2014年6月18日 星期三

【學術】Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Introduction

  • Cerebral venous thrombosis is located in descending order in the following venous structures:
    • Major dural sinuses:
      Superior sagittal sinus, transverse, straight and sigmoid sinuses.
    • Cortical veins:
      • Vein of Labbe, which drains the temporal lobe.
      • Vein of Trolard, which is the largest cortical vein that drains into the superior sagittal sinus.
    • Deep veins: 
      • Internal cerebral and thalamostriate veins.
    • Cavernous sinus.
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Clinical presentation

  • Clinically patients with cerebral venous thrombosis present with variable symptoms ranging from headache to seizure and coma in severe cases.
  • In adults, coagulopathies is the cause in 70% and infection is the cause in 10% of cases.
  • In women, oral contraceptive use and pregnancy are strong risk factors.

Image

  • Dense clot sign
    • Direct visualization of a clot in the cerebral veins on a non enhanced CT scan is known as the dense clot sign. It is seen in only one third of cases.
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  • Empty delta sign
    • The sign consists of a triangular area of enhancement with a relatively low-attenuating center, which is the thrombosed sinus. The likely explanation is enhancement of the rich dural venous collateral circulation surrounding the thrombosed sinus, producing the central region of low attenuation. 
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  • Absence of normal flow void on MR
    • T2-weighted image with normal flow void in the right sigmoid sinus and jugular vein (blue arrow). On the left there is abnormal high signal as a result of thrombosis (red arrow).
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【學術】Deep Vein Thrombosis 和 Pulmonary Embolism 抗凝血劑的使用 Guideline

Deep Vein thrombosis VS Pulmonary embolism


  • Distal leg DVT

    • Severe symptoms
      • Treat with anticoagulants
      • Length of treatment: 3 months (no matter whether DVT was associated with a transient risk factor (surgery, hospitalization, estrogen therapy, etc.) or was unprovoked (= idiopathic).
    • No, mild or moderate symptoms
      • No anticoagulation needed.
      • If DVT has extended: treat with anticoagulants for 3 months.
      • If extension of clot has not occurred within the first 2 weeks, it is unlikely to occur subsequently. 
      • Risk factors for extension
        • Positive D-dimer, 
        • DVT that is extensive or close to the proximal veins, 
        • No reversible provoking factor for DVT present, 
        • Active cancer, 
        • Previous history of blood clots, and inpatient status.

  • Proximal leg DVT

    • Should be treated with anticoagulants.
    • Not to use thrombolytics or clot removal interventions (thrombectomy) routinely.
    • Treatment
      • In the first few days
        • Use once daily Dalteparin (Fragmin) or Tinzaparin (Innohep) or Fondaparinux (Arixtra) or twice daily Enoxaparin (Lovenox).
      • Beyond the first few days
        • warfarin, rather than Dabigatran (PradaxaÒ) or Rivaroxaban (XareltoÒ).
    • Length of treatment with blood thinners:
      • DVT triggered by surgery: 
        • 3 months, rather than 6 or 12 months.
      • DVT due to a mild risk factor (i.e. non-surgical risk factors such as estrogen therapy, long-distance travel, non-surgical hospital stay, etc): 
        • 3 months, rather than 6 or 12 months or long-term.
      • Unprovoked (idiopathic) DVT: 
        • long-term, if risk for bleeding not very high. Re-evaluation every so often (once per year?) to determine whether long-term treatment is still the right thing to do.

  • Incidentally discovered (asymptomatic) DVT or PE 

    • Leg, pelvic or IVC DVT
      • Treat with blood thinners. Length: same as discussed in proximal and distal DVT section (discussed above).  
    • Abdominal DVT (portal, splenic, mesenteric or hepatic vein thrombosis)
      • Do not treat with blood thinners
    • PE
      • Treat with anticoagulants. Length: same as discussed in the PE section below.

