Frontal fibrosing alopecia: survey of severity assessment methods in routine clinical practice and validation of the International Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Cooperative Group measurement guidance.

BACKGROUND: The lack of validated and responsive outcome measures in the management of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) significantly limits assessment of disease progression and treatment response over time. AIM: To understand how FFA extent and progression is currently assessed in UK specialist centres, to validate components of the International FFA Cooperative Group (IFFACG) statement on FFA assessment, and to identify pragmatic advice to improve FFA management in clinic. METHODS: Consultant dermatologists with a specialist interest in hair loss (n = 17) were invited to take part. Preferred FFA assessment methods were explored using questionnaires and clinical scenarios. Participants were asked to identify and mark the current hairline in 10 frontal and 10 temporal hairline images (Questionnaire 1), with assessment repeated 3 months later to assess intraindividual variability (Questionnaire 2) and 12 months later to test whether interindividual accuracy could be improved with simple instruction (Questionnaire 3). RESULTS: All 17 clinicians (100%) completed the questionnaire at each time interval. We identified a wide variation in assessment techniques used by our experts. Measurements were perceived as the most accurate method of assessing frontal recession whereas photography was preferred for temporal recession. Inter-rater reliability between clinicians measuring the frontal hairline scenarios indicated a moderate strength of agreement [intraclass coefficient (ICC) = 0.61; 95% CI 0.40-0.85], yet intrarater reliability was found to be poor with wide limits of agreement (-8.71 mm to 9.92 mm) on follow-up. Importantly, when clear guidance was provided on how the hairline should be identified (Questionnaire 3), inter-rater reliability improved significantly, with ICC = 0.70, suggesting moderate agreement (95% CI 0.51-0.89; P < 0.001). A similar pattern was seen with temporal hairline measurements, which again improved in accuracy with instruction. CONCLUSION: We found that accuracy of measurements in FFA can be improved with simple instruction and we have validated components of the IFFACG measurement recommendations.

Arginase is overactive in psoriatic skin.

BACKGROUND: Psoriatic keratinocytes are poorly differentiated and hyperproliferative. Low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) induce keratinocyte proliferation, while high concentrations induce differentiation. The NO-producing enzyme inducible NO synthase is overexpressed in psoriatic skin, but so is arginase. The overexpressed arginase competes for arginine, the common substrate for both enzymes, and may reduce NO production. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether arginase activity is elevated in psoriatic skin and whether exogenous NO will improve psoriatic plaques. METHODS: Tape strips were taken from healthy skin of eight control subjects and nonlesional skin of eight patients with psoriasis and L-arginine, L-citrulline and L-ornithine concentrations measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. In a second study, four psoriatic patients with a pair of similar symmetrical plaques were treated with an NO donor and vehicle control. Plaques were scored for size, erythema, induration and scaling at the start and after 6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Ornithine, the end-product of arginase, was at higher concentrations in nonlesional psoriatic than in healthy skin (mean +/- SEM 2.08 +/- 0.98 vs. 1.13 +/- 0.44 microg mg(-1) protein; P = 0.0002). Arginine, its substrate, was at lower concentrations. Topical application of an NO donor improved psoriatic plaques clinically [mean +/- SD reduction in severity from baseline score (100%) to 35% +/- 16% in active NO donor and to 93% +/- 10% in control]. CONCLUSIONS: Arginase is overactive in psoriatic skin, leading to a relative increase in the consumption of arginine. We therefore hypothesize a relative decrease in NO synthase-derived NO production. NO donors may be effective topical treatments for psoriasis.

Changes in the site distribution of malignant melanoma in South East Scotland (1979-2002).

Scottish Melanoma Group (SMG) data on 2790 melanoma (MM) cases in South East Scotland over a 24-year time period were analysed in four periods each of 6 years duration grouped into frequently exposed, intermittently exposed, and always covered sites. Incidence increased significantly over time with females having a higher incidence rate than males. In both sexes, the proportion of cases seen on the posterior trunk and arm increased significantly (P<0.001), but declines were seen in the proportion of leg tumours in males (P=0.09) and of head tumours in females (P=0.011). Although the proportion of cases decreased for certain sites, the actual MM incidence increased at all sites. A significant increase in incidence occurred at usually and always covered sites (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively) in females and at usually covered sites in males (P<0.001).

