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Biomedical subjects

C Soderstrom

Publications and source records attributed to C Soderstrom.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and rapid plasma reagin in a trauma population.

We evaluated the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) among patients admitted to our trauma unit from April 15 to June 30, 1993. Of 984 patients tested, we found 255 (26%) had evidence of exposure to one or more of these agents: HIV, 4%; HBV, 20%; HCV, 14%; and RPR, 1%. Thirty-eight percent of patients had more than one positive serology, 75% of the HIV patients, 49% of the HBV patients, and 66% of the HCV patients. There was no difference between penetrating and nonpenetrating trauma with respect to any of the viruses. The risk factors for HIV-positive patients were non-White race, positive drug screen, positive alcohol screen, and city resident. Risk factors for HBV patients were non-White race, positive drug screen, and city resident. Risk factors for HBC patients were male sex, non-White race, positive alcohol screen, positive drug screen, and city resident. The risk of blood-borne infections in this group of patients is substantial.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

Gastric rupture from blunt trauma. A plea for minimal diagnostics and early surgery.

This paper reviews a series of gastric perforations resulting from blunt abdominal trauma. Over an 8-year period from January 1, 1974 to December 31, 1982, a total of 1412 patients were treated for significant intra-abdominal injuries. All injuries resulted from blunt abdominal trauma. Patients were transported by helicopter to our statewide trauma center. Fourteen patients sustained 47 perforating injuries to the gastrointestinal tract; six patients (0.4%) had gastric perforations and averaged 1.3 associated intraabdominal injuries. The gastric injuries included three greater curve lacerations: one anterior wall tear, 10 cm long, extended through the esophagogastric junction, and two lacerations involved the anterior wall of the distal antrum. Five of the six patients (83.3%) complained of severe abdominal pain on admission and had bloody returns from subsequent peritoneal lavages. The sixth patient had two negative lavages 7 hours apart but underwent laparotomy for persistent symptoms. Five patients had upright chest roentgenograms, and one patient demonstrated free subdiaphragmatic air. Patients with severe abdominal pain following blunt abdominal trauma require early celiotomy. Classic diagnostic findings, e.g., free intraperitoneal air, shock, and positive paracentesis, may be absent. The gastric injuries were repaired with a two-layer technique. Two patients (33%) developed intra-abdominal sepsis and required surgical drainage. One patient required pyloroplasty and vagotomy for stress-induced gastric bleeding. All six patients survived. The high mortality of gastric perforation can be mitigated by early diagnosis and surgical intervention.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Racquetball as an ocular hazard.

Thirty-seven cases of ocular injury incurred while persons were playing racquetball were found in reviewing records of 1,071 emergency room patients in a three-month period. These can be divided into ball-induced and racquet-induced injuries. Fifteen ball-induced injuries occurred, ranging from a corneal abrasion to vitreous hemorrhage, in a patient with sickle cell retinopathy. Twenty-two cases of racquet-induced brow lacerations that occurred when the player struck his (or her) own forehead with the racquet were found. During the same interval, five tennis-related ocular injuries were observed. Ocular safety devices are strongly recommended to help prevent racquetball injuries.

Athletic Injuries↗

Classification of renal injuries as a guide to therapy.

Renal injuries require immediate or early surgical intervention for threatened exsanguination, damage to the pedicle vessels and disruption of the renal pelvis. Elective delayed operation prevents late complications in those patients in whom there is transparenchymal connection between the pelvocaliceal system and the perirenal space following trauma. There appears to be an increased incidence of nephrectomy if the latter are explored early. Expectant treatment is appropriate for renal lacerations without extravasation, if there is no threat of exsanguination and if the pedicle is intact.

Adolescent↗