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Pulmonology 2020
Topics: Barotrauma; Cannula; Diving; Humans; Incidence; Male; Mediastinal Emphysema; Mediastinum; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Pressure; Radiography, Thoracic; Subcutaneous Emphysema; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 31735688
DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2019.09.010 -
The Journal of Hand Surgery Jun 2022A dramatic increase in firework-related blast injuries to the hand and upper extremity resulted in record-setting numbers at our institution over the July 4, 2018,... (Review)
Review
A dramatic increase in firework-related blast injuries to the hand and upper extremity resulted in record-setting numbers at our institution over the July 4, 2018, holiday. This led our hand and upper extremity department to create a public service announcement (PSA) campaign regarding firework safety and injury prevention. This PSA was broadcast in advance of the next July 4 holiday via several media platforms including television, radio, and the internet. The following year only 4 patients required surgery for firework-related blast injuries to the hand and upper extremity over the same 10-day period, including the weekends before and after the July 4, 2019, holiday. This represented a considerable reduction compared with the 14 patients seen within the same time frame in 2018. The purpose of this article was to outline the process and report the impact of creating and disseminating a public service announcement for firework-related blast injury prevention.
Topics: Humans; Blast Injuries; Explosions; Hand; Hand Injuries
PubMed: 35078693
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.11.030 -
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Jun 2021Sinus barotrauma is a common occurrence in diving and subaquatic medicine, potentially compromising dive safety. To gain a more thorough understanding of the condition,...
INTRODUCTION
Sinus barotrauma is a common occurrence in diving and subaquatic medicine, potentially compromising dive safety. To gain a more thorough understanding of the condition, an in-depth investigation is justified.
METHODS
This was a survey study. An anonymous, electronic questionnaire was distributed to 7,060 recipients: professional divers of the Finnish Border Guard, the Finnish Rescue Services, and the Finnish Heritage agency, as well as recreational divers registered as members of the Finnish Divers' Association reachable by email (roughly two-thirds of all members and recreational divers in Finland). Primary outcomes were self-reported prevalence, clinical characteristics, and health effects of sinus barotrauma while diving. Secondary outcomes were adjusted odds ratios (OR) for frequency of sinus barotrauma with respect to possible risk factors.
RESULTS
In total, 1,881 respondents participated in the study (response rate 27%). A total of 49% of the respondents had experienced sinus barotrauma while diving and of those affected, 32% had used medications to alleviate their symptoms. The factors associated with sinus barotrauma were pollen allergies (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.10-2.29), regular smoking (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.07-3.91) and a high number of upper respiratory tract infections per year (≥ 3 vs. < 3 infections per year: OR 2.76; 95% CI 1.79-4.24).
CONCLUSIONS
Sinus barotrauma is the second most common condition encountered in diving medicine, having affected 49% of the respondents. Possible risk factors include allergies to pollen, regular smoking, and a high number of URTIs per year.
Topics: Barotrauma; Diving; Finland; Humans; Prevalence; Smoking
PubMed: 34157734
DOI: 10.28920/dhm51.2.182-189 -
Annals of Biomedical Engineering Nov 2021
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Blast Injuries; Explosions; Humans; Manikins; Military Personnel; United States
PubMed: 33797030
DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02754-7 -
Journal of Emergency Nursing Jan 2020
Review
Topics: Blast Injuries; Emergency Nursing; Humans; Mass Casualty Incidents
PubMed: 31918809
DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2019.10.013 -
The Laryngoscope Jul 2024To understand the role of a single laryngologist, Andrew Heermance Smith, in elucidating the mechanisms of Caisson Disease and controlling it effects on bridge workers. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To understand the role of a single laryngologist, Andrew Heermance Smith, in elucidating the mechanisms of Caisson Disease and controlling it effects on bridge workers.
DATA SOURCES
Scientific and lay publications, letters and records of the Roebling family, obituaries and internet sources.
REVIEW METHODS
Historical review.
RESULTS
AH Smith combined physiological observations and experiments in the Brooklyn Bridge caissons with a review of the existing engineering and medical literature to describe the Caisson Disease and to devise strategies to ameliorate its effects.
CONCLUSION
Despite an incorrect conclusion about the pathophysiology of decompression sickness, Smith's stringent standards and timely interventions allow completion of the masonry towers of the Brooklyn Bridge.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
NA Laryngoscope, 134:3044-3048, 2024.
Topics: Humans; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Otolaryngology; Decompression Sickness
PubMed: 38284795
DOI: 10.1002/lary.31306 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2023This is the third update of the original Cochrane Review published in July 2005 and updated previously in 2012 and 2016. Cancer is a significant global health issue.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This is the third update of the original Cochrane Review published in July 2005 and updated previously in 2012 and 2016. Cancer is a significant global health issue. Radiotherapy is a treatment modality for many malignancies, and about 50% of people having radiotherapy will be long-term survivors. Some will experience late radiation tissue injury (LRTI), developing months or years following radiotherapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been suggested as a treatment for LRTI based on the ability to improve the blood supply to these tissues. It is postulated that HBOT may result in both healing of tissues and the prevention of complications following surgery and radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treating or preventing late radiation tissue injury (LRTI) compared to regimens that excluded HBOT.
SEARCH METHODS
We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was 24 January 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of HBOT versus no HBOT on LRTI prevention or healing.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. survival from time of randomisation to death from any cause; 2. complete or substantial resolution of clinical problem; 3. site-specific outcomes; and 4.
