Preliminary Efficacy Testing of the Disinfectant MicrobeCare XLP for Potential Use in Military Operational Environments.

Introduction: A safe, easy-to-use, permanently bonded antiseptic that does not require post-exposure bioload reduction but maintains effectiveness over time would have far-reaching implications across multiple industries. Health care is one such arena, particularly in austere military settings where resources are at a premium. MicrobeCare XLP (MicrobeCare, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA) is a commercially available spray-on agent that is advertised to covalently bond to surfaces and provide a long-lasting antimicrobial coating inhospitable to >99.99% of surface microorganisms. A pilot study was devised to gather baseline data regarding product efficacy and laboratory parameters before consideration of extended investigations and military utilization. The product manufacturer recommends bioload reductions before product application, following product application, and after each pathogenic exposure. To investigate the product's efficacy in circumstances more closely simulating a military operational setting in which post-pathogenic exposure bioload reduction would not be possible, this step was deliberately excluded from the test sequences. Materials and Methods: Using autoclaved surgical forceps, growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii was evaluated in a controlled manner under multiple conditions. Test variations included duration of submersion in the MicrobeCare XLP solution and air-drying and a second autoclave sterilization. Control and treated forceps were exposed to a bacterial suspension and air-dried before being submerged in sterile saline and vortex mixed. The saline solution was serially diluted and plated on tryptic soy agar (TSA) II plates. Plates were incubated for 24 h and bacterial colony-forming units (CFU)/mL were counted. Results: Statistical significance was defined according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International passing criteria of 3 Log10 or 99.9% reduction of microorganisms. Additionally, p-values were calculated using two-tailed unpaired two-sample t-tests with unequal variance with a threshold of 0.05. In the S. aureus tests, none of the reduction calculations met the ASTM International passing criteria. In addition, the difference between the means of the colony counts in the MicrobeCare XLP-treated forceps and untreated control forceps was not statistically significant (p-value 0.109). Conversely, in the A. baumannii tests, each of the percent reduction calculations met the ASTM International passing criteria; the difference between the means of the colony counts in the treatment and control groups was statistically significant (p-value 0.008). Conclusion: In these independent tests, MicrobeCare XLP effectively prevented growth of A. baumannii but had unpredictable results suppressing S. aureus. These results may relate to inherent properties of the bacteria or autoclave exposure, although the manufacturer asserts that the coating withstands such degradation. Additional testing could be performed using a broader range of microorganisms and exposure to varying conditions including other sterilization methods.

Pathophysiologic Mechanisms and Current Treatments for Cutaneous Sequelae of Burn Wounds.

Burn injuries are a pervasive clinical problem. Extensive thermal trauma can be life-threatening or result in long-lasting complications, generating a significant impact on quality of life for patients as well as a cost burden to the healthcare system. The importance of addressing global or systemic issues such as resuscitation and management of inhalation injuries is not disputed but is beyond the scope of this review, which focuses on cutaneous pathophysiologic mechanisms for current treatments, both in the acute and long-term settings. Pathophysiological mechanisms of burn progression and wound healing are mediated by highly complex cascades of cellular and biochemical events, which become dysregulated in slow-healing wounds such as burns. Burns can result in fibroproliferative scarring, skin contractures, or chronic wounds that take weeks or months to heal. Burn injuries are highly individualized owing to wound-specific differences such as burn depth and surface area, in addition to patient-specific factors including genetics, immune competency, and age. Other extrinsic complications such as microbial infection can complicate wound healing, resulting in prolonged inflammation and delayed re-epithelialization. Although mortality is decreasing with advancements in burn care, morbidity from postburn deformities continues to be a challenge. Optimizing specialized acute care and late burn outcome intervention on a patient-by-patient basis is critical for successful management of burn wounds and the associated pathological scar outcome. Understanding the fundamentals of integument physiology and the cellular processes involved in wound healing is essential for designing effective treatment strategies for burn wound care as well as development of future therapies. Published 2018. Compr Physiol 8:371-405, 2018.

Impact of tumor histology on resectability and neurological outcome in primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors: a single-center experience with 102 patients.

