Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Blank-Reid.
Airbag-induced injury fatality is increasing in frequency. We present the case of a 6-year-old passenger who sustained a fatal atlanto-occipital dislocation associated with airbag deployment in a low-speed motor vehicle crash. The current literature regarding airbag fatalities and methods to ameliorate airbag-induced injury are reviewed.
This final installment in our series focuses on survivors of hangings and other forms of strangulation. We'll cover neck anatomy, the four types of strangulation, and the interventions that can keep patients' injuries from turning deadly.
Self-inflating bag-valve devices are commonly used for the ventilation of intubated patients, especially during resuscitation and transport. These devices are generally safe, but minor deviations in their recommended use can expose patients to airway pressures greater than 135 cm H2O. We present a patient in whom a sudden tension pneumothorax developed during ventilation with a bag-valve device. We believe that this complication resulted from high airway pressures generated in the bag-valve device. The ability of the device in question to cause barotrauma was confirmed by bench-top measurements of the peak airway pressures generated by minor deviations from proper use of the device.
Illicit drugs have rapidly become one of the most frequent causes of stroke in the under 45 years of age group. Stroke and death can occur for either the first time or long-term user due to the pharmacologic actions of the drugs. The neuroscience nurse needs to be aware of the potential for stroke that can occur with illicit drugs and be prepared to intervene appropriately.
Pressure ulcers may occur in patients with chronic illnesses, especially in those who are bed-bound or chair-bound. Local measures usually suffice to allow primary ulcer healing and support skin grafting or tissue transfer reconstruction. On rare occasions, however, pressure ulcers may progress to invasive infection and necrosis of adjacent soft tissues, possibly leading to necrotizing fasciitis. Early recognition and aggressive medical and surgical therapy are required to halt disease progression and prevent patient mortality. Two cases are presented to describe the severity of this soft-tissue infection.