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Biomedical subjects

Stephen Cohn

Publications and source records attributed to Stephen Cohn.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The nonoperative management of penetrating internal jugular vein injury.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to review the outcome of nonoperative treatment for penetrating internal jugular vein (IJ) injuries in a continuous series of prospectively identified, hemodynamically stable patients. METHODS: All penetrating neck injuries assessed from February 1, 2004, to August 31, 2004, were prospectively identified. Patients without an indication for urgent neck exploration underwent diagnostic assessment with multislice helical computed tomographic angiography with or without vascular ultrasonography. All IJ injuries with no other indication for surgical exploration were treated nonoperatively. All patients were discharged home and followed up for a minimum of 1 week to document outcomes. RESULTS: From 51 neck injuries penetrating the platysma, 7 required urgent neck exploration, during which 2 IJ injuries were ligated. Forty-four patients underwent multislice helical computed tomographic angiography. Eight IJ injuries (two gunshot wounds and six stab wounds) with no other indication for neck exploration were identified and managed nonoperatively. One external wound was in zone 1, five were in zone 2, one was in zone 3, and one traversed all three zones. The average length of stay was 4.5 days. At follow-up, ranging from 1 week to 5 months, all patients were asymptomatic, and no patient required delayed operation for IJ injury. CONCLUSIONS: In hemodynamically stable patients with no other indication for exploration, the nonoperative management of penetrating jugular vein injuries should be considered as a safe alternative.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

What does ultrasonography miss in blunt trauma patients with a low Glasgow Coma Score (GCS)?

BACKGROUND: The role of ultrasound (US) as a screening tool for the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma is still controversial. Determining the types of missed injuries and the accuracy of US in patients with a low GCS will improve the evaluation of these blunt trauma patients. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from the trauma registry of a Level I trauma center was reviewed. RESULTS: 7,952 patients were included in the study. US examination had an accuracy of 89%, sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 78%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%. GCS correlated with ISS and base deficit levels. US examination had a significantly lower accuracy in patients with a low GCS and in women. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of US examination is similar in those with normal and low GCS. Therefore ultrasonographic examination may be considered a good screening tool for the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma, but its accuracy is diminished in patients with a low GCS. Further imaging may be warranted in these patients.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed2006

