[Acute finger ischemia: A retrospective study of 13 patients]. / Ischémie digitale aiguë : étude rétrospective de 13 cas.

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemia of the upper limbs is rare in comparison with ischemia of the lower limbs. The origins of this condition are varied. GOALS: We retrospectively analyzed cases of acute finger ischemia (Raynaud's phenomena was excluded) in a dermatology department between 2008 and 2013 in order to evaluate the etiology and management of this phenomenon. RESULTS: Thirteen cases of finger ischemia were reported. The mean age was 54 years. Active smoking was noted in 11 cases. Ischemia was acute in 9 cases and subacute in 4 cases. The location was unilateral in 10 cases and bilateral in 2. Etiologies were: dysplasia of the palmar arch, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, frostbite, distal arteritis linked to smoking, paraneoplastic arteritis, Buerger's disease, polyarteritis nodosa, stenosis of the subclavian artery, and 3 cases of embolic origin (ulnar, cardiac, and paraneoplastic aneurysm). In the acute phase, antiplatelets were given in 6 cases, anticoagulants in 10 cases and ilomedin in 6 cases. Sympathectomy was performed in 1 case and amputation in 2 cases. DISCUSSION: This study illustrates the diversity of etiologies of finger ischemia. The etiological test battery should be broad and include immunological and thrombophilia tests, arterial and cardiac investigations, cervical radiography and CT scan (screening for cancer). Close collaboration between dermatologists, hematologists, vascular surgeons and radiologists is essential for the management of these patients.

[Phlegmasia cerulea dolens]. / La phlébite bleue.

BACKGROUND: Herein we report a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens, a form of venous thrombosis complicated by arterial ischaemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 69-year-old man presented a bilateral trophic condition of the lower limbs that had appeared 3 weeks earlier. The patient had a history of metastatic urothelial bladder carcinoma and arteritis. Clinical examination revealed right leg ulcers with massive bilateral oedema of the lower limbs, cyanosis and local ischaemia. Doppler ultrasound revealed bilateral and proximal deep vein thrombosis (sural and superficial femoral veins of the right leg; sural and iliac veins of the left leg) without any distal arterial flow. We concluded on a diagnosis of bilateral phlegmasia cerulea dolens. DISCUSSION: Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a particular type of deep venous thrombosis in which a proximal venous thrombus is combined with arterial ischaemic signs due to brutal and massive oedema and slowing down of arterial flow. In most cases, the lower limbs are involved, with malignancy being the most common cause. It should be suspected in the presence of the classical triad of "pain, oedema and cyanosis", with confirmation by Doppler ultrasound. There is no general consensus regarding standard management. Traditionally, systemic anticoagulation has been the mainstay of treatment for this condition. Endovascular surgery may be a possibility in some cases. Prompt diagnosis and rapid treatment initiation are paramount in order to improve the prognosis of this severe condition with ominous prospects.

Palliative education: a didactic and experiential approach to teaching end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND: The training in palliative care that health professionals receive is inadequate. An aging population, changing systems of health care delivery, and the debate about euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide increase the importance of ongoing education about palliative care. METHODS: Three modules are offered by the University of California, Davis, West Coast Center for Palliative Education (WCCPE). Module 1, offered on-site, blends didactic and field learning using lectures, case studies, patient contact, and role modeling. Module 2 programs, held off-site, are customized in collaboration with the sponsor to address local needs and concerns. This module emphasizes group discussion and problem solving. Module 3 trains health care and custody staff and volunteer inmates at correctional facilities. Inmate training focuses on developing communication skills and a capacity to empathize through experiential exercises, dialog, and role-playing. RESULTS: Off-site training significantly improved self-assessed knowledge about pain management and attitudes towards end-of-life care. Qualitative measures showed enhanced care-delivery skills for participants in all three modules. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative care education can be enhanced when delivered close to the point of care using multimodal techniques that influence attitudes as well as knowledge.

Treatment of fractures of the fifth metatarsal: a prospective study.

Successful treatment of avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal has been achieved using both short leg casts and soft (Jones) dressings. Sixty patients who presented to our institution were prospectively randomized to be treated with either a short leg cast or a soft (Jones) dressing for the purpose of assessing the efficacy of each treatment modality. Our results demonstrated that radiographic evidence of fracture healing was present in all patients by 65 days with 44 days representing the average elapsed time for such change. All patients returned to full weightbearing and full physical activity within 96 days. Significantly, the average length of recuperation for patients treated with a soft (jones) dressing was 33 days as compared to 46 days for those treated with a short leg cast. Also, the average modified foot score for patients treated in a soft dressing was 92 (excellent) compared to 86 (good) for patients treated in a short leg cast. We conclude that a soft dressing allows patients to return to pre-injury levels of activity faster than when treated in a short leg cast and without compromising clinical or radiographic union of avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal.