1/32. A fatal case of craniofacial necrotizing fasciitis.A case of fatal craniofacial necrotizing fasciitis is described in a 72-year-old diabetic woman and management is discussed. Progressive infection of the eyelids occurred with involvement of the right side of the face. Computed tomography revealed soft tissue swelling. Antibiotic treatment was started and debridement performed; histopathology showed acute inflammation and thrombosis of the epidermis and dermis. Despite treatment, scepticemia occurred, resulting in death less than 48 h after presentation. At this time extensive necrosis had developed in the superficial fascia with undermining and gangrene of surrounding tissues. Streptococcus and staphylococcus were the pathogens involved. Poor prognosis in similar patients has been associated with extensive infection, involvement of the lower face and neck, delayed treatment, advanced age, diabetes and vascular disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = soft (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/32. Monoclonal cryoglobulinemia with extensive gangrene of all four extremities--a case report.The monoclonal immunoglobulin products of plasma cell neoplasm can give rise to a variety of manifestations including hyperviscosity, amyloidosis, cryoglobulinemia, neuropathy, and renal failure. A 50-year-old woman with monoclonal cryoglobulinemia developed extensive gangrene and ulceration of both hands and feet over several weeks requiring bilateral below-elbow and below-knee amputations. This case illustrates the importance of qualitative properties of paraprotein.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.30105803073071keywords = neoplasm (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/32. hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting as cutaneous necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis and Raynaud's phenomenon complicated by digital gangrene.Cutaneous necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis is a recently identified type of vasculitis that is characterized by an eosinophil-predominant necrotizing vasculitis affecting small dermal vessels. Clinically, it presents with pruritic erythematous and purpuric papules and plaques, peripheral eosinophilia and a good response to systemic steroid therapy. This vasculitis can be idiopathic or associated with connective tissue diseases. Although the pathogenic roles of eosinophil-derived granule proteins and interleukins have been documented in diseases associated with eosinophilia, a role of CD40 (a glycoprotein of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily) has rarely been described. We describe two patients with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) presenting with multiple erythematous patches and plaques on the lower extremities and Raynaud's phenomenon. They satisfied the criteria for the diagnosis of HES by clinical and laboratory investigations. Histopathology of the cutaneous lesions revealed prominent eosinophilic infiltration with local fibrinoid change in vessel walls in the dermis and subcutis. Immunohistochemical detection of CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD40 was performed. Infiltrating eosinophils were strongly stained by anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody. One patient improved with prednisolone, pentoxifylline and nifedipine, without recurrence. The other patient initially improved with steroids, but after self-withdrawal of steroid developed digital ischaemia that evolved to severe necrosis and required amputation. Cutaneous necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis, Raynaud's phenomenon and digital gangrene may develop as cutaneous manifestations of HES. CD40 may play a part in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic vasculitis in HES.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4.8915505954067keywords = connective (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/32. Digital ischemia and gangrene preceding renal neoplasm. An association with sarcomatoid adenocarcinoma of the kidney.A 63-year-old woman had acute onset of rapidly progressive Raynaud phenomenon and digital gangrene. Prior to the detection of a sarcomatoid renal carcinoma, prominemt hypergammaglobulinemia, microhematuria, and weight loss were noted. Following nephrectomy, the patient showed improvement of the Raynaud phenomenon, with complete healing of digital ulcers and decrease of gama-globulin levels. Immunofluroescence studies demonstrated substantial deposits of IgG that lined the tumor cells in a linear and diffuse pattern. Electron-dense deposits were seen in the endothelium of arterioles int the tumor by electron microscopy. These findings suggest that antibodies to tumor antigens may have participated in the induction of digital vasculitis and Raynaud phenomenon.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.2042321229229keywords = neoplasm (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/32. Lower limb necrosis after use of the anterolateral thigh free flap: is preoperative angiography indicated?The large and potentially sensate skin territory, the reliability, and the versatility of the anterolateral thigh flap have led to its use for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the head and neck region, extremities, and trunk. Most authors describe the functional disturbances in the donor site as minimal and, to date, no cases of circulatory disturbance of the lower limb as a result of anterolateral thigh flap transplantation have been described. The authors report a patient with partial necrosis of the foot and calf caused by the interruption of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, which acted as a critical collateral for the obstructed superficial femoral artery. Based on their observations of this patient, the authors recommend preoperative angiography of the donor leg in patients in whom palpable popliteal pulsations are lacking. Intraoperatively, the chances of postoperative circulatory disturbance of the lower leg can be decreased by observation of the lower leg circulation after clamping of the flap's pedicle. Immediate arterial reconstruction using a venous graft is to be considered in cases in which the adequacy of circulation is debatable.