Closure of hip wound, clips or subcuticular sutures: does it make a difference?

The purpose of this study was to investigate wound healing and complications following surgery for fracture neck of femur. Seventy-one patients were prospectively divided into two groups, according to the method of skin closure: group A had clips; group B had subcuticular vicryl® sutures. There were 41 patients in group A, and 30 patients in group B. There were 13 males and 58 females with an average age of 84.3 years (range 67-100 years). Thirty-seven patients underwent fixation with a dynamic hip screw, while 34 had undergone either a hemi or total hip arthroplasty. The wounds were inspected at days 2, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days, for discharge, redness and infection. There was a statistically significantly greater amount of wound discharge (P<0.002) and redness (P<0.009) in group A (clips) as compared to group B (vicryl). There were three cases of infection; all in patients where clips had been used for skin closure. We concluded that subcuticular vicryl sutures were significantly better than clips in terms of wound healing as well as cost. Except for some decrease in operative time there does not seem to be any advantage in the use of clips for wound closure.

Evolutionarily stable strategy distributions for the Repeated Prisoner's Dilemma.

This paper introduces the idea of an evolutionarily stable strategy distribution, which generalizes the idea of an evolutionarily stable strategy; roughly speaking, an evolutionarily stable strategy distribution is a finite set of symbiotic strategies which is unaffected by low levels of mutation. This idea is then applied to the n-person Repeated Prisoner's Dilemma, of which the usual Repeated Prisoner's Dilemma is the special case n=2. Given some standard assumptions on what mutations are possible, it is shown that if the probability of future interactions is sufficiently large, there are no evolutionarily stable strategy distributions. (And hence no evolutionarily stable strategies.) An example is given of an evolutionarily stable strategy distribution in the case when the set of possible mutant strategies is restricted.

The Mayday distal first metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus: a review after the introduction of a new instrument.

We present the short-term follow-up of 55 symptomatic hallux valgus deformities in 38 patients, treated operatively with a modification of the spike distal first metatarsal osteotomy, as described by Gibson and Piggott in 1962. The age range of the patients was 17 to 72 years at the time of surgery. The postoperative follow-up period was 12 to 55 months. Excellent and good clinical and radiographic results were recorded in 96.2% of our patients. Two of the patients (3.8%) were dissatisfied; one of them complained of metatarsalgia after the procedure, and the other had stiffness of the metatarsophalangeal joint and metatarsalgia that had been present before surgery. Three others (5.45%) required revision after early postoperative displacement but were asymptomatic subsequently. We concluded that our technique is an effective method of treating mild hallux valgus deformities with the advantages of simplicity, no shortening of the first metatarsal, and no risk of dorsal tilting of the distal fragment. Hallux valgus (lateral deviation of the great toe) is not a single disorder, as the name implies, but a complex deformity of the first ray that sometimes may involve the lesser toes. More than 130 procedures exist for the surgical correction of hallux valgus, which means that no treatment is unique. No single operation is effective for all bunions. The objectives of surgical treatment are to reduce pain, to restore articular congruency, and to narrow the forefoot without impairing function, by transferring weight to the lesser metatarsals either by shortening or by dorsal tilting of the first metatarsal. Patient selection is important for a satisfactory outcome after surgery of any kind, and our criteria were age, degree of deformity, presence of arthrosis, and subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. In this study, we present a new method of treating hallux valgus that has been used at Mayday University Hospital since 1990. The technique was first described at the British Orthopaedic Foot Surgery Society, Liverpool, November 1990, and we now present the short-term follow-up results. The procedure is essentially a modification of the spike osteotomy of the neck of the first metatarsal, as described by Gibson and Piggott. It has the advantages of simplicity, no shortening of the first metatarsal, and no risk of dorsal displacement of the distal fragment.

Histological changes associated with an artificial anterior cruciate ligament.

