Background: Unsightly scarring after surgery remains a dilemma. One of the challenges is the lack of objective scar assessment tools. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel medicine, Fespixon, for prevention and/or alleviation of post–skin incision scarring. A second aim was to demonstrate the practicality of our digital image analysis system to see if this could serve as a sensitive tool to assess scar improvement. Methods: A prospective, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with postoperative transverse scars was conducted. Each patient received a topical formulation of Fespixon on the left part of the scar and placebo cream on the right. In addition to recording the subjective modified Vancouver Scar Scale and visual analog scale scores, we utilized digital photography for monthly scar analysis, with CIELAB and hue serving as the colorimetric information, and with contrast, correlation, homogeneity, and entropy providing texture information. Results: Forty-six participants (mean age, 52 years) were enrolled in the trial. All the parameters of subjective assessment showed superior results for the Fespixon-treated side, with significant differences in pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, height, itchiness, and patient satisfaction (P = .043, .013, .026, .002, .039, .012, respectively). The trends in color and texture showed increased relative difference ratios, with significant differences in most of the eigenvalues towards the Fespixon-treated side, including CIELAB-L* (P < 0.001), hue-R,G,B (red, blue, green) values (P = .034, .001, .011), contrast (P < 0.001), homogeneity (P < 0.001), correlation (P = .011), and entropy (P < 0.001). Conclusions: We validated the efficacy of Fespixon for postoperative scar healing based not only on subjective assessments but also on objective quantitative analyses. The results also indicated that our digital photography quantitative analysis system is an ideal tool for quantification of scar appearance. Level of Evidence: 3:

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites have received increasing attention because several of these organic substances are highly carcinogenic or mutagenic. Exposure to PAHs is associated with many harmful health effects; however, we are not aware of any study that has explored the exposure to PAHs and urinary conditions in the general population. The present work aimed to investigate the correlation among PAH and urine flow rate (UFR). Method: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2012 were used in our study. A total of 4172 participants and a total of nine PAH metabolites were examined. The UFR was measured as the amount of urine excreted in a period of time (mL/h). Several covariates were adjusted in linear regression models. Result: After adjusting for variables, the PAH metabolites in urine showed a significant correlation with UFR. Dose-dependent associations between PAH metabolites in the urine and UFR were also found. Higher quartiles of PAH metabolites in urine exhibited higher regression coefficients. Conclusion: Our study highlighted that PAH metabolites in urine had a strong association with decreased UFR in the US adult population. These findings support the possibility that PAH exposure is related to bladder dysfunction. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) is a rare hematological malignancy that usually occurs in the spine and rarely in the skull. It rarely presents in the skull base, but presenting symptoms are associated with cranial nerve involvement depending on the site of the disease. We present the case of a 61-year-old man with an unusual presentation of hoarseness secondary to vocal fold palsy. Imaging showed a large bony lesion in the temporo-occipital region with involvement of the jugular foramen. Further detailed diagnostic procedures confirmed SBP of the skull base. Radiotherapy was given with an uneventful recovery of vocal fold function. Skull base plasmacytoma can be considered as a differential diagnosis of causes of unilateral vocal fold palsy. Early therapeutic management may improve vocal fold function.