Generalized pustular skin eruptions as a form of drug eruption is a rare entity. Recently this unique pustular dermatosis has been termed as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. We report on a 19-year-old man with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis probably induced by ampicillin. The patient presented with erythematous and pinhead-sized subcorneal pustules after taking ampicillin for abdomimal pain. The patient complained of high fever and malaise. On further review of his history, generalized skin eruptions had been noted on at least three other occasions. Each episode occured following oral administration of antibiotics. A histological examination of a skin biposy specimen showed a subcorneal pustules with a few neutrophils, dermal edema and necrotic keratinocytes. After discontinuation of ampicillin, the eruption cleared within 4 days.
Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis* ; Administration, Oral ; Ampicillin* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Drug Eruptions ; Edema ; Fever ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Neutrophils ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Rupture* ; Scrotum* ; Ultrasonography*

A 30-year-old man presented with several intensely prurutic erythematous serpiginous thread-like skin lesions which began as a small papule on the upper back 2 weeks prior to his visit and was migrating to the lower back and buttock area. The laboratory examination showed non-specific findings. Histopathologic examination revealed a pustular burrow containing numerous eosinophils in the epidermis. In the dermis, there was a diffuse and occasionally dense perivascular inflammatory cell inflammation consisting of eosinophils and some lymphocytes. The patient was treated with oral albendazole, antihistamine and topical corticosteroid for 2 weeks without recurrence for 6 months up to now. Multiple histologic sections were made without success in demonstrating parasitic tissue in the epidermis, however, the clinical and histopathologic features were consistent with cutaneous larva migrans.
Adult ; Albendazole ; Buttocks ; Dermis ; Eosinophils ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Larva Migrans* ; Lymphocytes ; Recurrence ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of bone cement augmented screw fixation for the patients accompanying severe osteoporosis. METHODS: Between February 2004 and August 2007, 157 patients with various spinal diseases including fractures accompanying severe osteoporosis underwent a bone cement augmented screw fixation (947 levels). About 4.8cc of polymethylmethacrylate was injected into the each vertebral body through transpedicular route. We divided the patients into two groups (Group I: Posterior fusion for compression/burst fractures or idiopathic scoliosis, Group II: Interbody fusion for various spinal diseases). Imaging and clinical features were analyzed, including bone cement augmented levels, fusion rate, clinical outcome and complications. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability questionnaire and modified MacNab's criteria were used for the assessment of pain and functional capacity. RESULTS: In both groups, a significant improvement in VAS and Oswestry disability questionnaire was achieved. 146 out of 157 patients (93%) were graded as excellent or good result according to the modified MacNab's criteria. None of the patients experienced operative death, screw pullout or cut-up. However, there were two cases of neurologic deterioration as a result of bone cement extravasation. CONCLUSION: Bone cement augmented transpedicular screwing can reduce the possibility of screw loosening and pullout in patients with severe osteoporosis.
Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Scoliosis ; Spinal Diseases

OBJECTIVE: Most patients wear cervical braces regardless of any anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) technique for cervical disc herniation, even in the plating. We compared clinical and radiological results in patients with cervical disc herniations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of plate insertion during ACDF and determine if this could eliminate the need for external cervical braces after ACDF. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated 67 patients treated for single level cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy. The patients were divided into two groups: 30 patients treated with ACDF using a Solis(R) cage with plating who did not wear a cervical brace after the operation (Group I: Plated group), and 37 patients treated with ACDF using a Solis(R) cage without plating who wore a cervical brace for 3 months (Group II: Non-plated group). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the neck disability index (NDI), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for neck and arm pain at different times after the surgery. In addition, modified MacNab's grading criteria were used to assess the subjective patients' outcome at the last follow-up. Fusion was assessed at 6, 12, and 18 months after the surgery using upright AP, lateral, and flexion-extension views. RESULTS: Excellent or good results were achieved in the most patients from both groups. Patients in both groups showed marked pain relief in terms of neck and arm pain scores over all time intervals. The NDI scores in both groups significantly improved when compared to preoperative scores; however, at 1 and 2 months after the surgery, patients in Group I (Plated group) had significantly better NDI scores compared to Group II (Non-plated group). Higher rates of fusion were reported in Group I over all time intervals although none of these were statistically significant. There were two patients who required second surgery for cage subsidence in Group II. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that anterior cervical fusion with plating for cervical radiculopathy is a safe and effective treatment which can eliminate unnecessary need for an external cervical brace.
Arm ; Braces ; Diskectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neck ; Radiculopathy

Psoas abscess is caused by primary or secondary and most commonly results from direct extension of intraabdominal infections. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism for psoas abscess secondary to vertebral osteomyelitis. Tuberculosis, malnutrition, alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, bone marrow failure, and steroid use are responsible for compromise in host defense and consequent increase in the relative risk of psoas abscess. We report here a case of bilateral poas abscess developed in a 58 year old patient with relapsed plasmacytoma in pelvic cavity during chemotherapy.
Abscess ; Alcoholism ; Bone Marrow ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Intraabdominal Infections ; Malnutrition ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Osteomyelitis ; Plasmacytoma ; Poa ; Psoas Abscess* ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the changes in blood glucose control and lipid profiles after 2-months of smoking cessation in healthy males. METHODS: Smoking abstinence was evaluated through self-report and urine cotinine levels. 12 individuals who succeeded in quitting smoking were analyzed. Fasting values of glucose and insulin were used to estimate the beta-cell activity and insulin resistance was evaluated using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI). RESULTS: The data showed that the subjects had a significant increase in weight, body mass index and fasting plasma glucose levels after smoking cessation. The HOMA-Insulin Resistance and the HOMA beta-cell function increased significantly (p=0.005, p=0.047 respectively). The QUICKI showed a significant decrease (p=0.005). In addition, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased significantly (p=0.028); however, changes in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were not significant (p=0.284, p=0.445 respectively). CONCLUSION: During the initial stage of smoking abstinence, insulin resistance increased and insulin sensitivity decreased due to elevated body weight and fat composition. Therefore, it is important to educate individuals that stop smoking about the necessity of weight control during smoking cessation programs.
Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Cotinine ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Plasma ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation

No abstract available.
Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Child* ; Humans ; Infant*