XXXX in North Queensland.

@entity1 @entity281 @entity7665 @entity9244 @entity7663
BACKGROUND: @entity9244 are a heterogeneous group of @entity281 that usually require a variety of therapeutic methods for cure. North Queensland has an environment, which predisposes to several such @entity281 . The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and epidemiology of @entity9244 in North Queensland and to review surgical and non-surgical interventions in these conditions. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of all @entity1 with a proven mycobacterial soft tissue @entity281 , seen between 1997 and 2005 in a tertiary referral centre in North Queensland. RESULTS: In total, 34 @entity1 were identified. The most common causative organisms were @entity7663 fortuitum (44%), @entity7663 (17.6%) and @entity7665 (11.8%). The risk factors identified were the male sex, lower-limb involvement and preceding trauma including surgery. Twenty-four (70.6%) @entity1 had surgical excision or debridement with a variety of adjuvant antimicrobial therapies. There were eight (23.5%) local recurrences. CONCLUSION: The optimal management of soft tissue mycobacterial @entity281 includes early microbiological identification based on tissue biopsy, appropriate combination antimicrobial therapy and early wide surgical excision where appropriate. North Queensland has a unique environment, which may predispose to these @entity281 . An awareness of this is essential to surgical practice in the region.
