scholarly journals Challenging Dogma: Optimal Treatment of the “Fight Bite”

Hand ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 647-650
Author(s):  
Carl M. Harper ◽  
Arriyan Samandar Dowlatshahi ◽  
Tamara D. Rozental

Background: The optimal treatment of human bites to the dorsal metacarpophalangeal region (ie, “fight bite”) in the absence of gross purulence is controversial. Few studies have compared the outcomes of operative debridement with expectant wound care and oral antibiotics. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients evaluated at a Level 1 trauma center over a 10-year period. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics of patients across treatment and outcome groups using the Fisher exact test. Logistic regression models were used to describe the relationships between the outcome and treatment variables. Results: We identified 115 patients with a mean age of 29 years. The mean follow-up was 51.8 days. Seventy-two (63%) patients were treated with antibiotics only. Thirty-two (28%) patients were treated with irrigation in the emergency department (ED) and expectant wound care. Eleven (9%) patients were treated with irrigation and debridement in the operating room. No demographic variables were found to correlate with the treatment selected. A 12% complication rate (major and minor) was observed. After adjusting for duration of follow-up and days to presentation, neither the treatment rendered nor the antibiotics selected influenced the rate of complications. Time to presentation >24 hours was the only variable associated with higher complication rate ( P = .003). Conclusions: Not all fight bites require operative intervention. Irrigation in the ED with expectant wound care and oral antibiotics can be sufficient for patients presenting within 24 hours of injury in the absence of gross purulence.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Savio ◽  
Stefano Calza ◽  
Gianbattista Guerrini ◽  
Valentina Romano ◽  
Eleonora Marchina

Background: COVID-19 outbursts have been registered worldwide within care homes with asymptomatic transmission combined with shortage/inaccuracy of diagnostic tests undermining the efforts at containment of the disease. Nursing facilities in Lombardy (Italy) were left with no, or limited, access to testing for 8 weeks after the outbreak of COVID-19.Methods: This study includes 246 residents and 286 workers of three different nursing homes in Brescia-Lombardy. Clinical questionnaires and rapid serology tests were devised to integrate the data of the first available RT-PCR screening. Follow-up serology after 60-days was performed on 67 of 86 workers with positive serology or clinically suspicious.Findings: Thirty-seven residents and 18 workers had previous positive RT-PCR. Thorough screening disclosed two additional RT-PCR-positive workers. Serology screening revealed antibodies in 59 residents and 48 workers, including 32/37 residents and all workers previously positive at RT-PCR. Follow up serology disclosed antibodies in two additional workers with recent symptoms at the time of screening. The professionals in close contact with residents had more infections (47/226–20.79% vs. 1/60–1.66%; p = 0.00013 Fisher exact-test). A suspicious clinical score was present in 44/64 residents and in 41/50 workers who tested positive with either method with totally asymptomatic disease more frequent among residents 28.1 vs. 10.0% (p = 0.019 Fisher exact-test).Interpretation: Based on the available RT-PCR ± results at the time of symptoms/contacts, our integrated clinical and serological screening demonstrated sensitivity 89% and specificity 87%. This multimodal assessment proved extremely useful in understanding the viral spread in nursing homes, in defining its stage and in implementing protective measures. Rapid serology tests demonstrated efficient and particularly suited for older people less able to move/cooperate.


2002 ◽  
Vol 111 (10) ◽  
pp. 890-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid R. Djalilian ◽  
Sharon L. Smith ◽  
Timothy A. King ◽  
Samuel C. Levine

To assess the efficacy, quality of life, and complication rate of cochlear implantation in patients over 60 years of age, we performed a retrospective chart review of 31 cochlear implant patients more than 60 years old at the time of surgery (mean, 70 years; range, 62 to 86 years). All patients had improvement in their audiological test results after operation. Twenty-eight patients (93%) are regular implant users at a median follow-up of 12 months. Major complications occurred in 2 patients (6%). We conclude that cochlear implantation in the elderly population has excellent results, with a complication rate similar to that in patients less than 60 years old, and yields an improved quality of life.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18139-e18139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Levy ◽  
Nagashree Seetharamu ◽  
Stacie Richardson ◽  
Daniel Jacob Becker ◽  
Walter Choi ◽  
...  

