Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg 2019 Apr 9. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Septic arthritis of the small joints of the hand usually occurs secondary to bacterial inoculation through penetrating injury to the joint, or direct spread of infection from paronychia, felon, or pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis. Surgical treatment involves drainage and irrigation and may involve debridement if there is an open wound. We describe a method of continuous irrigation of septic joints of the hand postoperatively in the ward setting using an intravenous cannula placed within the joint and connected to an intravenous giving set with delivery of physiological fluid using a pump driver. Read More

Am Fam Physician 2019 Feb;99(4):228-236

U.S. Marine Corps School of Infantry-East, Camp Geiger, NC, USA.

Acute hand infections are often caused by puncture wounds and are generally classified into superficial or deep infections. Superficial infections occur in the skin and subcutaneous tissues, whereas deep infections can involve the tendon sheaths, adjacent anatomic compartments, deep fascial planes, bursae, joint spaces, and bones. Superficial hand infections are more common than deep infections and are typically managed with elevation, warm soaks, splinting in the position of function, analgesics, and empiric antibiotics when indicated. Read More

Cureus 2018 May 25;10(5):e2690. Epub 2018 May 25.

Wolfson Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust, Cambridge, Uk.

Trichogranuloma is a rare occupational disease of hairdressers that develops when hair clippings penetrate the skin and cause a foreign-body reaction. We describe a case of a hairdresser with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis who developed a chronic felon on her right third finger and received repeated courses of antibiotics without improvement. An occupational history and awareness of occupational diseases in hairdressers led to the correct diagnosis of trichogranuloma. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2019 Jan 14;44(1):46-54. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX. Electronic address:

Infections are common in hand surgery and proper management is important to achieve optimal outcomes. Although most cases are not urgent, less common, severe infections such as flexor tenosynovitis and necrotizing fasciitis require urgent identification with both medical and surgical management. It is common for diagnoses to be missed or delayed because clinical and laboratory indicators are often variably present. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2018 Oct;19(5):671-677

Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, 10991 Twinleaf Court, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92131-3642, USA.

Coagulase-negative staphylococcus organisms may be normal flora of human skin, however these bacteria can also be pathogens in skin and soft tissue infections. A summary of skin and soft tissue infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococcus species is provided in this review. We conducted a search of the PubMed database using the following terms: abscess, auricularis, biofilm, capitis, cellulitis, coagulase, contaminant, cyst, draining, epidermidis, felon, folliculitis, furuncle, haemolyticus, hominis, indolent, infection, lugdunensis, mecA, microbiome, negative, osteomyelitis, paronychia, saprophyticus, skin, simulans, sinus, soft, staphylococcus, systemic, tissue, virulence, virulent, and vulvar. Read More

Neurology 2018 Jan 6;90(2):83-85. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

From University of Cagliari (L.L., G.F., J.F., G.C., M.G.M., E.C.); IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital (S.G.), Milan; and Binaghi Hospital (M.A.B., F.C.), ATS Sardegna, Italy.

J Emerg Med 2017 Oct;53(4):475-484

Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Background: Cellulitis is a common clinical condition with low rates of morbidity and mortality if treated appropriately. Mimics of cellulitis presenting with erythema, edema, warmth, and pain can be associated with grave morbidity and mortality if misdiagnosed.

Objective: This review investigates the signs and symptoms of cellulitis, mimics of cellulitis, and an approach to the management of both cellulitis and its mimics. Read More

Subst Use Misuse 2018 01 1;53(2):334-343. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

a Department of Criminal Justice , Fayetteville State University , Fayetteville , North Carolina , USA.

In the United States, buprenorphine products (namely buprenorphine/naloxone combination) and methadone are the primary forms of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that are authorized for addressing opioid addiction. Although treatment ideologies differentiate MAT programs, much of the provision in the US reflects a model of "high threshold, low tolerance." This model is discussed with a focus on structural and programmatic barriers that shape access to and retention in MAT. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2017 10 26;103(6):933-936. Epub 2017 May 26.

