Post‒cataract surgery endophthalmitis outbreak caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

In June 2010, a severe outbreak of 13 cases of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurred. Pulse-field gel electrophoresis in eye isolates found 95% genetic similarity; however, extensive environmental and carriage investigation revealed no source of infection.     

QTc-Prolongation in Posterior Circulation Stroke

Background and Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between infarct location and QTc-prolongation in patients with posterior circulation strokes.

Methods

Admission electrocardiograms (ECG) of 131 patients among a prospective sample of 407 consecutive adult patients in the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry were retrospectively analyzed. The QT interval (ms) was measured and corrected using Bazett’s formula (QTc_Bazett) as well as linear regression functions (QTc_Linear). QTc_Bazett > 440 ms and QTc_Linear ≥ 450 ms for men (≥460 ms for women) were considered prolonged. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of the QTc.

Results

Overall, 34 % of patients had a prolonged QTc_Bazett and 7 % had a prolonged QTc_Linear noted on the admission ECG. There was a significant association between temporal lobe infarction and QTc_Bazett and QTc_Linear (p < 0.001 for both) in multivariable linear regression analyses adjusting for demographics, ECG parameters, and preadmission medication use. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, temporal lobe infarction emerged as an independent predictor of prolonged QTc_Bazett (p = 0.009) and QTc_Linear (p = 0.008), respectively. Sensitivity analyses excluding patients with transient ischemic attack yielded similar results. Exploratory analyses indicated that patients with temporal lobe infarction had worse functional 30-day outcomes in multivariable logistic regression (p = 0.022). However, there was no significant association between QTc and 30-day functional outcome.

Conclusions

QTc-prolongation is common after posterior circulation stroke and associated with temporal lobe infarction. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to examine potential long-term consequences.     

Deep-seated huge hibernoma of soft tissue: a rare differential diagnosis of atypical lipomatous tumor/well differentiated liposarcoma

Background: Hibernoma is a rare benign fat-forming soft tissue tumor that differentiates similar to brown fat, hence an origin from remnants of fetal brown adipose tissue has been proposed. Mainly young adults are affected, usually without significant clinical symptoms. Material and methods: We report on four patients with hibernomas, who were treated at our hospital during the last 10 years. The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features are presented and treatment and follow-up data discussed. Results: Patients were 2 women and 2 men aged 21-67 years (mean: 45 yrs) who presented with a slowly growing, painless mass. The anatomic location was the thigh, upper arm, lateral thoracic wall and paravertebral soft tissue. Two of them were diagnosed preoperatively through a percutaneous core needle biopsy and the other two underwent surgery because of high clinical and radiological suspicion of liposarcoma. The tumor’s size ranged from 7 cm to 15.5 cm (mean: 11 cm). All were deep-seated subfascial intramuscular masses. Histologically, all four tumors were of the typical variant. All patients underwent a R0-surgical resection of the tumor and they were recurrence-free at last follow-up (mean: 47 months; range: 25-87). Conclusion: Hibernoma may present as huge deep intramuscular soft tissue mass in adults, closely mimicking well differentiated liposarcoma and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fatty soft tissue tumors in any location. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The tumor has no malignant or recurrence potential.     

Incidence,aetiology, treatment outcome and complications of maxillofacial fractures. A retrospective study from Northern Greece

AimTo analyse the pattern of maxillofacial injuries and treatment outcomes in Northern Greece.MethodsA tertiary referral single centre hospital; retrospective chart review. Demographics, aetiology, fixation technique (Rigid Internal Fixation: RIF; Maxillomandibular Fixation: MMF) post-surgical infections, aesthetics and occlusion were recorded.ResultsOne thousand and ten males and 229 females were operated between 1998 and 2008. Mean age was 29.6 ± 13. Mean number of plates per patient was 3.96 ± 2.28. For those with midfacial fractures (n = 379) mean was 4.02 ± 2.05. For those with mandibular fractures (n = 333), mean was 2.74 ± 0.94 while those with combined mandible and midface fractures (n = 216) were treated using 5.74 ± 2.87 plates per patient. Among those treated with plates, an unadjusted 22% increased risk for post-surgical infection per plate used (OR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.13–1.32) was found. Patients with mandibular fractures were more satisfied with their post-surgical facial appearance in contrast to those with midfacial or combined midfacial and mandibular fractures. Female patients were less satisfied with their post-surgical facial appearance than males.DiscussionThis study verified a young males predominance, a shift towards more assault related fractures –especially in females– and similar post-surgical results for MMF and RIF modalities in mandibular fractures. In those patients treated with RIF, placement of fewest plates possible to obtain stability better serves aesthetics at the same time reducing risk for post-surgical infections and malocclusion.     

