Clinical medicine (London, England)
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Lung and pleural malignancies remain common in the UK with poor survival rates due, at least in part, to late stage diagnosis. Diagnostic pathways aim to reduce the time taken for patients to reach a diagnosis and treatment, with the use of positron emission tomography and endobronchial ultrasound to provide staging information alongside diagnostics. ⋯ In the UK, screening for lung cancer remains in its infancy, but provides a promising possibility for capturing curative disease. We provide an overview of the diagnostic process, therapeutic options and potential future screening programmes in pleural and pulmonary malignancies.
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Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a reactive non-infectious inflammatory dermatosis falling under the spectrum of the neutrophilic dermatoses. There are several subtypes, with 'classical PG' as the most common form in approximately 85% cases. This presents as an extremely painful erythematous lesion which rapidly progresses to a blistered or necrotic ulcer. ⋯ Treatment of PG remains largely anecdotal, with no national or international guidelines, and is selected according to severity and rate of progression. Despite being a well-recognised condition, there is often a failure to make an early diagnosis of PG. This diagnosis should be actively considered when assessing ulcers, as prompt treatment may avoid the complications of prolonged systemic therapy, delayed wound healing and scarring.