No abstract

although information concerning the specific bacteria involved are experiments with a new dura graft (polytetrafluoroethylene): results. not available. Meningitis in conjunction with skin infections oc-Neurochirurgia 1991; 34:103 -6. curred in two of those cases. One case resolved with conservative 3. Hatanaka M. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene surgical membrane for treatment, whereas the other required reoperation and removal of dura mater substitute. Research of New Medical Devices 1992;1: the membrane. The other three cases were characterized by both 183 -93. skin infections and extradural collections. Antibiotic treatment was 4. Inoue HK, Kobayashi S, Ohbayashi K, Kohga H, Nakamura M. Treatment effective in two of these cases; the third required removal of the and prevention of tethered and retethered spinal cord using a GOREmembrane. Our patient had no evidence of wound infection or TEX surgical membrane. J Neurosurg 1994; 80:689 -93. 5. Yamagata S, Goto K, Yoshifuimi O, Kikuchi H. Clinical experience with breakdown, CSF leakage, or a collection at the operative site or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sheet used as an artificial dura matter. dural graft interface, as determined with use of postoperative radio-Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 1993; 33:582 -5. graphs. For patients in whom such complications are present, re-6. Shirane R, Yoshimoto T. Surgical treatment for delayed tethered cord moval of the graft may be necessary. syndrome after operation for spinal dysraphism. Neurosurgery 1994; 13:154 -60. 7. Bauer JJ, Salky BA, Gelernt IM, Kreel I. Repair of large abdominal wall

Infliximab is an antibody to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that is used in the treatment of Crohn disease and rheumatoid arthritis. This medication neutralizes TNF-alpha by binding to TNF receptors and inhibiting further induction of proinflammatory cytokines. We describe a patient with Crohn disease who developed hypersensitivity vasculitis with biopsy-proven leukocytoclastic vasculitis 9 days after her initial dose of infliximab. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of infliximab-induced hypersensitivity vasculitis with leukocytoclastic vasculitis that occurred after the first dose of drug. It is important to note that hypersensitivity vasculitis can occur secondary to administration of this drug, even after the initial exposure.

By adopting a protocol to perform diagnostic SOM, separate from ERCP and sphincterotomy, we were able to decrease the incidence of pancreatitis considerably at our institutions.