e18139 Background: KRAS mutations are the most common driver mutation indentified in NSCLC, occurring in 20 - 30% of adenocarcinomas. While several studies suggest KRAS predicts for lack of response to TKI therapy, few data exist regarding its association with outcomes for patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. This study explores the association between KRAS mutations and outcomes (RR, PFS) in a cohort of patients treated with frontline platinum/pemetrexed (PPm) based therapy. Methods: In this retrospective chart review, we evaluated RR and PFS for 16 KRAS + EGFR – pts treated with carboplatin (AUC 5-6) or Cisplatin 75mg/m2 and (Pm)pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) +/- (B)bevacizumab 15mg/kg. For comparators, we identified 19 KRAS - EGFR - patients treated with the same regimen. Maintenance therapy with Pm or Pm+B was given at the discretion of the treating physician. KRAS and EGFR mutational status were assessed by RT-PCR on tumor tissue collected at first diagnosis. RR was assessed using RECIST criteria. Kaplan-Meier estimates for PFS were evaluating using log rank test. Fisher exact test was used to assess the association between KRAS mutation status and response rate. Results: The groups were similar in age (KRAS + mean 61 vs. 60; p=0.87), gender (62% vs. 57% F; p= 0.9), ECOG 2 (0 vs. 10%,p=0.47), smoking hx (93% vs. 94% current/former smokers, p=0.7), brain mets (0% vs. 18% p=0.22), mean number induction cycles (4 in each, p=0.6), cisplatin and bevacizumab use (12% vs 10%, p > 0.1;10% vs. 40%, p=0.10). Pm maintenance was used in 31% KRAS+ (5/16) and 26% KRAS-(5/19) (p=0.79). P+B maintenance was used in 12% (2/16) and 5% (1/19) (p=0.70). RR was 56% in the KRAS + (9/16) vs. 36% KRAS- (7/19) respectively (p=0.3). There was a statistically significant improvement in PFS in the KRAS + group (10.3 mos vs. 5.7 mos, p =0.03). Conclusions: In this small retrospective review, KRAS mutations appeared to be associated with a non-significant improvement in RR and significant improvement in PFS for patients treated with frontline PPm based therapy. Future prospective studies should investigate and validate the predictive value of KRAS for this cytotoxic regimen. [Table: see text]


2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilys M. Parry

Object The authors conducted a study to examine the incidence, classification, and progression of spinal tumors in patients with neu-rofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) treated at a single center, and to examine relationships with the known mutational subtypes of NF2. Methods They performed a retrospective review of clinical records, neuroimaging studies, and genetic data obtained in 61 patients with NF2. Forty-one (67%) of 61 patients harbored one or more spinal tumors. Thirty-four patients had undergone serial spinal magnetic resonance imaging during a mean follow-up period of 52 months (range 10–103 months; median 53 months). In 16 patients there were multiple extramedullary tumors smaller than 5 mm, which did not progress. Fourteen patients harbored at least one extramedullary tumor that was greater than 5 mm; of these, radiological progression was demonstrated or spinal tumor excision was performed during the follow-up period in eight cases (57%). Eleven patients harbored intramedullary cord tumors in addition to small and large extramedullary tumors, three (27%) of which exhibited radiological progression. In cases in which genotypes were known, protein-truncating mutations were significantly more likely to be associated with the presence of spinal tumors than in other types (p = 0.03, Fisher exact test). No associations between clinical behavior of spinal tumors and genotype, however, could be demonstrated. Conclusions Spinal tumors in cases involving NF2 are heterogeneous in type, distribution, and behavior but larger-size tumors are more likely to progress significantly. Intramedullary tumors usually accompany multiple extramedullary tumors. In the authors' experience subtyping of the NF2 mutation has not yet influenced management. Protein-truncating mutations are associated with an increased prevalence of spinal tumors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads Ammitzbøll-Danielsen ◽  
Mikkel Østergaard ◽  
Viktoria Fana ◽  
Daniel Glinatsi ◽  
Uffe Møller Døhn ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of intramuscular versus ultrasound (US)-guided intratenosynovial glucocorticoid injection in providing disease control after 2, 4 and 12 weeks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) with tenosynovitis.MethodsFifty patients with RA and tenosynovitis were randomised into two double-blind groups: (A) ‘intramuscular group’, receiving intramuscular injection of betamethasone and US-guided intratenosynovial isotonic saline injection and (B) ‘intratenosynovial group’ receiving saline intramuscularly and US-guided intratenosynovial betamethasone injection. All patients were in stable disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug treatment prior to and during the study. Patients were excluded, and considered non-responders, if any treatments were altered during the follow-up period. ‘US tenosynovitis remission’, defined as US tenosynovitis grey-scale score ≤1 and colour Doppler score=0, was assessed at week 4 (primary outcome), and weeks 2 and 12, using non-responder imputation for missing data.ResultsUS tenosynovitis remission at week 4 was achieved in 25% (6/24) in the ‘intramuscular group’ versus 64% (16/25) in the ‘intratenosynovial group’, that is, a difference of −39 percentage point (pp) (CI −65pp to −13pp), Fisher exact test p=0.001. Corresponding values for the ‘intramuscular group’ versus the ‘intratenosynovial group’ at 2 and 12 weeks were 21% (5/24) versus 48% (13/25), that is, a difference of −27pp (CI −53pp to −2pp), p=0.072 and 8% (2/24) versus 44% (11/25), that is, difference of −36pp (−58pp to −13pp), p=0.003. Most US, clinical and patient-reported scores improved more in the ‘intratenosynovial group’ at all follow-up visits.ConclusionsIn this randomised double-blind clinical trial, patients with RA and tenosynovitis responded significantly better to US-guided intratenosynovial glucocorticoid injection than to intramuscular glucocorticoid injection, both at 4 and 12 weeks follow-up.Trial registration numberEudraCT nr: 2013-003486-34.


