Double lung transplantation is better than single lung transplantation for end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: Lung transplantation is one of the most common treatment options for patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the choice between single and double lung transplantation for these patients remains a matter of debate. Therefore, we performed a systematic search of medical databases for studies on single lung transplantation, double lung transplantation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The first Australian Baseline Series: Recommendations for patch testing in suspected contact dermatitis.

Background And Objectives: Patch testing is a standard diagnostic tool used in the identification of causative allergens in allergic contact dermatitis. Ongoing surveillance of rates of allergen positivity is vitally important to detect trends and allow comparisons between countries. The objective of this study was to propose the first evidence-based Australian baseline series, based on retrospective review of our patch test data.

Drug hypersensitivity syndrome with significant gastrointestinal involvement.

Drug hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) is an idiosyncratic systemic reaction to a drug. The clinical presentation of this syndrome comprises a diverse spectrum, ranging from mild to fulminating organ failure. Nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms are common in DHS, but severe morbidities and mortalities attributed to gut disease in DHS are rarely described.

Retrospective analysis of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome: a study of 27 patients.

Background: Previous reports regarding the characteristics of patients with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) are mostly limited to small case reports and drug-specific case series, mainly involving Caucasian patients.

Objective: We describe the trends in the clinical presentation and laboratory findings of our patients with DIHS and their response to therapy.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series.

Fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of atrophic acne scarring in Asian patients: a pilot study.

Introduction: Ablative carbon dioxide resurfacing is the gold standard for treating atrophic acne scarring but is associated with prolonged recovery and many side effects. To address these limitations, newer modalities employing the principle of fractional photothermolysis have emerged.

Methods: We undertook a prospective study whereby five Asian patients of skin phototype IV with moderate to severe atrophic acne scarring received two sessions of a fractional carbon dioxide laser 6-8 weeks apart.

Photodynamic therapy with 20% aminolevulinic acid for the treatment of recalcitrant viral warts in an Asian population.

Background: Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the principle of targeted tissue destruction using selective photosensitization via a topical porphyrin precursor, followed by light exposure. It is well established for the treatment of actinic keratoses and superficial nonmelanoma skin cancers. Some studies have reported good efficacy when using PDT to treat viral warts in the Western population.

Staging of necrotizing fasciitis based on the evolving cutaneous features.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe soft-tissue infection characterized by a fulminant course and high mortality. Early recognition is difficult as the disease is often clinically indistinguishable from cellulitis and other soft-tissue infections early in its evolution. Our aim was to study the manifestations of the cutaneous signs of necrotizing fasciitis as the disease evolves.

Treatment of Kimura's disease with cyclosporine.

Kimura's disease is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause. It is characterized by painless subcutaneous swellings and lymphadenopathy, commonly affecting the head and neck region. This is associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia and raised serum IgE.

What is subacute necrotizing fasciitis? A proposed clinical diagnostic criteria.

Objective: Subacute necrotizing fasciitis is a poorly defined clinical entity. Its very existence has been the subject of much controversy. While rarely reported, subacute forms of necrotizing fasciitis have been documented in the literature by many authors.

The diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis.

Purpose Of Review: A delay in the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of necrotizing fasciitis has clearly been demonstrated to increase mortality. However, paucity of specific cutaneous signs makes early recognition extremely difficult. This review highlights recent developments in the approaches to the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis.

Cutaneous melioidosis and necrotizing fasciitis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.

In areas where melioidosis is endemic, stress on the healthcare system is substantial. Because clinical manifestations are protean, the illness is difficult to diagnose, and cutaneous Burkholderia pseudomallei infections can progress to necrotizing fasciitis. While it is and uncommon complication of cutaneous melioidosis, necrotizing fasciitis is potentially fatal and requires aggressive management, including early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotics selection and operative débridement.