  • Pulmonary embolism

    • Should be treated with anticoagulants.
    •  tPA for 2 hours into a peripheral vein while
      • PE is massive (i.e. combination of low blood pressure below 90 mm Hg systolic, heart rate above 100/min, poor perfusion of inner organs, low blood oxygen level, abnormal serum cardiac enzymes, abnormal right heart function on echo or CT) 
      • The patient is at low risk for bleeding
    • The first few days
      • Use once daily Dalteparin (Fragmin) or Tinzaparin (Innohep) or Fondaparinux (Arixtra) or twice daily Enoxaparin (Lovenox).
    • Beyond the first few days
      • warfarin, rather than Dabigatran (PradaxaÒ) or Rivaroxaban (XareltoÒ).
    • Length of treatment with blood thinners (same treatment decision principles as in DVT):
      • PE triggered by surgery: 
        • 3 months, rather than 6 or 12 months.
      • PE due to a mild risk factor (i.e. non-surgical risk factors such as estrogen therapy, long-distance travel, non-surgical hospital stay, etc): 
        • 3 months, rather than 6 or 12 months or long-term.
      • Unprovoked (idiopathic) PE:
        • Long-term, if risk for bleeding not very high. Re-evaluation every so often (once per year?) to determine whether long-term treatment is still the right thing to do.
  • Cancer associated DVT or PE

    • Treat for at least 3 months and preferably long-term, unless bleeding risk very high.
    • Low molecular weight heparin is the preferred treatment, rather than warfarin.
  • Arm DVT

    • In upper extremity DVT not associated with a central venous catheter: 
      • 3 months of anticoagulation is recommended.
    • In upper extremity DVT associated with a central venous catheter:
      • Anticoagulation should be given as long as the catheter is in place.
      • If the catheter is removed, anticoagulation should continue for 3 months 

  • Superficial thrombophlebitis

    • In patients with superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg of at least 5 cm in length
      • The suggestion is to give prophylactic dose of fondaparinux (preferred) or LMWH for 45 days, rather than no anticoagulation.

  •  Vena cava filter (=IVC filter)

    • Should only be placed in the patient with an acute DVT who cannot tolerate blood thinners because of active bleeding or a high risk for bleeding.
    • Wear for at least 2 years (to prevent or minimize the occurrence of postthrombotic syndrome.
    • If at 2 years the patient has bothersome symptoms of postthrombotic syndrome (swelling, pain), continue to wear stockings for symptoms relief.

  • Compression stockings


    • Wear for at least 2 years (to prevent or minimize the occurrence of postthrombotic syndrome.
    • If at 2 years the patient has bothersome symptoms of postthrombotic syndrome (swelling, pain), continue to wear stockings for symptoms relief.
以上由ACCP提供

2014年6月5日 星期四

【超音波】RUSH EXAM - Rapid Ultrasound in SHock

Shock大致上分成四種:Hypovolemic、Cardiogenic、Distributive 和 Obstructive。然而要怎麼評估人體的水分是一門很大的學問!

Skin turgor、urine output、body weight可以簡單的評估,但是無法精確;
Central venous pressure.和Swan-Ganz可以嚴密監控,但是具侵入性,尤其Swan-Ganz在一篇2005年JAMA的paper被質疑其必要性(complication太多、弊多於利)。

因此,簡單、迅速、準確的體液評估方式,就在這個背景下產生~~~

以下歡迎我們的主角~~~RUSH

1.  How to Case Study : RUSH Exam Video Part 1

2.  How to Case Study : RUSH Exam Video Part 2


3.  How to Case Study : RUSH Exam Video Part 3

4.  How to Case Study : RUSH Exam Video Part 4



2014年5月24日 星期六

【學術】Evaluating the Febrile Patient with a Rash

一、分辨皮膚病灶:
LESION TYPEDESCRIPTION
Macule
Circumscribed area of change in normal skin color, with no skin elevation or depression; may be any size
Papule
Solid, raised lesion up to 0.5 cm in greatest diameter
Nodule
Similar to papule but located deeper in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue; differentiated from papule by palpability and depth, rather than size
Plaque
Elevation of skin occupying a relatively large area in relation to height; often formed by confluence of papules
Pustule
Circumscribed elevation of skin containing purulent fluid of variable character (i.e., fluid may be white, yellow, greenish or hemorrhagic)
Vesicle
Circumscribed, elevated, fluid-containing lesion less than 0.5 cm in greatest diameter; may be intraepidermal or subepidermal in origin
Bulla
Same as vesicle, except lesion is more than 0.5 cm in greatest diameter

