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The British Journal of Surgery Sep 2022Perianal abscess is common. Traditionally, postoperative perianal abscess cavities are managed with internal wound packing, a practice not supported by evidence. The aim... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Perianal abscess is common. Traditionally, postoperative perianal abscess cavities are managed with internal wound packing, a practice not supported by evidence. The aim of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to assess if non-packing is less painful and if it is associated with adverse outcomes.
METHODS
The Postoperative Packing of Perianal Abscess Cavities (PPAC2) trial was a multicentre, RCT (two-group parallel design) of adult participants admitted to an NHS hospital for incision and drainage of a primary perianal abscess. Participants were randomized 1:1 (via an online system) to receive continued postoperative wound packing or non-packing. Blinded data were collected via symptom diaries, telephone, and clinics over 6 months. The objective was to determine whether non-packing of perianal abscess cavities is less painful than packing, without an increase in perianal fistula or abscess recurrence. The primary outcome was pain (mean maximum pain score on a 100-point visual analogue scale).
RESULTS
Between February 2018 and March 2020, 433 participants (mean age 42 years) were randomized across 50 sites. Two hundred and thirteen participants allocated to packing reported higher pain scores than 220 allocated to non-packing (38.2 versus 28.2, mean difference 9.9; P < 0.0001). The occurrence of fistula-in-ano was low in both groups: 32/213 (15 per cent) in the packing group and 24/220 (11 per cent) in the non-packing group (OR 0.69, 95 per cent c.i. 0.39 to 1.22; P = 0.20). The proportion of patients with abscess recurrence was also low: 13/223 (6 per cent) in the non-packing group and 7/213 (3 per cent) in the packing group (OR 1.85, 95 per cent c.i. 0.72 to 4.73; P = 0.20).
CONCLUSION
Avoiding abscess cavity packing is less painful without a negative morbidity risk.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
ISRCTN93273484 (https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN93273484).
REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT03315169 (http://clinicaltrials.gov).
Topics: Abscess; Adult; Anus Diseases; Bandages; Drainage; Humans; Pain; Rectal Fistula; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35929816
DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac225 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Apr 2023Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by painful inflamed nodules, abscesses, and pus-draining tunnels appearing in axillary,...
BACKGROUND
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by painful inflamed nodules, abscesses, and pus-draining tunnels appearing in axillary, inguinal, and perianal skin areas. HS lesions contain various types of immigrated immune cells.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to characterize mediators that support lesional B/plasma cell persistence in HS.
METHODS
Skin samples from several cohorts of HS patients and control cohorts were assessed by mRNA sequencing, quantitative PCR on reverse-transcribed RNA, flow cytometry, and immunohistofluorescence. Blood plasma and cultured skin biopsy samples, keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, neutrophilic granulocytes (neutrophils), monocytes, and B cells were analyzed. Complex systems biology approaches were used to evaluate bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data.
RESULTS
Proportions of B/plasma cells, neutrophils, CD8 T cells, and M and M macrophages were elevated in HS lesions compared to skin of healthy and perilesional intertriginous areas. There was an association between B/plasma cells, neutrophils, and B-cell activating factor (BAFF, aka TNFSF13B). BAFF was abundant in HS lesions, particularly in nodules and abscesses. Among the cell types present in HS lesions, myeloid cells were the main BAFF producers. Mechanistically, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the presence of bacterial products was the major stimulus for neutrophils' BAFF secretion. Lesional upregulation of BAFF receptors was attributed to B cells (TNFRSF13C/BAFFR and TNFRSF13B/TACI) and plasma cells (TNFRSF17/BCMA). Characterization of the lesional BAFF pathway revealed molecules involved in migration/adhesion (eg, CXCR4, CD37, CD53, SELL), proliferation/survival (eg, BST2), activation (eg, KLF2, PRKCB), and reactive oxygen species production (eg, NCF1, CYBC1) of B/plasma cells.
