Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Case Reports
Skin injuries afflicting three oil workers following contact with calcium bromide and/or calcium chloride.
Calcium bromide brine is a highly concentrated aqueous solution of calcium bromide and calcium chloride. It is used extensively in the oil industry. This solution and its components are recognized as causes of skin injury and information is available from the manufacturers on their safe use and handling. ⋯ Furthermore healing was complicated by graft loss or was slow. Although organic bromine compounds are recognized as a cause of skin injuries, no previous reports of such injuries to humans secondary to calcium chloride or bromide exposure were found in the medical literature. Our experience with these patients is described.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Characterization of T-cell subsets infiltrating post-burn hypertrophic scar tissues.
In this study, skin-infiltrating cells were characterized in both the active and remission phases of post-burn hypertrophic scar biopsies. Immunohistochemistry examination of active phase samples showed an abundant presence of Langerhans cells, T cells, macrophages, a low presence of natural killer cells and the lack of B lymphocytes. In active hypertrophic scars T lymphocytes infiltrate deep into the superficial dermis and are also observed in the epidermis: CD3+ cells were present at about 222 +/- 107 per 0.25 mm2. ⋯ Central to the immune hypothesis of hypertrophic scars is that some of the T-cell lymphokines act on keratinocytes, fibroblasts and other cell types to induce changes characteristic of these scars. The presence and close proximity of activated T lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells of various phenotypes in both the epidermis and dermis of hypertrophic tissues provides strong circumstantial evidence of a local immune response. However, the manner in which T cells achieve and maintain their activated state in hypertrophic tissues is not yet known, and both antigen-dependent and independent mechanisms may contribute.
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Case Reports Clinical Trial
The use of an 'adhesive contact medium' (Hypafix) for split skin graft fixation: a 12-year review.
Since the introduction in 1985 of the technique of graft fixation with Hypafix, the method has been adapted for use in burns of all sites and extent, and has proven to be effective in over 500 burn patients. The technique is versatile, safe, simple, reliable and inexpensive. More importantly, there is a significant improvement in cosmesis due to the earlier introduction of an 'Adhesive Contact Media', the blending of the graft at the edges, and the lack of skin bridges and shoulders. ⋯ Graft fixation with Hypafix. Continuing use of appropriate 'contact media'. Continuing close supervision in a designated Burn Scar Clinic.
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Electrocution due to contact of construction equipment with power lines is not uncommon as a source of industrial injury. We report seven such cases. Two patients sustained cardiac arrest and were successfully resuscitated at the scene. ⋯ In all cases, the patient was on the ground touching the machinery or touching cables connected to the machinery at the time of injury. The importance of exercising due care in industrial safety measures is stressed. Prompt CPR was life saving in two cases.
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This article describes the relationship between post-traumatic morbidity, anxious anticipation of pain and pain perception in 33 adult burn patients. Burn patients were assessed, on average, 7 days after admission to the hospital. ⋯ The more patients suffered from post-traumatic stress, the more their anxiety state was elevated. The association between post-traumatic stress and pain perception was, controlling for the effects of anxious anticipation, spurious.