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This is a rare case of a young patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome that presented with extensive septic superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower extremity. Treatment included intravenous antibiotics based on cultures, anticoagulant therapy as well as surgical removal of thrombi.

Postoperative infectious endophthalmitis is rare, yet devastating loss of vision or loss of the eye can occur due to a highly purulent microorganism or uncontrolled endophthalmitis that may spread to all coats of the eye. We report, herewith, a case of rapidly progressive postoperative endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy which ended up with enucleation. The isolated microorganism was Proteus vulgaris which has not been reported as causative bacteria of postoperative infections following pars plana vitrectomy., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Compartment syndrome is an orthopedic emergency with a multitude of etiologies. Although it is most commonly associated with trauma to the extremity, hematoma and infection are 2 rare etiologies of insidious compartment syndrome. Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic gram-negative species that can infect the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and open wounds. The authors present the case of a 69-year-old woman who developed tissue necrosis and compartment syndrome secondary to an untreated hematoma infected by P mirabilis. This case involves an atypical presentation caused by an untreated infected hematoma, emphasizing the need for a high index of suspicion. Current literature supports immediate surgical intervention in the clinical scenario of fulminant compartment syndrome, regardless of compartment pressure findings. The probability of compartment syndrome in the patient presenting with pain, paresthesias, paresis, and pain with passive stretch, all of which were positive findings in this patient, has been reported to be 98%. Thus, Doppler evaluation and intercompartmental pressures were considered but forgone to expedite operative treatment. Emergent 4-compartment fasciotomies, with excision and debridement of nonviable tissue, are potentially limb-saving procedures, intended to limit loss of function and obviate the need for lower extremity amputation. The decision was made to perform a dual-incision fasciotomy to avoid contamination of the uninvolved compartments with a standard single-incision approach. To date, this represents the first report in the English literature of the insidious onset of tissue necrosis secondary to a Proteus-infected hematoma, highlighting a unique etiology of atypical compartment syndrome. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(1):e176-e178.]., (Copyright 2016, SLACK Incorporated.)

Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses are rare and potentially devastating lesions usually associated with other infective processes such as bacterial endocarditis, or pulmonary or urogenital infection. We describe a 2-year-old girl who presented with an infected dermal sinus leading to an intraspinal abscess. This abscess eventually spread and involved the entire neural axis leaving her quadriparetic. Drainage of the abscess resulted in recovery and the child regained normal function of her limbs. To our knowledge this is the first documented case of an intramedullary abscess involving the entire neural axis., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We report a case of an infected subdural hematoma that occurred 1 year after burr-hole irrigation for chronic subdural hematoma. A 78-year-old woman who had developed left hemiparesis was admitted to our hospital. A computed tomography(CT)scan revealed the presence of a chronic subdural hematoma in the right hemisphere. Her clinical symptoms improved immediately after emergency burr-hole irrigation, which allowed her discharge from the hospital. One year after the initial surgery, she developed an infection of the urinary tract infection, which led to severe pyelonephritis and septic shock. Treatment of the urological symptoms eliminated the systemic inflammation. One month after the urinary infection, the patient was readmitted to the hospital in a comatose state. A CT scan showed regrowth of a residual subdural hematoma surrounded by a thick capsule, causing a midline shift in the brain. An emergency operation for removal of the subdural hematoma by burr-hole irrigation was performed, and pus was drained from the subdural mass. Microbiological cultures of the abscess revealed the presence of Proteus mirabilis. After surgery, the patient was administered an antibiotic treatment for three weeks and she was discharged with no neurological deficits. Cultures of blood from the septic shock as well as from the abscess both revealed the presence of Proteus mirabilis. Therefore, a diagnosis of infected subdural hematoma, which was caused by hematogenous infection, was made. We conclude that attention should be paid to the risk of infection of the hematoma capsule in subdural hematomas.

A captive-born marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) was presented for swelling of the ventral air pouch of 1 month's duration. The pouch appeared fluid filled, and its distal third wall was markedly inspissated. The thickened distal portion of the pouch wall was removed surgically. During anesthesia, mucous discharge from the nares was evident and the nasal mucosa was hyperemic. Aeromonas and Proteus species were isolated from a nasal culture. Postoperative therapy that consisted of nasal flushing, antimicrobial agents, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was effective in managing the disease. On histologic examination, diffuse hemorrhage, necrosis, and multifocal vasculitis with moderate-to-severe heterophilic inflammation were present within sections of the ventral pouch. To our knowledge this is the first report of a mucus-filled ventral air pouch with associated pathologic changes secondary to a productive infection of the upper respiratory tract in a marabou stork. The unique communication between nasal cavities and the ventral air pouch should be considered in future cases of respiratory infection in marabou storks.