二、發燒 + 皮膚病灶可能有的疾病:
DISEASEETIOLOGYDESCRIPTION OF RASHEPIDEMIOLOGYDIAGNOSTIC CLUESBASIS FOR DIAGNOSIS
Rubeola
Measles virus
Macular-papular rash that may become confluent; begins on face, neck and shoulders and spreads centrifugally and inferiorly; fades in 4 to 6 days
Most common in children 5 to 9 years of age, nonimmune persons
Prodrome consisting of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infectioncoryzabark-like coughmalaisephotophobia and fever; Koplik's spots (prodromal stage); development of exanthem on fourth febrile day; late winter through early spring
Serology
Rubella
Rubella virus
Pink macules and papules that develop on forehead and spread inferiorly and to extremities within one day; fading of macules and papules in reverse order by third day
Young adults, nonimmune persons
Prodrome uncommon, especially in children; petechiae on soft palate (Forschheimer's spots); in adults: anorexia, malaise, conjunctivitis, headache and symptoms of mild upper respiratory infection
Serology
Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease)
Human parvovirus B19
Begins as classic bright-red facial rash (“slapped cheek“) and progresses to lacy reticular rash; may wax and wane for 6 to 8 weeks
Children 3 to 12 years of age
Can present as rheumatic syndrome in adults; prodrome of fever, anorexia, rash typically beginning after resolution of fever [corrected]
Serology
Roseola
Human herpes-virus 6
Diffuse maculopapular eruption, usually sparing face
Children 6 months to 3 years of age
Fever lasting 3 to 4 days, followed within 2 to 3 days by the rash, which resolves spontaneously in several days; almost always a self-limited benign disease; temporal relationship of fever followed by rash is helpful in making the diagnosis
Clinical findings, serology
Lyme disease
Borrelia burgdorferi
Macule or papule at site of tick bite, progressing to pathognomonic erythema migrans
All ages at risk for tick exposure in endemic areas
History of tick exposure; secondary erythematous, macular lesions; Borrelia lymphocytoma; highest incidence: May through September
Clinical findings, serology, polymerase chain reaction test
Erythema multiforme
Idiopathic in 50 percent of cases
Dull-red macules developing into papules with central vesicles or bullae; common on dorsa of hands, palms, soles, arms, knees, penis and vulva; often bilateral and symmetric
Adults 20 to 30 years of age; men affected more often than women
Major and minor forms; major form always with mucous membrane involvement and usually the result of drug reaction; minor form often associated with herpes simplex outbreak; rarely life-threatening
Clinical findings
Secondary syphilis
Treponema pallidum
Various presentations; brownish-red or pink macules and papules; generalized eruption or localized eruption on head, neck, palms or soles; condyloma lata common
Adolescents and adults 15 to 49 years of age; females affected more often than males
Develops 2 to 10 weeks after primary chancre; presents with or without fever; may have generalized lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly; may have recurrent eruptions with symptom-free periods
Dark-field examination, serology
Meningococcemia (acute)
Neisseria meningitidis
Variety of lesions but, characteristically,petechial lesions distributed on the trunk and extremities (although the lesions can be located anywhere); petechiae on mucous membranes
Highest incidence in children 6 months to 1 year of age
Acutely ill patient; high fever, tachypnea, tachycardia, mild hypotension; leukocytosis; meningitis develops in more than 50 percent of patients
Often, clinical findings; blood cultures
Meningococcemia (chronic)
N. meningitidis
Intermittent maculopapular lesions, often on a painful joint or pressure point; may have nodules on calves
Same as for acute form
Fever, myalgias, arthralgias, headache, anorexia; may recur for weeks or months, with average duration of 8 weeks; may progress to acute meningococcemia, meningitis or endocarditis
Blood cultures
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rickettsia rickettsii
