Distribution of pneumothorax in the supine and semirecumbent critically ill adult

Although a number of radiologic signs of pneumothorax in the supine patient have been reported, the frequency of involvement of various pleural recesses has not been emphasized. In 88 critically ill patients with 112 pneumothoraces, the anteromedial (38%) and subpulmonic (26%) recesses were the most commonly involved in the supine and semirecumbent position. In this study, 30% of pneumothoraces were not initially detected by the clinician or radiologist, and half of these progressed to tension pneumothorax. Knowledge of the most common recesses involved in pneumothorax and aggressive use of additional radiographic views, including computed tomography, should increase detection of pneumothoraces in critically ill patients.     

在ICU应用超声诊断危重病人气胸的临床评价

目的探讨在ICU应用床旁超声诊断危重病人气胸的临床效果。方法2005年9月—2006年7月ICU收治95例危重病人,进行床旁胸部超声检查,以“肺滑行”和“彗尾”征消失诊断气胸。在超声检查前后3h内行胸部CT和床旁X片检查,以CT结果为“标准”比较超声和X片诊断气胸的价值。结果95例危重病人中,CT确诊气胸24例27侧,超声诊断21例23侧,X片诊断5例5侧,相应的诊断敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确度分别为85.1%对18.5%(P<0.001),98.8%对100%(P=0.489),92.0%对100%(P=1.0),97.6%对88.1%(P=0.002)和96.8%对88.4%(P=0.009)。超声与CT诊断气胸的一致性高于X片。结论在ICU应用超声检查诊断气胸具有较高的敏感性和特异性,为危重病人气胸的诊断提供了简单、快速而安全有效的手段。     

Long-distance air evacuation of blast-injured sailors from the U.S.S. Cole

BACKGROUND: The U.S. military uses a Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) to air evacuate critically ill patients to facilities that can provide definitive medical care. CCATT is comprised of highly trained personnel and each team uses specialized equipment to allow for in-flight intensive medical care of patients. CCATT has the capability of providing care over long duration and distance. This report describes our recent experience of long-distance fixed-wing medical air evacuation of multiple critically ill sailors with blast injuries from the U.S.S. Cole. CONCLUSION: CCATTs can safely transport multiple critical patients with blast injuries over long distance and duration by fixed-wing aircraft. Blast injuries can have multi-system effects and patients with subclinical pulmonary injury may be asymptomatic when hypoxemic in a hypobaric environment.     

The pediatric critical care experience at Naval Hospital Guam: suggestions for critical care training during residency

OBJECTIVES: To determine the critical care experience encountered by three recently graduated military pediatricians at an overseas military hospital and present one model of maximizing allowable critical care training time during residency. METHOD: Retrospective reviews of all admissions to the special care nursery and intensive care unit at U.S. Naval Hospital Guam were performed for a 3-year and a 2-year period, respectively. Age, diagnosis, birth weight (if applicable), level of nursery care, invasive procedures performed in the nursery (endotracheal tube, umbilical artery, and umbilical venous catheter placement), patient outcome, and the need for medical transport were recorded. RESULTS: During a 3-year period, there were 122 admissions to the special care nursery (7.1% of all deliveries). In addition, pediatricians performed a total of 53 invasive procedures on these patients, and 29 infants required medical transport to an off-island neonatal intensive care unit for additional care. During a 2-year period, 70 pediatric patients were admitted to the adult intensive care unit, representing 10.2% of all intensive care unit admissions during this period. Fourteen of these patients required medical transport to an off-island referral hospital. CONCLUSION: Graduating military pediatric residents may be faced with caring for a wide range of critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients depending on their assignment. Residency training programs, with the recent increased emphasis on primary pediatric care, will need to streamline instruction in pediatric critical care to provide maximal benefit to the resident while maintaining compliance with Residency Review Committee guidelines.     

The diagnostic performance of chest ultrasonography in the up-to-date work-up of the critical care setting

Background

Management of patients in the critical care setting is crucial. The availability, the absence of ionizing radiation and the non invasive nature of chest ultrasonography (US) have currently increased its use in the up-to-date work-up of various pleuropulmonary abnormalities in the critical care setting.

Objective

To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of chest US for various pleuropulmonary abnormalities in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Materials and methods

Ninety consecutive patients admitted in chest ICU with respiratory distress were assessed clinically and by chest radiography (CXR). They were suspected to have a provisional diagnosis of any of the following pathological entities: pneumonic consolidation, bronchogenic carcinoma, metastatic pulmonary nodules, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, hydropneumothorax and mesothelioma. These patients were scheduled for chest computed tomography (CT) and prospectively reviewed using chest US. The results of chest US were compared with these of chest CT for each encountered pathological entity using chest CT as the diagnostic standard of reference to subsequently calculate the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of chest US.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of chest US were 100%, 96% and 97% for pneumonic consolidation, 71%, 100% and 98% for bronchogenic carcinoma and 92%, 100% and 99% for pneumothorax respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 100% for the rest of the included pathological entities were obtained.

