Successful Treatment of a Thyroid Abscess in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report.

Thyroid abscess, or acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST), is an exceedingly rare condition, particularly in the pediatric population. It often results from congenital anomalies or is secondary to infections. Despite its rarity, prompt diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent serious complications. We report a case of a five-year-old girl with no significant medical history who presented with a two-week history of anterior neck swelling, odynophagia, fever, and leukocytosis. Notably, the patient did not exhibit symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. Initial treatment with antibiotics for a suspected bacterial infection at a private clinic did not lead to improvement. Ultrasound and computed tomography scans revealed a multiloculated abscess within the left thyroid lobe. The patient underwent successful incision and drainage, supported by antibiotic therapy, resulting in a full recovery without complications. Imaging studies played a critical role in diagnosing and guiding the management of this condition. Thyroid abscess, though rare, should be part of the differential diagnosis for pediatric patients presenting with acute neck swelling, fever, and pain. Early diagnosis and appropriate management, typically involving surgical drainage and antibiotics, are essential for a favorable outcome.

A rare case of herpes zoster triggered by a non-live varicella vaccine.

Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus and often occurs in immunocompromised individuals. We describe a rare case of an immunocompetent patient with herpes zoster triggered by Shingrix, a non-live vaccine designed to protect against herpes zoster. Although herpes zoster has been described as a reaction to vaccinations before, to our knowledge this is the first report of herpes zoster triggered by a varicella zoster vaccine.

How to Optimize Wound Closure in Thin Skin.

Cutaneous surgery often is performed in areas of extremely thin skin. Traditionally, wound closure in thin skin is complicated because the skin tears easily and wound breakdown can occur. Consequently, healing becomes a challenge. Our group of dermatologic surgeons has developed a novel effective technique that minimizes these problems, which we present step by step.

An uncommon case of metastatic myxofibrosarcoma presenting with elbow and hip masses.

Myxofibrosarcoma frequently recurs locally but rarely metastasizes. Herein, we describe an elderly woman who had myxofibrosarcoma of the right elbow that went untreated during the COVID-19 pandemic. She subsequently presented with two large tumors ulcerating through the skin of her right elbow and left hip.

Metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma masquerading as a pyogenic granuloma on the lip.

Metastases to the face are rare. We report on a patient with a history of renal cell carcinoma who presented with a 1.2cm violaceous papule on his lower lip. Although clinically thought to be a pyogenic granuloma, biopsy revealed metastatic renal cell carcinoma recurring after 7 years of latency.