Cutaneous myiasis from Dermatobia hominis.

We present a case report of cutaneous myiasis in a foreign traveler who was infected by Dermatobia hominis while visiting South America. This patient developed a painful furuncular lesion on the anterior scalp and noted that the lesion drained a serosanguinous fluid for more than a month before definitive treatment. Invasion of mammalian tissue by the larval forms of D. hominis typically results in the formation of a classic furuncular lesion. For persons who present with a lesion that contains a central draining stoma located on an exposed body surface, the diagnosis of myiasis should always be considered. In addition to the case report, we present a discussion of furuncular myiasis and describe the peculiar life cycle of the human botfly. We also describe the various therapies that may be employed for treating cutaneous myiasis, including surgical extraction of the larva and asphyxiation of the larva by application of petroleum jelly or other fat derivatives to the central stoma or breathing aperture.

Integrating a digital dictation system with a network data base for creating and managing radiologic teaching files.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: A method for facilitating the creation and management of radiologic teaching files is described. METHODS: A digital dictation system was integrated with a personal computer data base. The data base is maintained with user-friendly, graphically oriented software. Radiologists can dictate any examination for the teaching file from any dictation station in the department with minimal interruption of their clinical activities. The data base resides on a file server, thus providing department-wide access for radiologists and students. RESULTS: Attending radiologists and residents have responded favorably to the system. Maintenance and retrieval of teaching files are facilitated by using a computer for otherwise tedious aspects of information management. Data are stored in a well-organized manner, thus increasing the value of the teaching file while reducing redundant data entry. CONCLUSION: Computer technology can facilitate the maintenance of radiologic teaching files. Radiology departments that have a convenient, department-wide method for entering cases--such as a digital dictation system and existing computer network--are ideal for the technique that we describe.