Metastatic Melanoma in Sentinel Node-Negative Patients: The Ottawa Experience.

Background: Lymph node involvement is a major independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with malignant melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) detection of microscopic nodal melanoma has been shown to improve both 5-year survival and 5-year disease-free survival.

Objective: To determine the rate of metastatic melanoma in SLNB-negative patients at long-term follow-up.

Canaries in the mineshaft: the dermatology workforce shortage in Eastern Ontario.

Background: The number of dermatology residency positions in Canada has not reflected the growing workforce shortage. Until 2005, all dermatology residents at the University of Ottawa were committed to return to their funding area at the completion of their training. This has left Eastern Ontario with a critical shortage of dermatologists.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita and neonatal lupus.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is an uncommon congenital vascular anomaly that is characterized by persistent, reticulated, violaceous pigmentation. We describe a female infant with vascular lesions consistent with this entity who was born to a mother with previously diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus. Antinuclear antibodies and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies were detected in both mother and infant, supporting a diagnosis of neonatal lupus.

The interaction between gabapentin and amitriptyline in the rat formalin test after systemic administration.

Unlabelled: We examined the effects of systemically administered gabapentin on flinching and biting/licking behaviors produced by 2.5% formalin in the rat, compared these with those of amitriptyline, and determined the effects of combinations of gabapentin with amitriptyline. Gabapentin produced a dose-related inhibition of Phase 2, but not Phase 1, flinching and biting/licking behaviors.

Peripheral amitriptyline suppresses formalin-induced Fos expression in the rat spinal cord.

Unlabelled: We examined the effects of systemically, spinally, and peripherally administered amitriptyline on formalin-induced Fos immunoreactivity in the lumbar spinal cord. Formalin (2.5%), injected subcutaneously into the rat hindpaw, increased Fos immunoreactivity in laminae I-II, III-IV, and V-VI of the dorsal L5 spinal cord.