18FDG SUV in the primary tumor and lymph node metastases is not predictive for development of distant metastases in high risk head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Pretreatment screening on distant metastases is particularly useful in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients with high risk factors.

Methods: In a retrospective study of 88 patients with previously identified clinical high risk factors the predictive value of standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the primary tumor and in the lymph node metastases for the development of distant metastases was examined. Different SUVs corrected for plasma glucose levels and body mass index were calculated and analysed in different patient groups: all patients (n=88), patients with a follow up >6months (n=73), not previously treated patients (n=51) and not previously treated patients with a follow up >6months (n=40).

Evaluation of trauma care by comparing mortality risks and admission policy in a Dutch trauma region.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of trauma care in the Netherlands compared to UK norms and in terms of mortality risks in three groups of patients. The hypothesis was that there is no difference in risk of hospital death between major trauma patients transferred from another hospital to the trauma centre and patients directly admitted to the trauma centre.

Methods: Trauma admissions (n=17,023) during the period 2000-2006 in 12 emergency departments were selected from a regional trauma registry database.

Base deficit-based predictive modeling of outcome in trauma patients admitted to intensive care units in Dutch trauma centers.

Background: Worldwide, the base deficit is available as an objective indicator of acid base status. We used the base deficit as a measure of physiologic derangement in a Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS)-like model as a predictor for outcome in trauma patients.

Methods: We prospectively recorded data of 349 consecutive trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit and calculated Revised Trauma Score, Injury Severity Score and Abbreviated Injury Scale, and TRISS and correlated them with the simultaneously determined base deficit value.

Prevalence and determinants of disabilities and return to work after major trauma.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of disabilities and return to work after severe injury in a Dutch, Level I trauma center.

Methods: We prospectively included 295 patients with an Injury Severity Score > or = 16 treated between January 1996 and January 1999. All survivors received a mailed questionnaire in 2000, at least 1 year after their initial hospital admission.

Clinical impact of advanced trauma life support.

The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course sponsored by the American College of Surgeons Committee On Trauma (ACSCOT) presents a standardized method of initial trauma care. This study attempted to measure any changes in morbidity and mortality in trauma patients after the introduction of ATLS training. Over a 3-year period (May 1996 to September 1997-pre-ATLS period; December 1997 to April 1999-post-ATLS period), 63 trauma patients with an Injury Severity Scale (ISS) > or =16 (n = 31, pre-ATLS and n = 32, post-ATLS) were prospectively studied in two community teaching hospitals.