Visceral torso computed tomography for clearance of the thoracolumbar spine in trauma: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Accurate screening of the thoracolumbar spine (TLS) remains problematic in the care of trauma patients. The current standard of care for TLS screening is not clearly defined. In trauma patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) of the chest and or abdomen, compelling supportive evidence for reformatting and reusing this CT data to clear the thoracolumbar spine has accumulated over the last 3 years. The objective of this review was to identify and review all published studies comparing reformatted CT to traditional plain radiography for TLS clearance. METHODS: A Medline search for all English language articles published on this subject since 1980 identified seven studies. Each was classified according to the levels of evidence classification of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. The methodology of each study was reviewed for the CT protocol, utilization of radiologist blinding and whether historical dictated reports or de novo image readings were used for comparison. The sensitivity and specificity of each study and the gold standard utilized in its calculation was noted. Where available, detailed information regarding the missed injuries and their clinical relevance was abstracted for each study. RESULTS: All evaluated studies demonstrated superior sensitivity and interobserver variability for reformatted CT compared with plain radiographic screening. CT was also more accurate in localizing, classifying, and delineating the age, bony intrusion, and soft-tissue damage associated with the fracture. For studies with time-motion components, a protocol utilizing CT clearance was not only more accurate but faster and more economical. Screening with reformatted visceral CT data required no additional scan time or radiation exposure. CONCLUSION: The evidence to date demonstrates the superior sensitivity of reformatted visceral CT for detecting thoracolumbar spine injury. With no further patient movement, radiation exposure, cost, or time, trauma patients undergoing visceral CT can have their thoracolumbar spine promptly evaluated. Further prospective evaluation of the CT protocols to optimize visualization of both the viscera and the bone is warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Prospective evaluation of screening multislice helical computed tomographic angiography in the initial evaluation of penetrating neck injuries.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management strategy for patients sustaining penetrating neck injury without an urgent indication for operative exploration remains controversial. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess multislice helical computed tomography angiography (MCTA) as a stand alone screening modality for the initial evaluation of hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating neck injuries. Our hypothesis was that MCTA is a sensitive diagnostic screening test that could noninvasively evaluate the vascular and aerodigestive structures of the neck. METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, all penetrating neck injuries assessed during a 16-month period were prospectively evaluated at a Level I trauma center. Patients without an indication for urgent neck exploration underwent MCTA screening. MCTA accuracy was tested against an aggregate gold standard of final diagnosis encompassing all imaging, surgical procedures and clinical follow-up obtained. RESULTS: In all, 106 injuries penetrated the platysma; 15 required urgent exploration and 91 underwent MCTA (34 gunshot wounds/57 stab wounds). Nineteen external wounds were in zone 1, 39 were in zone 2, 10 in zone 3, and 23 traversed multiple zones. MCTA was nondiagnostic in 2.2% secondary to artifact from retained missile fragments. Follow-up was achieved in 84.5% of patients for a mean of 33.3 days (range: 2-150). MCTA achieved 100% sensitivity and 93.5% specificity in detecting all vascular and aerodigestive injuries sustained. MCTA correctly identified two tracheal and two carotid artery injuries requiring operative or endovascular repair in asymptomatic patients. No injuries requiring intervention were missed by MCTA. CONCLUSION: In the initial evaluation of stable penetrating neck injuries, MCTA appears to be a sensitive and safe screening modality. Further investigation is warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Percutaneous tracheostomy: one center's experience with a new modality.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective review of our experience with percutaneous tracheostomy was performed to determine our complication rate and pattern of use since this modality was introduced at our institution. METHODS: A retrospective chart review captured all patients in whom tracheostomy was performed or supervised by a trauma/critical care faculty member. Dates of hospital admission, ICU admission, intubation, discontinuation of mechanical ventilation, type and location of procedure, procedural complications, Injury Severity Score, charges, and patient demographics were collected. Percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) and open tracheostomy (OT) experiences were compared. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-eight tracheostomies were performed (190 OT and 178 PT). The average time to tracheostomy (TTT) for PT patients decreased from 12.7 to 7.4 days. The average TTT for OT patients remained stable at 14.0 days. The complication rate was 3.5%, with 4 complications (1.5%) associated with OT and 9 complications (5.1%) associated with PT. All complications in the PT group occurred before using a single dilator system. The 9 complications in the PT group occurred among 5 surgeons, all before their 11th attempt. PT saves 444 dollars in charges per procedure. CONCLUSION: OT continues to be a safe method of performing tracheostomies. PT has a steep learning curve but can be mastered quickly. Benefits include a shorter time to tracheostomy, elimination of patient transport, and saving in charges. Initial PT attempts should be supervised by an experienced surgeon.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Penetrating injuries of the neck: use of helical computed tomographic angiography.

The diagnostic evaluation of stable patients with penetrating trauma to the neck remains controversial. Conventional angiography has traditionally been considered the gold standard for evaluation of vascular injuries. The use of angiography for stable patients with penetrating neck trauma has been questioned because of its invasive nature and reported low yield. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the use of noninvasive techniques such as helical computed tomographic (CT) angiography for the evaluation of these patients. Helical CT angiography, a low-risk, rapid, accurate, noninvasive, reproducible technique, is less expensive than conventional angiography. Helical CT angiography also can provide information about potential lesions of associated vital structures such as the cervical spine and the aerodigestive tract. This review evaluates the authors' current protocol for penetrating neck wounds and identifies indications for helical CT angiography.

Angiography↗
PubMed2004

WalkSafe: a school-based pedestrian safety intervention program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the WalkSafe program, an elementary school-based pedestrian safety program in a single high-risk district in Miami-Dade County. METHODS: Sixteen elementary schools were identified in a single high-risk district and enrolled in a one-year study. All schools implemented the WalkSafe program on the last week of January 2003. A pre, post, and three-month post testing of pedestrian safety knowledge was conducted. An observational component was also implemented at four schools that were randomly chosen. Engineering recommendations and law enforcement initiatives were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 6467 children from K-5th grade from 16 elementary schools participated in the program. Of these 5762 tests were collected over three different testing times. A significant difference (p-value < 0.001) was found between the pre and post testing conditions across all grade levels. There was no significant difference found between the post and three-month post testing conditions across all grade levels (p-value > 0.05). The observational data collected at four schools across the different testing times demonstrated a significant difference found between pre and post testing conditions for Group A (stop at the curb and look left, right, left) and also for Group B (midstreet crossing and darting out) (p-value < 0.05). There was no difference found between comparing the pre-test or post-test condition with the three-month post-test time. There were many environmental modifications that were recommended and actually performed. CONCLUSION: The WalkSafe program implemented in a single high-risk district was shown to improve the pedestrian safety knowledge of elementary school children. The observational data demonstrated improved crossing behaviors from pre-test to post-testing conditions. Future research will focus on sustaining the program in this district and expanding the program throughout our county.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2004

