Surgery
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Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTI) are rare, potentially fatal, operative emergencies. We studied a national cohort of patients to determine recent trends in incidence, treatment, and outcomes for NSTI. ⋯ There were potentially important national trends in patient characteristics and treatment patterns for NSTI between 1998 and 2010. Importantly, though patient acuity worsened and complication rates increased, but LOS remained relatively stable and mortality decreased. Improvements in early diagnosis, wound care, and critical care delivery may be the cause.
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Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel ablation technique that induces permanent membrane permeability and cell death. We are interested in ultrasound B-mode and elastography to monitor IRE ablation in the liver. ⋯ IRE ablation led to increased tissue stiffness that was detectable by elastography and indicative of cell death. Elastography may complement B-mode ultrasonography to monitor IRE ablation of the liver.