5-Fluorouracil Enhances Protoporphyrin IX Accumulation and Lesion Clearance during Photodynamic Therapy of Actinic Keratoses: A Mechanism-Based Clinical Trial.

Actinic keratoses (AK) are precancerous lesions that can progress to squamous cell carcinoma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and topical 5-fluorouracil (5FU) are commonly used agents for AK. Empirical reports suggest that combining them can improve the therapeutic response.

Postanesthesia evaluation of emotional and psychological satisfaction in a Hispanic population.

Background: Patient satisfaction has a positive impact on clinical care. Different strategies, such as questionnaires, have been developed to evaluate and improve patient satisfaction. A validated pediatric anesthesia questionnaire previously showed the importance of perioperative care built upon a relationship of trust between healthcare providers and children and parents, and a comfortable environment in which satisfactory answers are provided.

Perineural and intraneural cutaneous granulomas in granulomatous mycosis fungoides mimicking tuberculoid leprosy.

Background: Histological similarities between granulomas and granulomatous mycosis fungoides (GMF) may lead to misdiagnoses of sarcoidosis or leprosy.

Methods: This report presents four patients with GMF in whom skin biopsies showed perineural and intraneural granulomas that were confused with tuberculoid leprosy granulomas.

Results: Patient 1 presented with erythematous plaques and bulky nodules.

Risk factors and outcomes of cutaneous melanoma in women less than 50 years of age.

Background: Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, with recent reports indicating increasing incidence among young women.

Objective: This study sought to investigate histopathology, staging, risk factors, and outcomes of cutaneous melanoma in women younger than 50 years.

Methods: All female patients aged up to 49 years with biopsy-proven diagnosis of melanoma between 1988 and 2012 were included.

Predicting discharge to a long-term acute care hospital after admission to an intensive care unit.

Background: Long-term acute care hospitals are an option for patients in intensive care units who require prolonged care after an acute illness. Predicting use of these facilities may help hospitals improve resource management, expenditures, and quality of care delivered in intensive care.

Objective: To develop a predictive tool for early identification of intensive care patients with increased probability of transfer to such a hospital.

The effect of patch testing on surgical practices and outcomes in orthopedic patients with metal implants.

Objective: To determine the effect of patch testing on surgical decision making and outcomes in patients evaluated for suspected metal hypersensitivity related to implants in bones or joints.

Design: Medical chart review.

Setting: Tertiary care academic medical center.

Design, implementation, and comparison of methods for collecting implant registry data at different hospital types.

Practical issues surrounding the official establishment of a national arthroplasty registry in the United States remain. The purpose of this study was to compare compliance and accuracy rates associated with 3 methods for voluntarily collecting implant registry data at 3 different hospital types. Methods examined included (1) scannable paper forms, (2) online forms comprising keypunching for implant data input, and (3) the same electronic form but incorporating barcode scanning for implant data entry.