Lucio phenomenon mimicking antiphospholipid syndrome: The occurrence of antiphospholipid antibodies in a leprosy patient

Lucio phenomenon is an atypical reaction of leprosy, characterized by vasculitic lesions that can mimic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) clinically. Distinguishing the two can be difficult as antiphospholipid autoantibodies may be present in patients with leprosy. We report on a 32‐year‐old female patient presenting with a sudden onset of fever, hemorrhagic bullae, and skin necrosis on her lower legs. She was treated for APS due to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies but had an inadequate response. A skin biopsy revealed thrombotic vasculopathy and necrotizing vasculitis associated with aggregation of foam cells in the perivascular area and subcutis, with acid‐fast bacilli in the histiocytes and blood vessel walls. Direct immunofluorescence showed IgM, C3, and fibrinogen deposition in the superficial and deep dermal blood vessels. The pathology confirmed the diagnosis of Lucio phenomenon, and appropriate therapy was given. It is essential to evaluate the patient comprehensively, including clinical, serological, and pathological aspects, to obtain the correct diagnosis.     

Vacuum myofascial therapy device for non-specific neck pain. A single blind randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a vacuum myofascial therapy device (VT) for improving pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), range of motion (ROM), neck pain-related disability, pain, and quality of life in patients with non-specific neck pain.MethodsA randomized controlled trial in which thirty-eight participants with non-specific neck pain (NP) were randomly assigned to either an experimental (VT) or a comparison physical therapy program (PTP) group. The VT group (n = 19) received five sessions of treatment with a vacuum myofascial therapy device while the PTP group (n = 19) received five sessions of massage, ultrasound therapy (US), and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) over two weeks. The outcome measures were the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), range of motion, quality of life (SF-12), neck disability Index (NDI), and PPTs at the end of treatment and at one-month follow-up.ResultsAlthough both groups experienced improvements in pain, neck disability, range of motion, and pressure pain, these only were statistically significant in the VT group. At one-month follow-up, the VT group still showed improvements in pain, neck disability, and range of motion.DiscussionVacuum myofascial therapy applied with a device offers similar results to other vacuum-based techniques such as cupping therapy. Moreover, in this device the parameters are digitally controlled, which allows for the precise reproduction of treatment.     

冠状动脉瘘的诊治及新进展

冠状动脉瘘是一种罕见的冠状动脉畸形,绝大多数属于先天性畸形,极少数可由后天因素引起。由于冠状动脉血流向有关心腔、血管异常分流,导致引流部位负荷加重、瘘远端心肌缺血而引起相应临床症状。目前,绝大多数冠状动脉瘘已能由超声心动图明确诊断并可经内科介入技术或外科手术治愈。     

Wound conditioning by vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.) in postoperative infections after dorsal spine surgery

The use of vacuum assisted closure (V.A.C.) therapy in postoperative infections after dorsal spinal surgery was studied retrospectively. Successful treatment was defined as a stable healed wound that showed no signs of acute or chronic infection. The treatment of the infected back wounds consisted of repeated debridement, irrigation and open wound treatment with temporary closure by V.A.C. The instrumentation was exchanged or removed if necessary. Fifteen patients with deep subfascial infections after posterior spinal surgery were treated. The implants were exchanged in seven cases, removed completely in five cases and left without changing in one case. In two cases spinal surgery consisted of laminectomy without instrumentation. In two cases only the wound defects were closed by muscle flap, the remaining ones were closed by delayed suturing. Antibiotic treatment was necessary in all cases. Follow up was possible in 14 patients. One patient showed a new infection after treatment. The study illustrates the usefulness of V.A.C. therapy as a new alternative management for wound conditioning of complex back wounds after deep subfascial infection.     

Symptoms of contruction workers exposed to whole body vibration and local vibration

Summary To study the effects of construction machinery operation on subjective symptoms, a questionnaire survey was caried out among construction machinery operators by a self-reporting method. Subjects were 184 power shovel operators, 127 bulldozer operators, 44 forklift operators as operator groups, and 44 office workers as a control. Their ages were in a range of 30–49 years. The questionnaire contained 20 symptoms referring to fatigue, digestive problems, and upper or lower limbs or back problems. The prevalence rate and symptom characteristics were examined. The dominant symptoms of the operator groups were stiff shoulder, low back pain, and stomack symptoms. The prevalence rate of low back pain was significantly different between forklift operators and controls. No significant differences were found in the symptoms of upper limbs and fingers between operator groups and controls. The prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon was 0.5%–2.3% in the operator groups and 2.3% in the control group.     

内毒素导致白细胞急剧升、降10倍一例报导

目的探索白细胞(WBC)数小时内急剧升、降原因。方法收集患者入院时首次血、尿细菌培养结果;取患者1周内7次EDTA-K2抗凝血标本,在STKS全自动血细胞分析仪上,与高、中、低定值全血质控品同时进行比对测定,每个样本平行分析4次求均值,同时检测患者6次血清标本内毒素含量,统计数据。结果测得仪器批内误差CV0.18%;其中14小时内5个样本WBC均数(x)分别为20.1×109/L、2.3×109/L、3.2×109/L、22.8×109/L、15.7×109/L;血、尿均分离到大肠埃希氏菌,内毒素试验阳性。结论内毒素导致WBC贴壁,造成病危期4小时内周围血液WBC急剧下降10倍;临床在分析实验结果时既要考虑内毒素导致WBC上升,又要考虑内毒素致使WBC贴壁造成急剧下降现象。     

真空敷料装置在暂时性关腹中的应用

目的 探讨一种新的暂时性关腹方法一真空敷料装置的临床应用。方法 用聚丙烯薄膜、手术巾、塑料黏贴膜和引流管等构建真空敷料装置。记录使用此装置患者的各种临床资料和并发症。结果 有13例患者共使用真空包扎15次进行暂时性关腹，其中5次（33．3％）是因为腹内压增高无法获得无张力的筋膜对合，4次（26．7％）是为了再次手术探查，2次（13．3％）是因为损伤控制，4次（26．7％）是上述多个因素的联合。7例（53．8％）患者最终完成腹壁全层对合关闭，5例（38．5％）患者无法直接对合腹壁缺损，最后行创面断层皮片植皮；3例（23．1％）患者出现腹腔内脓肿，无1例出现消化道瘘，无内脏脱出。1例（7．7％）在试图关腹之前死亡，与真空包扎无关。结论 真空包扎可使患者获得直接腹壁肌肉筋膜层关闭，并发症发生率低、易于掌握，是一种较好的暂时性关腹方法。