Angioma serpiginosum is a rare vascular naevoid disorder due to progressive ectatic dilatation of capillaries in the papillary dermis. We report two cases of angioma serpiginosum. A 24-year-old woman presented with asymptomatic multiple deeply red macules arranged in a serpiginous pattern on the left posterior thigh. In the other case, an 8-year-old girl had asymptomatic red nonpalpable puncta that were grouped closely together in a linear pattern from the left lower abdomen to thigh. On the histopathological examination, both cases commonly showed grouped, dilated, ectatic vessels in the upper dermis. These clinical and histopathological findings were typical of angioma serpiginosum.
Abdomen ; Capillaries ; Child ; Dermis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Thigh ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of preoperative, intraoperative studies and combination for the diagnosis of active infection in the hip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed results of the preoperative and intraoperative investigations in 58 patients with a total of 69 hip surgeries. White blood cell, differential counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein were determined preoperatively. Frozen sections and culture were analyzed intraoperatively, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of each investigation were calculated and analyzed to determine if any combination of studies could be used to diagnosis hip infection. RESULTS: When both the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the level of C-reactive protein show negative findings, the probability of hip infection is 0%, and when both tests are positive, the probability of infection is 67%. Moreover, when intraoperative frozen section of tissue, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein are all positive, the probability of infection is 100%. CONCLUSION: The combination of a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and normal C-reactive protein is a reliable predictor of the absence of infection. Intraoperative frozen sections are useful in an equivocal situation, but the intraoperative culture proved to be an unreliable predictor of infection.
Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Diagnosis* ; Erythrocyte Count ; Frozen Sections ; Hip* ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: Periprosthetic fracture is known to be uncommon, but serious complication after total knee arthroplasty. We evaluate the clinical outcomes and radiological changes following treatment modality of periprosthetic fracture after total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 13 knees of the 13 patient with periprosthetic fracture after total knee arthroplasty between March 1991 and December 2000 The average follow up period was 27 months. The patient were grouped according to the treatment methods; Group I is the patients who were treated by skeletal traction followed by cast or cast brace. Group II is the patients who were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with plate. Group III is the patients who were treated by retrograde intramedullary nails. We analyse time required for union, femorotibial angle after union, range of motion and Hospital for Special Surgery score of each group. RESULTS: Time required for union was similliar within groups. Femorotibial angle after union was not significant change in all groups postoperatively. ROM was decreased in Group I but there was not significant changes in group II and III. HSS score was decreased in Group I, 85 preoperatively and 65.2 postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Skeletal traction followed by cast or cast brace only can be recommended for knees in which the initial alignment and stability of fracture were in acceptab1e range, but it has increased functional loss because of prolonged immobilization and delayed ROM execises. In knees with malaligned and unstable periprosthetic fracture, condylar plating and retrograde IM nails can be recommended for better clinical and radiological results.
Arthroplasty* ; Braces ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Knee* ; Periprosthetic Fractures* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Traction

We report seven cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis without systemic involvement. All cases showed specific skin lesions which were papules (2 cases), patches (2 cases), subcutaneous nodules (2 cases) and plaques (1 case), respectively. Histologic examinations of the specimens commonly showed typical noncaseating granulomas. Although we performed the various laboratory studies, there was no evidence of systemic involvement in any case. Treatment with intralesional and/or topical steroid resulted in good responses, but we experienced some relapses of the skin lesions after withdrawal of treatment. Excision was the choice of treatment for subcutanous nodules. During the follow-up periods (1 - 4 years), we could not find any evidence of systemic involvement. Our cases represent the unusual cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis without systemic involvement.
Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma ; Recurrence ; Sarcoidosis* ; Skin