ABSTRACT
The increasing popularity of nonsurgical cosmetic treatments with the use of hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite shows how effective and versatile these treatments can be. However, this is very likely to increase the number of complications that occur. Treatment protocols exist for vascular complications due to injections with hyaluronic acids. However, protocols for such events due to injections with calcium hydroxylapatite are less defined. The author suggests an exemplified protocol for the basis of managing such life-changing complications of impending necrosis after injections with calcium hydroxyapatite.
ABSTRACT
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are a very popular choice for patients wanting to undergo non-invasive facial rejuvenation. Its prevalence is predicted to continue to rise. We report a case of delayed angioedema and associated urticaria to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers post COVID-19 infection. To our knowledge, this is an unusual case of hypersensitivity reaction of eight-month latency. Although the aetiology warrants further research, the author suggests utilisation of a four-week time window between dermal filler injections and COVID-19 vaccination.
ABSTRACT
Introduction The clinicopathological description of dermatological manifestations of COVID-19 leaves much to be desired. There is a need to determine their association with disease severity, outcome, and other clinical variables. Objectives The objectives of this study are to record and histopathologically examine the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and correlate these to age, disease severity, and mortality. Methods All confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to a single tertiary healthcare hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, were included. Their diseases were classified as mild, moderate, severe, and critical. The recent onset skin eruptions in these patients were recorded via photographs along with relevant clinical data. The photographs were independently reviewed by a group of three dermatologists without knowledge of the clinical information. The skin manifestations were divided into disease-specific and nonspecific categories using an already defined algorithm. Histopathological examination of skin manifestations was conducted. Results A total of 23% (n=47) had "new" skin manifestations. Specific skin findings were seen in 21.6% (n=44), which consisted of ecchymosis/purpura in 50% (n=22), maculopapular exanthem in 18% (n=8), livedo reticularis in 16.2% (n=7), ischemia/gangrene in 16.2% (n=7), perniosis in 15.9 % (n=7), vesiculo-bullous rash in 9% (n=4) and urticaria in 4% (n=1). Non-specific findings were seen in 6% (n=13) and included bedsores, dermatitis passivata, dryness, herpes labialis, oral ulcerations, and nasogastric tube-induced ulcerations. There was a significant association (p=0.03) between disease severity and specific skin lesions. Ischemia/gangrene was significantly associated with COVID-19 disease severity and mortality. Vesiculobullous lesions were associated with higher mortality, though not with disease severity. Livedo reticularis had a higher-than-expected count in critical disease, albeit statistically insignificant. The association of maculopapular exanthem and ecchymosis/purpura with severe/critical disease was statistically insignificant. Urticaria was significantly associated with low disease severity. Mean age with specific manifestations was 56.86 ± 15.81 and with nonspecific/without any manifestations was 42.58 ± 16.96, a highly significant difference, with p-value < 0.001. Old age (>60 years) was significantly associated with ecchymosis (p=0.038), maculopapular exanthem (p=0.021), and vesiculo-bullous rash (p=0.029). Histopathology varied according to the type of skin lesion. Conclusions Dermatological manifestations coexist in many patients and tend to appear more in severe cases of COVID-19 among the older age group and only minimally in mild/moderate cases. Their presence could help set prognostic criteria of COVID-19 disease in the future.
ABSTRACT
The management of patients with intractable urinary incontinence presents as a challenging priority in the ageing population. To preserve the antibacterial mechanisms of the bladder, a urine collection that enables the bladder to fill and empty regularly and completely, should be used. This mimics the action of the healthy bladder. We compared the success rates of two widely used urinary-collection systems (catheter with drainage bag or a catheter valve) at our institution for those patients undergoing a trial of void.
