Effectiveness of oral probiotics supplementation in the treatment of adult small chalazion

AIM: To define the possible beneficial impact of probiotics oral supplementation on patients affected by chalazion. METHODS: Prospective comparative pilot study on 20 adults suffering from chalazion randomly divided into two groups. The first group (n=10) received conservative treatment with lid hygiene, warm compression, and dexamethasone/tobramycin ointment for at least 20d. The second group (n=10), in addition to the conservative treatment, received a mixture of probiotic microorganisms of Streptococcus thermophilus ST10 (DSM 25246), Lactococcus lactis LLC02 (DSM 29536) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii (DSM 16606) once a day up to 3mo. Chalazia were classified according to their size into three groups: small (<2 mm), medium (≥2 to <4 mm), or large (≥4 mm). When conservative treatment with and without probiotics supplementation failed to resolve the lesion, invasive methods were used, intralesional steroid injection in medium size chalazion and surgical incision and curettage for the largest ones. RESULTS: Medical treatment with or without probiotics supplementation was effective only on the small size chalazia. There was a significant difference in the time taken for complete resolution of small size chalazia between the two groups in favor of the patients receiving probiotics (38.50±9.04d vs 21.00±7.00d, P=0.039). Medium and large size chalazia did not respond to medical treatment with or without probiotics supplementation over the follow-up period (3mo). The treatment did not induce any complications in both groups and no recurrence of chalaziosis was recorded in both groups. CONCLUSION: The considerable difference in time taken for complete resolution of small chalazia between the two groups in favor of the experimental one confirms the presence of a gut-eye axis.

The Efficacy of Skin Cooling for Pain Relief during Intralesional Steroid Injection for Keloid Treatment: A Randomized Cross-Over Study

Objective: To evaluate if pre-treatment skin cooling can reduce the pain during steroid injection. Materials and Methods: A randomized cross-over study was conducted between September 2015 and October 2016. This study received ethical approval ID035904 No. MURA2016/152. Forty-four subjects with keloid that needed intralesional steroid injection were divided into three pretreatment groups, no treatment, skin cooling with ice pack, and skin applying with a mixture of lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5% (EMLA®), in random order. Pain intensity was measured by using 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). The satisfaction levels were assessed with orderly interval rating scale from 1 to 5. Repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni pairwise comparison were used for data analyses. Results: The mean VAS score at the time of needle puncturing into the skin and during steroid infiltration was statistically significant lower in skin cooling compared to no treatment group (p<0.001) and EMLA group (p<0.05). The satisfaction level was also statistically significant higher in skin cooling compared to no treatment group (p<0.001) and EMLA group (p<0.001). Thirty-seven patients (84%) selected skin cooling method as the most favorable pre-anesthetic method for intralesional steroid injection. Conclusion: Skin cooling with ice before intralesional steroid injection of keloid effectively reduces pain and patients are also satisfied. Keyword: Keloid, Corticosteroid, Pre-treatment, pain, skin cooling

Treatment of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Combined Intralesional Steroid Injection with Topical Steroid Administration vs. Systemic (Oral) Steroid

BackgroundIdiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM)is characterized by non-caseating granuloma and microabscess formation limited to mammary gland lobules. It is a form of chronic mastitis of unknown pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of intralesional steroid injection with topical steroids versus systemic steroid therapy in the treatment of IGM. MethodsBetween June 2017 and December 2020, the patients were collected and assessed. IGM was diagnosed histopathologically by tru-cut biopsy in patients with breast mass, pain, and erythema with suspicion of IGM. Included in the study were one hundred and eleven patients who were diagnosed with IGMand who were treated with local or oral administration of corticosteroids, with at least 6 months of follow-up. The patients were divided into 2 groups: a local corticosteroid treatment group (LC, group 1, n=57); and a peroral corticosteroid treatment group (OC, group 2, n=54). Demographic characteristics, treatment responses, recurrence rates, side effects of the steroid, and the need for surgery were compared.ResultsWhile the rate of smoking was 12.3% in the LC group, was 20.4% in the OC group. There was no history of oral contraceptive use in either group of patients. Previous steroid use was significantly lower in the LC group (10.5%) compared to the OC group (55.6%) (p = 0.001). Previous antibiotic use was significantly lower in the LC group (75.4%) compared to the OC group (100%) (p = 0.001). When complete and partial responders were grouped as “responders,” 96.5% in the LC group and 75.9% in the OC group responded after the first course of treatment (p=0.001). 98.2% in the LC group and 87.0% in the OC group were complete responders after the third course of treatment (p=0.003). While 7% of the patients in the LC group had recurrence, 37% in the OC group had recurrence (p=0.001). Steroid-related side effects were lower in the LC group (no) compared to the OC group (11.1%) (p=0.010). Surgery was performed in 3.5% of the LC group, while surgery was performed in 57.3% of the OC group (p=0.001). ConclusionSteroid injection is an IGM treatment with proven efficacy, short response time, low recurrence rate, and lower need surgery. The treatment is easy to administer and minimizes the risk of systemic side effects. Even in clinically severe cases, we believe that steroid injection might be used as monotherapy, or in combination with other therapies, to improve treatment efficacy and create a transition to less aggressive treatments.