Rash evolving from pink macules to red papules and finally to petechiae; rash beginning on wrists and ankles and spreading centripetally; involvement of palms and soles late in disease
Young adults with tick exposure; men affected more often than women
Onset typically abrupt; fever, severe headache and myalgias are prominent; rash appearing around fourth day of illness; may have relative bradycardia and leukopenia
Clinical findings, serology
Scarlet fever
Beta-hemolyticStreptococcus pyogenes
Punctate erythema beginning on trunk and spreading to extremities, becoming confluent; flushed face with perioral pallor; rash fading in 4 to 5 days and followed by desquamation
Children
Acute infection of tonsils or skin; linear petechiae in antecubital and axillary folds (Pastia's sign); rash appearing 2 to 3 days after infection; initially, “white strawberry tongue” but by fourth or fifth day, “red strawberry tongue”
Rapid strep test, wound or throat culture, antistreptolysin O titers
Toxic shock syndrome
Staphylococcus aureus
Diffuse “sunburn“ rash that desquamates over 1 to 2 weeks
All ages, but most common in menstruating females
High fever, hypotension and involvement of three or more organ systems; about 50 percent of cases occurring in menstruating women around onset of menses; postoperative patients at increased risk; condition out of proportion to wound appearance
Clinical criteria, vaginal and wound cultures
Kawasaki's disease
Idiopathic
Erythematous rash on hands and feet; morbilliform, scarlatiniform rash on trunk and perineum; hyperemic lips
Children less than 8 years of age, with peak incidence at 1 year; boys affected more often than girls
Winter and spring; high fevers, cervical lymphadenopathy, arthritis, arthralgias, cardiac involvement, mucous membrane involvement; can be complicated by coronary artery abnormalities in 20 to 25 percent of cases
Specific clinical criteria
Chickenpox
Varicella-zoster virus
Initially, papules, which evolve into vesicles (“dewdrops on a rose petal”) and eventually into pustules and crusts; rash beginning on face and spreading inferiorly to trunk and extremities
90 percent of cases in children less than 10 years of age; 5 percent of cases in persons older than 15 years
Prodrome consisting of headache, general aches, backache and malaise is typically absent in children; exposure history; may have all forms of lesions at the same time; vesicles evolving to shallow erosions common on mucous membranes of palate; may also have vesicles on nasal, conjunctival, gastrointestinal tract and genital mucosa
Clinical findings, confirmed by Tzanck test
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Varicella-zoster virus
Begins as erythematous maculopapular eruption, rapidly evolves to vesicles
All ages, but incidence increases with age and immunosuppression
Prodrome of unusual skin sensations; dermatomal pattern, with lesions rarely crossing midline; pain often severe; more common in thoracic and facial dermatomes
Clinical findings, confirmed by Tzanck test
Rickettsialpox
Rickettsia akari
Generalized maculopapular- vesicular exanthem; possible involvement of mucous membranes; no involvement of palms or soles
All ages; urban settings
Transmitted from mice to humans via mites; formation of papules 7 to 10 days after initial bite; typically, formation of a black eschar over healing lesion; febrile phase occurring 3 to 7 days after initial lesion and lasting up to a week; self-limited, usually mild course
Serology
Erythema nodosum
Various causes
Bright-red nodules (3 to 20 cm in diameter) scattered bilaterally but not symmetric; most frequently on lower legs but also found on knees and arms; rarely found on face and neck; lesions often tender and indurated
Adolescents and young adults 15 to 30 years of age; females affected more often than males
Thorough history and physical examination to identify known causes; throat culture for group A beta-hemolytic streptococci; chest radiograph to rule out sarcoidosis; arthralgias present in 50 percent of cases; fever and malaise common
Clinical findings
三、皮膚病灶逐一論述

