Browsing by Author "Vlahović, Aleksandar (16744525700)"

Background and objectives: Bullous pemphigoid (BP), the most common subepidermal autoimmune skin blistering disease (AIBD) has an estimated annual incidence of 2.4 to 42.8 new cases per million in different populations, designating it an orphan disease. Characterized by disruption of the skin barrier combined with therapy-induced immunosuppression, BP could pose a risk for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection, with a prevalence of 0.40 cases per 100,000 to 15.5 cases per 100,000 population, often associated with immunosuppression. Low incidences of NF and BP classify them both as rare diseases, possibly contributing to the false inability of making a significant correlation between the two. Here, we present a systematic review of the existing literature related to the ways these two diseases correlate. Materials and methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The literature review was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, and SCOPUS databases. The primary outcome was prevalence of NF in BP patients, while the secondary outcome was prevalence and mortality of SSTI in BP patients. Due to the scarcity of data, case reports were also included. Results: A total of 13 studies were included, six case reports of BP complicated by NF with six retrospective studies and one randomized multicenter trial of SSTIs in BP patients. Conclusions: Loss of skin integrity, immunosuppressive therapy, and comorbidities commonly related to BP patients are risk factors for necrotizing fasciitis. Evidence of their significant correlation is emerging, and further studies are deemed necessary for the development of BP-specific diagnostic and treatment protocols. © 2023 by the authors.

Introduction. Ectopic cervical thymus (ECT) occurs as a result of incomplete migration of the thymic primordia during embryogenesis. In the majority of cases, ECT is asymptomatic; however, in 10% of patients, there are different kinds of symptoms. Case report. A four-month-old baby boy was referred to our clinic for an evaluation of a growing large mass on the right side of the neck, present since birth. Physical examination revealed a solid, painless, soft, moderately mobile mass of irregular round shape localized on the right side of the neck, in front of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, below the parotid gland, and above the carotid lodge. The skin above the mass was unchanged. The dimensions of the mass were 40 × 32 × 15 mm. Based on the clinical and ultrasonographic findings, as well as the findings of the magnetic resonance imaging, it was suspected that the mass was an ECT. The mass was removed by surgical excision. The pathohistology report confirmed the presence of an ECT, with Hassall’s corpuscles in the medulla. The postoperative course went smoothly, and the wound healed well. During the regular clinical, immunological, and ultrasound follow-ups over a period of six months, normal findings were registered. Conclusion. Congenital ECT is a rare congenital anomaly that must be, however, taken into account when considering the differential diagnosis of cervical tumor masses. © 2023 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Background and Objectives: Idiopathic anterior knee pain is a common condition in adolescents and is mostly of unknown cause. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the Q-angle and muscle strength on idiopathic anterior knee pain. Materials and Methods: Seventy-one adolescents (41 females and 30 males) diagnosed with anterior knee pain were included in this prospective study. The extensor strength in the knee joint and the Q-angle were monitored. The healthy extremity was used as a control. The Student’s paired sample t-test was applied for testing the difference. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the Q-angle value between the idiopathic AKP and the healthy extremity (p > 0.05) within the entire sample. A statistically significant higher Q-angle of the idiopathic AKP knee (p < 0.05) was obtained in the female subgroup. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was found in the male subgroup. Within the male subgroup, the strength of the extensors within the knee joint of the healthy extremity had statistically significant higher values than the strength of these muscles in the affected extremity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A greater Q-angle is a risk factor linked to anterior knee pain within the female population. Decreased muscle strength of knee joint extensors is a risk factor linked to anterior knee pain in both sex subgroups. © 2023 by the authors.