Compression neuropathy: a late finding in the postburn population: a four-year institutional review.

Nerve compression syndromes may cause postburn morbidity that can often be difficult to recognize and manage. This study reviewed patients in the authors' institution who needed nerve decompression secondary to thermal or electrical burns. The objective was to evaluate the timing of nerve decompression in the burn population.

The Wittmann Patch s a temporary abdominal closure device after decompressive celiotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome following burn.

Background: Abdominal compartment syndrome is frequently the result of aggressive fluid resuscitation after burn. Management of the open abdomen following decompressive celiotomy is a major problem.

Methods: From 2004 to mid-2005, six patients required decompressive celiotomy after developing abdominal compartment syndrome as a result of burn.

Congenital neuroepithelioma in an infant hand.

We describe a congenital peripheral neuroepithelioma of the hand in an infant aged 6 weeks. This primitive malignant tumour of neuroepithelial origin is extremely rare in neonates. Peripheral neuroepitheliomas of the hand have not been described in the literature previously.

Comparison of the influence of intralumenal irrigation solutions on free flap survival.

Heparin is commonly included in the irrigation solution used during microvascular surgery. Evidence has accumulated to indicate a beneficial effect of heparin on anastomotic patency, implying that its topical use is critical to success even in routine microvascular repairs. This investigation compared heparin and urokinase as additives to the irrigation solution (Ringer's lactate) used during rat groin free flap replantation.

How accurate are ventilation-perfusion scans for pulmonary embolism?

To evaluate the accuracy of ventilation-perfusion scanning in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, the pulmonary arteriograms of 55 patients suspected of pulmonary embolism were compared with their ventilation-perfusion scans. The clinical presentation was consistent for the diagnosis of pulmonary emboli in all 55 patients. The scans were divided into the following four categories according to standard guidelines: normal, low, intermediate, and high probability.

Carbonic anhydrase II deficiency: diagnosis and carrier detection using differential enzyme inhibition and inactivation.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) I and II are soluble isozymes that represent the major nonhemoglobin proteins in the erythrocyte. We recently identified a deficiency of CA II as the enzymatic basis for the autosomal recessive syndrome of osteopetrosis with renal tubular acidosis and cerebral calcification. Virtual absence of the CA II peak on high-performance liquid chromatography, of CA II esterase activity, and of immunoprecipitable CA II were demonstrated on extracts of red cell lysates from all patients studied.