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BACKGROUND Anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare cancer commonly treated with the Nigro protocol, which combines chemotherapy and radiation. Patients who received radiation therapy prior to modern advances, such as computer-based tumor targeting, volumetric planning, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, experience more acute and chronic adverse effects. Though exceedingly rare, radiation necrosis is of particular concern, as it can result in significant morbidity and mortality, including complex pelvic fistula formation and predisposition to potentially life-threatening necrotizing soft-tissue infections. CASE REPORT Here, we present a case of a 66-year-old woman with a prior history of anal SCC stage T3N×M0 who was treated with the Nigro protocol. Her treatment course was complicated by radiation proctitis, necessitating fecal diversion and ureteral strictures, requiring frequent stent exchanges. She presented 18 years after her cancer treatment, with widespread necrosis of her pelvic organs and surrounding soft tissue, resulting in formation of a large pelvic "cloaca", with a superimposed necrotizing soft-tissue infection. She was successfully treated by expedited resuscitation, septic source control, using multiple extensive debridements, and complete urinary diversion, utilizing a multidisciplinary team. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of monitoring patients for signs of radiation toxicity, particularly in patients who received radiation prior to the latest technological advancements, as they are at increased risk of developing severe, late adverse effects decades after treatment. When these complications are recognized, early and aggressive intervention is required to spare the patient significant morbidity and mortality.

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PURPOSE: Osseointegration (OI) is a novel alternative to traditional socket-suspended prostheses for lower-limb amputees, eliminating the socket-skin interface and allowing for weight bearing directly on the skeletal system. However, the stoma through which the implant attaches to the external prosthesis creates an ingress route for bacteria, and infection rates as high as 66% have been reported. The aims of this study are to classify infection management and long-term outcomes in this patient population to maximize implant salvage. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who underwent lower-limb OI at our institution between 2017 and 2022. Demographic, operative, and outcome data were collected for all patients. Patients were stratified by the presence and severity of infection. Chi-square and t tests were performed on categorical and continuous data, respectively, using an alpha of 0.05. RESULTS: One hundred two patients met our study criteria; 62 had transfemoral OI and 40 had transtibial OI. Patients were followed for 23.8 months on average (range, 3.5-63.7). Osteomyelitis was more likely than soft tissue infection to be polymicrobial in nature (71% vs 23%, P < 0.05). Infections at the stoma were mostly (96%) managed with oral antibiotics alone, whereas deeper soft tissue infections also required intravenous antibiotics (75%) or operative washout (19%). Osteomyelitis was managed with intravenous antibiotics and required operative attention; 5 (71%) underwent washout and 2 (29%) underwent explantation. Both implants were replaced an average of 3.5 months after explantation. There was no correlation between history of soft tissue infection and development of osteomyelitis (P > 0.05). The overall implant salvage rate after infection was 96%. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes our institution's experience managing infection after OI and soft tissue reconstruction. Although infections do occur, they are easily treatable and rarely require operative intervention. Explantation due to infection is rare and can be followed up with reimplantation, reaffirming that OI is a safe and effective treatment modality.

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OBJECTIVE: Bioabsorbable magnesium-based alloy screws release gas upon resorption. The resulting findings in the adjacent soft tissues and joints may mimic infection. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ultrasound (US) findings in soft tissues and joints during screw resorption. METHODS: Prospectively acquired US studies from pediatric patients treated with magnesium screws were evaluated for screw head visibility, posterior acoustic shadowing, twinkling artifact, foreign body granuloma, gas (soft tissue, intra-articular), alterations of the skin and subcutaneous fat, perifascial fluid, localized fluid collections, hypervascularization, and joint effusion. RESULTS: Sixty-six US studies of 28 pediatric patients (nfemale = 9, nmale = 19) were included. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 10.84 years; the mean time between surgery and ultrasound was 128.3 days (range = 6-468 days). The screw head and posterior acoustic shadowing were visible in 100% of the studies, twinkling artifact in 6.1%, foreign body granuloma in 92.4%, gas locules in soft tissue in 100% and intra-articular in 18.2%, hyperechogenicity of the subcutaneous fat in 90.9%, cobblestoning of the subcutaneous fat in 24.2%, loss of normal differentiation between the epidermis/dermis and the subcutaneous fat in 57.6%, localized fluid collection in 9.9%, perifascial fluid in 12.1%, hypervascularization in 27.3%, and joint effusion in 18.2%. CONCLUSION: US findings in pediatric patients treated with magnesium screws strongly resemble infection, but are normal findings in the setting of screw resorption. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Bioabsorbable magnesium-based alloy screws release gas during resorption. The resulting US findings in the adjacent soft tissues and joints in pediatric patients may mimic infection, but are normal findings. KEY POINTS: • Bioabsorbable magnesium-based alloy screws release gas upon resorption. • The resulting ultrasound findings in children's soft tissues and joints closely resemble those of soft tissue infection or osteosynthesis-associated infection. • Be familiar with these ultrasound findings in order to avoid inadvertently misdiagnosing a soft tissue infection or osteosynthesis-associated infection.

