Exacerbates Inflammation and Mucus Hypersecretion in a Murine, Elastase-Induced-COPD Model.

Inflammation and mucus hypersecretion are frequent pathology features of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. Selected bacteria, viruses and fungi may synergize as co-factors in aggravating disease by activating pathways that are able to induce airway pathology. infection induces inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in immune competent and compromised humans and animals.

Distal Pancreatic Necrosis After Splenic Angioembolization.

Pancreatic ischemia with necrosis is an extremely rare complication of splenic angioembolization (SAE). A 48-year-old male with a grade IV blunt splenic injury underwent angiography which demonstrated no active bleeding or pseudoaneurysm. Proximal SAE was performed.

Negative Splenic Angiography in Blunt Trauma: Does Embolization Affect Splenic Salvage?

Angioembolization in blunt splenic trauma is used to maximize splenic preservation. Superiority of prophylactic embolization over expectant management in patients with a negative splenic angiography (SA) is debated. We hypothesized that embolization in negative SA would be associated with splenic salvage.

Severe Thoracic Vertebral Spine Injury as a Complication of Component of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Chest compression has been a component of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) since 1960. Performance of high-quality CPR is critical for survival; however, chest compressions are traumatic and may result in injuries such as rib and sternal fractures. Spinal fractures have rarely been reported.

Is clinician assessment accurate or is routine pan-body CT needed in the stable intoxicated trauma patient?

Background: We sought to determine if clinician suspicion of injury was useful in predicting injuries found on pan-body computed tomography (PBCT) in clinically intoxicated patients.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled awake, intoxicated patients with low-energy mechanism of injury. For each of four body regions (head/face, neck, thorax and abdomen/pelvis), clinician suspicion for injury was recorded as "low index" or "more than a low index".

Do simple beside lung function tests predict morbidity after rib fractures?

Background: We evaluated if incentive spirometry volume (ISV) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) could predict acute respiratory failure (ARF) in patients with rib fractures.

Methods: Normotensive, co-operative patients were enrolled prospectively. ISV and PEFR were measured on admission, at 24 h and at 48 h by taking the best of three readings each time.

Trends in central line-associated bloodstream infections in a trauma-surgical intensive care unit.

Objective: To report the impact of hospital-wide interventions on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in a 24-bed trauma-surgical intensive care unit.

Design: Data were gathered retrospectively from January 1, 2001, through June 30, 2009. Interventions to reduce CLABSI rates during this period included standardization of line insertion and maintenance processes, development of a mandatory education program incorporating practical line insertion simulation sessions, frequent audits, and intensive care unit staffing modifications.

Detection of cervical spine injuries in alert, asymptomatic geriatric blunt trauma patients: who benefits from radiologic imaging?

There are differing recommendations in the literature regarding cervical spine imaging in alert, asymptomatic geriatric patients. Previous studies also have not used computed tomography routinely. Given that cervical radiographs may miss up to 60 per cent of fractures, the incidence of cervical spine injuries in this population and its implications for clinical management are unclear.

Air in the spinal canal associated with trauma.

Air in the spinal canal after trauma is uncommon. We report a case of a motor vehicle accident resulting in a thoracic fracture-dislocation. Air was discovered within the spinal canal on a computed tomography (CT) scan.

Development and evaluation of the advanced trauma operative management course.

Background: The Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM) course was developed as a model for teaching operative trauma techniques to surgical residents, fellows, and attending surgeons as the number of these cases decreases.

Methods: The ATOM course consists of lectures and a porcine operative experience. Comprehensive evaluation of ATOM was designed to assess participant learning in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains.