Positive FAST Without Hemoperitoneum Due to Fluid Resuscitation in Blunt Trauma

Background

The focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) examination is an important screening tool in the evaluation of blunt trauma patients.

Objectives

To describe a case of a hemodynamically unstable polytrauma patient with positive FAST due to fluid resuscitation after blunt trauma.

Case Report

We describe a case of a hemodynamically unstable polytrauma patient who underwent massive volume resuscitation prior to transfer from a community hospital to a trauma center. On arrival at the receiving institution, the FAST examination was positive for free intraperitoneal fluid, but no hemoperitoneum or significant intra-abdominal injuries were found during laparotomy. In this case, it is postulated that transudative intraperitoneal fluid secondary to massive volume resuscitation resulted in a positive FAST examination.

Conclusion

This case highlights potential issues specific to resuscitated trauma patients with prolonged transport times. Further study is likely needed to assess what changes, if any, should be made in algorithms to address the effect of prior resuscitative efforts on the test characteristics of the FAST examination.     

Feasibility and repeatability of localized 31P‐MRS four‐angle saturation transfer (FAST) of the human gastrocnemius muscle using a surface coil at 7 T

Phosphorus (³¹P) MRS, combined with saturation transfer (ST), provides non‐invasive insight into muscle energy metabolism. However, even at 7 T, the standard ST method with T₁^app measured by inversion recovery takes about 10 min, making it impractical for dynamic examinations. An alternative method, i.e. four‐angle saturation transfer (FAST), can shorten the examination time. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility, repeatability, and possible time resolution of the localized FAST technique measurement on an ultra‐high‐field MR system, to accelerate the measurement of both P_i‐to‐ATP and PCr‐to‐ATP reaction rates in the human gastrocnemius muscle and to test the feasibility of using the FAST method for dynamic measurements. We measured the exchange rates and metabolic fluxes in the gastrocnemius muscle of eight healthy subjects at 7 T with the depth‐resolved surface coil MRS (DRESS)‐localized FAST method. For comparison, a standard ST localized method was also used. The measurement time for the localized FAST experiment was 3.5 min compared with the 10 min for the standard localized ST experiment. In addition, in five healthy volunteers, P_i‐to‐ATP and PCr‐to‐ATP metabolic fluxes were measured in the gastrocnemius muscle at rest and during plantar flexion by the DRESS‐localized FAST method. The repeatability of PCr‐to‐ATP and P_i‐to‐ATP exchange rate constants, determined by the slab‐selective localized FAST method at 7 T, is high, as the coefficients of variation remained below 20%, and the results of the exchange rates measured with the FAST method are comparable to those measured with standard ST. During physical activity, the PCr‐to‐ATP metabolic flux decreased (from F_CK = 8.21 ± 1.15 mM s^?1 to F_CK = 3.86 ± 1.38 mM s^?1) and the P_i‐to‐ATP flux increased (from F_ATP = 0.43 ± 0.14 mM s^?1 to F_ATP = 0.74 ± 0.13 mM s^?1). In conclusion, we could demonstrate that measurements in the gastrocnemius muscle are feasible at rest and are short enough to be used during exercise with the DRESS‐localized FAST method at 7 T. © 2015 The Authors. NMR in Biomedicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Alcohol misuse in the general hospital: some hard facts

Aims  To examine (1) the prevalence of alcohol use disorders in adult general hospital inpatients; (2) the accuracy of documentation in relation to alcohol use. Methods  A total of 210 random patients were interviewed out of 1,448 consecutive new admissions to CUH over 7 days. Case notes were reviewed for 206 (98%). Alcohol consumption was assessed using the Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) and weekly drinking diary. FAST-positive (and a random sample of FAST-negative) patients then had a standardized interview. Results  A total of 82% admitted for drinking alcohol. Among them 22% were drinking in excess of guidelines, 9% had DSM-IV Alcohol Abuse and 7% dependence. The sensitivity and specificity of the FAST for detecting those drinking above guidelines were 89 and 94% and for detecting a DSM-IV diagnosis was 100 and 73%. The majority of case notes contained inadequate information about alcohol intake. Conclusion  Alcohol use disorders are common and often undetected in the general hospital setting.     

Enrollment and reporting practices in pediatric general surgical randomized clinical trials: A systematic review and observational analysis

Background

Pediatric surgical randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are labor-intensive and costly. This systematic review investigated patient accrual and estimates of study duration in RCTs by interrogating enrollment and registration practices.

Impact of the stage of dementia on the time required for bathing-related care: a pilot study in a Japanese nursing home

Time required for bathing-related care for nursing home residents with various stages of severe dementia were observed. Time required for each resident, including guiding to the bathroom, undressing, and dressing were plotted in graphs in order to make comparisons. The situations and conversations observed for the instances when additional time was needed were analyzed. Stage of dementia affected the amount of time required for the task of guiding to the bathroom, but did not appear to affect time required for dressing or undressing. For dressing and undressing, additional time was required when caregivers failed to keep to a specific routine.     

Bedside emergency ultrasonographic diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture in blunt abdominal trauma

Abdominal injury from significant blunt trauma can include injury to bowel, kidneys, liver, and spleen. In approximately 5% of all injuries one of the diaphragms is ruptured. Diaphragmatic rupture may not be easily detected and this can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. Rupture may be suggested on chest X-ray film especially with abnormal nasogastric tube location but the accuracy of this method is modest only. Abdominal computed tomography is not accurate and magnetic resonance imaging, although very sensitive and specific, is not feasible in most trauma situations. Surgeons have often resorted to exploratory laparotomy or laparoscopy to make the diagnosis. Although not typically part of the basic Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination, ultrasonographic diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture is possible with little added time to the examination. We present 3 cases of diaphragmatic rupture discovered shortly after the patients' arrival, on initial trauma evaluation with the FAST. A discussion of previous literature and ultrasound technique for diagnosis follows the cases.     

A general Critical Care Ultrasonography workshop: results of a novel Web-based learning program combined with simulation-based hands-on training

Purpose

The aim of this study was to facilitate attainment of Critical Care Ultrasonography (CCUS) competence.

Materials and Methods

We developed a Web-based learning program followed by simulation-based hands-on training in noncardiac CCUS for novice learners. We administered knowledge and skills tests before and after the workshop and conducted surveys on confidence levels using a 10-point Likert scale. Knowledge tests were conducted online, and skills tests were video-captured for evaluation.

Results

Sixteen physicians participated in a 4-hour combined vascular and thoracic CCUS workshop, and 23 in a 2-hour abdominal CCUS workshop. In the combined vascular and thoracic workshop, the mean (SD) pre-workshop and post-workshop knowledge scores were 24 (4) and 33 (5), respectively, out of 43 (P < .001). The pre-workshop and post-workshop skill scores were 15 (5) and 23 (2), out of 28 (P < .001). In the abdominal workshop, the pre-workshop and post-workshop knowledge scores were 11 (3) and 18 (2), out of 20 (P < .001). The pre-workshop and post-workshop skill scores were 6 (3) and 15 (2), out of 16 (P < .001). Learners' confidence increased significantly in both workshops (P < .001).

Conclusions

Our novel hybrid educational workshop on general CCUS significantly improved knowledge, skills, and confidence levels. Our flexibly scheduled module can be a practical option for the busy intensivist.