Conclusion

Chest ultrasonography has a considerable diagnostic performance for various pleuropulmonary pathological conditions that may be encountered in the ICU patients making it as an adjunct tool in the up-to-date work-up of the ICU setting.     

CT-guided catheter drainage of loculated thoracic air collections in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We report our experience with CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of loculated thoracic air collections in mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine critically ill patients had 17 air collections (13 pneumothoraces, three pneumatoceles, one tension pneumomediastinum) that either developed despite the presence of standard surgical chest tubes or were in loculated sites that were difficult to access. All nine patients were ventilated mechanically for a clinical diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Catheter size ranged from 7- to 28-French. Response was measured by imaging follow-up, ventilatory parameters, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: On follow-up imaging studies, all 17 air collections were shown to have been evacuated successfully. Catheters remained in place for a mean of 11 days (range, 4-28 days). No major complications occurred. Sixteen air collections were treated successfully with CT-guided catheter placement alone; the remaining air collection, a pneumothorax, was treated with subsequent placement of a chest tube by the surgeon at the patient's bedside. No surgery was undertaken for the air collections. Improvement in gas exchange was documented by increase in the hypoxemia ratio (arterial oxygen pressure divided by the inspired fraction of oxygen) in seven of 12 drainages; the other drainages were accompanied either by no improvement or by deterioration. Eight (89%) of the nine patients eventually were extubated and discharged from the hospital. The ninth patient died. CONCLUSION: CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage provided effective treatment for loculated thoracic air collections and obviated surgical intervention in these critically ill, high-surgical-risk patients.     

Development of a pediatric critical care transport team: experience at a military medical center

INTRODUCTION: A pediatric critical care transport program was initiated and organized at Naval Medical Center San Diego in January 1994. The primary goal of the program was to formally train military pediatric residents in the early stabilization and transport of the critically ill neonatal and pediatric patient. It was also felt that such a program would generate significant cost savings to the Department of Defense. We present the statistics, training protocol, and the cost savings. In addition, we surveyed previous residents who had been involved with this program to determine its perceived benefit. METHODS: In the first phase of this project, the pediatric critical care transport program database from January 1994 to December 1997 was reviewed. The number and types of transports were recorded. Next, we determined cost savings for the transport program for fiscal year 1996-1998 (the period for which fiscal data were available). In the second phase of this project, we sent surveys to the 23 graduating residents who had participated in the pediatric critical care transport program. The survey sought to determine the perceived value of the transport training experience and the degree to which that training is now being used. All investigators were blinded to the responses. Statistical analysis consisted of determining the percentage of each response. RESULTS: During the 4-year period reviewed, 404 transports were performed (198 neonatal and 206 pediatric). During fiscal year 1996-1998, there was a cost avoidance of $1,962 per transport. In the second phase, 91% of the surveys were returned and analyzed. The majority of residents were practicing in overseas or isolated communities. All respondents rated their experience in the pediatric critical care transport program as worthwhile and educational, and they complemented their training in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. Seventy-one percent of the respondents had transported a critically ill neonate or child to another facility within the last year. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we report our experience with the development of a pediatric critical care transport program. The program was developed to provide military pediatric residents instruction and experience in the stabilization and transport of critically ill children. In addition, we were able to demonstrate a significant cost avoidance.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic use of chest sonography: value in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE. Portable chest radiography, used for critically ill patients, often fails to depict thoracic disease clearly. Chest sonography allows good characterization of pleural diseases, mediastinal lesions, and pulmonary consolidations, and provides accurate and safe guidance for interventional procedures. Accordingly, we evaluated its usefulness in the diagnosis and management of critically ill patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Sonography was used prospectively to evaluate 41 critically ill patients, when portable chest radiographs were difficult to interpret and failed to explain the clinical findings. An initial diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical and radiologic information. The final diagnosis was confirmed by thoracentesis (n = 15), image-guided aspiration biopsy (n = 7), surgery (n = 3), and clinical follow-up (n = 16). All 41 sonographic examinations were performed by a sonographer who had no knowledge of the initial diagnosis. The sonographic findings were recorded and analyzed. The usefulness of sonography in diagnosis and management was then evaluated according to the following criteria: diagnostic value--(1) made diagnosis, (2) changed diagnosis, (3) additional information, (4) no benefit; and management aid--(1) affected decision, (2) affected decision and guided thoracentesis, (3) affected diagnosis and guided aspiration, (4) no benefit. RESULTS. Chest sonography was helpful in diagnosis in 27 (66%) of 41 patients and in treatment in 37 (90%) of 41 patients. A significant influence on treatment planning occurred in 17 (41%) of 41 patients. A diagnostic aspiration biopsy under sonographic detected sonographically. Thoracentesis were attempted in 25 of 29 patients with pleural effusion and were successful in 24 patients (96%); a minimal pneumothorax developed in one patient (4%). CONCLUSION. Chest sonography is a useful diagnostic tool for critically ill patients with chest diseases. This technique can be particularly helpful when CT is not available or when critically ill patients cannot be moved.     