Outcomes of corticosteroid injection and percutaneous release in treatment of trigger finger at tertiary hospital of Eastern Nepal.

Introduction: Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is a common cause of painful fingers and thumb that result in painful triggering, snapping or locking of fingers on flexion and extension of involved digit. Available treatment options for this condition are NSAID, splints, intralesional steroid injection, percutaneous release and open release of tendon sheath. Objectives: To study the clinical and functional outcomes and complications of corticosteroid injection and percutaneous release in management of trigger finger. Methodology: In this prospective study, sixty patients who presented with Grade 2 to Grade 3 trigger finger were placed into two groups. Group A(30 patients) were treated with intralesional steroid (40 mg of methylprednisolone) injection. Group B (30 patients) underwent percutaneous surgical release of affected tendon sheath. Both group of patients were treated in outpatient department. Patients of both groups were then asked to follow on scheduled time interval of two-week, six-week, three-months and six-months of period and their progress were recorded. Results: The baseline VAS score before intervention in group A (5.82) and group B (6.12) was statistically significant. In group B there was significant improvement of VAS score till 6 months of follow up. However, in group A there was significant improvement of VAS score by 3 months of follow-up, but by end of 6 months it again raised to 2.14. Yet it was far better than baseline VAS score. Conclusion: In our study both corticosteroid injection and percutaneous trigger finger release were found to be much effective in management of trigger finger.

Therapeutic Effect of Superficial Cryotherapy versus Intralesional Corticosteroids injection in Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata, one or more round bald patches appear suddenly, most often on the scalp. It can affect males and females at any age. It starts in childhood in about 50%, and before the age of 40 years in 80%. The exact mechanism is not yet understood. There is not yet any reliable cure for alopecia areata. Several topical treatments used for alopecia areata are reported to result in temporary improvement in some people. Their role and efficacy are unknown. Injections of triamcinolone acetonide 2.5–10 mg/ml into patchy scalp, its efficacy is temporary. Oral and pulse intravenous steroids in high dose can lead to temporary regrowth of hair. The sensitisers diphenylcyclopropenone provoke hair growth in treated areas Now, superficial cryotheray is introduced as a possible treatment for Alopecia Areata. With minimial side effects and being less painful. So, this study clarifies the therapeutic efficacy and safety of superficial cryotherapy for treatment of patchy Alopecia areata. Aim of the study The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of Superficial Cryotherapy and Intralesional corticosteroids in the treatment of patchy Alopecia Areata. Patients and methods study included 20 patients complaining of Alopecia Areata. 3 patches of scalp alopecia areata will be randomly subjected to either superficial cryotherapy twice monthly for 3 months (3 cycles, 2-3 seconds) or intralesional steroid injections once monthly for 3 months (triaminoclone acetonide 1:7, 1ml) or intralesional saline (1 ml). Assessment for the response to treatment will be done at one month and three month following treatment by digital photography and by phototrichogram by comparing number of Terminal, and vellus and hair thickness, Also assessment for side effects of therapy will be done. Results Patients treated with TCA showed statistically significant high response compared to patients treated with cryotherapy. Also, side effects assessment showed minimal side effects with treatment with TCA compared to cryotherapy. Conclusion TCA treatment of alopecia areata is much tolerable than treatment with cryotherapy with also better response rates.

