Maggot Therapy for Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa Reveals New Applications and New Complications: A Case Report

Not all maggots are created equal; not all maggots are therapeutic

Maggots in a wound ("myiasis") cannot be considered maggot therapy (therapeutic myiasis) unless, at a minimum, the species is known to be safe and effective, and the maggots have been properly disinfected. Documenting treatment details is critical and allows us to determine the cause of problems, if they arise.

Clinical study of Maggot therapy for Fournier's gangrene

Fournier's Gangrene is a fulminating necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and genitalia. Standard treatment involves immediate excision of all necrotic tissue, aggressive antibiotic coverage, and supportive medical care. Still, the infection is commonly fatal or disfiguring. Wound treatment with disinfected blowfly larvae (maggot debridement therapy or MDT) has been shown to be highly effective, with multiple studies demonstrating effective debridement, disinfection, and promotion of granulation tissue. MDT also has been associated with preservation of viable tissue and minimised blood loss. This report describes a prospective clinical study of MDT for Fournier's gangrene aimed to test the hypothesis that early use of maggots could decrease the number of surgical treatments required to treat Fournier's gangrene. Subjects were provided with one initial surgical excision, followed by debridement using only medical grade Lucilia sericata larvae. Only two subjects were enrolled, both diabetic men. Intensive care and culture-directed antimicrobial coverage were administered as usual. Maggot debridement was associated with the disappearance of necrotic tissue, control of infection and granulation tissue growth. In both subjects, wounds healed without requiring further surgical resection or anatomical reconstruction. Maggot therapy decreased the number of surgical procedures that otherwise would have been necessary, and led to favourable outcomes.

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa gigantea nach nekrotisierender Fasziitis – Erfolgreiche Therapie mit Acitretin

Wir berichten über einen 54-jährigen männlichen Patienten mit einer posttraumatischen und postinflammatorischen Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV) des linken Beines. 5 Jahre zuvor war ein Arbeitsunfall vorausgegangen (Bagatellverletzung der linken Patella) mit nachfolgendem komplikationsreichen Verlauf (u. a. Entwicklung einer nekrotisierenden Fasziitis). Die dadurch entstandenen Hautdefekte wurden mittels Spalthauttransplantation versorgt. Nach initialer Einheilungstendenz kam es bei Verbandswechseln jedoch zu erheblichem Spalthautverlust mit begleitender infizierter Wundheilungsstörung. In den darauffolgenden Jahren bildeten sich eine massive Umfangsvermehrung des linken Beins sowie übel riechende, vegetierende, flächige Hyperkeratosen mit scharfer zirkulärer Demarkationslinie ca. 10 cm proximal des Kniegelenkes. Wir begannen eine Therapie mit Acitretin 40 mg/d p. o., eine intensivierte externe Therapie (stadienadaptiert antiseptisch, aggressiv keratolytisch) sowie mechanische Débridements (Skalpell, Kürette) zur Massenabtragung. Im Verlauf wurde die Acitretindosis auf 10 mg alle 2 Tage reduziert. Hierunter zeigt sich ein langfristig stabiler Befund. Pathogenetisch kann eine ENV bei einer wie im vorgestellten Fall insuffizienten Wiederherstellung des lymphatischen Abflusses nach z. B. Operationen oder Traumen mit Sistieren des Clearings relevanter Zytokine und Wachstumsfaktoren entstehen. Aufgrund der Seltenheit der ENV mit nur wenigen Fallberichten in der Literatur existiert keine standardisierte Therapie. Im hier dargestellten Fall wird über eine erfolgreiche Therapie der ENV mit Acitretin berichtet.

Shaving Technique and Compression Therapy for Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa (Lymphostatic Verrucosis) of Forefeet and Toes in End-Stage Primary Lymphedema: A 5 Year Follow-Up Study in 28 Patients and a Review of the Literature

Background. Longstanding lymphedema can lead, especially when there is recurrence of erysipelas, to irreversible elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV). This predisposes to new episodes of erysipelas, leading to further damage of the lymphatics and deterioration of the lymphedema as a whole. We report the results of 28 patients with primary lymphedema and surgical removal ENV of the forefoot and toes treated between 2006 and 2014. Method: Retrospective descriptive 5 year follow-up study of 28 patients with various diagnosis of primary lymphedema. Wound healing time, number of erysipelas, body mass index (BMI), recurrence of EVN and types of compression were documented during follow-up. Results: After preoperative multidisciplinary work up, operation of the toes with shaving and excision was performed within a conservative treatment program. During the follow up, the number of erysipelas attacks decreased dramatically (mean 17.6 vs. 0.6). Before treatment, no toecaps were used; and in follow up, it was a part of treatment. Recurrence of ENV was not observed. Compared to the literature with often BMI > 35, the mean BMI in our group was 30.0 (overweight). In 12 patients, we concurrently performed circumferential suction-assisted lipectomy for end-stage lymphedema of the leg. Conclusion: Although lymphedema patients are treated with garments during the maintenance phase, compression of the toes is often too challenging. Surgical removal of the verrucosis of toes is an effective therapeutic modality as part of an integrated lymphedema treatment program to restore the shape of the toes and enable the wearing of toecaps. This technique can also be effective for ENV of origins other than primary lymphedema. Although ENV is a generally accepted term, it can have undesirable connotations. We suggest using a more inclusive name such as lymphostatic verrucosis, because long-lasting lymphatic impairment is involved in all ENV and the term verrucosis is above discussion.

The Successful Treatment of Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa With Ablative Carbon Dioxide Laser

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV) is a disfiguring skin condition that is difficult to treat. Existing treatment modalities serve to improve cosmesis or treat symptoms. Herein, we report a case of ENV with lymphocutaneous fistula successfully treated with ablative carbon dioxide laser.

STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 57-year-old woman with biopsy-proven ENV with lymphocutaneous fistula was treated with ablative carbon dioxide laser to the symptomatic area of her right thigh in 3 treatment sessions over 6 months.

RESULTS

The patient had resolution of lymphocutaneous drainage as well as 90% improvement in the appearance of ENV lesions at the 1-month follow-up visit.

CONCLUSION

Ablative carbon dioxide laser may provide cosmetic, symptomatic, and medical benefit for patients with localized ENV.