A comparative biomechanical study for complex tibial plateau fractures: Nailing and compression bolts versus modern and traditional plating

Aim

To compare the biomechanical properties of a newly proposed technique, utilizing intramedullary nailing and compression bolts, for the osteosynthesis of intra-articular proximal tibial fractures with meta–diaphyseal comminution, with modern and conventional plating techniques.

Methods

Fifteen left tibia 4th generation composite Sawbones models (in 3 groups of 5 for each technique) with identically reproduced type VI Schatzker tibial plateau fractures, including meta–diaphyseal dissociation, were used. Three different techniques of osteosynthesis were tested: (a) a new technique that combines intramedullary nailing and compression bolts, (b) internal fixation with a single lateral locking plate and (c) internal fixation with dual buttress plating technique. The model-device constructs were successively subjected to 500 N, 1000 N and 1500 N load levels with five cycles applied at each level on both articular compartments and a final load cycle to failure. Four parameters were recorded for each technique: the average reversible or irreversible displacement in vertical subsidence, the horizontal diastasis of the intra-articular fracture, the average passive construct stiffness and the load to failure.

Results

The new intramedullary nailing technique provided rigid intra-articular osteosynthesis being statistically similar to dual buttress plating for subsidence at medium and higher load levels. At the same time the proposed technique provided statistically equivalent stiffness values to the single lateral locking plate incarnating the rational of biologic fixation. Average load to failure was 1611 N for single lateral locking plates, 2197 N for intramedullary nailing and 4579 N for dual buttress plating. The single lateral locking plate technique had the worse results in interfragmentary displacement while dual buttress plating was superior in stiffness from the other 2 techniques. The mode of failure differed between techniques, with collapse of medial plateau occurring exclusively in the single lateral locking plates group.

Conclusion

The proposed new technique of intramedullary nailing and compression bolts demonstrates a flexural behaviour similar to single lateral locking plates, which complies with the terms and benefits of biological fixation, while at the same time maintains a rigid intra-articular stability similar to the stiff dual buttressing plating technique.     

Biomarkers predicting sepsis in polytrauma patients: Current evidence

Introduction

Major trauma still represents one of the leading causes of death in the first four decades of life. Septic complications represent the predominant causes of late death (45% of overall mortality) in polytrauma patients. The ability of clinicians to early differentiate between systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis is demonstrated to improve clinical outcome and mortality. The identification of an “ideal” biomarker able to early recognize incoming septic complications in trauma patients is still a challenge for researchers.

Aim

To evaluate the existing evidence regarding the role of biomarkers to predict or facilitate early diagnosis of sepsis in trauma patients, trying to compile some recommendations for the clinical setting.

Methods

An Internet-based search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases was performed using the search terms: “Biomarkers”, “Sepsis” and “Trauma” in various combinations. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Checklist (QUADAS). After data extraction, the level of evidence available for each bio-marker was rated and presented using the “best-evidence synthesis” method, in line with the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Results

Thirty studies were eligible for the final analysis: 13 case–control studies and 17 cohort studies. The “strong evidence” available demonstrated the potential use of procalcitonin as an early indicator of post-traumatic septic complications and reported the inability of c-reactive protein (CRP) to specifically identify infective complications. Moderate, conflicting and limited evidence are available for the other 31 biomarkers.

Conclusion

Several biomarkers have been evaluated for predicting or making early diagnosis of sepsis in trauma patients. Current evidence does not support the use of a single biomarker in diagnosing sepsis. However, procalcitonin trend was found to be useful in early identification of post-traumatic septic course and its use is suggested (Recommendation Grade: B) in clinical practice.     

Bacterial translocation induces proinflammatory responses and is associated with early death in experimental severe injury

Objective

An experimental model of severe injury with great lethality was studied to define the impact of bacterial translocation on survival and on inflammatory response.

Methods

Forty-one rabbits were divided into two groups: A, femur myotomy; and B, myotomy and fracture of the femoral bone. Vital signs and survival were recorded. Serum circulating endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides; LPS) were determined and tissue cultures were performed at necropsy. A subgroup of animals was sacrificed at 48 h post injury; LPS was determined in abdominal aorta and portal vein, apoptosis of spleen cells was assessed by flow cytometry, and ex vivo production of tumor necrosis factor alpha by splenocytes was measured.

Results

Tissue bacterial burden was increased in animals that died early (i.e., within 48 h after injury) versus rabbits that died later. Portal vein LPS at 48 h was increased in group B compared with group A, whereas circulating LPS did not differ. No difference in apoptosis of either lymphocytes or macrophages of the spleen was found in group B compared with group A. Following stimulation with LPS or phytohemagglutinin, tumor necrosis factor α production by splenocytes of group B was greater than that of group A.

Conclusions

Bacterial translocation primes enhanced proinflammatory responses and it is associated with early death in severe trauma.