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = soft (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/32. Digital gangrene associated with idiopathic hypereosinophilia: treatment with allogeneic cultured dermal substitute (CDS).In the present case study, the patient was a 65-year-old man who suddenly developed purpuric and necrotic lesions with severe pain in his fingers and toes. Laboratory investigations revealed marked eosinophilia (77.9%), but there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of parasitic infections, allergic disease, neoplasm or connective tissue disorder. The histopathological findings did not show any distinct vasculitis, but there were obliterative changes of the arterioles. The digital gangrene gradually progressed and was unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy. The patient eventually underwent amputation of the distal phalanges. We applied allogeneic cultured dermal substitute (CDS) to the skin defect. The allogeneic CDS was prepared by culturing fibroblasts on a two-layered sponge of hyaluronic acid and atelo-collagen. This CDS is able to release a number of cytokines including VEGF. The present case had a good clinical result.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5.1926086261374keywords = connective, neoplasm (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/32. Salvage of the hand with a free flap in a hemodialysis patient with finger gangrene and ipsilateral arteriovenous fistula: a case report.We describe the case of a female with end-stage renal disease who developed a left ischemic hand and index finger gangrene 2 years after commencement of hemodialysis. Ray amputation was performed, however, the surgical wound was complicated by progressive soft tissue necrosis and metacarpal bones exposure. To avoid amputation at a higher level, we repaired the defect successfully with a free anterolateral thigh perforator flap. A radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula, the dialysis access, was divided to provide the recipient vessels. Reconstruction with this method has the advantage of a staged arteriovenous fistula, which can increase the free-flap success rate, and has the potential to improve perfusion of the distal ischemic hand.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = soft (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/32. Limb gangrene following treatment of limb injury by traditional bone setter (Tbs): a report of 15 consecutive cases.This study is done to evaluate cases of limb gangrene resulting from treatment of limb injury by traditional bonesetter. METHOD: This is a prospective study in which patients with limb gangrene are evaluated as each presents. Data extracted for evaluation include history of having been to a traditional bonesetter, the original injury, type of treatment given by the traditional healer, progression of condition while on treatment and reason for not coming to orthodox orthopaedic centre ab initio for treatment. RESULTS: 15 cases were seen during the 5-year of study spanning June 1997 to May 2002. Upper limbs were involved in 4 cases while 11 involved the lower limbs. The original injuries were 3 cases of soft tissue injury to the joints, 7 closed fractures and 5 open fractures of type I and II. There was associated sepsis and toxemia in all except one. All the cases were treated by amputation. There were 4 deaths. CONCLUSION: Limb gangrene was not a justifiable end-result of treatment in all the cases judging by the nature of the original injury. Reasons for this end result were adduced. The need to avert unnecessary limb loss from mismanagement of limb injury by education of public in general and enlightenment of the traditional bonesetters of the harmful procedures in their practice is highlighted.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = soft (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/32. Streptococcal gangrene of the head and neck: a case report and review of the literature.Necrotizing bacterial infections that occur in the head and neck are exceedingly rare and are often associated with a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (streptococcus pyogenes). The disease is associated with soft tissue necrosis and vascular thrombosis. There appears to be an increasing incidence of hyperaggressive beta hemolytic streptococcal infections associated with high mortality rates. We report the survival of an otherwise healthy patient who developed a flu-like illness followed by a rapidly progressive toxic systemic illness associated with subtotal facial soft tissue necrosis down to bone. The recent literature related to this necrotizing bacterial infection is reviewed. Otolaryngologists must be aware of this entity since survival depends upon aggressive early wound management and high-dose intravenous antibiotics.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = soft (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/32. Hemicorporectomy for acute aortic occlusion: a case study.Hemicorporectomy has been done for potentially curable pelvic malignancy and for intractable pelvic sepsis with bone involvement. In this report, the authors describe the first use of hemicorporectomy to treat ischemic gangrene of the limbs and pelvic soft tissues secondary to acute aortic occlusion.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = soft (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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