Hand infections: basic principles and management.

Background: An untreated hand infection can lead rapidly to tissue destruction and permanent disability.

Methods: Review of the pertinent English literature.

Results: Early diagnosis and timely, effective intervention is crucial to treatment.

COX-2 up-regulation in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

The objective of this study was to determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is up-regulated in the synovium of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty patients were enrolled: 16 consecutive patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and four control patients (exploration for non-carpal tunnel syndrome-related wrist or forearm pathology). Clinical data (demographics, pertinent history, symptomatology) were obtained preoperatively.