CONCLUSION
Neutrophil-derived BAFF supports B/plasma cell persistence and function in HS lesions.
Topics: Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans; B-Lymphocytes; Case-Control Studies; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; B-Cell Activating Factor; Skin
PubMed: 36481267
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.10.034 -
Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery Sep 2019This article provides an overview of the principles in the evaluation and management of perianal Crohn's disease (CD). Manifestation-specific treatment is addressed... (Review)
Review
This article provides an overview of the principles in the evaluation and management of perianal Crohn's disease (CD). Manifestation-specific treatment is addressed including abscess, fistula, skin tags, hemorrhoids, fissure, ulcers, strictures, ano-, and rectovaginal fistulas as well CD-associated hidradenitis suppurativa.
PubMed: 31507348
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1687834 -
Diseases of the Colon and Rectum Aug 2020A 22-year-old man presents to your office with a perianal abscess and occasional mild crampy abdominal pain. You take him to the operating room for an examination under...
A 22-year-old man presents to your office with a perianal abscess and occasional mild crampy abdominal pain. You take him to the operating room for an examination under anesthesia (EUA) with incision and drainage of the abscess and note a transphincteric fistula tract through which you place a seton and 2 large skin tags. The anal canal and rectum are without ulceration, but there are mild proctitis and nonprolapsing internal hemorrhoids. Because of a concern for Crohn's disease (CD), he undergoes magnetic resonance enterography and colonoscopy. The magnetic resonance enterography shows inflammation in 20 cm of the distal terminal ileum, and colonoscopy reveals approximately 10 ulcers <5 mm in the terminal ileum without significant narrowing. He is seen in consultation for the initiation of a monoclonal antibody and returns to see you in the office after his first 3 infusions. He is feeling well, has significantly decreased drainage from the perianal fistula, but would really like his seton and skin tags removed while you are there.
Topics: Abscess; Anal Canal; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Colonoscopy; Crohn Disease; Drainage; Humans; Ileum; Infusions, Intravenous; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Rectal Fistula; Treatment Outcome; Ulcer; Young Adult
PubMed: 32692067
DOI: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000001748 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Dec 2020Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Patients develop inflamed nodules and abscesses and, at later stages of disease, epithelialized tunnels... (Review)
Review
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Patients develop inflamed nodules and abscesses and, at later stages of disease, epithelialized tunnels and scars in skinfolds of axillary, inguinal, gluteal and perianal areas. Quality of life is affected due to severe pain, purulent secretion, restricted mobility and systemic involvement. Genetics and lifestyle factors including smoking and obesity contribute to the development of HS. These factors lead to microbiome alteration, subclinical inflammation around the terminal hair follicles, and infundibular hyperkeratosis, resulting in plugging and rupture of the follicles. Cell-damage-associated molecules and propagating bacteria trigger inflammation and lead to massive immune cell infiltration that clinically manifests as inflamed nodules and abscesses. The immune system plays a key role also in the progression and chronification of skin alterations. Innate proinflammatory cytokines (e.g. interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α), mediators of activated T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells (e.g. interleukin-17 and interferon-γ), and effector mechanisms of neutrophilic granulocytes, macrophages and plasma cells are involved. Simultaneously, skin lesions contain anti-inflammatory mediators (e.g. interleukin-10) and show limited activity of Th22 and regulatory T cells. The inflammatory vicious circle finally results in pain, purulence, tissue destruction and scarring. Chronic inflammation in patients with HS is also frequently detected in organs other than the skin, as indicated by their comorbidities. All these aspects represent a challenge for the development of therapeutic approaches, which are urgently needed for this debilitating disease. This scholarly review focuses on the causes and pathogenetic mechanisms of HS and the potential therapeutic value of this knowledge.