2014 ◽  
pp. 33-38
Author(s):  
Gabriel Braga Diégues Serva ◽  
Leonardo Santos Calvacanti Guerra ◽  
Vilneide Maria Santos Braga Diégues Serva ◽  
Waldmiro Antônio Diégues Serva ◽  
Marcela Patrícia Macêdo Belo ◽  
...  

Objectives: To identify if the presence of migraine before pregnancy predisposes to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Methods: Observational study undertaken from a database of a follow-up study, composed of women consecutively assisted, at the first postnatal week, at IMIP. Its objective was to evaluate the course of migraine during pregnancy and postpartum in women with migraine before pregnancy. The Fisher exact test was used considering the significance level of less than 5%. Results: Of the 686 women, 38.8% were migraine sufferers before pregnancy. 14.3% referred hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The presence of migraine before pregnancy and to have been submitted to a cesarean section (p<0.001) were factors associated with the presence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Conclusion: Migraine before pregnancy is an associated factor to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The diagnosis of migraine should always be taken into consideration during antenatal care, for the prevention of complications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 345-350
Author(s):  
Charlotte A Ferrier ◽  
Rachel Schembri ◽  
Sandy M Hopper

ObjectiveTo compare the treatment practices (immobilisation vs non-immobilisation) of toddler fractures and other minor tibial fractures (both proven and suspected) in preschoolers, aged 9 months–4 years, and examine rates of ED re-presentations and complications.MethodsRetrospective chart review of presentations of minor tibial fractures, both proven (radiologically confirmed) or suspected (negative X-ray but clinical evidence of bony injury), in children aged 9 months–4 years presenting to a single tertiary level paediatric ED from May 2016 to April 2018. Data collected included treatment practices, subsequent unscheduled re-presentations (including reasons) and complications (defined as problems relating to the injury that required further active care).ResultsA search of medical records yielded 240 cases: 102 had proven fractures (spiral, buckle or Salter-Harris II) and 138 were diagnosed with a suspected fracture. 73.5% of proven fractures were immobilised, predominantly with backslabs. 79% of suspected fractures were treated with expectant observation without immobilisation. Patients treated with immobilisation were more likely to re-present to ED compared with non-immobilised patients (18/104, 17.3% vs 9/136, 6.6% RR 2.62, 95% CI 1.23 to 5.58). 21 complications were seen in 19/104 (18.3%) immobilised patients. There were eight skin complications (complication rate of 7.7%) and 11 cast issues (complication rate of 10.6%). Two (1.5%) of the 136 patients had complications related to pain or limp. Pain was uncommonly found, although follow-up was not universal.ConclusionIn our centre, proven minor tibial fractures were more likely to receive a backslab, whereas for suspected fractures, expectant observation without immobilisation was performed. Although there is potential bias in the identification of complications with immobilisation, the study suggests that non-immobilisation approach should be investigated.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10620-10620
Author(s):  
M. Castiel ◽  
S. Masakhalia ◽  
M. Krychman ◽  
B. Stier ◽  
A. Amsterdam ◽  
...  