Centre de la main, chirurgie de la main, 47, rue de la Foucaudière, 49800 Trélaze, France.

Introduction: Acute fingertip infections (AFTI) are common. Surgical treatment is the norm in case of effusion. There is, however, no consensus on treatment modalities, or on adjuvant antibiotic therapy (AT). Read More

Case Rep Orthop 2017 21;2017:6456342. Epub 2017 Mar 21.

Plastic Surgery Fellowship, Beaumont Hospital-Farmington Hills, Farmington Hills, MI, USA.

Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma is a rare eccrine sweat gland malignancy that is frequently misdiagnosed at initial presentation. Histologically, this tumor is similar in appearance to many adenocarcinomas and as such may be diagnosed as a metastatic lesion. We present the case of a patient with digital papillary adenocarcinoma, which was initially diagnosed as a felon. Read More

Psychiatriki 2016 Jul-Sep;27(3):165-168

Associate Professor in Psychiatry-Forensic Psychiatry, Director 2nd Psychiatry Department Athens University Medical School, "Attikon" Hospital.

According to the Greek Penal Law if someone "because of a morbid disturbance of his mental functioning" (article 34) is acquitted of a crime or misdemeanour that the law punishes with more than 6 months imprisonment, then the court orders that this individual should be kept in a public psychiatric institution if the court reaches the conclusion that this person poses a threat to public safety.1 Individuals who have broken the law and deemed "not guilty by reason of insanity" are treated in psychiatric units of Psychiatric Hospitals according to the article 69 of the Penal Code. In Athens, in the Psychiatric Hospital of Athens and the Dromokaiteion Psychiatric Hospital, and in Thessaloniki in the Unit for "Not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI)". Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2016;160:D192

Canisius-Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis, afd. Plastische Chirurgie, Nijmegen.

Infections of the hand can result in significant limitation of the function of the hand, and may even require partial amputation of a digit. A felon is an abscess of the distal pulp of the fingertip, which can spread rapidly through the flexor tendon sheath when not treated appropriately. Knowledge of the anatomy and the correct method of physical examination are essential when assessing a patient suspected of having a felon or flexor tendon sheath infection. Read More

Int J Law Psychiatry 2016 Jul-Aug;47:109-14. Epub 2016 May 18.

Department of Psychology, Claremont McKenna College, United States.

Public fear has driven legislation designed to identify and exclude sexual offenders from society, culminating in sexually violent predator (SVP) statutes, in which a sex offender who has served his prison sentence is hospitalized indefinitely if a jury determines that he is likely to reoffend as a result of a mental disorder. Jurors rarely vote not to commit a previously-convicted sex offender as an SVP. This study tests whether the mere label of "sexually violent predator" affects these legal decisions. Read More

Hand Surg Rehabil 2016 02 16;35(1):40-3. Epub 2016 Feb 16.

Service de chirurgie de la main, du membre supérieur et des nerfs périphériques, hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, université Paris-Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 20, rue Leblanc, 75908 Paris cedex 15, France.

Paronychia and felon are the most common infections of the hand. Surgical treatment is required once an abscess develops, but systematic use of postoperative antibiotic therapy remains open for discussion. Antibiotics both favor the selection of resistant bacteria and increase the cost of treatment. Read More

PLoS One 2015 29;10(12):e0144967. Epub 2015 Dec 29.

Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States of America.

Court-mandated downsizing of the CA prison system has led to a redistribution of detainees from prisons to CA county jails, and subsequent jail overcrowding. Using data that is representative of the LA County jail system, we build a mathematical model that tracks the flow of individuals during arraignment, pretrial release or detention, case disposition, jail sentence, and possible recidivism during pretrial release, after a failure to appear in court, during non-felony probation and during felony supervision. We assess 64 joint pretrial release and split-sentencing (where low-level felon sentences are split between jail time and mandatory supervision) policies that are based on the type of charge (felony or non-felony) and the risk category as determined by the CA Static Risk Assessment tool, and compare their performance to that of the policy LA County used in early 2014, before split sentencing was in use. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2015 Jul;29(13):1203-5

Objective: To investigate the main inhaled allergens and the difference of that between city and rural suburbs in patients with allergic rhinitis in the mountain region of the northwest Hubei province and to provide epidemiological basis for prevention and treatment in the region.

