Diagnosis of isolated small bowel injury following blunt abdominal trauma

A review of the case histories of 29 patients with isolated rupture of the small bowel was undertaken to determine which diagnostic tests were most sensitive in the early diagnosis of this notoriously occult injury. Results indicate that peritoneal lavage was the most useful test for this purpose, clearly more sensitive than standard clinical or radiographic signs. All patients in this series had indications for peritoneal lavage, and 85% of the patients who underwent peritoneal lavage in the emergency department had positive results and prompt operation. Reliance on the development of clinical peritonitis or the detection of pneumoperitoneum leads to long delays before operation.     

Utility of lavage alkaline phosphatase in detection of isolated small intestinal injury

The ability of lavage alkaline phosphatase (LAP) to detect small intestinal injury was studied in 81 patients who underwent diagnostic peritoneal lavage following blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Patients with a grossly positive lavage were excluded. The LAP of five patients with small intestinal injury (79.0 +/- 41.7 IU/L) was significantly greater than in 76 cases without (1.2 +/- 0.4 IU/L; P less than .05). LAP greater than or equal to 3 was seen in six patients. Four had isolated small intestinal pathology, and one had combined small and large bowel injury. In three of these five, other lavage values were normal. One possible false positive occurred. The sensitivity of LAP greater than or equal to 3 (100%) exceeded that of usual lavage parameters in the detection of small intestinal injury. LAP may be a sensitive marker for small intestinal pathology in the immediate postinjury period.     

Randomized, prospective comparison of open and closed peritoneal lavage for abdominal trauma

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to determine if open peritoneal lavage is superior to closed peritoneal lavage. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients who were admitted to a trauma center and needed peritoneal lavage were assigned to alternate trauma teams. Team 1 performed only open lavages one month and then switched to closed lavages; team 2 did only closed lavages and then switched to open lavages. MEASUREMENTS: The incidences of positive lavages and lavage complication were noted. Also measured were the length of time for catheter insertion, length of time of fluid retrieval, volume of effluent, technical difficulty of lavage, training level of the operator, effluent RBC count, and material cost. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty patients were randomized. No differences were noted in complication rate, volume of effluent, or length of time for fluid retrieval. Significant differences were noted for catheter insertion time (3.6 minutes for closed lavage and 6.9 minutes for open), ease of catheter insertion (closed technique is favored), and material cost ($96.26 for open lavage and $69.70 for closed lavage). CONCLUSION: Closed peritoneal lavage is superior to open peritoneal lavage in abdominal trauma; it is faster, easier to use, cheaper, and as safe as open lavage.     

Rapid protection in a monkeypox model by a single injection of a replication-deficient vaccinia virus

The success of the World Health Organization smallpox eradication program three decades ago resulted in termination of routine vaccination and consequent decline in population immunity. Despite concerns regarding the reintroduction of smallpox, there is little enthusiasm for large-scale redeployment of licensed live vaccinia virus vaccines because of medical contraindications and anticipated serious side effects. Therefore, highly attenuated strains such as modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) are under evaluation in humans and animal models. Previous studies showed that priming and boosting with MVA provided protection for >2 years in a monkeypox virus challenge model. If variola virus were used as a biological weapon, however, the ability of a vaccine to quickly induce immunity would be essential. Here, we demonstrate more rapid immune responses after a single vaccination with MVA compared to the licensed Dryvax vaccine. To determine the kinetics of protection of the two vaccines, macaques were challenged intravenously with monkeypox virus at 4, 6, 10, and 30 days after immunization. At 6 or more days after vaccination with MVA or Dryvax, the monkeys were clinically protected (except for 1 of 16 animals vaccinated with MVA), although viral loads and number of skin lesions were generally higher in the MVA vaccinated group. With only 4 days between immunization and intravenous challenge, however, MVA still protected whereas Dryvax failed. Protection correlated with the more rapid immune response to MVA compared to Dryvax, which may be related to the higher dose of MVA that can be tolerated safely.     