We present the case of a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) who underwent a one-stage revision of an infected total knee arthroplasty. A detailed orthopedic description of KT is presented as well as a discussion on the implementation of one-stage or multi-stage revision following infections of total knee arthroplasty. Due to vascular anomalies with severe coagulation problems, soft tissue swelling and increased risk of infection, surgical treatment of such patients presents a special challenge.

Bovine gangrenous mastitis is an acute or peracute condition involving one or more quarters of the cow's udder. It occurs infrequently, but when it occurs, mortality of the affected cows is high. A partial mastectomy of one quarter using a cranial epidural analgesia with 2% lignocaine is described to manage a gangrenous mastitis affecting only one quarter caused by Proteus mirabilis (a gram-negative bacteria) which was not amenable to medical treatment. Partial mastectomy can be a safe and effective procedure for ruminants with udder disease in genetically or otherwise valuable cattle.

Postauricular cutaneous mastoid fistula secondary to chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is an unusual complication. Bilateral manifestation along with primary acquired cholesteatoma and atelectasis of the pars tensa as an end-stage complication in the natural course of atticoantral CSOM is rare. This kind of complication has a very morbid effect on the ear, and it poses a therapeutic challenge in terms of eradicating disease and restoring function. In this article, we describe the unusual course of an atticoantral CSOM that (1) began as a primary acquired cholesteatoma simultaneously in both ears, (2) proceeded to automastoidectomy and a severe mixed hearing loss bilaterally, and (3) ended with the development of bilateral cutaneous mastoid fistulas that served to arrest the further progression of the disease process on its own. This case serves as a good demonstration of how a ventilating mastoid fistula can change the natural course of atticoantral CSOM and abort the occurrence of deadly complications.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe skin infection. Fluidized bed may be indicated to improve healing. We report a 36-year-old woman case, who developed an important skin emphysema on a fluidized bed that may have worsen the situation.

Conclusions: Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (OLST) is almost always associated with other complications of chronic otitis media (COM) and did not present a distinct clinical expression. In our experience, OLST exhibits a benign course if the underlying disease is controlled. Mastoidectomy in combination with broad-spectrum antibiotics provided effective treatment. Anticoagulation therapy is no longer used routinely. Recanalization is rare and is independent of the use of anticoagulants., Objectives: This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of the clinical aspects and evolution of OLST., Patients and Methods: The study investigated a retrospective case series in a tertiary teaching hospital. From 1993 to 2007, eight cases of OLST were treated. The clinical and imaging data, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed. The follow-up period ranged from a minimum of 6 months to 5 years., Results: In all eight patients, the lateral sinus thrombosis was detected by imaging studies performed to evaluate complications and symptoms related to COM. Fever, headache, and cranial nerve paralysis were the main clinical manifestations associated with coexisting mastoiditis, meningitis, and cerebellar and epidural abscess. We could not identify features specific to lateral sinus thrombosis in any case. All patients underwent mastoidectomy and were given broad-spectrum antibiotics for 2 months. Four cases were anticoagulated and all eight cases experienced complete clinical recovery without sequelae.

Background: Septic arthritis of the wrist is correlated with a high morbidity. To show diagnostic and therapeutic options we reviewed the patients treated with wrist infections at our institution for one year., Methods: The data of ten patients who were treated for septic arthritis of the wrist in 2003 and 2004 were collected in a retrospective survey. Etiology, risk factors, microorganism and resistance data were recorded., Results: Six infections were of an iatrogenic nature (four following surgery, one joint puncture and one joint injection). In nine cases there was a single arthritis of the wrist. One patient had oligoarthritis. In four cases Staphylococcus aureus, in one Proteus mirabilis and in one Pseudomonas aeroginosa were identified. In four cases, no microorganism could be identified. Two of the patients suffered from diabetes mellitus, one had rheumatoid arthritis. There was no significant elevation in the white blood cell count with 9.2 (4.5 - 12.5) x 10 (9)/L. Arthroscopic debridement and synovialectomy could be performed in one case. In the other cases open surgery was necessary. In four cases partial bone resection was required. Local antibiotics were installed in eight cases. All infections healed. In nine patients the joint was immobilized with an external fixation device. All patients received systemic antibiotics. Four wrists ended in an arthrodesis, one in a four-corner fusion. On average, two (1 - 6) surgical interventions were necessary per patient. The six patients without an arthrodesis had a range of motion in extension/flexion of 30-0-24 degrees., Conclusion: Surgical treatment is sufficient in septic arthritis of the wrist. However, an early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are essential to avoid a permanent disability.