Method: Eight hundred and thirty-five cases who were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis with standardized allergens in Taihe Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine from Sep 2009 and Dec 2011 were studied. The data of allergens and the distribution of the patients were recorded and analyzed. Read More

Behav Sci Law 2015 Oct 10;33(5):691-700. Epub 2015 Sep 10.

Behavioral Diagnostics, Inc., Iowa City, IA, U.S.A.

Individuals supervised by community correction programs have a high rate of tobacco use and high frequency of tobacco dependence. As compared with supervisees without tobacco dependence, probationers and parolees with tobacco dependence were more likely to abuse other substances and report poorer health. In this sample of 374 predominantly felon and repeat offenders, at high risk for recidivism, over 95% of subjects smoked or used other tobacco products, 87% were actively smoking at the time of interview, and 70% met criteria for lifetime tobacco dependence. Read More

Lakartidningen 2015 Feb 24;112. Epub 2015 Feb 24.

Ugeskr Laeger 2015 Jan;177(2A):26-7

Onkologisk Afdeling R, Odense Universitetshospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense.

A woman was referred to adjuvant chemotherapy after radical mastectomy. Frozen gloves were used to prevent onycholysis and neurotoxicity. Because of rapid progression of the cancer she received palliative chemotherapy. Read More

Radiographics 2014 Nov-Dec;34(7):1968-86

From the Departments of Radiology (D.B.P., N.B.E., G.R.M., C.J.G., D.M.F., E.A.W.) and Orthopedic Surgery (M.V.S.), Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1500 San Pablo St, 2nd Floor Imaging, Los Angeles, CA 90033-5313.

Infections of the hand are common, particularly in immunocompromised patients, and can lead to significant morbidity, including amputation, if not treated properly. Hand infection can spread far and wide from the original site of inoculation through interconnections between the synovium-lined and nonsynovial potential spaces. Because surgery is the mainstay of treatment, knowledge of the pertinent anatomy is imperative for accurately describing the presence, location, and extent of infection. Read More

Am Sociol Rev 2013 Feb;78(1)

Pennsylvania State University.

Each year, more than 700,000 convicted offenders are released from prison and reenter neighborhoods across the country. Prior studies have found that minority ex-inmates tend to reside in more disadvantaged neighborhoods than do white ex-inmates. However, because these studies do not control for pre-prison neighborhood conditions, we do not know how much (if any) of this racial variation is due to arrest and incarceration, or if these observed findings simply reflect existing racial residential inequality. Read More

Orthop Clin North Am 2013 Oct;44(4):625-34

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.

Many acute hand and upper extremity infections should be treated as surgical emergencies to avoid stiffness, contracture, pain, and amputation. Proper treatment requires understanding of anatomy and how this influences the behavior of certain infections, common offending organisms, antibiotic treatment, management of host factors, and surgical intervention. This article reviews the microbiology, antibiotic coverage, and surgical treatment of the most common infections in the hand: paronychia, felon, herpetic whitlow, flexor tenosynovitis, deep space infections, septic arthritis, bites from humans and animals, necrotizing fasciitis, mycobacterium infections, and fungal infections. Read More

Soc Sci Res 2013 Sep 28;42(5):1207-21. Epub 2013 Apr 28.

Department of Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, United States. Electronic address:

As incarceration rates have risen in the US, so has the overrepresentation of African Americans and Latinos among prison inmates. Whether and to what degree these disparities are due to bias in the criminal courts remains a contentious issue. This article pursues two lines of argument toward a structural account of bias in the criminal law, focusing on (1) cumulative disadvantages that may accrue over successive stages of the criminal justice process, and (2) the contexts of racial disadvantage in which courts are embedded. Read More

J Child Neurol 2014 Jul 2;29(7):962-4. Epub 2013 Apr 2.