Critical illness-associated cerebral microbleed in a patient with sickle cell disease: A case report and review of the literature

Critical illness–associated cerebral microbleed (CICM) is a relatively rare and newly described condition. It can occur in critically ill ICU patients and can be secondary to many underlying etiologies. CICM is associated with high mortality and permanent neurologic deficits in surviving patients. Distribution of cerebral microhemorrhages in neuroimaging findings is critical for accurate diagnosis of this condition.Here, we present an ICU admitted patient with sickle cell disease crisis and CICM and will discuss their clinically and radiologically distinct phenomenon followed by a review of current literature.     

In diagnosis of pleural effusion and pneumothorax in the intensive care unit patients: Can chest us replace bedside plain radiography?

Aim

To compare the role of chest US and bedside plain chest radiography in the evaluation of intensive care patients having pleural effusion and pneumothorax. Chest computed tomography has been used as an ideal standard.

Aspiration and drainage procedures in the intensive care unit: percutaneous sonographic guidance

Ultrasound guidance was used in 10 aspiration and six drainage procedures in the intensive care unit. Sonography offered a safe and effective method for guidance of diagnostic aspiration in the ICU setting. Additionally, cholecystostomy, nephrostomy, abscess drainage, and empyema drainage were performed at bedside as lifesaving procedures in six critically ill patients using US guidance.     

Biliary Cast Formation with Sclerosing Cholangitis in Critically Ill Patient: Case Report and Literature Review

Sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SC-CIP) is a rare condition that is not familiar to many radiologists. In addition, the associated imaging findings have not been described in the radiological literature. We report a case of biliary cast formation with SC-CIP and describe the radiological findings of CT, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). A diagnosis of SC-CIP should be considered in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with persistent cholestasis during or after a primary illness. The typical CT, MRCP and ERC findings include new biliary casts in the intrahepatic duct with multiple irregular strictures, dilatations, and relative sparing of the common bile duct.     

前白蛋白在评价重症患者营养和预后中的作用

目的评价血清前白蛋白水平作为重症患者营养支持效果和预后指标的价值。方法回顾性分析2003年11月～2007年1月在ICU内接受TPN超过7天的35例患者。前白蛋白水平在治疗开始和第7天时分别记录。依据前白蛋白升高还是降低分为两组：组1（n=26）和组2（n=9）。对两组患者的年龄、APACHEⅡ评分、营养状态、营养需要量、补充量、死亡率、住院天数及住ICU天数分别进行比较。结果组1补充能量1874KcaYd（能量需要的91％），组2补充能量1770Kcal／d（能量需要的88％），P=0．121。两组死亡率分别是31％和44％（P=0．762）。平均住院天数／ICU天数分别是73陀2d和61／19d。结论对危重患者而言，前白蛋白水平不是营养支持的敏感指标，其升高并不是预后良好的指标。     

Evaluation of a Device Combining an Inferior Vena Cava Filter and a Central Venous Catheter for Preventing Pulmonary Embolism Among Critically Ill Trauma Patients

Purpose

To evaluate efficacy and safety of a novel device that combines an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter and central venous catheter (CVC) for prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE) in critically ill patients.

Chest radiography in the ICU: Part 1, Evaluation of airway, enteric, and pleural tubes

OBJECTIVE: In this pictorial essay, we discuss and illustrate normal and aberrant positioning of nonvascular support and monitoring devices frequently used in critically ill patients, including endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes, chest tubes, and nasogastric and nasoenteric tubes, as well as their inherent complications. CONCLUSION: The radiographic evaluation of the support and monitoring devices used in patients in the ICU is important because the potentially serious complications arising from their introduction and use are often not clinically apparent. Familiarity with normal and abnormal radiographic findings is critical for the detection of these complications.     

CT与X线平片对巨大肺大泡诊断的对比评价

目的探讨巨大肺大泡胸部X线平片和CT的诊断价值及与局限性气胸的鉴别诊断。方法对6例经手术证实的巨大肺大泡进行回顾性分析,患者行X线胸片和胸部CT扫描。结果病灶体积占整个胸腔30%～80%,4例病灶位于左侧胸腔,2例病灶位于右侧胸腔。其中有3例胸部X线平片误诊为局限性气胸。胸部CT能显示巨大肺大泡的内部结构、肺大泡壁及正常肺组织的受压情况。结论巨大肺大泡易于误诊,胸部CT检查对正确诊断巨大肺大泡具有重要的意义。     

Urokinase infusion: feasibility of monitoring for complications in a non-intensive care setting.