We present a rare case of multifocal Proteus mirabilis osteomyelitis in an HIV-positive patient. Despite the patient's good immune status as assessed by her CD4 cell count and the aggressive treatment, she eventually underwent bilateral above-knee amputations to eradicate the infection. Multifocal Proteus mirabilis osteomyelitis can have an unpredictable clinical course with a severe outcome in HIV-positive patients.

Introduction: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a morphologically and clinically unique manifestation of chronic pyelonephritis with the formation of pus or granulomas. The most frequent predisposing factors for the development of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis are urinary obstruction (e. g., stones, tumors, congenital anomalies and functional impairment) and infection of the collecting system., Case Report: We describe a 2-year-old female patient with unclear abdominal complaints, diarrhea, malaise, loss of appetite, weight loss, pale skin color, and recurrent and undulating fever in the presence of known left nephrolithiasis. Based on the clinical examination and imaging, above all, CT, the presumptive diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis of the left kidney was made. A left lumbar nephrectomy was performed and histology confirmed the diagnosis., Conclusion: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a relatively rare entity that is associated with obstruction (e. g., stones) and infection of the urinary tract. Its rarity and resultant unfamiliarity often delay diagnosis and therapy, which in turn affect the prognosis. Furthermore, this entity can be mistaken for renal tumors (renal cell carcinoma and Wilms tumor), but nowadays this should be mostly eliminated with the advances in the imaging methods.

Infective endocarditis caused by Proteus mirabilis is rare and is fatal in most cases. A case of a 64-year-old man presenting with fever, dysuria, and murmur is reported. P mirabilis endocarditis was diagnosed based on clinical presentation, blood culture findings, and the presence of a large mitral valve vegetation seen on echocardiogram. The patient survived after long-term antibiotics and surgical replacement of the mitral valve. The clinical characteristics and complications from reported cases of P mirabilis endocarditis are reviewed.

Anomalies of the fetal urachus are rare. Normally, the postnatal urachus presents as a fibrous band extending from the bladder to the umbilicus. Urachal cysts may occur in postnatal life. Spontaneous perforation of urachal cysts is a very rare condition, which clinically may not be distinguishable from other acute abdominal conditions. We report a case of a 63-year-old male with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections and a bladder rupture caused by a spontaneous perforation of an infected urachal cyst. The symptomatology showed abdominal rigidity and pain, a palpable mass in the lower abdomen, and hematuria. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis and an increased CRP level. The bladder rupture was confirmed by cystography. Bacteriologic examination identified Proteus vulgaris, Corynebacterium species, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Most of the published cases in the literature report about intraperitoneal perforation of infected urachal cysts. In the present case, we found a spontaneous perforation of an infected urachal cyst leading to an extraperitoneal bladder rupture with an extraperitoneal limitation of the infection. The definitive therapy was complete surgical excision including a cuff of the bladder, drainage, and systemic broad-spectrum and local application of antibiotics. The further course was uneventful.

Extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) mycotic aneurysms are rare entities that may result in significant neurologic morbidity and mortality. Several operative techniques have been described in the literature for the management of this difficult condition. This case report describes a contained ruptured mycotic aneurysm of the extracranial ICA associated with Proteus mirabilis infection successfully treated by an end-to-end spatulated interposition saphenous vein graft.

Psoas abscess is in general a syndrome with low incidence. In the following, two cases are presented which describe the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of primary and secondary retroperitoneal manifestations. The article mainly focuses on the different respective surgical procedures. Because of its rareness, an overview of further cases discussed in the literature is provided.

Infection of an ascending aortic prosthesis is a grave complication associated with a high mortality. In most cases, extraanatomic bypass and removal of the infected vascular graft are not possible. Furthermore, the standard approach to this problem, which includes excision and replacement or debridement and repair of infected thoracic aortic grafts, carries a high early mortality. We report the successful treatment of this life-threatening complication using a conservative strategy in which the aortic prosthesis was salvaged by in situ disinfection followed by coverage with tissue flaps.

