Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Comparative Study
Spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis for the assessment of burn wounds: A service evaluation of its clinical application in 50 burn wounds.
The assessment of burn depth can be challenging even to the experienced burn clinician. Clinical assessment is most widely used to determine burn depth. Because of this subjective nature, various imaging modalities have been invented. The use of photospectometry as a novel technique in burn wound depth analysis has been previously described but the literature is very limited. ⋯ There is a potential role for ScanOSkin™ tissue spectrophotometric analysis in burn depth assessment. Future studies comparing several imaging modalities with ScanOSkin®, taking into account costs comparison may be useful for future health resources planning.
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To describe the experience of distributing 499 burn casualties of an unexpected event and determine whether patient transfer is associated with patient outcomes measured 2 weeks after the incident. ⋯ In case of inadequate burn centers, satisfactory patient outcomes can be achieved by the immediate treatment of patients, despite the treating hospitals being lower-level hospitals. Regardless of the hospital level, immediate treatment of burn patients is crucial to reducing mortality.
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The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression and PTSD-related symptoms reported by spouses and close relatives of adult burn survivors. Potential associations between these symptoms and variables such as the severity of the burn were also explored. ⋯ Spouses and close relatives of burn survivors showed high levels of psychological distress in the first few days following admission, and more than a quarter still reported symptoms in the clinical range at discharge. Our analysis points to the need to offer psychological support and guidance to family members so that they can in turn provide effective support to the burn survivor.
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Case Reports
Canary in the coal mine-Initial reports of thermal injury secondary to electronic cigarettes.
The use of electronic cigarettes has become increasingly popular with claims suggesting healthier alternatives to tobacco cigarettes. However, research regarding the safety of such devices has been limited to an analysis of the inhaled vapor and the short and long-term effects on the body. ⋯ Such incidents have been reported in the media but with inconsistencies from a lack of focus on the injuries sustained and a cause of ignition. The cases presented here are among the first recognized thermal injuries sustained from electronic cigarette lithium-ion battery failure, the potential rationale for these failures, and a need for increased awareness of the safety hazards of these devices.
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Comparative Study
Comparison between high-frequency ultrasonography and histological assessment reveals weak correlation for measurements of scar tissue thickness.
Current methods for evaluating scar tissue volume following burns have shortcomings. The Vancouver Burn Scar scale is subjective, leading to a high variability in assessment. Although histological assessment via punch biopsy can discriminate between the different layers of skin, such an approach is invasive, inefficient, and detrimental to patient experience and wound healing. This study investigates the accuracy of high-frequency ultrasonography, a non-invasive alternative to histology, for measuring dermal and epidermal thickness in scar tissue. ⋯ Measurements of scar thickness using high-frequency ultrasonography did not recapitulate the in vivo dermal, epidermal and total thickness. Based on these findings, strategies for further optimization of 2-D ultrasonography is discussed before clinical and research use.