Management Options for Linear Scleroderma ("En Coup de Sabre").

Background: En coup de sabre (ECDS) is a form of linear-scleroderma, primarily affecting the face. Despite effectiveness of pharmacological interventions in the management of lesions, sequelae of cutaneous deformities are common.

Objective: Review the existing surgical tools for the correction of "en coup de sabre" ECDS lesions and facial deformities.

Social distancing and bacteraemia in the time of COVID-19.

Background: Social distancing was the predominant strategy used to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aims: To study the impact of social distancing on the incidence of bacteraemia. The number of admitted patients with positive blood cultures in April-May 2020 in one tertiary medical centre was compared with the number during the same period in the previous 3 years (April-May 2017-2019).

Ophthalmic adverse events following facial injections of botulinum toxin A: A systemic literature review.

Background: Over the years, botulinum toxin has found its place as a neuromuscular blocking agent in numerous medical fields. Since the approval of botulinum toxin by the FDA for cosmetic indications in 2002, it had become the most commonly performed esthetic procedure worldwide, with ever-growing demand. The characteristics of the toxin, along with the facial areas it is injected to, could possibly account for a wide array of complication.

Clinical implications of ANCA positivity in a hospital setting: a tertiary center experience.

ANCA testing plays an established critical role in the diagnosis of ANCA Associated vasculitis (AAV). The spectrum of diseases associated with positive ANCA has recently broadened, thus calling into question the diagnostic implications of ANCA positivity in a hospital setting. We retrospectively studied all adult patients who had a positive ANCA test (by Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF), ELISA or both) performed over the span of 19 years.

Ruptured hemorrhagic corpus luteum as a presenting symptom of systemic lupus erythematous.

A young female presented to the emergency room with ruptured hemorrhagic corpus luteum (RHCL). Her workup revealed a new diagnosis of SLE with nephritis and positive lupus anticoagulant (LAC) test without thrombocytopenia. We reviewed the literature and found one similar case of a 23-year-old subject who presented with a RHCL that was found to be the presenting symptom of SLE; unlike the current case, the patient presented with severe anemia (Hg 6.

Survival of patients with giant cell arteritis: a controversial issue.

Objectives: Epidemiologic studies differ regarding overall survival in giant cell arteritis (GCA). In this review we evaluated longevity and the impact of several disease parameters on survival of GCA patients.

Methods: Review of the medical literature during the period 1975-2018, using PubMed database.

Uric Acid Level as a Predictor of Long-Term Mortality in Advanced Age Population.

Background: Hyperuricemia is associated with the development, progression and outcome of several diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the serum uric acid (UA) levels as a predictor of long-term mortality in an older population (age 60 years and above).

Materials And Methods: Patients older than 60 years who were hospitalized in the departments of geriatrics and internal medicine in Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem during a period of 4 months (March-June 2014) were included in this observational study.

Segmental arterial mediolysis: a vasculitis mimicker. A single centre experience.

Objectives: Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare vasculopathy of unknown aetiology. It is non-atherosclerotic, non-inflammatory, non-hereditary, non-infectious, large to medium-sized arteriopathy. SAM is a condition which in some circumstances behaves as a vasculitis mimicker and should be recognised in order to provide appropriate treatment and avoid unnecessary immune-suppressive therapy.

Trends in antimicrobial resistance among bacteria causing septic arthritis in adults in a single center: A 15-years retrospective analysis.

Septic arthritis (SA) is commonly associated with Staphylococcal or Streptococcal infections. Overtime, there has been a global increase in the distribution of antimicrobial resistance within both Gram-positive bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positive Enterobacteriacea. The aim of this study was to determine whether this change in epidemiology similarly affected the distribution of resistant pathogens causing SA.

Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica: 2016 Update.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are both more common among people of North European decent than among Mediterranean people. Women are 2-3 times more commonly affected. Giant cell arteritis and PMR are extremely rare before age 50 years.

Dual-energy computed tomography as a diagnostic tool for gout during intercritical periods.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic yield of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in detection of uric acid accumulation in joints or periarticular structures in patients suspected of having gout, in their intercritical period.

Methods: Patients with a history of recurrent, short-lived mono- or oligo-arthralgia or arthritis, referred to the rheumatology clinic for diagnosis of their condition, were included in this retrospective evaluation.

Results: DECT confirmed the diagnosis of gout in 30 of 50 patients (60%).

The Incidence of Primary Systemic Vasculitis in Jerusalem: A 20-year Hospital-based Retrospective Study.

Objective: The incidence of primary systemic vasculitides varies among different geographic regions and ethnic origins. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence rates of vasculitides in the Jerusalem Jewish population, and to examine possible trends in incidence rates over a 20-year period.

Methods: The clinical databases of inpatients at the 2 medical centers in Jerusalem were searched for patients with vasculitis diagnosed between 1990-2009.

[Giant cell arteritis--old questions, current answers].

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common systemic vasculitis in the elderly. Over several decades there has been an increase in its incidence, although this trend has changed in North America, northern Europe and in Israel. The signs and symptoms of GCA can be classified into four general subsets: manifestations of cranial arteritis, extra-cranial arteritis, systemic symptoms and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) associated with vaccinations: a review of reported cases.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune condition characterized by low platelet count with mucocutaneous and other bleedings. Clinical manifestations may range from spontaneous formation of purpura and petechiae, especially on the extremities, to epistaxis, bleeding at the gums or menorrhagia, any of which occur usually if the platelet count is below 20,000 per μl. A very low count may result in the spontaneous formation of hematomas in the mouth or on other mucous membranes.

The fine line between Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis.

The objective of this study is to describe a series of patients above the age of 50 years with large vessel arteritis and vascular involvement typical of TAK. A retrospective review of 18 patients (median age 64 years) with emphasis on clinical characteristics, laboratory values, and vascular involvement by CT, MRI, or planar angiography. Five patients fulfilled the ACR criteria for GCA, five for TAK, three both GCA and TAK, while five patients did not fulfill the criteria for either disease.