John J. Ross

Sternoclavicular septic arthritis: review of 180 cases.

Abstract: We review 170 previously reported cases of sternoclavicular septic arthritis, and report 10 new cases. The mean age of patients was 45 years; 73% were male. Patients presented with chest pain (78%) and shoulder pain (24%) after a median duration of symptoms of 14 days. Only 65% were febrile. Bacteremia was present in 62%. Common risk factors included intravenous drug use (21%), distant site of infection (15%), diabetes mellitus (13%), trauma (12%), and infected central venous line (9%). No risk factor was found in 23%. Serious complications such as osteomyelitis (55%), chest wall abscess or phlegmon (25%), and mediastinitis (13%) were common. Staphylococcus aureus was responsible for 49% of cases, and is now the major cause of sternoclavicular septic arthritis in intravenous drug users. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in injection drug users declined dramatically with the end of an epidemic of pentazocine abuse in the 1980s. Sternoclavicular septic arthritis accounts for 1% of septic arthritis in the general population, but 17% in intravenous drug users, for unclear reasons. Bacteria may enter the sternoclavicular joint from the adjacent valves of the subclavian vein after injection of contaminated drugs into the upper extremity, or the joint may become infected after attempted drug injection between the heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging should be obtained routinely to assess for the presence of chest wall phlegmon, retrosternal abscess, or mediastinitis. If present, en-bloc resection of the sternoclavicular joint is indicated, possibly with ipsilateral pectoralis major muscle flap. Empiric antibiotic therapy may need to cover methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Pneumococcal Septic Arthritis: Review of 190 Cases

This article reports 13 cases of pneumococcal septic arthritis and reviews another 177 cases reported since 1965. Of 2407 cases of septic arthritis from large series, 156 (6%) were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mortality was 19% among adults and 0% among children. Pneumococcal bacteremia was the strongest predictor of mortality. At least 1 knee was involved in 56% of adults. Polyarticular disease (36%) and bacteremia (72%) were more common among adults with septic arthritis caused by S. pneumoniae than among adults with other causative organisms. Only 50% of adults with pneumococcal septic arthritis had another focus of pneumococcal infection, such as pneumonia. Functional outcomes were good in 95% of patients. Uncomplicated pneumococcal septic arthritis can be managed with arthrocentesis and 4 weeks of antibiotic therapy; most cases of pneumococcal prosthetic joint infection can be managed without prosthesis removal. A fatal case of septic arthritis caused by a beta-lactam-resistant strain of S. pneumoniae is also presented.

Septic arthritis of the pubic symphysis: review of 100 cases.

We report a novel case of septic arthritis of the symphysis pubis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and review 99 previously reported cases of infection of this joint. Typical features of pubic symphysis infection included fever (74%), pubic pain (68%), painful or waddling gait (59%), pain with hip motion (45%), and groin pain (41%). Risk factors included female incontinence surgery (24%); sports, especially soccer (19%); pelvic malignancy (17%); and intravenous drug use (15%). Septic arthritis of the pubic symphysis is often misdiagnosed as osteitis pubis, a sterile inflammatory condition. Causative organisms differed according to risk factors. Staphylococcus aureus was the major cause among athletes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa among intravenous drug users, and infections among patients with pelvic malignancies were usually polymicrobial, involving fecal flora. Patients with recent urinary incontinence surgery usually had monomicrobial infection, with no predominant pathogen. Since osteomyelitis is present in 97% of patients, we recommend antibiotic courses of 6 weeks’ duration. Surgical debridement is required in 55% of patients.

Short-Term Treatment of Actinomycosis: Two Cases and a Review

Recommendations for prolonged penicillin treatment of actinomycosis date from the early antibiotic era, when patients often presented with neglected, advanced disease and received interrupted therapy at suboptimal dosages. This report describes cases of esophageal and of cervicofacial actinomycosis treated successfully with short-term antibiotic therapy and reviews the literature. Many patients are cured with <6 months of antibiotic therapy. If short-term antibiotic treatment is attempted, the clinical and radiological response should be closely monitored. Cervicofacial actinomycosis is especially responsive to brief courses of antibiotic treatment.

Posttraumatic stress disorder after occupational HIV exposure: two cases and a literature review.

Two healthcare workers developed disabling chronic posttraumatic stress disorder after needlestick exposures to blood from a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), even though both continue to test negative for HIV antibody more than 22 months after their exposures. We describe these 2 cases and review the relevant literature. Prospective studies of psychological morbidity after occupational needlestick injuries are required to determine the role of long-term psychological follow-up, counseling, and support.

Cryptococcal Meningitis and Sarcoidosis

This report describes a patient with cryptococcal meningitis and newly diagnosed sarcoidosis not taking corticosteroids. Sarcoidosis is an independent risk factor for cryptococcal infection; most patients with sarcoidosis who develop cryptococcal infection are not on immunosuppressive drugs. Cryptococcal meningitis in sarcoid patients often presents clinically with non-specific features, and should be excluded in patients with sarcoidosis and neurological disturbances.

Infections associated with use of the LifeSite hemodialysis Access system

We observed infection rates associated with the LifeSite Hemodialysis Access System, a novel dialysis device consisting of 2 subcutaneously implanted valves accessed by repeated use of fibrous tissue tracts, of 4.8 total infections and 8.1 first episodes per 1000 patient-days. These rates are higher than those observed elsewhere, which may be related to use of the device in a population of chronically ill patients, to the learning curve associated with use of the device, or to inherent qualities of the device.

Virtual Reality: Emerging Role of Simulation Training in Vascular Access

Evolving new technologies in vascular access mandate increased attention to patient safety; an often overlooked yet valuable training tool is simulation. For the end-stage renal disease patient, simulation tools are effective for all aspects of creating access for peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. Based on aviation principles, known as crew resource management, we place equal emphasis on team training as individual training to improve interactions between team members and systems, cumulating in improved safety. Simulation allows for environmental control and standardized procedures, letting the trainee practice and correct mistakes without harm to patients, compared with traditional patient-based training. Vascular access simulators range from suture devices, to pressurized tunneled conduits for needle cannulation, to computer-based interventional simulators. Simulation training includes simulated case learning, root cause analysis of adverse outcomes, and continual update and refinement of concepts. Implementation of effective human to complex systems interaction in end-stage renal disease patients involves a change in institutional culture. Three concepts discussed in this article are as follows: (1) the need for user-friendly systems and technology to enhance performance, (2) the necessity for members to both train and work together as a team, and (3) the team assigned to use the system must test and practice it to a proficient level before safely using the system on patients.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Infection Due to Brucella melitensis: Case Report and Review of Brucellosis of Cardiac Devices

We report a case of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator infection due to Brucella melitensis and review 5 previously reported cases of Brucella infection of cardiac devices. Device removal, followed by antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks, is probably required for cure. Although rare, reports of Brucella infection of prosthetic implants and devices have increased in the past decade. Brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cardiac device infection in patients residing in or traveling to areas of endemicity.

Training and certification in dialysis access

Decreasing and eliminating the gaps in knowledge, skills, and effective communication are the mainstays for a successful dialysis access training program curriculum and at the core of the human factors training philosophy. Many of these skills can be learned in the simulation environment. Education and training will reduce gaps in knowledge and technical skills, before exposing patients to procedure-related risk. For dialysis access, a reliable workplace environment depends upon a culture where safety and accountability are balanced to recognize the human contribution to success or failure in the complex care of patients with end-stage renal disease. Rigorous testing and certification adds value to the participants and validates the training program.