A prospective evaluation of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of penetrating torso injury.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) is commonly used for the diagnosis of hemoperitoneum after blunt abdominal trauma, but the value of US as an aid for identification of operative lesions after penetrating trauma is not well documented. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the accuracy of US for the evaluation of penetrating torso trauma and to assess the impact of this information on patient management. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort observational study of consecutive penetrating torso patients at a Level I trauma center. RESULTS: During the 6-month trial period, 177 victims of penetrating torso trauma were assessed by our trauma teams. Ninety-two patients had stab wounds, 84 patients had gunshot wounds, and 1 patient had a puncture wound. All 28 patients with positive US examination had an exploratory laparotomy or thoracotomy (one patient had more than one procedure), resulting in 26 therapeutic operations. There were 149 negative US examinations, but in this group, 36 patients underwent laparotomy or thoracotomy, and 28 had therapeutic operations. The overall accuracy of the US examination was therefore 85%, the sensitivity was 48%, and the specificity was 98%. There were only three patients who had their initial management altered by a positive US examination. CONCLUSION: The US examination lacks sensitivity to be used alone in determining operative intervention after gunshot or stab wounds. Rarely does US information contribute to the management of patients with penetrating abdominal injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

A comparison of the abilities of nine scoring algorithms in predicting mortality.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the abilities of nine Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)- and (ICD-9)-based scoring algorithms in predicting mortality. METHODS: The scores collected on 76,871 incidents consist of four AIS-based algorithms (Injury Severity Score [ISS], New Injury Severity Score, Anatomic Profile Score [APS], and maximum AIS [maxAIS]), their four ICD to AIS mapped counterparts, and the ICD-9-based ISS (ICISS). A 10-fold cross-validation was performed and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine algorithm discrimination. Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics were computed to gauge goodness-of-fit, and model refinement measured variance of predicted probabilities. RESULTS: Overall, the ICISS has the best discrimination and model refinement, whereas the APS has the best Hosmer-Lemeshow performance. ICD-9 to AIS mapped scores have worse discrimination than their AIS-based counterparts, but still show moderate performance. CONCLUSION: Differences in performance were relatively small. Complex scores such as the ICISS and the APS provide improvement in discrimination relative to the maxAIS and the ISS. Trauma registries should move to include the ICISS and the APS. The ISS and maxAIS perform moderately well and have bedside benefits.

Abbreviated Injury Scale↗
PubMed2002

Routine daily chest radiography in patients with pulmonary artery catheters.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery catheters are widely used invasive monitoring devices in critically ill patients. Clinicians disagree about whether daily chest radiographs are needed or clinical parameters alone are sufficient to verify catheter placement. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether daily chest radiographs are needed to assess migration of pulmonary artery catheters. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with pulmonary artery catheters were prospectively evaluated. Clinical criteria for optimal position of the pulmonary artery catheters and findings on chest radiographs were compared. Optimal clinical criteria were (1) amount of air required to measure pulmonary capillary wedge pressure: 1.25 to 1.5 mL and (2) pulmonary artery catheter migrated 1 cm or less from initial position. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety comparisons of clinical criteria and radiographic findings were done. Chest radiographs indicated the catheter required repositioning in 15 (4%) of 390 instances but in only 4 (1%) of 310 instances in which bedside clinical findings indicated adequate catheter position. In 69 (18%) of the 390 cases, the clinical criteria for adequate catheter position were not met, but radiographs showed the catheter in an appropriate position. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of abnormal clinical criteria were 73%, 82%, 81%, 14%, and 99%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Chest radiographs indicated that about 4% of catheters required repositioning. Catheter malposition can be reliably excluded (negative predictive value, 99%) by close observation of specific clinical criteria, so routine daily chest radiographs do not seem justified.

Catheterization, Swan-Ganz↗