Blunt abdominal trauma causing jejunal rupture

Two cases of jejunal rupture from blunt abdominal trauma are described. One followed a motorcycle accident, and the other followed a punch to the abdomen. Both patients initially had unremarkable abdominal examinations. After surgical repair of the ruptures, the patients recovered uneventfully. Jejunal rupture secondary to blunt abdominal trauma is not common, but its subdued clinical presentation and the nonspecific laboratory findings make diagnosis difficult. High morbidity and mortality are associated with this type of injury when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Small bowel rupture should be considered in any patient with a history of significant blunt abdominal trauma and persistent abdominal pain.     

微伏级T波电交替对心性猝死高危人群的预测价值

目的 探讨微伏级T波电交替(MTWA)对恶性室性心律失常(MVA)及心性猝死(SCD)的预测价值,探索时域法MTWA检测的正、异常值范围.方法 连续选取2002年1月至2007年10月到昆明医学院第一附属医院就诊或健康体检者545例(男285例,女260例,平均年龄52岁),其中105例健康受检者设为对照组,既往有室性心动过速、心室颤动发作史或确诊为器质性心脏病且左室射血分数(LVEF)≤45%的138例设为SCD高危组.两组均成功检测MTWA、LVEF、心率变异性、非持续性室速、QRS、QTc等指标并完成随访,动态随访比较组间死亡及死因、MVA、再次住院、晕厥等事件的发生情况及其与MTWA等观测指标的相关性.结果 时域法MTWA检测95%的正常参考值范围为MTWA<37μV.平均(12.0±1.3)个月的随访期内,对照组无心血管事件发生;高危组死亡11例中SCD 7例(MTWA阳性率分别为81.8%、85.7%),发生MVA的17例中MTWA阳性率88.2%,发生晕厥的9例中MTWA阳性率77.8%,随访期住院的21例中MTWA阳性率85.7%.多因素回归分析预测MVA的危险因素依次为MTWA阳性、LVEF≤35%、有心肺复苏史、有晕厥史.仅MTWA阳性与SCD显著相关.MTWA阳性、LVEF≤35%分别是预测MVA的独立指标(P<0.01).MTWA与LVEF≤35%联合预测MVA的敏感性91%、特异性66%、阳性预测价值27%、阴性预测价值98%,优于二者单独使用.41例埋藏式自动复律除颤器(ICD)患者,MTWA阳性率68.3%.随访中发生MVA并被ICD自动电除颤者的MTWA阳性率87.5%.结论 (1)国人时域法MTWA正常参考值为<37μV.(2)MTWA与LVEF一样对MVA有独立预测价值且其预测SCD的价值优于LVEF,二者联合可进一步提高预测价值.(3)MTWA阳性似可成为ICD置入的初筛指标之一.(4)时域法检测MTWA具有无创、简便、高效、易重复、经济等优点,有良好的推广应用前景.     

Traumatic avulsion of the gallbladder

Avulsion of the gallbladder from its liver bed, with detachment from both cystic artery and duct is an exceedingly rate consequence of blunt abdominal injury. A case of this injury in a 52-year-old man is reported from the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Early recognition by diagnostic peritoneal lavage led to successful treatment.     

Laparoscopic drainage of an intramural duodenal hematoma

A 21-year-old man was admitted with vomiting and abdominal pain 3 days after sustaining blunt abdominal trauma by being tackled in a game of American football. A diagnosis of intramural hematoma of the duodenum was made using computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal tract contrast radiography. The hematoma caused obstructive jaundice by compressing the common bile duct. The contents of the hematoma were laparoscopically drained. A small perforation was then found in the duodenal wall. The patient underwent laparotomy and repair of the injury. Laparoscopic surgery can be used as definitive therapy in this type of abdominal trauma. (Received Nov. 12, 1997; accepted Aug. 21, 1998)     

