Real-Time Compound Imaging Ultrasound of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

BACKGROUND Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a difficult disease to treat. Surgery may be curative, but just like cancer surgery, it must be complete to effect a cure. Preoperative imaging of hidradenitis lesions is therefore of interest.
OBJECTIVE The objective was to study the ultrasound characteristics of hidradenitis and compare these to the clinical findings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Real-time compound imaging ultrasound systems were used (Philips HDI 5000 and iU22) to visualize HS lesions in seven patients and regional controls images from eight healthy volunteers.
RESULTS Hidradenitis-related features were identified: various fluid collections, increased dermal thickness (mean±SD, 3.3±1.0 mm vs. 1.4±0.3 mm for controls) and lower echogenicity of the skin. In comparison with clinical examination, we were able to identify both subclinical lesions and subclinical extension of lesions into clinically normal looking paralesional skin. Hair follicles appeared distended.
CONCLUSION A number of HS features can be identified by ultrasound. These features include both actual lesions and possible predisposing factors such as skin thickness and hair follicle morphology. Ultrasonography can identify the true extent of lesions in HS, which may be of use in the preoperative planning.     

Neuroimaging and Neurologic Complications after Organ Transplantation

Neurologic complications are common after transplantation and affect 30-60% of transplant recipients. The etiology of most of the posttransplant neurologic disorders is related to the opportunistic infections, both systemic and involving central nervous system (CNS), toxicity of immunosuppressive medications, and the metabolic insult created by the underlying primary disease and the transplant procedure. Neuroimaging studies are one of the key tools in the evaluation and enable early diagnosis of neurologic complications in transplant patients, especially posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome, central pontine myelinolysis, intracerebral hemorrhage, and fungal and bacterial abscesses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred technique, but each of the available neuroimaging techniques offers a unique insight into the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying neurologic complications of transplantation. The role of neuroimaging in this population includes early detection of calcineurin inhibitor neurotoxicity, opportunistic infections, neoplasia, metabolic disorders, or cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, we can monitor longitudinal progression of disease and treatment response.     

The αvβ6 integrin plays a role in compromised epidermal wound healing

The alphavbeta6 integrin is an exclusively epithelial integrin that is highly expressed during fetal development. In adult tissue, alphavbeta6 integrin is expressed during inflammation, carcinogenesis, and in wound healing. We previously reported that alphavbeta6 integrin is highly expressed in poorly healing human wounds and its over-expression is associated with chronic wounds in a mouse model. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of alphavbeta6 integrin in compromised wound healing induced by hydrocortisone treatment or aging by using young and old mice deficient in or overexpressing the beta6 integrin subunit in the epidermis. Untreated aged beta6 integrin-deficient (beta6-/-) animals showed a significant delay in wound healing when compared to their age-matched controls or younger beta6-/- mice. The most significant delay was observed at the stages where granulation tissue deposition was occurring. Hydrocortisone treatment significantly delayed wound healing in wild-type and beta6 integrin-deficient mice in comparison with the untreated controls. However, hydrocortisone treatment in beta6 integrin overexpressing animals did not cause a significant delay in wound healing. The results of this study suggest that alphavbeta6 integrin plays an important role in wound healing in animals compromised by either age or stress mimicked by hydrocortisone.     

Reproducibility of Two Four-Point Clinical Severity Scores for Lateral Canthal Lines (Crow''s Feet)

BACKGROUND: Several clinical scoring systems have been used to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of hyperkinetic wrinkles. So far very few have been investigated for their reproducibility. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the reproducibility of two clinical four-point scales for lateral canthal lines (crow's feet), at rest and at maximum smile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on standardized photographs, a consensus atlas depicting the different severity grades [from 0 (none) to 3 (severe)] was developed. After training based on the atlas, 49 photographs at rest and 48 at maximum smile were graded by the same group of investigators on 2 consecutive days (n=9 on Day 1; n=8 on Day 2). The scores were compared for reproducibility using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Overall, reproducibility was good for both scales. Interobserver reproducibility showed an agreement of 0.6 at rest and 0.58 at maximum smile (unweighted kappa). Intraobserver reproducibility showed an agreement between 0.47 and 0.86 at rest and between 0.62 and 0.81 at maximum smile (unweighted kappa). Using weighted kappa analysis, the agreement ranged between 0.63 and 0.91 at rest and between 0.71 and 0.85 at maximum smile. CONCLUSION: The clinical scales using scores of 0 to 3 for crow's feet, both at rest and at maximum smile, show a good inter- and intraobserver reproducibility. The use of these scores in clinical trials can be recommended.