculoma was excised.     

Pathologic changes of Achilles tendon in leptin-deficient mice

The objective of this study is to explore whether diabetes play roles on histopathological change of Achilles tendon in leptin-deficient mice. Ob mice (specific-pathogen free SPF) were identified at 10 days after birth and killed via dislocation of cervical spine at 12 weeks. Achilles tendon was isolated as quickly as possible and histopathological changes were investigated. Degeneration of tendinocytes, vascular proliferation, chondrocyte-like tendon cell and ruptures at insertion areas were observed. We conclude that diabetes is associated with histopathologic change in Achilles tendon of ob mice.     

Levofloxacin-induced Achilles tendon rupture in a patient with systemic microscopic polyangiitis

Abstract

We report a case of spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture associated with myeloperoxidase–anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA)-related microscopic polyangiitis in a 77-year-old man who was treated with oral corticosteroids. Several days after 10 days of treatment with levoflaxacin (daily dose 200?mg) for bacterial pneumonia, he noted discomfort around both Achilles tendons. The discomfort developed into swelling around his left ankle, and he could not walk well. We diagnosed bilateral Achilles tendinitis with spontaneous rupture induced by levofloxacin. Epidemiological studies show that the risk of fluoroquinolone-related tendon rupture is highest among patients over the age of 60 years who are receiving a corticosteroid. Rupture of the Achilles tendon is a rare but serious side effect of fluoroquinolone usage. Thus, physicians should be aware of this adverse effect, especially when prescribing medication for aged patients being treated with corticosteroids.