Improvement of Atrophic Acne Scars with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG Laser: Retrospective Study

Background. Facial acne scarring has been treated with multiple methods with varying degrees of improvement. Although the 1,320 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser has been widely used to improve photoaging, studies analyzing its effects on atrophic acne scarring are limited.
Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of a dynamic cryogen-cooled 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of atrophic facial acne scars in a larger cohort of patients with long-term follow-up.
Methods. Twenty-nine patients (skin phototypes I–IV) with facial acne scarring received a mean of 5.5 (range 2–17) treatments with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser. Objective physician assessment scores of improvement were determined by side-by-side comparison of preoperative and postoperative photographs at a range of 1 to 27 months (mean 10.4 months) postoperatively. Subjective patient self-assessment scores of improvement were also obtained.
Results. Acne scarring was significantly improved by both physician and patient assessment scores. Mean improvement was 2.8 (  p < .05  ) on a 0- to 4-point scale by physician assessment and 5.4 (  p < .05  ) on a 0- to 10-point scale by patient assessment. No significant complications were observed.
Conclusions. Nonablative laser skin resurfacing with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser can effectively improve the appearance of facial acne scars with minimal adverse sequelae.     

Changes in CSF neurotransmitters in infantile spasms

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 7 patients with infantile spasms (mean age: 6.7 months) was collected before and after treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The concentration of neurotransmitter metabolites was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and compared to the metabolite concentration in the CSF from 7 age-matched controls (mean age: 6.1 months). Pretreatment levels of CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG), and kynurenine were significantly lower in infantile spasm patients compared to controls. Following treatment, marked increases in 5-HIAA and decreases in kynurenine levels were observed in the CSF of the 5 infants whose seizures were eliminated or reduced by ACTH. In the 2 nonresponders 5-HIAA levels decreased. The level of MHPG was reduced slightly in 5 infants, including the 2 nonresponders, and was increased in 2 responders. CSF homovanillic acid levels increased in 4 infantile spasm infants and decreased in 3 following ACTH. These data demonstrate that the presence of seizures in infantile spasms is associated with a significant decrease in serotonergic activity and that elimination of seizures by ACTH is accompanied by increased serotonin turnover. The simultaneous increase of 5-HIAA and decrease of kynurenine, an alternate metabolite of tryptophan, suggests an underlying disturbance of tryptophan metabolism in infantile spasms. The possibility that elimination of seizures by ACTH may be related to decreased production of certain kynurenine metabolites, particularly quinolinic acid, is discussed.     

Comparison of trichloroethylene and enflurane as adjuncts to nitrous oxide and relaxant anaesthesia

Forty women who underwent gynaecological surgery were randomly allocated to receive trichloroethylene, enflurane, or enflurane plus fentanyl as adjuncts to nitrous oxide/relaxant anaesthesia with controlled ventilation. No serious cardiac dysrhythmias were seen in any group. Each patient was observed postoperatively for 4 hours by a nurse blind to the technique used, and questioned at 24 hours by a similarly blinded anaesthetist. Recovery after trichloroethylene was not significantly prolonged although postoperative analgesia by visual analogue was better, opiate analgesia was required less frequently and there was less nausea and vomiting than in either of the enflurane groups. We argue for the continued use of trichloroethylene by this technique, because it costs one hundred times less than enflurane and because of the potential morbidity of the postoperative opiate dosage required after enflurane.     

Obstetrician-gynecologists as primary care physicians: The Oregon experience—Early perceptions regarding the effects of legislative action

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess whether legislative action influenced the role of obstetrician-gynecologists as primary care physicians. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study was performed on the basis of a questionnaire sent to 410 obstetrician-gynecologists and 27 medical directors of managed-care organizations. RESULTS: Of 67% of obstetrician-gynecologists and 96% of medical directors who responded, there was agreement as to the content of primary care, but a minority (38%) of obstetrician-gynecologists identified themselves as primary care providers. A minority of medical directors (35%) felt that obstetrician-gynecologists should serve in that role. Both obstetrician-gynecologists and medical directors felt that legislation had little impact. CONCLUSION: The reticence of obstetrician-gynecologists to assume a major role in primary care appears to be the result of an uneasiness with accepting a more comprehensive role in patient management and gatekeeping. They appear comfortable with the more traditional roles but feel that training and experience has not prepared them well for the management of more complex medical problems. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;178:1222-8.)     

Patients'attitudes to rectal drug administration

One hundred adult patients attending for day case surgery were surveyed by anonymous questionnaire in order to determine their attitudes to rectal drug administration. Fifty four patients did not want an analgesic drug (diclofenac sodium) administered rectally whilst under anaesthesia, all preferring to take it orally if available. Ninety eight patients thought that drugs administered per rectum should always be discussed with them beforehand and a few had very strong feelings about this route of administration. We suggest that prescribers of rectal diclofenac should always discuss it with patients pre-operatively. Whilst many are happy to have suppositories, some young patients are sensitive about this and prefer to take such medication by mouth.     

Carbon Monoxide Mass Exposure in a Pediatric Population

Abstract. Objectives:To describe the outcomes of a mass carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication, and to calculate the CO half-life in a pediatric school-aged population.
Methods:A retrospective chart review was performed based on Regional Poison Center database information, hospital laboratory data, and medical records of the pediatric patients who sought care at one of 3 St. Louis area hospitals, after exposure to high levels of CO. Exposures occurred on January 5, 1996, after evidence of a CO leak was discovered at an area elementary school. Charts were reviewed for major demographics, symptoms reported, carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels and times, and level of effect.
Results:Information about 177 (35%) of the 504 children in attendance at school that day was available. Mean age was 8.7 ± 1.8 years (range 4–12 years). Symptoms were present in 155 (88%) of the 177 children for whom data were available. Initial COHb levels were obtained for 147 (83.1%) of the 177 children. First mean COHb level was 7.0% (95% CI = 6.6–7.5%). Second COHb level was obtained for 26 children with a mean of 2.7% (95% CI = 2.2–3.2%). Calculated half-life of COHb, on 100% 0₂ at 1 atm, was 44.0 minutes (95% CI = 39.6–48.2 minutes).
Conclusion:Some children had symptoms at COHb levels that traditionally have been considered nontoxic. The elimination of COHb was found to be more rapid in this population of children than reported in other studies.