In an effort to more effectively use critical care facilities and to reduce costs, during a 2 1/2-year period, the condition of 32 patients who received 37 local intraarterial urokinase (UK) infusions was monitored in a non-intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Techniques of infusion, mean total dose of lytic agent used (1.7 million IU), and mean duration of infusion (22 hours) were similar to those reported previously in series of patients monitored in the ICU. Complete lysis (no angiographically detectable residual clot within the treated segment) was achieved in 28 of 37 infusions (76%). Major complications occurred during two infusions (5.4%). In 33 of the 37 cases, systemic heparin was administered during UK infusion. No cases of pericatheter thrombosis were encountered. At the authors' institution, patients can be safely monitored during local UK infusion in a non-ICU setting without compromising effectiveness of therapy. This approach has resulted in enhanced cost-effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy and more effective use of critical care facilities.     

Interfacility transport of patients admitted to the ICU: perceived needs of family members

INTRODUCTION: Limited research has been published regarding the needs of immediate family members with respect to the transport of critically ill loved ones. Furthermore, very little information exists on transport teams members' perception of the needs of the family members. METHODS: During a 9-month period, a 25-item questionnaire was given to family members of adult patients who were transported by air or ground. All patients were admitted into an adult intensive care unit at a major university teaching hospital. Family members were asked to rank the relative importance of each item with regard to informational or situational needs. The identical questionnaire was given to the critical care transport teams employed by the hospital. The team members were asked to indicate what they thought the family members ranked as important. RESULTS: Forty-two of 100 family members (42%) returned the questionnaire by mail. All 13 (100%) critical care transport team members completed surveys as well. Statistical comparisons indicated that family members and team members differed significantly on 13 of 25 items. Team members generally underestimated the importance of these items to family members. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, in this sample, transporting crew members often misperceived family members informational and situational needs.     

危重病患者血清降钙素原和甲状腺激素测定的意义

 目的 研究危重病患者血清降钙素原(PCT)和甲状腺激素(TH)含量测定的意义.方法 应用免疫透射比浊法与化学免疫发光法测定50例正常对照组和80例重症监护病房(ICU)患者入科和出科时的PCT与T3、T4、TSH的含量,同时采集血液进行细菌培养,部分病例采集痰、尿、创面分泌物、粪便等标本作细菌培养.结果 危重病组血清PCT水平明显高于对照组,其细菌培养阳性组PCT水平明显高于阴性组,死亡组PCT水平明显高于存活组(P＜0.01),差异有统计学意义;而危重病组血清T3、T4含量低于对照组,细菌培养阳性组T3、T4含量低于阴性组,死亡组T3、T4含量低于存活组(P＜0.01或P＜0.05),差异有统计学意义;各组的TSH含量变化则无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 监测血清PCT、T3、T4水平可作为了解病情、判断预后的客观指标.     

重症感染患者评分系统的诊断应用及其预后评估价值

目的比较APACHEⅡ评分、SAPSⅡ评分和SOFA评分对确定重症患者是否存在感染及预后评估的临床价值。方法选取2012—10至2012—12入我院外科监护病房、呼吸监护病房和急诊监护病房的患者作为研究对象。收集该时间段内的所有危重症患者的临床数据。根据病原学检查结果,分为非感染组和感染组。追踪并根据患者28d生存情况,分为生存组和死亡组。运用诊断效能曲线法比较APACHEⅡ、SAPSⅡ、SOFA评分。结果本研究共纳入156例重症监护病房患者。感染组患者的APACHEⅡ和SAPSⅡ评分高于非感染组患者（14．7±9．1vs11．8±9．0,P=0．07;33．1±18．4vs26．8±19．1,P=0．048）。SAPSⅡ评分对诊断感染的曲线下面积为0．641。当该评分〉15时,对确诊感染的敏感性〉80％。死亡组患者的APACHEⅡ、SAPSⅡ和SOFA评分高于生存组患者的评分（23．9±6．6US11．0±7．1;49．8±18．9vs26．4±13．3;9．4±3．6US3．2±2．8,P均〈0．001）。根据ROC诊断效能曲线分析,SOFA评分的曲线下面积最大（AUC=0．907）。当SOFA评分在5．5以上时,该评分对于不良预后预测的敏感性达86．7％,特异性达88％。结论SAPSⅡ评分能够提示感染的存在,SO-FA评分能够提示患者的不良预后。