We report a case of staghorn nephrolithiasis that evolved into xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis with perinephric abscess, nephrobronchial fistula, and lung abscess. The patient was an intravenous drug abuser who tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus, without evidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. He presented with a 2-month history of untreated repeated episodes of left flank pain and hyperpyrexia. Treatment involved left nephrectomy, debridement of abscess, tube drainage, and intravenous antibiotics. The patient illustrates the need to consider untreated nephrolitiasis as a predisposing factor for pulmonary complications.

The microbiologic features of infected sinus aspirates in nine children with neurologic impairment were studied. Anaerobic bacteria, always mixed with aerobic and facultative bacteria, were isolated in 6 (67%) aspirates and aerobic bacteria only in 3 (33%). There were 24 bacterial isolates, 12 aerobic or facultative and 12 anaerobic. The predominant aerobic isolates were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus (2 each) and Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (1 each). The predominant anaerobes were Prevotella sp. (5), Peptostreptococcus sp. (4), Fusobacterium nucleatum (2), and Bacteroides fragilis (1). Beta-lactamase-producing bacteria were isolated from 8 (89%) patients. Organisms similar to those recovered from the sinuses were also isolated from tracheostomy site and gastrostomy wound aspirates in five of seven instances. This study demonstrates the uniqueness of the microbiologic features of sinusitis in neurologically impaired children, in which, in addition to the organisms known to cause infection in children without neurologic impairment, facultative and anaerobic gram-negative organisms that can colonize other body sites are predominant.

Different studies have reported renal effects like swelling of parenchyma, subcapsular and intracapsular haematoma and perinephric fluid collections. These effects were usually transient and by 2-3 months returned to normal. We report an early complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). A patient with solitary renal calculus who had ESWL developed psoas spasm and became unwell with elevation of white cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Psoas abscess extending from renal hilum to the groin was diagnosed and drained surgically.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft tissue gangrenous infection that is optimally treated by early diagnosis, radical surgical debridement of all involved necrotic tissue, broad spectrum antibiotics, and aggressive nutritional support. The early clinical diagnosis of an area of necrotizing fasciitis is difficult and frequently unreliable. We are reporting a series of cases in which an early, accurate diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was established by a frozen section tissue biopsy obtained at the bedside., Methods: Over a 15-year period, a consecutive series of 43 patients had a bedside biopsy under local anesthesia with immediate frozen section evaluation. All patients were seen in the hospital or emergency room for treatment of an inflammatory process., Results: These 43 patients had bedside biopsy and frozen section evaluation of an inflammatory process. Twelve patients were found to have necrotizing fasciitis. These patients were treated with immediate surgical debridement of all gross necrotic tissue, broad spectrum antibiotics, and adequate nutritional support. All of them survived. No cases of infectious gangrene occurred in the group of patients whose biopsy did not reveal necrotizing fasciitis., Conclusion: Frozen section tissue biopsy is a useful adjunct in establishing an early, accurate diagnosis of infectious gangrene.

We present three young men who sustained closed diaphyseal fracture of the tibia and later developed severe osteocutaneous necrosis induced by heat during intramedullary reaming. They all had a narrow medullary cavity and in all a tourniquet had been used. Each developed a pretibial cutaneous blister soon after operation. In the following month severe osteomyelitis ensued, requiring segmental resection and osteocutaneous reconstruction.

The effect of aerobic bacteriology on the clinical presentation, complications of the disease and long-term results of surgical treatment was assessed in a cohort of 368 patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Bacteriological findings showed no significant difference between child and adult patients. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in cholesteatoma ears more frequently than Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in chronic ears without cholesteatoma the situation was reversed. Bacteriological findings had no significant effect on the incidence of complications caused by the disease. Failures after surgical treatment were most common in Pseudomonas ears. The bacteriology had no significant effect on pre-operative hearing levels nor post-operative hearing results. It was concluded that, in order to improve results of chronic ear surgery, more attention should be paid to pre-operative conservative treatment of chronically discharging ears, especially those infected by P. aeruginosa.

Objectives: The etiopathogenic and therapeutic aspects of emphysematous pyelonephritis, an uncommon disease entity, are discussed., Methods/results: We describe the clinical history of a diabetic with intercurrent gas-forming infection in the form of emphysematous pyelonephritis that was successfully treated., Conclusions: This disease entity, which is almost exclusive to diabetic patients, is unique. It produces a type of organism that warrants early and aggressive treatment.

Three dogs were presented for para-aural abscessation. Ear canal separations were suspected preoperatively, based on histories of trauma, physical examination findings of minimally inflamed external ear canals with abrupt endings, and radiographic evidence of discontinuity of the ear canals. Concurrent otitis media, based on radiographic findings, was diagnosed in all three dogs. Disruptions of the external ear canals were confirmed at surgery, and the dogs each responded to total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy.