ADVERSE EVENTS
Our secondary outcomes were 5. resolution of pain; 6. improvement in quality of life, function, or both; and 7. site-specific outcomes. We used GRADE to assess certainty of evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
Eighteen studies contributed to this review (1071 participants) with publications ranging from 1985 to 2022. We added four new studies to this updated review and evidence for the treatment of radiation proctitis, radiation cystitis, and the prevention and treatment of osteoradionecrosis (ORN). HBOT may not prevent death at one year (risk ratio (RR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47 to 1.83; I = 0%; 3 RCTs, 166 participants; low-certainty evidence). There is some evidence that HBOT may result in complete resolution or provide significant improvement of LRTI (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.89; I = 64%; 5 RCTs, 468 participants; low-certainty evidence) and HBOT may result in a large reduction in wound dehiscence following head and neck soft tissue surgery (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.94; I = 70%; 2 RCTs, 264 participants; low-certainty evidence). In addition, pain scores in ORN improve slightly after HBOT at 12 months (mean difference (MD) -10.72, 95% CI -18.97 to -2.47; I = 40%; 2 RCTs, 157 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Regarding adverse events, HBOT results in a higher risk of a reduction in visual acuity (RR 4.03, 95% CI 1.65 to 9.84; 5 RCTs, 438 participants; high-certainty evidence). There was a risk of ear barotrauma in people receiving HBOT when no sham pressurisation was used for the control group (RR 9.08, 95% CI 2.21 to 37.26; I = 0%; 4 RCTs, 357 participants; high-certainty evidence), but no such increase when a sham pressurisation was employed (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.52 to 2.21; I = 74%; 2 RCTs, 158 participants; high-certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
These small studies suggest that for people with LRTI affecting tissues of the head, neck, bladder and rectum, HBOT may be associated with improved outcomes (low- to moderate-certainty evidence). HBOT may also result in a reduced risk of wound dehiscence and a modest reduction in pain following head and neck irradiation. However, HBOT is unlikely to influence the risk of death in the short term. HBOT also carries a risk of adverse events, including an increased risk of a reduction in visual acuity (usually temporary) and of ear barotrauma on compression. Hence, the application of HBOT to selected participants may be justified. The small number of studies and participants, and the methodological and reporting inadequacies of some of the primary studies included in this review demand a cautious interpretation. More information is required on the subset of disease severity and tissue type affected that is most likely to benefit from this therapy, the time for which we can expect any benefits to persist and the most appropriate oxygen dose. Further research is required to establish the optimum participant selection and timing of any therapy. An economic evaluation should also be undertaken.
Topics: Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Radiation Injuries; Neoplasms; Osteoradionecrosis; Disease Progression; Pain; Barotrauma
PubMed: 37585677
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005005.pub5 -
Intensive Care Medicine Mar 2022
Topics: Barotrauma; COVID-19; Humans; Respiration, Artificial; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35089408
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-022-06630-3 -
Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine 2023Although very uncommon, severe injury and death can occur during scuba diving. One of the main causes of scuba diving fatalities is pulmonary barotrauma due to... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Although very uncommon, severe injury and death can occur during scuba diving. One of the main causes of scuba diving fatalities is pulmonary barotrauma due to significant changes in ambient pressure. Pathology of the lung parenchyma, such as cystic lesions, might increase the risk of pulmonary barotrauma.
AREAS COVERED
Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD), caused by pathogenic variants in the FLCN gene, is characterized by skin fibrofolliculomas, an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma, multiple lung cysts and spontaneous pneumothorax. Given the pulmonary involvement, in some countries patients with BHD are generally recommended to avoid scuba diving, although evidence-based guidelines are lacking. We aim to provide recommendations on scuba diving for patients with BHD, based on a survey of literature on pulmonary cysts and pulmonary barotrauma in scuba diving.
EXPERT OPINION
In our opinion, although the absolute risks are likely to be low, caution is warranted. Given the relative paucity of literature and the potential fatal outcome, patients with BHD with a strong desire for scuba diving should be informed of the potential risks in a personal assessment. If available a diving physician should be consulted, and a low radiation dose chest computed tomography (CT)-scan to assess pulmonary lesions could be considered.
Topics: Humans; Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome; Diving; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Pneumothorax; Lung Diseases; Lung Injury; Cysts; Barotrauma
PubMed: 37991821
DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2284375 -
German Medical Science : GMS E-journal 2023For the purposes of this guideline, a diving accident is defined as an event that is either potentially life-threatening or hazardous to health as a result of a...
For the purposes of this guideline, a diving accident is defined as an event that is either potentially life-threatening or hazardous to health as a result of a reduction in ambient pressure while diving or in other hyperbaric atmospheres with and without diving equipment. This national consensus-based guideline (development grade S2k) presents the current state of knowledge and recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of diving accident victims. The treatment of a breath-hold diver as well as children and adolescents does not differ in principle. In this regard only unusual tiredness and itching without visible skin changes are mild symptoms. The key action statements: on-site 100% oxygen first aid treatment, immobilization/no unnecessary movement, fluid administration and telephone consultation with a diving medicine specialist are recommended. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) remains unchanged as the established treatment in severe cases, as there are no therapeutic alternatives. The basic treatment scheme recommended for diving accidents is hyperbaric oxygenation at 280 kPa.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Diving; Decompression Sickness; Referral and Consultation; Telephone; Oxygen; Accidents
PubMed: 37033772
DOI: 10.3205/000315