Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy , Hemangiosarcoma/therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/therapy , Surgical Flaps , Aged, 80 and over , Combined Modality Therapy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Hemangiosarcoma/pathology , Humans , Male , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant , Scalp , Skin TransplantationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acne scarring is a common and difficult to treat condition. The plasma skin regeneration (PSR) system is a novel device that causes delayed ablation of the epidermis and controlled thermal modification to the underlying dermis. PSR has previously been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for facial rhytides and benign skin lesions. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of single-treatment, high-energy, double-pass PSR for the treatment of acne scarring. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with acne scarring and Fitzpatrick skin types I-III were included in the study. All patients underwent a single PSR treatment with two high-energy passes (3.5-4.0 J). Treatments were performed in an outpatient clinic setting. Nine patients completed 6 months of follow-up. Improvement was determined by patient questionnaires and physician evaluation of digital photographs taken prior to treatment and at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. RESULTS: On average, patients reported 34% improvement in their acne scarring at 3 months and 33% improvement at 6 months. Blinded physician ratings of patient photos demonstrated 19% improvement at 3 months and 34% at 6 months. Re-epithelialization was complete by 4-6 days after treatment, and no serious adverse events were encountered. CONCLUSION: PSR appears to provide a safe and effective single treatment, minimal downtime alternative for the treatment of acne scarring. Additional studies are warranted to further demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this device.
Subject(s)
Acne Vulgaris/complications , Cicatrix/surgery , Laser Therapy/instrumentation , Adult , Cicatrix/etiology , Cicatrix/pathology , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Patient Satisfaction , Pilot Projects , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
A suspected case of meningococcal meningitis was diagnosed in a 24-year-old sailor onboard an aircraft carrier at sea in 2003. He was immediately confined to the ship's hospital ward under respiratory isolation precautions and was treated with intravenously administered antibiotics. His illness resolved without sequelae. A total of 99 close contacts from the ship were identified and given antibiotic prophylaxis, with directly observed therapy. British public health authorities were contacted to trace and treat persons identified as close contacts during a port call a few days before presentation. Managing a communicable disease such as meningococcal meningitis in the austere shipboard environment represents a unique challenge to military medical personnel. Successful management is possible through prompt treatment, respiratory isolation, and open communication between primary health care providers and public health officials. The identification of shipboard close contacts and other infection control procedures used by the ship's medical department are reviewed.
