Randomized Controlled Trial of Preoperative Topical Decolonization to Reduce Surgical Site Infection for Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Swab-Negative Mohs Micrographic Surgery Patients.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is mainly due to endogenous bacteria. Topical decolonization is a preoperative intervention currently advised for proven nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

Oral antibiotics versus topical decolonization to prevent surgical site infection after Mohs micrographic surgery--a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: The optimal method of reducing the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) after dermatologic surgery is unclear. Empiric, preoperative antibiotic use is common practice but lacks supporting evidence for its efficacy in preventing SSI. Risk stratification for patients at high risk of postoperative SSI based on a nasal swab is a viable strategy when coupled with topical decolonization for positive carriers.

Late-stage human African trypanosomiasis in a Sudanese refugee.

A 19-year-old Sudanese woman, who had lived for about a decade in Ugandan refugee camps, was referred for investigation of a 12-month history of a generalised rash. Two months later, her condition had deteriorated to include cachexia and drowsiness. Despite initial negative findings on investigation, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) was suspected, and parasites were found in a double-centrifuged sample of cerebrospinal fluid.

Clear cell change in eccrine glands is not associated with diabetes.

The significance of clear cell change (clear reticulated cytoplasmic change) in the secretory portion of eccrine glands remains an enigma. It has been postulated to be a product of defective cellular glucose metabolism and potentially a predictor of diabetes. A series of 61 specimens from 38 patients were assessed to establish any demographic, seasonal, or metabolic associations.

Melanoma in private practice: do dermatologists make a difference?

Malignant melanoma is a major contributor to Australian morbidity and mortality. In this era of resource rationalisation, we seek to address the issue of whether routine full-skin examination by a dermatologist, rather than focussed examination of flagged lesions, will increase melanoma diagnosis. A retrospective chart review was undertaken between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008 in a private dermatology group practice in order to ascertain the number and characteristics of incidentally detected melanomas on routine skin examination.

Giant basal cell carcinoma masquerading as an osteogenic sarcoma.

An 88-year-old man presented to the dermatology outpatient clinic with an 11-month history of a rapidly growing mass overlying a clavicular fracture site. The lesion was 8 x 6 cm, painful, fixed to deeper structures and ulcerated. Superficial and deep biopsies yielded invasive basal cell carcinoma.

Endothelial and platelet activation in acute ischemic stroke and its etiological subtypes.

Background And Purpose: Activation of endothelial cells and platelets is an important mediator of atherothrombosis. Markers of endothelial cell and platelet activation such as soluble adhesion molecules can be measured in plasma. We hypothesized that patients with acute ischemic stroke would have increased blood concentrations of soluble E-selectin and von Willebrand factor (vWF), primarily reflecting activation of endothelial cells, and increased concentrations of soluble P-selectin and platelet-derived microvesicles (PDM), primarily reflecting activation of platelets, compared with healthy controls.