Topics: Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans; Inflammation; Quality of Life; Skin; Th17 Cells
PubMed: 33048349
DOI: 10.1111/bjd.19556 -
Abdominal Radiology (New York) Nov 2020Fournier gangrene is an emergency condition that is associated with a high mortality rate. It is defined as a rapidly progressing infective necrotizing fasciitis of the... (Review)
Review
Fournier gangrene is an emergency condition that is associated with a high mortality rate. It is defined as a rapidly progressing infective necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, perianal, and genital regions. Early diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage, and adequate surgical debridement are crucial and lead to better prognosis and patient survival. There is increasing utilization of computed tomography (CT) in the initial evaluation of Fournier gangrene. CT can confirm the diagnosis in equivocal cases, determine the source of infection, and evaluate the disease extent. In this pictorial review, we discuss the pathogenesis of Fournier gangrene and display the imaging spectrum with an emphasis on CT findings, including asymmetrical fascial thickening, soft tissue stranding, soft tissue gas, collection, and abscess formation. The infection originating from colorectal pathology, the affected anatomy, and the involvement of the abdominal wall are important predictors of mortality. The familiarity of the varied imaging appearance of Fournier gangrene is necessary to provide an accurate diagnosis, and evaluation of disease extent is crucial for optimal surgical debridement.
Topics: Early Diagnosis; Fournier Gangrene; Humans; Perineum; Prognosis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 32342151
DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02549-9 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Jan 2024Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa, is a chronic disabling and debilitating inflammatory disease with a high unmet medical need. The prevalence of...
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa, is a chronic disabling and debilitating inflammatory disease with a high unmet medical need. The prevalence of HS reported in most studies is 1-2%, although it is likely to be under-reported and estimates vary globally owing to variance in data collection methods, ethnicity, geographical location and under-diagnosis. HS is characterized by persistent, painful cutaneous nodules, abscesses and draining tunnels commonly affecting the axillary, anogenital, inguinal and perianal/gluteal areas. Over time, chronic uncontrolled inflammation results in irreversible tissue destruction and scarring. Although the pathophysiology of HS has not been fully elucidated, the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-17 pathways have an important role, involving multiple cytokines. Currently, treatment options include topical medications; systemic therapies, including repeated and/or rotational courses of systemic antibiotics, retinoids and hormonal therapies; and various surgical procedures. The anti-TNF-α antibody adalimumab is currently the only biologic approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for HS; however, its efficacy varies, with a clinical response reported in approximately 50% of patients in phase III trials. HS is a rapidly evolving field of discovery, with a diverse range of agents with distinct mechanisms of action currently being explored in clinical trials. Several other promising therapeutic targets have recently emerged, and agents targeting the IL-17 and Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways are the most advanced in ongoing or completed phase III clinical trials. Alongside limited therapeutic options, significant challenges remain in terms of diagnosis and disease management, with a need for better treatment outcomes. Other unmet needs include significant diagnostic delays, thus missing the therapeutic 'window of opportunity'; the lack of standardized outcome measures in clinical trials; and the lack of established, well-defined disease phenotypes and biomarkers.
Topics: Humans; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; Adalimumab; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Abscess
PubMed: 37715694
DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad345 -
Journal of the Korean Society of... May 2023Perianal fistula is a common inflammatory condition in the general population and affects the area around the anal canal. Although most cases are benign, they cause... (Review)
Review
Perianal fistula is a common inflammatory condition in the general population and affects the area around the anal canal. Although most cases are benign, they cause serious morbidity and require surgical treatment due to a high risk of recurrence. MR imaging is a gold standard technique for the evaluation of perianal fistulas and provides accurate information on the anatomy of the anal canal, its relationship to the anal sphincter complex, accurate identification of secondary tracts or abscesses, and reporting associated complications. MR imaging can help monitor treatment effects and determine treatment methods. Crohn's disease-related fistulas often require medical rather than surgical treatment. The radiologist is required to know the anatomy and MR imaging findings of the perianal fistula to present an accurate diagnosis to the clinician.
PubMed: 37325009
DOI: 10.3348/jksr.2023.0018