ABSTRACT
Paronychia, which can be acute or chronic, is characterized by erythema, edema, and tenderness at the proximal and occasionally lateral nail folds. Causes of chronic paronychia include excessive moisture, contact irritants, trauma, and candida infection. Chronic paronychia is usually multifactorial and difficult to treat. The aim of the present work was to assess the role of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser as a new modality for the treatment of chronic paronychia. In this interventional pilot study, eight female patients suffering from long-standing paronychia received 2-5 Nd:YAG laser sessions (4 weeks apart). Fluences ranged between 70 to 80 J/cm(2), using a 2.5-mm spot size handpiece, and pulse duration was set at 0.7 ms. Patients were digitally photographed and clinically evaluated before starting the treatment and at each session. Seven of our patients showed various degree of improvement regarding erythema and swelling of their proximal nail folds. Nail plate abnormalities also improved in six patients. These preliminary results document the efficacy and feasibility of Nd:YAG laser as one of the treatments that could ameliorate chronic paronychia.
Subject(s)
Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use , Paronychia/radiotherapy , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Nails/pathology , Nails/radiation effects , Pilot Projects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In our department we have developed a standardized applicator for HDR brachytherapy of surface lesions, the so called Leipzig-applicator. We have used this method since September 1987, initially with a Decatron remote afterloading machine, but more recently from November 1990 with a microSelectron-HDR. We report about our experience of 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Since 1987 we treated 520 patients in 3,026 fractions with this method. In most of the cases we irradiated tumors of the skin of the face, but we also treated tumors of the mouth, of the tongue, of the perianal region and the external genitalia. The histological types were in most of the cases squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas, but we also treated tumors like Kaposi-sarcomas, melanomas and skin manifestations of lymphomas and solid organ tumors. We also irradiated benign lesions like keloids after excision. We use single doses between 5 and 10 Gy once to twice a week. The isodose distribution was depending of the tissue infiltration of the tumor. The total dose was 30 to 40 Gy. RESULTS: In 91% of the cases we obtained a complete remission of the tumor, in 6% a partial remission. Recurrences appeared in 8% of the patients. In most cases the reason of the recurrence was a lower brachytherapy dose because of a prior radiotherapy. We didn't observe any severe late radiation reaction. CONCLUSION: We consider that our series of patients treated with HDR brachytherapy and a range of standardized applicators demonstrates that this is a successful method of treating surface lesions.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy/instrumentation , Keloid/radiotherapy , Paronychia/radiotherapy , Skin Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Adult , Aged , Brachytherapy/methods , Brachytherapy/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Palliative Care , Postoperative Care , Radiotherapy Dosage , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The experience of the world leading hospitals confirms the high efficacy and appropriateness of radiation therapy of nontumorous diseases. The authors consider the general principles of the organization of radiotherapeutic service, discuss reasons that have led to a decrease in the use of this method for therapy of nontumorous diseases in this country. They also emphasize the fact that radiation therapy must have its place among therapeutic modalities used for nontumorous diseases.
Subject(s)
Arthritis/radiotherapy , Bursitis/radiotherapy , Osteomyelitis/radiotherapy , Paronychia/radiotherapy , HumansSubject(s)
Inflammation/radiotherapy , Acute Disease , Bursitis/radiotherapy , Carbuncle/radiotherapy , Female , Humans , Mastitis/radiotherapy , Osteoarthritis/radiotherapy , Pancreatitis/radiotherapy , Paronychia/radiotherapy , Peritonitis/radiotherapy , Postoperative Complications/radiotherapy , Radiation Protection , Radiotherapy/adverse effectsSubject(s)
Paronychia/radiotherapy , Adult , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Female , Humans , Paronychia/surgerySubject(s)
Paronychia/radiotherapy , Skin/blood supply , Sweat Gland Diseases/radiotherapy , Thrombophlebitis/radiotherapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Radioisotopes , Radiotherapy/instrumentation , Strontium Radioisotopes , Thallium , Yttrium RadioisotopesSubject(s)
Paronychia/radiotherapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Ambulatory Care , Female , Fingers , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Military Medicine , Radioisotope Teletherapy , Radiotherapy Dosage , Toes , USSRABSTRACT
The good response of inflammatory diseases to a low dose radiotherapy is well known. Mainly, this fact is based on experiences made in the time before antibacterial chemotherapy area. In this study our results are presented which were obtained by treating 90 patients with radiotherapy in the last years, exlusively. With respect to the end of the treatment a success rate of more than 90% was achieved. This result was compared with literature and with own findings from radiotherapy of patients with degenerative joint diseases. From the viewpoint of radio-protection the radiotherapy should be initiated as early as possible because in these cases better results could be attained at low doses. Especially, the radiotherapy of the following diseases seems to be favourable: parotitis, mastitis, abscess, furuncle, paronychia and panaritium. Besides the complications and risks of the chemotherapy the somatic and genetic radiation injuries are discussed. When radiation therapy is applied skilfully the side effects of a locally and regionally limited therapy may be neglected. It is recommended to extend the indication for radiotherapy of inflammatory diseases.