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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients may be a great challenge for clinicians caring for SOT due to the involvement of both common and opportunistic pathogens associated with a blunted immune response. The purpose of this review is to outline current literature and describe open issues on the management of SSTI in this special population. RECENT FINDINGS: Clinical presentation in SOT recipients can manifest as isolated skin lesions after primary inoculation or be the sign of a disseminated infection. Tissue samples for microscopy and histopathology are crucial to making an accurate diagnosis given the nonspecific and heterogeneous appearance of skin lesions. Multidisciplinary teams are required for a comprehensive diagnosis and management. SUMMARY: SSTI are frequent contributors to morbidity and mortality in SOT. Specific research focused on the clinical presentation, risk factors and management in this special population is needed.

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Diabetes is a systemic illness that can cause a broad range of physiologic effects. Infection rates and wound healing are both affected through multiple mechanisms. Other physiologic changes increase risk for wounds as well as complex soft tissue infections ranging from simple cellulitis to necrotizing soft tissue infections. Clinicians and surgeons need to have a low index of suspicion for severe infection in a patient presenting with diabetes, and even more so in patients with uncontrolled diabetes.

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INTRODUCTION: Necrotising soft tissue infections (NSTI) can threaten life and limb. Early identification and urgent surgical debridement are key for improved outcomes. NSTI can be insidious. Scoring systems, like the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotising Fasciitis (LRINEC), exist to aid diagnosis. People who inject drugs (PWID) are high risk for NSTI. This study aimed to assess the utility of the LRINEC in PWID with lower limb infections and develop a predictive nomogram. METHODS: A retrospective database of all hospital admissions due to limb-related complications secondary to injecting drug use between December 2011 and December 2020 was compiled through discharge codes and a prospectively maintained Vascular Surgery database. All lower limb infections were extracted from this database, dichotomised by NSTI and non-NSTI with the LRINEC applied. Specialty management times were evaluated. Statistical analyses involved: chi-square; Analysis of "variance"; Kaplan-Meier, and receiver operating characteristic curves. Nomograms were developed to facilitate diagnosis and predict survival. RESULTS: There were 557 admissions for 378 patients, with 124 (22.3%; 111 patients) NSTI. Time from admission to: theatre and computed tomography imaging respectively varied significantly between specialties ( P =0.001). Surgical specialties were faster than medical ( P =0.001). Vascular surgery received the most admissions and had the quickest time to theatre. During follow-up there were 79 (20.9%) deaths: 27 (24.3%) NSTI and 52 (19.5%) non-NSTI. LRINEC ≥6 had a positive predictive value of 33.3% and sensitivity of 74% for NSTI. LRINEC <6 had a negative predictive value of 90.7% and specificity of 63.2% for non-NSTI. Area under the curve was 0.697 (95% CI: 0.615-0.778). Nomogram models found age, C-reactive protein, and non-linear albumin to be significant predictors of NSTI, with age, white cell count, sodium, creatinine, C-reactive protein, and albumin being significant in predicting survival on discharge. CONCLUSION: There was reduced performance of the LRINEC in this PWID cohort. Diagnosis may be enhanced through use of this predictive nomogram.

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The infiltration of foreign materials not approved for medical purposes or of modeling substances used in soft tissue to modify the anatomical appearance for aesthetic purposes represents a serious health problem. These procedures lead to the development of delayed complications, including infections. The objective of this study was to characterize infections in patients with adverse reactions to the use of modeling substances in Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was used to determine the frequency of bacterial and fungal infections associated with complications from and adverse reactions to the use of modeling substances in 113 patients. We identified microorganisms in 22 patients and a frequency of 68.1% monomicrobial infections and 31.8% polymicrobial infections. The microorganisms identified in our study included Bacillus cereus, Mycobacterium fortuitum, and Pseudomonas stutzeri, among other microorganisms. The presence of adverse effects derived from the use of illegal modeling substances has been demonstrated; among these effects, infections occur with high frequency and place the health of the patient at risk and increase problems in health care.

