Clinical challenge: cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma of the lower extremity.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) typically presents as multiple bilateral cutaneous patches or plaques of the lower extremities. This malignancy, however, can evolve with atypical presentation masquerading as a chronic wound. Lesions can mimic venous stasis ulcers, arterial insufficiency, vascular ulcers or chronic-infected wounds.

Enzymatic debriding agents are safe in wounds with high bacterial bioburdens and stimulate healing.

Background: Debridement is essential for successful wound management. Enzymatic debridement is commonly utilized in wound care but has been reported to be unsafe in wounds with significant bacterial bioburden, unless used in conjunction with topical antimicrobials. We examine this hypothesis with 2 commercially available, commonly used preparations of enzymatic debriding agents.

Nonvenomous bite injuries of the foot: case reports and review of the literature.

Animal bite injuries to humans are relatively common, however, bite injuries to the lower extremity and more specifically the foot are relatively uncommon. Foot injuries, once infected, may lead to further complications, such as soft tissue loss, bone loss, and the need for amputation. Patients with preexisting medical conditions, such as peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, are especially at risk for such complications.

Comparative evaluation of silver-containing antimicrobial dressings and drugs.

Wound dressings containing silver as antimicrobial agents are available in various forms and formulations; however, little is understood concerning their comparative efficacy as antimicrobial agents. Eight commercially available silver-containing dressings, Acticoat 7, Acticoat Moisture Control, Acticoat Absorbent, Silvercel, Aquacel Ag, Contreet F, Urgotol SSD and Actisorb, were tested to determine their comparative antimicrobial effectiveness in vitro and compared against three commercially available topical antimicrobial creams, a non treatment control, and a topical silver-containing antimicrobial gel, Silvasorb. Zone of inhibition and quantitative testing was performed by standard methods using Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus.