Cardiac and vascular metal deposition with high mortality in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a severe disabling disease that can follow gadolinium-based contrast exposure. In this study we analyzed the clinical and laboratory records of patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis who had a history of exposure to gadolinium-based contrast media and identified their cardiac and vascular events. At autopsy, we found that the heart, blood vessels, and skin of three patients who died of cardiac and/or vascular complications had appreciable amounts of gadolinium, iron, and aluminum as measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and confirmed by x-ray fluorescence. Of the 32 patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis studied, 10 died at a median of 112 days after diagnosis. Cardiovascular events contributed to the mortality of 9 patients and included congestive heart failure, recurrent arrhythmias, hypotension, stroke, limb ischemia, posterior ischemic optic neuropathy and sudden death. Our results show that increased cardiac and vascular complications along with short survival in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis are associated with metal accumulation in the heart, blood vessels, and skin of these patients.

Assessment of the accuracy of low-cost store-and-forward teledermatology consultation.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of dermatologic care to underserved areas. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare diagnoses from two types of dermatology consultations: telemedicine using store-and-forward (SAF) technology, and traditional face-to-face (FTF) office visits. METHODS: Skin conditions were imaged with a consumer-grade digital camera. A standardized template was used to collect historical data. Information was stored in a secured database for access by 2 or 3 board-certified dermatologists. Results from the FTF visit were used to assess the accuracy of the SAF diagnoses. RESULTS: A total of 106 dermatologic conditions in 92 patients were included. Concordance between FTF and SAF diagnoses was high, ranging from 81% to 89% for all 3 dermatologists. Clinically relevant disagreement occurred in only 4% to 8% of cases. Remaining disagreements did not affect patient care. Diagnostic confidence and image quality affected agreement. When cases of high confidence were analyzed separately, agreement increased to 88% to 100%. This increase was substantiated by means of a chi-square test between the high confidence and low confidence groups, which demonstrated statistical significance (P <. 005) for all dermatologists. Similarly, when cases of above average image quality were considered, agreement increased to 84% to 98%. Again this difference was substantiated by means of a chi-square test between adequate and poor images, with statistical significance for two dermatologists (P <.001). Accuracy was comparable between disease types with the exception of benign neoplasms, which demonstrated agreement of 22% to 46%. CONCLUSION: These data support the use of existing digital technology to construct an accurate SAF teledermatology system. The inexpensive camera and widely available computer equipment make this an extremely affordable system. Furthermore, participating dermatologists appear well aware of system limitations, as reflected in the increased agreement for high confidence cases. Additional investigation of the accuracy of teledermatology for benign neoplasms is warranted.

Extensor triggering in de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis.

Extensor triggering is an uncommon but recognized component of de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis. In a retrospective review of 827 patients with the diagnosis of de Quervain's disease over a 5-year period, 11 patients with 13 affected wrists were identified who had demonstrable triggering by both history and physical examination (prevalence of 1.3%). One wrist underwent surgical release without conservative treatment. The remaining 12 wrists were initially treated with nonoperative modalities. Failure of conservative treatment as defined by recurrent triggering and pain occurred in 7 wrists, of which 5 underwent surgical release. At the time of surgery, all wrists were noted to have synovitis, separate compartments for the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons, and no intratendinous nodules. After an average follow-up period of 42 months (range, 5.7-94.5 months) there were no recurrences of triggering after surgical treatment. Seven of 12 wrists with triggering de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis failed nonoperative treatment. Triggering or locking in extension is an uncommon symptom in de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis and demonstrates a more recalcitrant course when treated nonoperatively.

Search for the trematode Prouterina wescotti in black bears in Oregon.

Forty-six heads of free-ranging black bears (Ursus americanus) collected in May and June of 1995 and 1996 from Oregon (USA) were examined for the trematode Prouterina wescotti and other parasites. Only Sarcocystis sp. was detected in two adult male bears. Prouterina wescotti has been found only once previously in one black bear from Idaho (USA); its normal definitive host remains unknown.