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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to discuss the latest evidence of the epidemiology, microbiology, risk factors, diagnosis and management of community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in people who inject drug (PWID). RECENT FINDINGS: SSTIs are common complications in PWID and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Infections can range from uncomplicated cellulitis, to abscesses, deep tissue necrosis and necrotizing fasciitis. They are predominantly caused by Gram-positive pathogens in particular Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species; however, toxin-producing organisms such as Clostridium botulism or Clostridium tetani should be considered. The pathogenesis of SSTI in the setting of intravenous drug use (IDU) is different from non-IDU related SSTI, and management often requires surgical interventions in addition to adjunctive antibiotics. Harm reduction strategies and education about safe practices should be implemented to prevent morbidity and mortality as well as healthcare burden of SSTI in PWID. SUMMARY: Prompt diagnosis and proper medical and surgical management of SSTI will improve outcomes in PWID.

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BACKGROUND: Injection lipolysis is used for body and face contouring due to its minimal invasiveness and cost-effectiveness, but related complications such as nontuberculous mycobacterium infection significantly affect its clinical application. AIMS: This study aimed to review the literature on NTM infection after injection lipolysis. METHODS: We conducted a literature review of scientific journals published in Medline and PubMed up to September 2022 on patients with NTM skin and soft tissue infections. We used the keywords: nontuberculous mycobacterium, infection, injection lipolysis, and lipolytic solution in various combinations with the Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT. Only articles available in English and full version publications were considered for this review. Here, we reviewed the relevant mechanisms and drugs for injectable lipolysis and analyzed the possible correlation between NTM infection and injection lipolysis. We also summarize methods for the diagnosis and treatment of NTM infections and present some perspectives on this therapy. RESULTS: Many patients with NTM infections had a history of fat-related surgery or therapy. NTM infection after injection lipolysis may be related to inadequate disinfection and sterilization of injection equipment and clinical procedures, the unqualified medication itself and free fatty acids released during injection lipolysis. Currently, diagnosis and treatment of NTM infection after lipolysis injections remains challenging. CONCLUSIONS: Injection lipolysis represents a helpful option for local fat reduction. Doctors should strictly abide by the aseptic operation standards and use qualified products for there is a correlation between skin and soft tissue infection of nontuberculous mycobacterium and injection lipolysis. Providers should understand the mechanism, indications, and associated risks of injection lipolysis when injecting fat-dissolving drugs to reduce localized fat.

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Necrotizing soft tissue infection is lethal and can lead to sepsis, multi-organ failure, and death. Here we describe a case, which reported to us within 24 hours of Caesarean section, with acute abdominal pain, tachycardia, and tachypnoea. Local examination revealed a large area of necrotic subcutaneous tissue involving a Caesarean section scar. Immediate debridement was carried out and repeated twice after the initial procedure but she could not survive.

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Acute pancreatitis can be complicated with necrosis of the pancreatic or peripancreatic tissue. This necrosis can become liquified and form a well-defined wall (walled-off necrosis or WON) and can become infected and form abscesses. Necrotizing soft tissue infections are rare infections of the deep tissue and subcutaneous fat and are mostly caused by trauma or perforated visceral organs. They can, however, rarely be caused by infected retroperitoneal collections. To date only 3 case reports have been published of a necrotizing soft tissue infection complicating a necrotizing pancreatitis. Both acute, complicated pancreatitis and necrotizing soft tissue infections carry a high mortality and morbidity rate with surgery being the mainstay therapy for the latter, often leaving the patient disfigured. We report the case of a 62-year-old man presenting to the emergency department with a painful and erythematous rash of the upper leg as complication of an acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

