Refining the criteria for immediate total-body CT after severe trauma

Objectives Initial trauma care could potentially be improved when conventional imaging and selective CT scanning is omitted and replaced by immediate total-body CT (iTBCT) scanning. Because of the potentially increased radiation exposure by this diagnostic approach, proper selection of the severely injured patients is mandatory. Methods In the REACT-2 trial, severe trauma patients were randomized to iTBCT or conventional imaging and selective CT based on predefined criteria regarding compromised vital parameters, clinical suspicion of severe injuries, or high-risk trauma mechanisms in five trauma centers. By logistic regression analysis with backward selection on the 15 study inclusion criteria, a revised set of criteria was derived and subsequently tested for prediction of severe injury and shifts in radiation exposure. Results In total, 1083 patients were enrolled with median ISS of 20 (IQR 9-29) and median GCS of 13 (IQR 3-15). Backward logistic regression resulted in a revised set consisting of nine original and one adjusted criteria. Positive predictive value improved from 76% (95% CI 74-79%) to 82% (95% CI 80-85%). Sensitivity decreased by 9% (95% CI 7-11%). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve remained equal and was 0.80 (95% CI 0.77-0.83), original set 0.80 (95% CI 0.77-0.83). The revised set retains 8.78 mSv (95% CI 6.01-11.56) for 36% of the non-severely injured patients. Conclusions Selection criteria for iTBCT can be reduced from 15 to 10 clinically criteria. This improves the positive predictive value for severe injury and reduces radiation exposure for less severely injured patients

A multicenter, randomized controlled trial of immediate total-body CT scanning in trauma patients (REACT-2)

Contains fulltext : 110874.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) scanning has become essential in the early diagnostic phase of trauma care because of its high diagnostic accuracy. The introduction of multi-slice CT scanners and infrastructural improvements made total-body CT scanning technically feasible and its usage is currently becoming common practice in several trauma centers. However, literature provides limited evidence whether immediate total-body CT leads to better clinical outcome then conventional radiographic imaging supplemented with selective CT scanning in trauma patients. The aim of the REACT-2 trial is to determine the value of immediate total-body CT scanning in trauma patients. METHODS/DESIGN: The REACT-2 trial is an international, multicenter randomized clinical trial. All participating trauma centers have a multi-slice CT scanner located in the trauma room or at the Emergency Department (ED). All adult, non-pregnant, severely injured trauma patients according to predefined criteria will be included. Patients in whom direct scanning will hamper necessary cardiopulmonary resuscitation or who require an immediate operation because of imminent death (both as judged by the trauma team leader) are excluded. Randomization will be computer assisted. The intervention group will receive a contrast-enhanced total-body CT scan (head to pelvis) during the primary survey. The control group will be evaluated according to local conventional trauma imaging protocols (based on ATLS guidelines) supplemented with selective CT scanning. Primary outcome will be in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes are differences in mortality and morbidity during the first year post trauma, several trauma work-up time intervals, radiation exposure, general health and quality of life at 6 and 12 months post trauma and cost-effectiveness. DISCUSSION: The REACT-2 trial is a multicenter randomized clinical trial that will provide evidence on the value of immediate total-body CT scanning during the primary survey of severely injured trauma patients. If immediate total-body CT scanning is found to be the best imaging strategy in severely injured trauma patients it could replace conventional imaging supplemented with CT in this specific group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: (NCT01523626)

Electric Charges and Magnetic Monopoles in Gravity's Rainbow

In this work, we explore the possibility that quantum fluctuations induce an electric or magnetic charge or both, in the context of Gravity's Rainbow. A semi-classical approach is adopted, where the graviton one-loop contribution to a classical energy in a background spacetime is computed through a variational approach with Gaussian trial wave functionals. The energy density of the graviton one-loop contribution, in this context, acts as a source for the electric/magnetic charge. The ultraviolet (UV) divergences, which arise analyzing this procedure, are kept under control with the help of an appropriate choice of the Rainbow's functions. In this way we avoid the introduction of any regularization/renormalization scheme. A comparison with the observed data lead us to determine the size of the electron and of the magnetic monopole which appear to be of Planckian size. Both results seem to be of the same order for a Schwarzschild and a de Sitter background, respectively. Estimates on the magnetic monopole size have been done with the help of the Dirac quantization procedure. We find that the monopole radius is larger than the electron radius. Even in this case the ratio between the electric and magnetic monopole radius appears to be of the same order for both geometries.by Remo Garatinni and Barun Majumde

Directe 'total body'-CT-scan bij multitraumapatiënten

Immediate total body computed tomography (CT) scanning has become important in the early diagnostic phase of trauma care because of its high diagnostic accuracy. However, literature provides limited evidence whether immediate total body CT leads to better clinical outcome then conventional radiographic imaging supplemented with selective CT scanning in trauma patients. The aim of the REACT-2 trial is to determine the value of immediate total body CT scanning in trauma patients. The REACT-2 trial is an international, multicenter randomized clinical trial. All participating trauma centers have a multi-slice CT scanner located in the trauma room or at the Emergency Department (ED). All adult, non-pregnant, severely injured trauma patients according to predefined criteria will be included. The intervention group will receive a contrast-enhanced total body CT scan (head to pelvis) during the primary survey. The control group will be evaluated according to local conventional trauma imaging protocols (based on ATLS guidelines) supplemented with selective CT scanning. Primary outcome will be in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes are differences in mortality and morbidity during the first year post trauma, several trauma work-up time intervals, radiation exposure, general health and quality of life at 6 and 12 months post trauma and cost-effectiveness. The REACT-2 trial is the first multicenter randomized clinical trial that will provide evidence on the value of immediate total body CT scanning during the primary survey of severely injured trauma patient

Emergency Bleeding Control Interventions After Immediate Total-Body CT Scans in Trauma Patients

Contains fulltext : 201035.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Plantar pressure in off-loading devices used in diabetic ulcer treatment

Four off-loading devices used for the treatment of diabetic forefoot ulcers were compared: a custom-molded insole shoe, a cast MABAL shoe, a prefabricated pneumatic walking brace, and a bivalved total contact cast (BTCC). It was anticipated that all devices would significantly reduce forefoot plantar pressure compared with a control shoe. Sixteen healthy volunteers participated. Plantar pressures were evaluated using the Pedar system, while walking speed was determined using an optoelectric timer. Peak pressure (PP) of ten plantar areas and pressure–time integral for the first metatarsal area were analyzed statistically using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Forefoot pressures were significantly reduced compared with the control shoe for all devices (p<0.001). PP was most reduced (by 65.8%) for the BTCC, and pressure–time integral was most reduced for the BTCC and cast MABAL shoe. Small but significant differences between devices in walking speed (p<0.05) could not explain the substantial PP differences between the different devices. Although all off-loading devices resulted in a significant reduction of forefoot plantar pressure, devices differed significantly in the magnitude of pressure reduction. Further research will have to reveal the level of off-loading sufficient for effective treatment of diabetic ulcers

Refining the criteria for immediate total-body CT after severe trauma

Contains fulltext : 218590.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access