Remote Temperature Monitoring in Patients With Visual Impairment Due to Diabetes Mellitus: A Proposed Improvement to Current Standard of Care for Prevention of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Two debilitating sequelae of diabetes are foot ulcerations and vision impairing conditions including retinopathy, open-angle glaucoma, and cataracts. Current standard of care recommends daily visual screening of feet. Despite willingness, many patients are impeded by visual impairment. We investigate whether once-daily remote temperature monitoring can improve self-screening for patients at risk for diabetic foot complications. METHODS: We followed four male veterans with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, impaired visual acuity, and at least one other diabetes-related visual impairment in a high-risk podiatry clinic. Patients received a telemedicine remote temperature monitoring mat and instructed on proper daily use. Each patient developed a "hotspot," defined as a 1.75°C localized temperature difference between matched pedal locations, which resulted in telephone triage outreach. RESULTS: In three cases, outreach resulted in a sooner appointment where patients were found to have a relevant outcome at the hotspot. Patients in cases 1-3 had University of Texas (UT) 1A ulcerations. The patient in case 4 had inflammation from trauma. All patients had refractive errors plus another vision impairing condition that potentially delayed identification of lesions. Patients in cases 1 and 2 have cataracts, patients in cases 2 and 3 have retinopathy, and patient in case 4 has glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: As an adjunct to daily preventative diabetic self-care, once-daily remote temperature monitoring technology can augment self-screening to prompt necessary outreach and treatment and potentially prevent costly and debilitating diabetic foot complications. This case series serves as a pilot study for real-world application of thermometry, where further large-scale research is needed.

Fully Synthetic Bioengineered Nanomedical Scaffold in Chronic Neuropathic Foot Ulcers.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic ulcerations on weightbearing surfaces of the lower extremities are uniquely challenging and can lead to complications such as infection or amputation. OBJECTIVE: This 3-patient case series of 4 chronic wounds of various etiologies outlines the use of a fully synthetic bioengineered nanomedical scaffold that exhibits durability and allows for cell migration and angiogenesis while resisting enzymatic degradation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The nanomedical scaffold was rehydrated in sterile saline at room temperature for 3 to 5 minutes until translucent and pliable, then it was fenestrated with a scalpel. Following sharp debridement, it was affixed to the ulcer. A nonadherent dressing was applied, followed by applying a moist sterile dressing in a bolster fashion. RESULTS: All 4 ulcers reached the primary endpoints of granulation, as well as decreased wound size, using the nanomedical scaffold. CONCLUSIONS: The nanomedical scaffold successfully reduced the ulcer depths, stimulated granulation tissue while preventing necrosis, and helped the wounds remain infection free. The outcome of this case series suggests a fully synthetic bioengineered nanomedical scaffold can be used as an alternative to human or animal extracellular matrix in chronic, hard-to-heal neuropathic ulcers.

Remote Temperature Monitoring in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Detection.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization. Remote temperature monitoring (RTM) is an evidence-based and recommended component of standard preventative foot care for high-risk populations that can detect the inflammation preceding and accompanying DFUs. OBJECTIVE: This case series illustrates the use of a RTM foot mat for the early detection and prevention of DFUs in patients with a history of DFUs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three patients with a history of diabetes, neuropathy, and DFUs were provided a RTM foot mat and instructed in its daily use. Persistent localized temperature differences exceeding 1.75˚C between the left and right feet prompted the clinical staff to call the patient to collect subjective history for further triage. RESULTS: Each patient presented with persistent temperature differences exceeding 1.75˚C. In one case, the patient was instructed to offload, and during a subsequent clinical exam, a callus was debrided and accommodative insoles were issued, resulting in resolution of the temperature differences. In the other 2 cases, the RTM foot mat prompted communication with and examination of the patient when there was damaged tissue deep to callus, resulting in early detection and treatment of uninfected DFUs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this case series are consistent with literature supporting the use of RTM for high-risk patients.

A prospective, multicentre, open-label, single-arm clinical trial for treatment of chronic complex diabetic foot wounds with exposed tendon and/or bone: positive clinical outcomes of viable cryopreserved human placental membrane.

Complex diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) with exposed tendon or bone remain a challenge. They are more susceptible to complications such as infection and amputation and require treatments that promote rapid development of granulation tissue and, ultimately, reepithelialisation. The clinical effectiveness of viable cryopreserved human placental membrane (vCHPM) for DFUs has been established in a level 1 trial. However, complex wounds with exposed deeper structures are typically excluded from randomised controlled clinical trials despite being common in clinical practice. We report the results of a prospective, multicentre, open-label, single-arm clinical trial to establish clinical outcomes when vCHPM is applied weekly to complex DFUs with exposed deep structures. Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and a complex DFU extending through the dermis with evidence of exposed muscle, tendon, fascia, bone and/or joint capsule were eligible for inclusion. Of the 31 patients enrolled, 27 completed the study. The mean wound area was 14·6 cm2 , and mean duration was 7·5 months. For patients completing the protocol, the primary endpoint, 100% wound granulation by week 16, was met by 96·3% of patients in a mean of 6·8 weeks. Complete wound closure occurred in 59·3% (mean 9·1 weeks). The 4-week percent area reduction was 54·3%. There were no product-related adverse events. Four patients (13%) withdrew, two (6·5%) for non-compliance and two (6·5%) for surgical intervention.

Ewing sarcoma in a diabetic male with history of foot ulceration.

Ewing sarcoma is a rare diagnosis, with as few as 225 new cases diagnosed in North America annually, and only 3% occurring in the foot. They generally present in the second decade of life and are very infrequently found in patients older than 40 years. The diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma can be difficult, especially in older patients with diabetes and a history of ulceration, because it can have an appearance on radiography similar to that of osteomyelitis. We present a case of Ewing sarcoma of the foot in a patient with type 2 diabetes in his sixth decade of life.