First‐in‐human report of MitraClip G4 implantation for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation

The new MitraClip G4 device (Abbott Vascular) has been recently approved by Food and Drug Administration and is currently in limited release. A patient with a large mitral regurgitation (MR) jet but a relatively small mitral valve area (MVA) was not a surgical repair candidate nor an optimal MitraClip third‐generation device candidate. Therefore, we implanted the new G4 NTW device that resulted in significant MR reduction with a 57% reduction in MVA. To our knowledge, this is the first reported clinical use of the MitraClip G4 NTW device. We find that it may provide better results than a single NTR device and less reduction in MVA than two older generation devices. Further experience is needed to optimize patient selection for the four new G4 devices available.     

Is the mitral valve area flow-dependent in mitral stenosis? A dobutamine stress echocardiographic study

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of changes in flow rate on the mitral valve area (MVA) derived from two-dimensional echocardiographic planimetry and Doppler pressure half-time (PHT) methods in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). BACKGROUND: Dobutamine stress echocardiography has been proposed as a means of assessing the severity of MS. However, data regarding the effect of an increase in flow rate on MVA are limited. If MVA is indeed flow-dependent, this has important implications for the assessment of the severity of MS, particularly in the setting of reduced cardiac output (CO). METHODS: Dobutamine echocardiography was performed in 57 patients with isolated MS who were in sinus rhythm. The MVA was determined by planimetry and Doppler PHT methods. RESULTS: Cardiac output increased by > or =50% in 27 patients (group I) and by <50% in 30 patients (group II). In group I, the MVA by planimetry increased by only 10.6 +/- 2% and the MVA by PHT increased by 21.9 +/- 4.8%. These changes were similar to those observed in group II (10.7 +/- 3% and 14.8 +/- 4%, respectively; p = NS), despite a much smaller increase in CO. A clinically important change (from the severe to mild category) occurred in only one patient when using the PHT method and in none by planimetry. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in flow rate result in small but clinically insignificant changes in echocardiographic MVA measurement. These methods provide an accurate assessment of MS severity in a majority of patients, independent of changes in flow rate.     

Extrahepatic bile duct injury due to abdominal trauma

The diagnosis of bile duct injury due to abdominal trauma is usually not feasible preoperatively, but it must be suspected interoperatively with the presence of bile staining fluid in the subhepatic area. Four patients with bile duct injuries were encountered; these were the results of blunt injury in three and penetrating injury in one. The injury sites were in the common bile duct in two patients, and in the right hepatic duct just proximate to the bifurcation in two patients. One patient was diagnosed on the finding of bile stain discharged from the drainage tube after the first abdominal exploration. The other three patients were diagnosed by the amount of bile stained fluid collected in the subhepatic area during the primary laparotomy. The injuries of the common bile duct were treated by primary repairs and T-tube choledochostomy in two patients. The other two patients with right hepatic duct injuries were treated by right lobectomy because of extensive liver parenchyma injury. The postoperative courses were smooth and there were no deaths. We reviewed 27 reports (1984–1994) from around the world. The total operative mortality of the 75 patients in these reports was 18.67% (14/75) for the primary operation, and 7.14% (1/14) for re-operation in patients in whom reoperation was performed due to overlooked injuries or biliary complications.     

Jejuno-jejunal intussusception in a hemophiliac: a case report

Reported is a case of jejuno-jejunal intussusception with an intramural hematoma as a lead point, occurring in a hemophiliac after blunt trauma to the abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, the jejunal hematoma was evacuated, and the intussusception was reduced. No similar case was found in the literature.     

原发性微血管心绞痛冠状动脉微循环功能障碍的影像学研究进展

原发性微血管心绞痛(MVA)通常是有典型心绞痛症状,但血管造影检查显示冠状动脉(冠脉)正常.由于无法通过血管造影术评估小冠脉,因此在临床实践中,通常排除其他可能的心源性和非心源性心脏病后,才对原发性MVA进行诊断.原发性MVA患病率较高,后期生活质量较差,心脏死亡风险较高.所以早期发现原发性MVA,并尽早干预.明确诊断...     