10620 Background: To determine if differences exist in the use of minimally absorbed vaginal estrogens in a breast cancer population versus one with non-breast malignancies. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with documented malignancy who were prescribed vaginal 17-β-estradiol tablets (Vagifem, Novo-Disc, Princeton, New Jersey) through the General Gynecology Service from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004. Data were accessed from the pharmacy health information computerized system. All patients complained of dyspareunia, and examination was consistent with vaginal atrophy. Comparison between groups was performed using the Fisher Exact Test and t-test. Results: 152 patients were identified_81 patients with breast cancer diagnoses and 71 with non-breast malignancies. There was no difference in the mean age of patients in either group, 56.9 vs. 55.1 years. (p = 0.30). Overall, 60 of the 152 patients refilled their prescriptions through the time of last follow-up. There was no difference in the proportion of breast versus non-breast cancer patients who continued vaginal estradiol, 39.5% (32/81) versus 39.4% (28/71) respectively. When the cohorts were stratified by age ≤ 50 or >50 at the time of initial consultation, 79% (11/14) of breast cancer patients age ≤ 50 years refilled their prescriptions at follow-up compared to 31.3% (21/67) of patients >50 (p = 0.002). In women with non-breast malignancies there was no age-related difference in the proportion who obtained refills: 35% (7/20) ≤ 50 years versus 41.2 % (21/51) >50 years (p = 0.79). Conclusions: Minimally absorbed vaginal estrogens appear to be viewed favorably amongst the younger breast cancer patient population. The older breast cancer population does not appear to continue vaginal estradiol use long-term. This may be due to differences in relationship status, interval from menopause to diagnosis, prior exposure to estrogen, or relief of symptoms with alternative therapies. These findings are different than those observed for similar patients with non-breast malignancies. Further studies looking at the use of minimally absorbed vaginal estrogens are needed to further evaluate the usage trends in differing patient populations. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2014 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 1437-1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Foreman ◽  
Christoph J. Griessenauer ◽  
Michael Falola ◽  
Mark R. Harrigan

Object Traumatic aneurysms occur in 10% of extracranial blunt traumatic cerebrovascular injuries (TCVI). The clinical consequences and optimal management of traumatic aneurysms are poorly understood. Methods A prospective study of TCVI at a Level I trauma center identified 7 patients with 19 extracranial traumatic carotid artery or vertebral artery aneurysms. An additional 6 patients with 7 traumatic aneurysms were followed outside of the prospective study, giving a total of 13 patients with 26 traumatic aneurysms. All patients were treated with 325 mg aspirin daily and underwent clinical and imaging follow-up beyond the initial hospitalization. Endovascular treatment was reserved for aneurysms demonstrating significant enlargement on follow-up imaging. Clinical and radiographic features were assessed. Results The 7 patients with traumatic aneurysms identified in the prospective cohort comprised 10.3% of all patients with TCVI. Two (15.4%) of the 13 total patients suffered an ischemic stroke in the setting of TCVI with traumatic aneurysm formation. No patient experienced an ischemic stroke or new symptoms after the initiation of antiplatelet therapy. Clinical and radiographic follow-up averaged 15.8 months (range 0.4–41.7 months) and 22.0 months (range 6.6–55.7 months), respectively. Ten (38.5%) of 26 aneurysms were not visualized on last follow-up, 10 (38.5%) were smaller, 1 (3.8%) was unchanged, and 5 (19.2%) were larger. Saccular aneurysms were more likely to enlarge than fusiform aneurysms (33.3% vs 11.8%). Results of a Fisher exact test tend to support the assertion that the 2 different aneurysm morphologies behave differently (p = 0.07). Two saccular aneurysms were treated with stenting. Conclusions The majority of traumatic aneurysms can be managed with an antiplatelet regimen of 325 mg aspirin daily and serial imaging. Saccular aneurysms have a greater tendency to enlarge when compared with fusiform aneurysms.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2229
Author(s):  
Adam B. O’Connell ◽  
A. Craig Irving ◽  
Paul L. Hughes ◽  
Naomi Cogger ◽  
Boyd R. Jones ◽  
...  

A study in conducted 1987 by Hughes et al., found that 39% of working sheep dogs had multifocal retinitis. One of the identified causes was ocular larval migrans, which were a result of migrating ascarid larvae. Since that paper was published, anthelmintic use in farm dogs has been highly recommended. There has been no follow-up study to determine if fundic lesions are still present. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chorioretinopathy in working sheep dogs in the South-West, Waikato, New Zealand. This was a cross-sectional study of 184 working sheep dogs and 51 owners, undertaken in 2010 with owners sampled from New Zealand’s South-West Waikato and Tux North Island Dog Trial Championship. Two-way tables were used to explore the relationship between variables. Significance of association was assessed using a Chi-squared or Fisher exact test as appropriate, with a p-value of <0.05 considered significant. Overall prevalence of chorioretinopathy in the working sheep dogs was 44/184 (24%). A significantly higher prevalence of chorioretinopathy was shown in dogs with increasing age, from 2 years to >8 years (p = 0.0007) and in males (p < 0.0001). This study concluded that lesions of chorioretinopathy are still present in working sheep dogs in New Zealand.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document