Effect of the Ultrasonic Bone Scalpel on Blood Loss During Pediatric Spinal Deformity Correction Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: Determine the effect of the ultrasonic bone scalpel (UBS) on intraoperative blood loss and surgical time.

Summary Of Background Data: The UBS has shown beneficial effects in limiting blood loss in spinal surgery, but no study has examined its effect in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis.

When Does Intraoperative Blood Loss Occur During Pediatric Scoliosis Correction?

Background: The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between amount of blood loss and surgical stage in pediatric patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for deformity correction to determine: (1) when the highest rate of blood loss occurred; (2) what percentage of total blood loss occurred during deformity correction and closure; and (3) how to predict remaining blood loss during a procedure. Blood loss following exposure and placement of the final pedicle screw is often underestimated, which may result in lack of sufficient blood product availability. Knowledge of the rate of blood loss plays an important role in intraoperative decision making, facilitating communication with the anesthesia team, and improving patient safety.

An outbreak of Cryptosporidium hominis infection at an Illinois recreational waterpark.

Cryptosporidium has become increasingly recognized as a pathogen responsible for outbreaks of diarrhoeal illness in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons. In August 2001, an Illinois hospital reported a cryptosporidiosis cluster potentially linked to a local waterpark. There were 358 case-patients identified.

Survey of clinical laboratory practices for parasitic diseases.

To gain knowledge about laboratory testing practices for parasitic diseases, in 2000 we surveyed 562 laboratories in 9 US states, and 455 (81%) responded. Most laboratories (59%) indicated that they send specimens off site for parasite screening, and most laboratories (89%) did not routinely test fecal specimens for Cryptosporidium species, Cyclospora cayetanensis, or microsporidia, unless testing for these organisms was specifically requested by a physician. Only 39 laboratories offered serological testing for Toxoplasma gondii, and most (78%) that had their results confirmed did so at national commercial laboratories rather than a Toxoplasma reference laboratory.

Prospective study of etiologic agents of community-acquired pneumonia in patients with HIV infection.

Objectives: To study prospectively HIV-positive patients admitted to the hospital because of pneumonia by extensive laboratory tests to determine specific microbiologic diagnoses and to establish the best clinical diagnosis after review of all available data by expert clinicians.

Methods: Patients admitted to one of two hospitals had extensive questionnaires completed and defined diagnostic tests performed on blood, sputum, urine and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, when available.

Results: A total of 230 patients had a diagnosis of pneumonia verified.