Twenty dogs with abscessation of the prostate gland were treated by celiotomy, drainage, and digital exploration of the gland through bilateral capsulectomy wounds. Omentum was introduced through the capsulectomy wounds and packed into the abscess cavities around the prostatic urethra. Most dogs were discharged from the hospital within 48 hours of the surgery. Long-term resolution of the problem (no recurrence within 12 months) was achieved in 19 dogs. One dog had recurrent abscessation that was managed by the placement of dependent Penrose drains. Temporary tube cystostomy was performed postoperatively in one dog for the management of transient dysuria. One dog with septic peritonitis resulting from preoperative abscess rupture was managed by concurrent open peritoneal drainage. Intracapsular prostatic omentalization was a simple and effective means of managing prostatic abscessation with minimal requirement for postoperative hospitalization of the patient. The frequency of serious complications, including postoperative urinary incontinence, was low.

Abscess of the liver is a comparatively rate, but very serious disease, necessitating the undertaking of diagnostic and therapeutic measures on an emergency basis. The principal diagnostic method currently in use includes two imaging techniques--echography and CT. In therapeutic respect the target puncture under echographic or CT control has rather limited scope of application. Surgical therapeutic approach is the leading one--laparotomy, drainage of the abscess, and arbitrary use of a Kerr drainage for the choledochus and regional antibiotic therapy.

970 laboratory experiments, 202 chronic experiments on animals and 102 clinic observations were performed to study the possibilities of sorbents to enhance the efficiency of surgical treatment in gunshot wounds of the extremities. Gravimetric, climatic, morphometrical, microbiological, spectrofluorometric, clinical and roentgenological methods of studies were used for this matter. It was ascertained that the sorbent application contributed to the optimization of the wound process. The studies have proved the advantages of composite sorbent with biologically active supplements: it has a high sorption capacity, pronounced bacteriostatic and local-anaesthetic features.

We describe in detail 14 children (age, less than or equal to 19 years) who underwent operative intervention during active infection of the heart and/or great vessels. The series included five children less than 6 years old, who constitute 10% of all such cases reported in this age group to date. We also review the 132 published reports in which children underwent operative intervention during active endocarditis. We found the following: (1) The survival rate for all cases was 77%. (2) Persistent infection, embolic phenomena, and increasing congestive heart failure were the most frequent indications for operative intervention. (3) Survival rates were independent of the duration of preoperative antibiotic treatment. (4) Survival rates were independent of positive results of cultures of blood or tissue obtained at operation. (5) The perioperative mortality in our series was 14%. (6) Only 67% of patients had conditions thought to predispose to endocarditis. (7) Except for removal of catheter-associated cardiac masses from neonates, operative intervention in active endocarditis was uncommon among children less than 4 years old. (8) Staphylococcus aureus and viridans streptococci were the etiologic agents in the majority of cases of endocarditis requiring operation during active infection in children.

A 26-year-old woman presented with a six-year history of right staghorn calculus and pyonephrosis. Intravenous pyelography showed a non-functioning right kidney and chest radiography, an elevated right hemidiaphragm and fluid in the right costaphrenic space. At operation a nephrobronchial fistula was found, and nephrectomy and subdiaphragmatic drainage of the lung abscess was carried out. Culture of the pus grew Proteus mirabilis. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged on the sixteenth day after operation.

The study is based on follow-up data of 108 patients treated for brain abscess (mean follow-up period 11 years). The overall incidence of epilepsy was 34% (37% in supratentorial lesions). The author compared the incidence of several parameters between two groups of patients: those presenting, and those not presenting with epilepsy after brain abscess treatment. Parameters characterized by significantly different incidence in each group were taken into account as possible risk factors influencing the development of epilepsy. Sex, age of the patient, localisation and size of the abscess are discussed as presumptive risk factors modifying prediction to epilepsy. The author presents a new concept of epileptic focus formation to explain satisfactorily the results of the study on the basis of pathological mechanisms. A protocol, which may be useful to evaluate the prediction to epilepsy after brain abscess treatment is proposed.

The commonest cause of the intracranial abscesses collected prospectively during the last two years was chronic middle ear infection (73%). The diagnosis was based on the clinical history, otological investigations, contrast enhanced computerized tomography and surgical findings. The clinical presentation was characterized by chronic otitis with an exacerbation of otorrhea, otalgia or pain in the temporal region or headache with high fever, vomiting and nausea. A review of our 14 patients with otogenic intracranial abscesses is reported to highlight that prompt diagnosis, appropriate therapy and careful monitoring can provide vastly improved results.