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Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) represent a heterogenous group of pathological conditions involving the skin or the underlying subcutaneous tissues, fascia and muscle, characterised by a considerable variety of clinical presentations, severity and possible aetiological pathogens. Although previous analyses on restricted types of SSTIs and population have already been published, we conducted a large nationwide surveillance program on behalf of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases to assess the clinical and microbiological characteristics of the whole SSTI spectrum, from mild to severe life-threatening infections, in both inpatients and outpatients and their management. Twenty-nine Infectious Diseases (ID) Centres throughout Italy collected prospectively data concerning both the clinical and microbiological diagnosis of patients affected by SSTIs via an electronic case report form. We included in our database all cases managed by ID specialists participating to the study, independently from their severity or the setting of consultation. Here, we integrated previous preliminary results analysing and reporting data referring to a 3-year period (October 2016-October 2019). During this period, the study population included 478 adult patients with diagnosis of SSTI. The type of infection diagnosed, the aetiological agent involved and some notes on antimicrobial susceptibilities were collected and reported herein. We also analysed the most common co-morbidities, the type and duration of therapy executed, before and after ID intervention and the length of stay. The results of our study provide information to better understand the national epidemiologic data and the current clinical management of SSTIs in Italy.

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BACKGROUND: Intramuscular (i.m.) injections are a commonly utilized route for medication delivery. Intramuscular-associated soft tissue infections are rare and can include pyomyositis and i.m. abscess. Intramuscular testosterone injections have not been previously implicated in causing pyomyositis. Point-of-care ultrasound is an important bedside tool that can identify pyomyositis and differentiate this infection from more common entities such as cellulitis. CASE REPORTS: We present two cases of i.m. testosterone-associated pyomyositis. In both cases, the physical examination features were consistent with simple cellulitis. However, point-of-care ultrasound evaluation revealed changes consistent with pyomyositis in each case. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although uncommon, i.m. injections such as testosterone carry a risk of soft tissue infection. As demonstrated in the above cases, ultrasound can be helpful in making the differentiation between simple cellulitis and pyomyositis. The emergency physician should be cognizant of this complication of therapeutic i.m. injections, as well as the diagnostic efficacy of point-of-care ultrasound in evaluating the extent and location of the soft tissue infection.

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BACKGROUND: The UK has one of the highest rates of recreational drug use and consequent deaths in Europe. Scotland is the "Drug deaths capital of Europe." Intravenous drug use can result in limb- and life-threatening pathology. This study aimed to characterise limb-related admissions associated with intravenous drug use, outcomes and healthcare expenditure. METHODS: Retrospective data collection between December 2011 and August 2018. Patients were identified through discharge codes. Admission details were extracted from electronic records and a database compiled. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Science, P < 0.05 denoted significance. RESULTS: There were 558 admissions for 330 patients (1-9 admissions/patient), mean age 37 years (+/-7.6 SD) and 196 (59.2%; 319 admissions, 57.2%) were male. Three hundred forty-eight (62.4%) admissions were to surgical specialties, predominantly Vascular Surgery (247). Including onward referrals, Vascular ultimately managed 54.8% of admissions. Patients presented with multiple pathologies: 249 groin abscesses; 38 other abscesses; 74 pseudoaneurysms; 102 necrotising soft tissue infections (NSTI); 85 cellulitis; 138 deep venous thrombosis (DVTs); 28 infected DVTs and 70 other diagnoses. Two hundred and seventy-seven admissions (220 patients) required operations, with 361 procedures performed (1-7 operations/admission). There were 24 major limb amputations and 74 arterial ligations. Eleven amputations were due to NSTI and 13 followed ligation (17.6% of ligations). During follow-up 50 (15.2%) patients died, of which 6 (12%) had amputations (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.04-9.61, P = 0.043). Cumulative cost of acute care was £4,783,241. CONCLUSIONS: Limb-related sequalae of intravenous drug use represents a substantial surgical workload, especially for Vascular. These are complex, high-risk patients with poor outcomes and high healthcare costs.

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Necrotizing soft-tissue infections are a rare complication following hip arthroplasty procedures. These rapidly spreading infections have a high mortality rate and must be diagnosed and treated in an expeditious manner. This article discusses the epidemiology, classification, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions and describes 2 related case reports.

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Necrotizing soft tissue infections of the upper extremity threaten life and limb. Their presentation is often difficult to recognize and multiple factors contribute to the varied presentation, speed of spread, and morbidity of the disease process. The only treatment to be definitively shown to improve outcomes is prompt surgical treatment. It should be expected to perform multiple debridements as well as reconstructive procedures once the infection and necrosis has been arrested. The use of a multidisciplinary team is mandatory to optimize care for these patients. Despite advances in knowledge and treatment, these infections still have high mortality and morbidity.

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