Objectives: To define the clinical and laboratory features associated with infective dermatitis (ID) and confirm its association with human T-lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I).Design: A case series of patients with ID were compared with patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), which is an important disease in the differential diagnosis of ID.

This study describes cases of fibroids with venous thromboembolism (VTE) managed at UHWI between the years 1999-2004. We examined records to find patients with fibroids and VTE diagnosed before or after surgery. We found 438 women with VTE and 72 of these (16.4%) with fibroids. A total of 1,979 patients had fibroids during the period; cases were therefore 3.63% of fibroids. Cases were younger, median age 44 years than the total cohort: the median age was 57 and the mean age was 55.43 (SD 19.87) p = 0.000 about 9.5 years older than cases. Age over 50 years was less common in cases 27% vs 52% p = 0.0001 as were other risk factors for VTE such as cancer 4.9 vs 14% p = 0.03; diabetes 8.6 vs 25.2% p = 0.004 and cardiac disease 8.6% vs 26.6% p = 0.002 . However, thrombocytosis was more frequent, 23% vs 9% p = 0.008. Other risk factors were not significantly different. A total of 21 cases (29.1%) had surgery for fibroids; 15 (71.4%) hysterectomy, and six (28.5%) myomectomy. Most cases 67/72 (93%) had VTE without surgery. Of the five cases with VTE after surgery for fibroids, none had prophylactic heparin. Of the cases, 15 died--23% of women with VTE at PM and 0.8% of those with fibroids.

AIM:To determine the prevalence, histologic types and clinical features of primary epithelial tumours of the vermiform appendix in a predominantly black population. METHODS:All cases of primary tumours of the appendix identified by review of the histopathology records at the University of the West Indies between January 1987 and June 2007 were selected. Relevant pathologic and clinical data were extracted with supplementation from patient charts where available. Non-epithelial tumours were excluded. The total number of appendectomy specimens over the period was also ascertained. RESULTS:Forty-two primary epithelial tumours were identified out of 6 824 appendectomies yielding a prevalence rate of approximately 0.62%. Welldifferentiated neuroendocrine cell tumours (carcinoids, 47.6%) and benign non-endocrine cell tumours (adenomas, 45.2%) were most common with nearly equal frequency. The median age was 43 years, with no sex predilection. Carcinoid tumours occurred in younger patients (mean age 32 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1. A clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis was the most common reason for appendectomy (57.1%) and was histologically confirmed in 75% (18 of 24) of cases. In total, 16.7% of cases were diagnosed after incidental appendectomy. CONCLUSION:Appendiceal epithelial tumours are rare in our experience, and are represented principally by carcinoid tumours and adenomas. Carcinoid tumours occurred in younger patients but were slightly more common in men than women. Tumours were not suspected clinically and were diagnosed incidentally in specimens submitted for acute appendicitis supporting the need for histological evaluation in all resection specimens.

Leiomyomas can cause obstructive renal impairment and renal failure. This was a retrospective study of women with renal impairment seen at the University of the West Indies Hospital, Jamaica, between 2000 and 2004, looking at aetiology and severity (group 1). We also evaluated patients, in the same hospital, with fibroids who had ultrasonography during a later period (2006-2011), comparing those who had hydronephrosis and those without (group 2). In group 1, 274 women were coded as renal impairment. Case notes for 160 patients (59%) were analysed. Uterine fibroids accounted for 13/160 (8.1%) of cases. Comparing cases with and without fibroids, none of those with fibroids were over 50 years old compared with 59.3% of the others, OR 0.02 (CI 0.00-0.35) p = 0.0001. Hospital data for renal failure showed that most mean values were significantly better for those with fibroids. Urea, 8.59 mmol/l (SD 9.89) vs 17.00 mmol/l (SD 13.41) p = 0.003; Creatinine 300.15 μmol/l (SD490.92) vs 424.05 μmol/l (SD553.29) p = 0.022 and Creatinine clearance 73.21 ml/min (SD 38.92) vs 44.25 ml/min (SD 49.71) p = 0.017. However, mean potassium values were similar, 4.52 mmol/l (SD 0.61) vs 4.85 mmol/l (SD1.03) p = 0.2. In group 2, there were 216 patients and we found 31 (14.35%) patients at ultrasonography with hydronephrosis from fibroids. These patients had significantly larger uteri than those without hydronephrosis but renal function was similar, with only urea values significantly worse. Leiomyomas can cause renal impairment, however the prognosis appears good.

IntroductionPyomyoma (suppurative leiomyoma of the uterus) is a rare condition resulting from infarction and infection of a leiomyoma. It is more usual in pregnant women or postmenopausal women who have vascular disease. The condition is usually fatal unless treated with appropriate antibiotics and surgical intervention.Case presentationWe report a case of a 44-year-old Afro-Caribbean woman with diabetes who presented with recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and fever over a period of five months. Her problem proved to be a diagnostic dilemma mimicking cholecystitis, pyelonephritis and ovarian cancer. Her blood cultures were positive on one occasion for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. An ultrasound scan suggested uterine fibroids but a computed tomography scan suggested an ovarian malignancy because the mass appeared heterogeneous with fluid filled areas. She was treated with several courses of antibiotics and eventually at laparotomy, she was found to have a large pyomyoma which was successfully removed by subtotal hysterectomy with immediate and complete resolution of her symptoms.ConclusionThe diagnosis of pyomyoma should be considered in perimenopausal women with large fibroids and pyrexia of unknown origin.