Mediastinal sepsis following open heart surgery is a significant cause of death. Open drainage of the mediastinumalone was employed originally in management of this problem. More recently, debridement, drainage, and reclosure have been used. Various irrigation solutions, such as antibiotics and Betadine, have been advocated to control severe mediastinal sepsis. Three principles of management in patients unresponsiveness to the above techniques have proved successful in two patients with life-threatening mediastinal sepsis: (1) radical, complete excision of the sternum and adjacent costal cartilages; (2) transposition of the greater omentum on a vascular pedicle to the mediastinum; and (3) primary closure with full-thickness rotational skin flaps. The radical excision of the sternum removes residual foci of sepsis in cartilage and sternal bone marrow. The transposition of the omentum provides a highly vascular, rapidly granulating covering for the contaminated great vessels and hase been successfully to prevent recurrence of suture line bleeding of an exposed ascending aortic anastomosis site. Primary closure of the wound with full-thickness skin flaps provides a suprisingly satisfactory covering for the heart. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of ventilatory mechanics have shown relatively small ventilatory impairment after the alteration of the thoracic cage imposed by excision of the sternum. Two patients have returned to active lives. A treatment failure probably due to incomplete adherence to these guidelines also is presented.

The development of osteomyelitis after first metatarsophalangeal total implant-arthroplasty can be a complication encountered by any foot surgeon. The postoperative course is often long with a guarded to poor prognosis. The authors present a salvage procedure for this surgical complication utilizing aggressive surgical debridement followed by an autogenous bone graft. The technique, as described by Papineau, was developed to shorten hospitalization time and reduce deformity. A case presentation is given to illustrate the successful use of this procedure in the treatment of postoperative osteomyelitis of the foot without systemic antibiotics.

Infections of cardiac mural thrombi are rare, and because antemortem diagnosis is difficult and antibiotic therapy alone ineffective, the associated mortality has been significant. A patient with gram-negative bacillary infection of a mural thrombus is described. Gallium 67 citrate isotope scanning and two-dimensional echocardiography were helpful adjuncts in establishing the diagnosis. Surgical resection of the infected myocardial tissue and prolonged antimicrobial therapy were necessary for cure.

Chrondritis may develop as a secondary complication of trauma to the ear. Its onset is often insidious and may be delayed until after apparent healing has occurred. Treatment is difficult, but if postponed, the result may be complete destruction of the external ear. A method of aggressive surgical therapy combined with antibiotics is presented which, when utilized early, results in good healing with minimal residual otic deformity.

The authors report on a case of hydrocephalus caused by brain abscess in a four-months-old girl. After repeated punctures and antibiotics administration extirpation of abscess was necessary. The child recovered with only slight neurological deficit.

Percutaneous drainage of retroperitoneal collections is a method employed with an ever-increasing frequency. The indication for primary surgical drainage of these collections is rapidly decreasing. Herein we describe what we consider to be the indications for primary surgical drainage of retroperitoneal collections illustrated by the recurrence of the abscess in 3 of our patients following adequate primary percutaneous drainage.

With the increase of pacemaker and central venous catheter implantation the number of intracardiac infections now constitutes a significant problem. Twenty patients between 22 and 77 years of age admitted for intracardial infected pacemaker probes or central venous catheter remnants presented with recurring attacks of endocarditic fever; in one case multiple pulmonary abscesses resulted from septic embolization. Staphylococci were the most frequently involved organism (75%). Risk factors leading to intracardiac infection were local reoperations and diabetes mellitus. Removal of the foreign body was achieved by cardiotomy in all cases. Twelve patients were operated upon without the use of the heart-lung machine, but extracorporeal circulation was necessary in 8 patients. There was one fatality in each of the 2 techniques, for a total mortality rate of 10%. In all cases the foreign bodies were removed without intracardial damage and the endocarditis was cured. When attempts at external extraction fail, the foreign body should be removed by either open or closed cardiotomy. This limits the danger of injury to the heart and of embolization of septic or thrombotic material. The use of the heart-lung machine is especially indicated in the presence of widespread, firm adhesions, or large bacterial vegetations and thrombi.

Occasionally a brain abscess has been observed in a neonate. This report presents a unique case of a septic infant who developed a proteus mirabilis brain abscess shortly after birth, which persisted undetected until 21/2 months of age.