AIMS: To investigate the histopathological features of the synovial lining of the knee following implantation of an artificial cruciate ligament. METHODS: Eighty two patients underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for chronic, symptomatic instability of the knee. The cruciate ligament was reconstructed with a scaffold type prosthetic ligament. All patients underwent arthroscopy at the time of cruciate reconstruction and also as a "second look" procedure at a mean 26.5 months later, at which time synovial biopsy specimens were obtained in all cases. RESULTS: The most frequent histological finding was granulomatous synovitis in 48% (39/82) of patients. Particulate polyester debris produced a greater response than carbon fibres. In 24% (20/82), nonspecific inflammation was present and in 28% (23/82) the synovium was considered normal. When the prosthetic ligament was fully covered by soft tissue in-growth, a granulomatous reaction was present in 42% (24/57), irrespective of whether the ligament was partially or totally uncovered. Stabilisation of the joint did not prevent subsequent deterioration in the articular cartilage; other factors such as increasing patient age, interval between injury and reconstruction and altered knee kinematics after reconstruction are probably important. Granulomatous synovitis was not associated with progressive chondral changes. CONCLUSIONS: Although present in 48% of cases, granulomatous synovitis was not shown to have adverse effects on either chondral surface or the prosthetic material of the ligament. Rupture of the implant is caused by mechanical factors and granulomatous synovitis is not responsible for implant failure.

Displaced bucket handle tears of the medial meniscus masking anterior cruciate deficiency.

Traditionally, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have been difficult to diagnose in the Casualty Department. Studies have shown that the anterior drawer test has a poor sensitivity both in acute and chronic ACL deficient knees [4, 6, 9]; thus, more emphasis has been placed on the pivot shift and Lachman tests [3]. We report four cases of proven ACL rupture where clinical examination revealed an absent pivot shift and a near normal Lachman test following a displaced bucket handle tear of the medial meniscus. This finding has been reproduced in cadaver studies, and we conclude that if the history strongly suggests an ACL injury and examination reveals a stable knee, then the dual pathology of medial meniscus tear and ACL rupture should be suspected.

The Purley train crash mechanism: injuries and prevention.

On the afternoon of Saturday 4th March 1989 two trains, both bound for London Victoria Station, collided. Part of the rear train rolled down a steep railway embankment and jack-knifed against a tree. The mechanism of the crash and the injuries sustained by the 55 victims who were seen in the A&E Department of the Mayday University Hospital are described. Improvements in signalling technology and design of rolling stock which may reduce both the risk of collision and severity of injury in future accidents are discussed.

Central venous access in children via the external jugular vein.

Sixty-two children undergoing cardiac surgery were surveyed for the presence of external jugular veins. When present, these were used as a route for central venous catheterisation using a 'J' wire Seldinger technique. Only 54% of attempted insertions were successful but the results support greater efficacy in older children.

Long-term patient-controlled analgesia in children.

Three children who received patient-controlled analgesia for periods of up to 41 days are described. In each case patient-controlled analgesia allowed pain control to be achieved in difficult situations. No patient developed tolerance or clinical signs of dependence. This use of long-term patient-controlled analgesia warrants further evaluation.

Guidewire centering instrument.

A new instrument for centering the guidewire into the neck of the femur has been designed and clinically tested for 2 years. It enables the surgeon to vary the position of the guidewire relative to the long axis of the neck of the femur and to achieve the desired position in two planes, anteroposterior and lateral. The objective is to reduce operating time and minimize irradiation to patients and staff when using metal implants to fix a fracture of the neck of the femur.

Intra-articular bupivacaine for pain relief after arthroscopic surgery of the knee joint in daycase patients.

A randomised double-blind study was conducted to compare the influence on postoperative pain of equal volumes of one of two concentrations of bupivacaine (0.25%, 0.5%), or saline 0.9%, injected into the knee joint after arthroscopy. The results showed that intra-articular bupivacaine had no significant analgesic effect in either concentration. Plasma bupivacaine concentrations were measured 20 minutes after injection in order to determine the extent of systemic absorption.