  • Maculopapular Rashes (Central V.S. Peripheral)
    • Maculopapular eruptions are most frequently seen in viral illnesses and immune-mediated syndromes. These eruptions can have many causes, including drug reactions and bacterial infections. 
      • Central distribution
        • Viral Exanthems
          • Viral etiologies of rashes include rubeola, rubella, erythema infectiosum and roseola
        • Lyme Disease and Erythema Migrans
          • Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States.
          • Erythema migrans, the pathognomonic rash, develops in about 80 percent of patients with Lyme disease

        • Drug-Related Eruptions
      • Peripheral distribution
        • Erythema Multiforme
          • The most common peripheral eruptive maculopapular rash, erythema multiforme occurs more frequently in men than in women and most often affects persons between 20 and 30 years of age. The rash, which can be recurrent, shows a predilection for palms, soles, knees and elbows.
          • Rarely, erythema multiforme major can be life-threatening and can progress to necrotizing tracheobronchitis, meningitis, blindness, sepsis and renal tubular necrosis
          • Etiology of erythema multiforme
            • Idiopathic (more than 50 percent of cases)
            • Radiation therapy
            • Medications
              • Penicillin
              • Sulfonamides
              • Phenytoin (Dilantin)
              • Barbiturates
              • Phenylbutazone
              • Infectious causes
              • Herpes simplex virus
              • Epstein-Barr virus
              • Adenovirus
              • Coxsackievirus B5
              • Vaccinia virus
              • Mycoplasma species
              • Chlamydia species
              • Salmonella typhi
              • Yersinia species
              • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
              • Histoplasma capsulatum
              • Coccidioides immitis
        • Secondary Syphilis
          • The rash of secondary syphilis can be diffuse, with localized eruptions often occurring on the head, neck, palms and soles
          • Asymptomatic flat-topped macules and papules (mucous patches) are commonly found on the oral and genital mucosa
          • Classic condyloma lata may also be found in the perineum
        • Potentially life-threatening infections
          • Meningococcemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and dengue fever may initially present with erythematous maculopapular lesions before advancing to a petechial exanthem
  •  Petechial Eruptions
    • Petechial rashes warrant immediate evaluation to rule out severe, life-threatening illness. For proper assessment of an acutely ill patient with a petechial rash, the physician must be familiar with the common infectious and noninfectious etiologies.
      • Meningococcal infections
        • Typical prodrome of cough, headache, sore throat, nausea and vomiting may be of short duration. Patients with acute meningococcemia appear ill and usually present with a characteristic petechial rash, a high, spiking fever, tachypnea, tachycardia and mild hypotension


        • Chronic meningococcemia is a rare condition. Patients may present with intermittent rash, fever, arthritis and arthralgias occurring over a period of weeks to several months. 
          • Maculopapular lesions usually located around a painful joint or pressure point, nodules on the lower extremities and petechiae of variable size
      • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
        • Prodrome may include malaise, chills, a feverish feeling, anorexia and irritability. When rash is present, it develops on approximately the fourth day of illness. 
          • Rash pattern:
            • Initially - begins as pink macules, 2 to 6 mm in diameter, located on the wrists, forearms, ankles, palms and soles
            • 6 to 18 hours - spreads centrally to involve the arms, thighs, trunk and face
            • 1~3 days - the lesions evolve into deep-red papules.
            • 2~4 days - after onset of the rash, the lesions become petechiae
      • Other causes
        • Viral illnesses
          • Coxsackievirus A9, 
          • Echovirus 9, 
          • Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus infections, 
          • Atypical measles and viral hemorrhagic fevers caused by arboviruses and arenaviruses.
        • Bacteria and others
          • Disseminated gonococcal infections, 
          • Bacteremia, 
          • Staphylococcemia and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
  • Diffuse Erythema with Desquamation
      • Scarlet fever
        • Scarlet fever provides the classic example of an erythematous rash with subsequent desquamation. Most common between one and 10 years of agescarlet fever usually follows an acute infection of the tonsils or skin by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci that produce an erythrogenic exotoxin.
        • Rash pattern:
          • 2~3 days after onset of illness - Fine punctate erythema on the superior trunk and face. The erythema quickly spreads to the extremities. When present, petechiae in the antecubital and axillary skin folds (Pastia's lines) can be helpful in making the diagnosis.
          • 4~5 days -  Exanthem varies in intensity. However, it usually fades and followed by diffuse desquamation.
          • Tongue - white, with red, swollen papillae (white strawberry tongue) → (4~5 days) → bright red (red strawberry tongue). 
          • Oral mucosa - may have punctate erythema or petechiae.
      • Toxic shock syndrome and scalded skin syndrome
        • Staphylococcus aureus is the organism responsible for classic toxic shock syndrome and scalded skin syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome can present with hypotension, erythema, fever and multisystem dysfunction
        • Rash pattern
          • The rash is usually diffuse and can present as bullous impetigo, scarlatiniform lesions or diffuse erythema
          • The mucous membranes are spared in most patients. During the physical examination,we should attempt to elicit Nikolsky's sign (shearing of the skin with gentle lateral pressure).
      • Kawasaki's disease
        • Acute febrile illness that affects infants and young children (mean age: 2.6 years). The disease is uncommon after the age of 12 years.
        • In patients with Kawasaki's disease, fever begins abruptly, and the temperature is typically higher than 40°C (104°F). The fever lasts five to 30 days (mean duration: 8.5 days) and does not respond to antibiotics and antipyretic
        • Rash pattern:
          • 3 days - appeared within three days of the onset of fever. Frequently, the rash is scarlatiniform on the trunk and erythematous on the palms and soles, with subsequent distal desquamation
          • Mucous membrane - Involvement is common and includes hyperemic bulbar conjunctiva, injected oropharynx, dry, cracked lips and a strawberry tongue.
      • Other causes
        • Ehrlichiosis - a rickettsial-like infection, can occasionally be associated with a clinical picture similar to toxic shock syndrome, including diffuse erythema. 
        • Streptococcus viridans bacteremia -  another rare cause of generalized erythema.
        • Enteroviral infections, toxic epidermal necrolysis, graft-versus-host reaction, erythroderma and generalized pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch's psoriasis) may present with diffuse erythema.
  • Vesiculobullous-Pustular Eruptions
      • Varicella-zoster virus
        • Varicella-zoster virus is the most infectious of the human herpesviruses. It is responsible for varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles)
          • Varicella(chicken pox)
            • The clinical presentation consists of rash, fever and general malaise. The rash typically begins on the face, scalp or trunk and then spreads to the extremities.
            • Rash pattern
              • Erythematous macules and progress to papules with an edematous base
              • The papules quickly evolve into vesicles, with each vesicle initially having the appearance of “a dewdrop on a rose petal.”