Transesophageal echocardiography during mitral valve repair underestimates mitral valve area by pressure half-time calculation

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair (MVRr) has become the mainstay of surgical treatment for mitral valvular regurgitation. Evaluation of MVRr by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (IOE) has been routinely employed to guide the operation. While the main objective of IOE is to assess for residual mitral regurgitation, it is also important to exclude significant mitral stenosis. Utilisation of pressure half-time (PHT) to estimate mitral valve area (MVA) has been shown to be reliable in normal clinical situations. However, in MVRr, the accuracy of MVA calculation by PHT needs to be ascertained. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from IOE and post-MVRr transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) from the year 1998 to 2002 were analysed and when required, offline PHT measurements were made. The mean time interval between the two echocardiographic examinations was 10.6 (1 to 56) weeks. In our 36 cases, the IOE MVA was found to be 2.1+/-0.5 cm2, with the corresponding TTE MVA to be 2.7+/-1.0 cm2. MVA by PHT with IOE underestimated TTE findings by 0.6+/-0.9 cm2 (95% CI: -0.85 to -0.24, P=0.001). In 6 patients, the IOE MVA was moderately reduced. Subsequent TTE in these patients showed that the MVA was adequate and was significantly underestimated by IOE in 5 of these patients. In all these cases, IOE underestimated MVA by a margin, which may result in a need to revise the repair. CONCLUSION: We find that IOE immediately after MVRr tends to underestimate MVA by PHT calculation. The underestimation by IOE may have clinical importance in cases when MVA by IOE is moderately reduced. Therefore, pressure half-time measurement should not be used to assess mitral valve areas during mitral valve repair.     

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike protein expressed by attenuated vaccinia virus protectively immunizes mice

The spike protein (S), a membrane component of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is anticipated to be an important component of candidate vaccines. We constructed recombinant forms of the highly attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) containing the gene encoding full-length SARS-CoV S with and without a C-terminal epitope tag called MVA/S-HA and MVA/S, respectively. Cells infected with MVA/Sor MVA/S-HA synthesized a 200-kDa protein, which was recognized by antibody raised against a synthetic peptide of SARS-CoV S or the epitope tag in Western blot analyses. Further studies indicated that S was N-glycosylated and migrated in SDS polyacrylamide gels with an apparent mass of approximately 160 kDa after treatment with peptide N-glycosidase F. The acquisition of resistance to endoglycosidase H indicated trafficking of S to the medial Golgi compartment, and confocal microscopy showed that S was transported to the cell surface. Intranasal or intramuscular inoculations of BALB/c mice with MVA/S produced serum antibodies that recognized the SARS S in ELISA and neutralized SARS-CoV in vitro. Moreover, MVA/S administered by either route elicited protective immunity, as shown by reduced titers of SARS-CoV in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of mice after challenge. Passive transfer of serum from mice immunized with MVA/S to na?ve mice also reduced the replication of SARS-CoV in the respiratory tract after challenge, demonstrating a role for antibody to S in protection. The attenuated nature of MVA and the ability of MVA/S to induce neutralizing antibody that protects mice support further development of this candidate vaccine.     

Surfer's rib: isolated first rib fracture secondary to indirect trauma

A case of anterolateral first rib fracture produced by indirect trauma in a surfer is presented. A 17-year-old man was seen in the emergency department with the complaint of left shoulder pain that developed while he performed a so-called lay back maneuver on a surfboard. No history of direct trauma was elicited. After physical examination revealed point tenderness high in the left axilla, radiographic evaluation of the chest showed an isolated fracture of the anterolateral aspect of the left first rib. No morbidity was associated with this fracture which, when produced by other forces, can have serious sequelae.