Serial Intralesional Steroid Injection for Subglottic Stenosis: Systemic Side Effects and Impact on Surgery-Free Interval

Objectives In-office serial intralesional steroid injections (SILSIs) have become a commonly used treatment for subglottic stenosis. We characterized the impact of SILSIs on the time between operating room visits and incidence of glucocorticoid systemic side effects. Study Design Retrospective case series. Setting Academic tertiary care center. Methods All patients with subglottic stenosis receiving SILSIs at 1 institution from 2016 to 2020 were included. Surgery-free interval was compared using paired t tests. Side effect incidence was calculated with Kaplan-Meier methodology for visualization. Results Nineteen patients and 207 procedures were included. The majority of patients were White (95%) and female (95%) and had idiopathic subglottic stenosis (53%). Mean surgery-free interval for all patients was 8.7 months (95% CI, 5.6-11.8) before initiating SILSIs. Of 11 patients with calculable surgery-free interval, 10 experienced improvement, with a mean surgery-free interval increase of 4.6 months (95% CI, 2.4-6.7). Seven patients have not required surgery since initiation of SILSIs, with a mean follow-up time of 28 months (95% CI, 25-31). Noncutaneous systemic side effects occurred at a mean 3.2 months (95% CI, 2.4-4.0) from first injection and included Cushing’s syndrome, increased intraocular pressure, central serous chorioretinopathy, and new insulin requirement in the setting of diabetes. Conclusions Ninety-one percent of patients who initiated SILSIs and had a subsequent return to the operating room experienced a mean 4.6-month increase in surgery-free interval. Systemic side effects of glucocorticoids occurred in 32% of patients after initiating SILSIs. This should be considered in preprocedure counseling and side effect monitoring during treatment.

Oral ulceration in Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome: a new presentation

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder, causing dysautonomia and multisystem failure. Symptoms include skeletal malformations, restricted joint mobility and desensitisation to pain. Patients with SWS presenting with intraoral lesions are extremely rare and this is probably due to their shortened lifespan. We present a case of a 9-month-old patient who presented to our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)Unit with a chronic inflamed ulcer affecting the tongue, secondary to trauma from erupting central incisors. We believe that depapillation in conjunction with an increased pain threshold contributed to its development. The patient was successfully treated by extraction of the lower central incisors and intralesional steroid injections under general anaesthetic. This case highlights that patients with SWS can present to the OMFS clinician with oral lesions and that they can be safely managed under general anaesthesia.

WRIST GANGLION TREATMENT: A COMPARISON OF ASPIRATION WITH INTRALESIONAL STEROID INJECTION, LOOP SUTURE, AND SURGICAL EXCISION

Introduction: Ganglions contain transilluminant growths that seem to be tight, smooth, and cystic. They are by far the most frequent soft tissue swelling of the hand, with the dorsum of the wrist being the most prevalent location. Ganglion management options currently include aspiration, loop suture, and surgery. Some supported aspiration combined with steroid injection and loop suture method into the cyst to improve therapeutic outcomes. Objectives: To assess discomfort alleviation, visual results, and recurrence rate in ganglion therapy utilizing aspiration, intralesional steroids (triamcinolone acetate) administration, loop suture approach, versus surgical resection. Material and Methods: -In this prospective and observational study, 50 participants were categorized into 3 groups and managed at GMC Kota during March 2019 and December 2020. Aspiration followed by intralesional steroid (triamcinolone acetate) injection was given to Group A (89 participants), loop suture method was given to Group B (55 patients), and surgical excision was given to Group C (16 patients). Patients were monitored on for up to a year after therapy at one, three, and six months. Results: Out of 89 patients in group A, 88 (98.76%) had pain alleviation, no scars, and just four (4.49%) had recurrence, which was handled by repeating the treatment. Out of 55 patients in group B, 52 (94.55 percent) experienced pain reduction, while three (5.45%) experienced recurrence. In group C, out of 16 patients, 14 (87.5%) experienced pain reduction, while 16 (100%) experienced linear scarring with recurrence (6.25 percent). Patients in group Aexperienced recurrence, which was treated with intralesional steroid.