Botulinum toxin type A: a treatment option for digital ischemia in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.

PURPOSE: Raynaud's phenomenon is an exaggerated vasospastic response that causes pallor and cyanosis. In the hand, it results in pain, disability, and the need for amputation. Current accepted medical and surgical treatments are not uniformly successful and have their inherent morbidities. Reports in the literature describe the use of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for the treatment of vasospastic ischemia of the digits. We report the results of the treatment of recalcitrant digital ischemia with BTX-A in our institution. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review between January 2003 and February 2007. All patients presented with a diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon with worsening pain, discoloration, or nonhealing wound of the hand. Patients received BTX-A injections into the perineurovascular tissue of the wrist or the distal palm, or along the digit. Outcomes measured included pain rating, digit color and appearance, transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and healing of chronic ulcers. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were treated, with a total of 55 treatment encounters. Patients were observed for an average of 18 months. Statistically significant improvements were noted for pain score and digit transcutaneous oxygen saturation measurements after treatment (p < .05). We found smokers and women were more likely to have improved coloration and appearance after injections. Complications included localized injection-related pain and transient intrinsic muscle weakness. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin type A significantly improves pain and improves healing in Raynaud's patients with few complications. BTX-A was found to be a safe and useful treatment option for vasospastic digital ischemia.

Island rotation flap for nasal reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Nasal reconstruction options are often dictated by size and location of the defect. Local flaps are often considered of little utility for larger or more complex defects. The authors' modification of the island rotation flap allows increased versatility and single-stage reconstruction for many more defects of varied sizes and locations. METHODS: A retrospective review of all cases of nasal reconstruction using the island rotation flap over a 3.5-year period was undertaken. RESULTS: Ninety-two island flap reconstructions were performed for defects ranging from 0.8 to 4.0 cm. For defects smaller than 2.5 cm, there were no cases of flap loss. Five percent of the patients required a second procedure, whereas 95 percent were reconstructed in a single stage. Five percent required treatment for prominent scars. Follow-up was over 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The laterally based blood supply of the nasal island rotation flap is reliable and robust. Patients treated with this flap had good healing and good symmetry and required minimal revision. Single-stage reconstruction with this flap requires both proper flap design and extensive undermining of the entire nasal soft-tissue cover. Nasal symmetry is maintained despite the defect and donor flap being on the same side of the nose. The authors present their technique for the island rotation flap for nasal reconstruction and information on its reliability and acceptance.

Recurrence of Scedosporium apiospermum infection following renal re-transplantation.

Immunosuppression for organ transplantation results in increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections including fungal, such as Scedosporium apiospermum. Even though many reported cases of this infection had both local and systemic manifestations, majority of the systemic infections had a fatal outcome. We report a case of a 50-year-old Caucasian male with lymphocutaneous and presumed pulmonary Scedosporium infection 4 years after renal transplantation that was successfully treated with voriconazole and discontinuation of immunosuppression. He received a second transplant 3 years later in the absence of clinical evidence of S. apiospermum infection. Unfortunately, 4 months after transplantation he developed recurrence of the same infection localizing to the soft tissues. Presently this infection is under control with surgical excision and voriconazole therapy. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of recurrent S. apiospermum infection in a renal transplant recipient. We suggest prophylactic antifungal therapy in all re-transplants with this infection.