Department of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

Congenital insensitivity to pain is a rare sensory neuropathy that manifests with multiple and recurrent injuries secondary to a lack of negative pain stimuli. When present with compulsive onychophagia, prompt recognition and behavioral management to prevent chronic digital infection or amputation is imperative. We present the case of two 7 year-old monozygotic twins that presented with congenital insensitivity to pain and compulsive onychophagia without directed parental counseling or behavioral modification strategies. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2012 Dec;37(12):2603-4

Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0159, USA.

Am J Public Health 2013 Apr 15;103(4):632-7. Epub 2012 Nov 15.

Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Approximately 13% of African American men are disqualified from voting because of a felony conviction. I used ecosocial theory to identify how institutionalized racism helps perpetuate health disparities and to explore pathways through which felon disenfranchisement laws may contribute to racial health disparities in the United States. From a literature review, I identified 2 potential pathways: (1) inability to alter inequitable public policies that differentially allocate resources for health; and (2) inability to reintegrate into society by voting, which contributes to allostatic load. Read More

Forensic Sci Int Genet 2013 Jan 10;7(1):e1-2. Epub 2012 Aug 10.

J Dermatol 2012 Nov 13;39(11):970-1. Epub 2012 Mar 13.

Recent Pat Endocr Metab Immune Drug Discov 2011 Jan;5(1):61-5

Bharti Hospital, Kunjpura Road, Karnal, 132001, Haryana, India.

This paper reviews recent patents and development related to bromocriptine and other dopaminergic agents, being used or suggested for use in the management of diabetes. The article discusses the contribution of dopaminergic pathways to glucose, energy and weight homeostasis. The mechanism of action of bromocriptine, its pharmacological properties, efficacy, safety and tolerability are assessed. Read More

Soc Work 2011 Jan;56(1):89-91

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2011 Feb 21;25(2):164-9. Epub 2010 Jun 21.

Unité d'Infectiologie-Dermatologie, Hôpital Bonnet, Fréjus Université Lyon 1, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Lyon, France.

Background: Several Panton-Valentin leukocidin-positive clones of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) are spreading worldwide. The European clone ST80-IV is the main CA-MRSA clone in Europe. There is no reported study of the specific clinical manifestations and outcome of skin infections caused by the clone ST80-IV, using strict definitions of skin diseases. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2010 Jan 4;35(1):97-103. Epub 2009 Dec 4.

University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA.

Purpose: An increase in the incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections has been observed. The purpose of this study is to determine the change in proportion of surgically treated CA-MRSA hand infections over the last decade and to identify associated risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all 159 hand infections treated in the operating room over an 11-year period (1997-2007). Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2009 Oct;124(4):225e-233e

Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.

Hand infections are very common and must be properly diagnosed and treated to minimize the potentially devastating functional complications. Acute hand infections include felon, paronychia, deep-space infections, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and necrotizing fasciitis. Chronic infections are usually caused by atypical mycobacteria and fungi. Read More

Iowa Orthop J 2009 ;29:67-73

Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

Purpose: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been a hospital based problem since first being reported in the 1960s. Recent increases in outpatient MRSA infections suggest that there may be increased incidence of MRSA in upper extremity soft tissue infections (UESTIs). The aim of this study is to describe the current microbial flora responsible for UESTIs at an urban, tertiary care, teaching hospital. Read More

Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi 2009 Apr;25(2):98-101

Guiding Centre for Prisoners' Mental Health, Xuzhou Prison, Xuzhou 221002, China.

Objective: To study the personality traits of felons and their relevant factors, and to recommend for criminal psychological correction and crime prevention.

Methods: Using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to test felons in initial and middle stage of sentence serving.

Results: The differences of MMPI factors between felon group and normal group were statistically significant (P < 0. Read More

Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res 2009 ;16(1):39-59

University of New Hampshire, Social Work Department, Durham, NH 03824, USA.

