Role of polymorphonuclear leukocyte in diabetic foot

To study the etiopathogenesis of foot injuries in patients of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Retrospective study of tissue samples received from diabetic patients clinically diagnosed as gangrene. This study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, JPMC, Karachi from July 2009 to June 2011. 150 cases of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus with wounds of foot were included. 150 cases of known diabetics with peripheral neuropathy and history of loss of sensation were subjected to follow up of 2 years follow up was done on the cases. As a first step blood sugar was brought under control and broad spectrum antibiotic was given. Wound debriment was done in all cases. The specimens were subjected to H/E and Gram's staining. In H/E, liquifactive necrosis, polymorphonuclear leukocyte, mononuclear cell infiltrate, few lymphocyte plasma cells and fibroblasts were seen. New blood capillaries were few or absent. both gram positive and gram negative organisms were isolated. 79% were gram positive and 21% were gram negative. Hyperglycemia causes relative anoxia in the micro environment of the tissue due to damage of peripheral neurons. Lack of adequate circulation leads to ischemia, which is super added by infection of the subcutaneous tissue. The resultant effect is liquifactive necrosis and complete lysis of tissue. Removal of such putrefied tissue is mandatory to stop further damage to the tissue

A new proposal to evaluate the healing of open skin wounds: volumetry / Nova proposta para avaliar cicatrização de ferida cutânea aberta: volumetria

PURPOSE: To present a new proposal to evaluate the healing of an open subcutaneous and skin wound, which we termed "volumetry". METHODS: A total of 32 circular wounds were performed in the subcutaneous tissues and skin of four feet of pigs (8 each). Each wound had about 1 cm in diameter and was 0.2 cm deep. Volume was calculated from the wound filled with saline and mass Xantopren. With the aid of a magnifying glass and local lighting, the liquid was dripped with a micropipette inside the wound until complete fullness. Volume repletion was calculated in microliters, corresponding to the volume of the wound. The mass of Xantopren was placed inside the wound to obtain a mold of the lesion. Mold volume was calculated using the formula of the volume of a cylinder closest resembling a geometric figure with mold. RESULTS: The calculation of wound volume was possible with both Xantopren and mold techniques. Volume as calculated by micropipette was 119.37 ± 30.87 microliters while the volume calculated by mold was 122.41 ± 33.90 mm3 (p=0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Volumetry in pig feet is simple and reproducible. Volumetry perfomed with saline did not differ from the volumetry with mass Xantopren. This method may be a useful tool to help evaluate the healing of open skin wounds in experimental and clinical research.

OBJETIVO: Apresentar nova proposta para avaliar a cicatrização de uma ferida cutânea aberta, denominada "volumetria." MÉTODOS: Foram provocadas 32 feridas circulares cutâneas, com cerca de 1 cm de diâmetro e 0.2 cm de profundidade, em quatro patas de suíno. O volume da ferida foi calculado com solução salina e massa de xantopren. O líquido foi gotejado com uma micropipeta no interior da ferida até sua completa repleção, o que foi auxiliado com uma lupa de aumento e iluminação local. O volume de repleção foi calculado em microlitros e correspondeu ao volume da ferida. A massa de xantopren foi colocada no interior da ferida para se obter um molde da lesão. O volume do molde foi calculado utilizando-se a fórmula do volume de um cilindro que foi a figura geométrica mais parecida com o molde. RESULTADOS: O cálculo do volume da ferida foi possível com as duas técnicas propostas. O volume calculado pela micropipeta foi 119.37 ± 30.8693 microlitros e o volume calculado pelo molde foi 122.4088 ± 33.8997 mm³ (p=0.79). CONCLUSÕES: A volumetria realizada em patas de suíno é um método simples, reprodutível. A volumetria realizada com líquido não diferiu da volumetria realizada com massa de Xantopren. Esse método poderá ser útil para auxiliar na análise da cicatrização da ferida cutânea aberta em trabalhos clínicos e experimentais.

Dermatomicosis en ancianos institucionalizados y estudios de sensibilidad in vitro a los antifúngicos sistémicos / Dermatomycosis in institutionalized elderly patients and in vitro sensitivity study to systemic antifungus

Se determinó la prevalencia de dermatomicosis en ancianos institucionalizados de Ciudad Bilívar, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela, y se evaluó la sensibilidad in vitro de los aislamientos clínicos a los antifúngicos itraconazol, fluconazol y terbinafina mediante el método de microdilución en medio líquido, recomendado por el Comité Internacional de Laboratorios Clínicos (M38-P), con algunas modificicaciones. Los hongos fueron identificados mediante métodos tradicionales. Las levaduras se identificaron mediante pruebas bioquímicas, sistema Api 20 C AUX (Biomérieux SA®, France) y crecimiento en medio de Staib. Se estudiaron 74 ancianos, todos recluidos en el Asilo "San Vicente de Paúl" y el Geriátrico "Carlos Fragachán" quienes dieron consentimiento por escrito para participar en el estudio. La edad de los pacientes estuvo comprendida entre 63 y 98 años (80 ± 8,4 años), la mayoría eran hombres (73%). Todos los pacientes tenían lesiones sugestivas de onicomicosis en los pies. El único dermatofito aislado fue Trichophyton rubrum (n=2) el cual resultó sensible al Itraconazol, terbinafina y sensibilidad variable a flucozazol. Asimismo se logró aislar Aspergillus niger (n=5; 6,7%) demostrándose sensible a terbinafina y fluconazol con sensibilidad variable a itraconazol. Candida albicans (n=3; 4,1%) fue sensible a fluconazol, resistentes a itraconazol y variable a la terbinafina. Aspergillus flavus fue aislado en dos casos (2,7%). Además de Geomyces sp, Fusarium oxysporum y Pseudeurotium ovale. Se concluye que existe una prevalencia baja de dermatomicosis en los ancianos institucionalizados de Ciudad Bolívar y que las lesiones clinicamente observadas son debidas a los cambios degenerativos propios de la edad.