              • The vesicles evolve into pustules, which become umbilicated and subsequently crust over in the ensuing eight to 12 hours. 
              • An enanthema may be noted, and vesicles may evolve to shallow erosions, primarily on the palate
          • Herpes Zoster
            • The characteristic vesicular rash of herpes zoster usually affects a single dermatome and rarely crosses the midline
            • The most common locations are the chest (approximately 50 percent of cases) and the face (approximately 20 percent of cases).
            •  A prodrome of unusual skin sensations may evolve into pain, burning and paresthesias, which precede the rash by two to three days.
            • Rash pattern
              • Initial - rash begins as an erythematous maculopapular eruption that rapidly evolves to a vesicular rash
              • 7~10 days - Drying of the lesions with crust formation 
              • 14~21 days - the lesions usually resolve 
        • Other causes
          • Staphylococcal bacteremia - May present with a widespread pustular eruption. 
          • Gonococcemia -  May also produce a pustular rash, although other lesion types, such as macules, petechiae and papules, are usually present.
          • Immunocompromised patients - Disseminated herpes simplex virus infection must be considered. 
          • Patients with underlying liver disease, renal dysfunction or diabetes - susceptible to infection with Vibrio vulnificus,
  • Nodular Eruptions
      • Erythema nodosum
        • Erythema nodosum is an acute inflammatory and immunologic process involving the panniculus adiposus (the fatty tissue layer underlying the skin).This condition is more common in women than in men.
        • Etiology
          • Idiopathic (40 percent of cases)
          • Infectious causes
            • Beta-hemolytic streptococci
            • Yersinia species
            • Hepatitis C virus
            • Mycobacterium species
            • Chlamydia trachomatis
            • Coccidioides immitis
          • Noninfectious causes
            • Medications
              • Sulfonamides
              • Oral contraceptives
          • Systemic lupus erythematosus
          • Sarcoidosis
          • Ulcerative colitis
          • Behçet's syndrome
          • Pregnancy
        • Presenting features often include fever, malaise and arthralgias. The characteristic nodules are painful and tender. The lesions most often develop on the lower legs, knees and arms 
        • The course of erythema nodosum depends on the specific cause, but spontaneous resolution can be expected within six weeks
      • Other causes
        • Immunocompromised patients 
          • Disseminated fungal infections may produce nodular lesions. 
          • Disseminated candidiasis may present with diffuse nonerythematous nodules  
        • Other fungal infections to consider include 
          • Cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis and sporotrichosis.
        • Bacteria 
          • Such as Nocardia, Pseudomonas and Mycobacterium species may produce nodular lesions.

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