This qualitative case study explores one American Indian (AI) woman's experience of intimate partner violence and the subsequent murder of her abusive partner. The lens of complex personhood (Gordon, 1997) has been applied as a method for understanding "Annie's" multiple identities of AI woman, victim of intimate partner violence, mother, and convicted felon. The aim of the current case study was to uncover implicit and explicit meanings embedded in the experiences of moving from a victim of IPV to an off ender by applying a framework of hermeneutic phenomenology as the methodology. Read More

J Reconstr Microsurg 2009 May 19;25(4):267-9. Epub 2009 Mar 19.

LECOM College of Medicine, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.

We report a case of a 22-year-old patient who sustained a box-cutter injury to the index finger on her right hand complicated by severe felon. Extensive tissue debridement left the patient with a defect exposing the underlying flexor tendon. A venous flow-through flap from the right forearm was used to provide coverage, which survived completely without venous congestion. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2007 Sep 13;2(3):101-3. Epub 2007 Apr 13.

Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8700 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.

Breast cancer now affects 1 in 8 American women and the taxane agent paclitaxel (Taxol Bristol-Myers Squibb) is a major tool in the treatment of many such patients. Hand surgeons are therefore likely to encounter upper extremity complications related to the use of taxane therapy. We present an unusual case of a felon developing in a breast cancer patient on paclitaxel therapy with no antecedent history of trauma. Read More

Trop Gastroenterol 2008 Jan-Mar;29(1):4-5

Ann Emerg Med 2008 Mar 28;51(3):291-8. Epub 2008 Jan 28.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Study Objective: Test the hypotheses that emergency department (ED) visits for skin and soft tissue infections became more frequent during the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and that antibiotics typically active against community-associated MRSA were chosen increasingly.

Methods: From merged National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data for 1993-2005, we identified ED visits with diagnosis of cellulitis, abscess, felon, impetigo, hidradenitis, folliculitis, infective mastitis, nonpurulent mastitis, breast abscess, or carbuncle and furuncle. Main outcomes were change over time in rate of ED visits with such a diagnosis and proportion of antibiotic regimens including an agent typically active against community-associated MRSA. Read More

Chir Narzadow Ruchu Ortop Pol 2006 ;71(4):239-44

Kliniki Chirurgii Ogólnej i Chirurgii Reki PAM w Szczecinie.

Introduction: Infections within the upper extremity can be a cause of serious problems when not treated early and adequately. Apparently looking innocuous at the beginning, infection can spread through synovial sheath of the tendons from finger to the hand, wrist and forearm finally developing phlegmone of the upper limb. The objective of the study was to review the methods of treatment of deep infections of the upper limb and to analyse the causes of severity. Read More

AIDS Policy Law 2006 Oct;21(20)

Orthopedics 2006 Nov;29(11):1035-6

Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0724, USA.

Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol 2006 Jan-Mar;56(1):39-47

Z Katedry Prawa Karnego Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku, doktorant Wydziału Prawa.

Aggressive behaviors are often accompanied by excitement. Violence is often triggered to as a means of helping a felon reach an emotional thrill. This is also true in the case of homicides. Read More

J Long Term Eff Med Implants 2005 ;15(5):499-510

University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

When considering common bacterial diseases of the skin, rather distinct clinical responses to a variety of bacterial infections have been identified. In these cases, it is the specific site of infection and the attendant inflammatory responses that provide the characteristic clinical picture. When the pyoderma extends just below the stratum corneum, it is called impetigo. Read More

AIDS Policy Law 2005 Jan;20(2)

Am Fam Physician 2003 Dec;68(11):2167-76

Department of Family Practice, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida 32214, USA.

Hand infections can result in significant morbidity if not appropriately diagnosed and treated. Host factors, location, and circumstances of the infection are important guides to initial treatment strategies. Many hand infections improve with early splinting, elevation, appropriate antibiotics and, if an abscess is present, incision and drainage. Read More

AIDS Wkly Plus 1999 Aug:10