A study determine prevalence of dermatomycosis in 74 institutionalized elderly patients was conductted in Ciudad Bolivar, state of Bolivar, Venezuela. Clinical isolates were assayed for in vitro sensitivity to itraconazole, fluconazole, and terbinafine using a slightly modified version of the microdilution method in liquid medium recommended by the International Committee of Clinical Laboratory (M38-P). Traditional methods were used to identify the fungi. The yeasts were identified by Api 20C AUX biochemical testing (bioMérieux SA®, France) and growth on Staib media. The elders, mostly men (73%), from the "San Vicente de Paúl" Nursing Home and the "Carlos Fragachan" Geriatric Hospital, were aged between 63 and 98 (80 ± 8.4 years). All the patients, whose written consent was secured, had lesions suggestive of onychomycosis. Trichophyton rubrum was the only isolated dermatophyte (n=2), which resulted sensitive to itraconazole and terbinafine, with variable sensitivity to fluconazole. Aspergillus niger (n=5;6.7%) was sensitive to terbinafine and fluconazole with variable itraconazole sensitivity. Candida albicans (n=3; 4.1%) was fluconazole sensitive, resistant to itraconazole, and variable to terbinafine. Aspergillus flavus was isolated in two cases 2.7%). Geomyces sp., Fusarium oxysporum, and Pseudeurotium ovale were also isolated. It is concluded that there is a low prevalence of dermatomycosis among institutionalized elders in Ciudad Bolivar, and that the lesions clinically observed were due to degenerative changes naturally occurring with aging.

Luxación interfalángica del hallux: presentación de ocho casos y revisión de la bibliografía / Interphalangeal dislocation of the hallux

Introducción: La luxación de la articulación interfalángica del hallux (LIFH) es una patología poco frecuente y en la bibliografía mundial se describen sólo algunos casos. Miki estableció una clasificación que la divide en dos tipos según su aspecto clínico y radiográfico. En ambos tipos la placa volar se encuentra avulsionada de sus inserciones óseas permitiendo su migración intraarticular e impidiendo la reducción por métodos ortopédicos, lo que obliga a recurrir a la reducción quirúrgica. Materiales y métodos: Entre 1995 y 2008 se evaluaron 8 pacientes, todos varones, de entre 21 y 46 años. En todos los casos se intentó la reducción ortopédica bajo anestesia local sin lograr resultados satisfactorios, por lo cual se debió recurrir al tratamiento quirúrgico para restaurar la congruencia articular. Resultados: En todos los casos se obtuvo la reducción de la articulación en forma completa. La movilidad articular en el posoperatorio alejado fue nula en 6 casos y en los 2 restantes varió entre 10° Y 20° de flexión, sin relación con la vía de abordaje utilizada. Conclusiones: La LIFH es una patología poco frecuente, que en la mayoría de los casos exige maniobras quirúrgicas para lograr la reducción. El resultado es independiente de la vía de abordaje utilizada.

Lesiones de lisfranc: reporte de dos casos / Lisfranc Injury: report of two cases

La Luxo-fracturas de Lisfranc tarsometatarsianas son poco frecuentes. 1 Se presenta caso 1: femenina de 34 años de edad, posterior a caída de aprox, 3 mts, con tumefacción y deformidad en medio pie Izquierdo. RX: luxación de tarsometatarsina homolateral. Caso 2, masculino de 24 años de edad, recibió traumatismo contuso en pie Izquierdo presentó tumefacción y deformidad en área tarsal media RX: luxo-fractura tarsometatarsina divergente, fractura de II-V metatarso; se realizó reducción abierta y fijación percutánea con alambres de Kirschner, sin complicaciones, coincidiendo el mismo mes de presentación, poco usual en la práctica médica, con evolución satisfactoria.

Dorsalis pedis artery pseudoaneurysm

An unusual case report is described here, of a young man who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the left Dorsalis Pedis Artery [DPA] ten years earlier, following a blunt injury. He sustained a recent injury to the same foot following which, the lump became enlarged and painful. Doppler flow studies and angiography confirmed the diagnosis and revealed the causative ostium through which this partially thrombosed aneurysm had arisen. Successful aneurysmectomy and end-to-end LSV bypass graft surgery was followed by complete recovery