BACKGROUND: Surgical outcomes for intramedullary spinal cord tumors are affected by many variables including tumor histology and preoperative neurological function. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of tumor histology on neurological outcome in primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review of 102 consecutive patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors treated at a single institution between January 1998 and March 2009. RESULTS: Ependymomas were the most common tumors with 55 (53.9%), followed by 21 astrocytomas (20.6%), 12 hemangioblastomas (11.8%), and 14 miscellaneous tumors (13.7%). Gross total resection was achieved in 50 ependymomas (90.9%), 3 astrocytomas (14.3%), 11 hemangioblastomas (91.7%), and 12 miscellaneous tumors (85.7%). At a mean follow-up of 41.8 months (range, 1-132 months), we observed recurrences in 4 ependymoma cases (7.3%), 10 astrocytoma cases (47.6%), 1 miscellaneous tumor case (7.1%), and no recurrence in hemangioblastoma cases. When analyzed by tumor location, there was no difference in neurological outcomes (P = .66). At the time of their last follow-up visit, 11 patients (20%) with an ependymoma improved, 38 (69%) remained the same, and 6 (10.9%) worsened. In patients with an astrocytoma, 1 (4.8%) improved, 10 (47.6%) remained the same, and 10 (47.6%) worsened. One patient (8.3%) with a hemangioblastoma improved and 11 (91.7%) remained the same. No patient with a hemangioblastoma worsened. In the miscellaneous tumor group, 2 (14.3%) improved, 10 (71.4%) remained the same, and 2 (14.3%) worsened. Preoperative neurological status (P = .02), tumor histology (P = .005), and extent of resection (P < .0001) were all predictive of functional neurological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Tumor histology is the most important predictor of neurological outcome after surgical resection because it predicts resectability and recurrence.

Divided or kissing nevus of the penis.

The divided or kissing nevus is an unusual congenital melanocytic nevus. By definition, these nevi appear on skin that separates during embryological development. These lesions have been reported on the eyelids, fingers, and rarely the penis. We describe an 18 year old uncircumcised male who presented with an asymptomatic darkly pigmented patch on the glans penis. He reported that the lesion had appeared recently and was enlarging. Physical examination revealed a second symmetric lesion on the adjacent foreskin. Punch biopsy of the lesion on the glans penis showed abundant intradermal melanocytes devoid of mitoses and atypia, consistent with an intradermal melanocytic nevus. Based on the benign histologic nature and clinical exam, the lesion was diagnosed as a divided or kissing nevus of the penis. Proposed treatments include excision and grafting as well as Nd:YAG laser therapy. However, these patients may be safely monitored with regular follow-up skin examinations because there is minimal risk of malignant transformation.

Cold, red, itching, and miserable.

A military-centric case study of a 29-year-old woman with no significant medical history presented with urticaria induced by cold. She was clinically diagnosed with primary acquired cold urticaria (ACU). This case is a catalyst for the discussion of a workup for ACU, the differential diagnosis of ACU, and treatment of ACU.

Percutaneous pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine: A cadaveric study.

STUDY DESIGN: A cadaveric study to determine the accuracy of percutaneous screw placement in the thoracic spine using standard fluoroscopic guidance. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: While use of percutaneous pedicle screws in the lumbar spine has increased rapidly, its acceptance in the thoracic spine has been slower. As indications for pedicle screw fixation increase in the thoracic spine so will the need to perform accurate and safe placement of percutaneous screws with or without image navigation. To date, no study has determined the accuracy of percutaneous thoracic pedicle screw placement without use of stereotactic imaging guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six thoracic pedicle screw placements were performed in four cadaveric thoracic spines from T1 to T12. At each level, Ferguson anterior-posterior fluoroscopy was used to localize the pedicle and define the entry point. Screw placement was attempted unless the borders of the pedicle could not be delineated solely using intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance. The cadavers were assessed using pre- and postprocedural computed tomography (CT) scans as well as dissected and visually inspected in order to determine the medial breach rate. RESULTS: Ninety pedicles were attempted and 86 screws were placed. CT analysis of screw placement accuracy revealed that only one screw (1.2%) breached the medial aspect of the pedicle by more than 2 mm. A total of four screws (4.7%) were found to have breached medially by visual inspection (three Grade 1 and one Grade 2). One (1.2%) lateral breach was greater than 2 mm and no screw violated the neural foramen. The correlation coefficient of pedicle screw violations and pedicle diameter was found to be 0.96. CONCLUSIONS: This cadaveric study shows that percutaneous pedicle screw placement can be performed in the thoracic spine without a significant increase in the pedicle breach rate as compared with standard open techniques. A small percentage (4.4%) of pedicles, especially high in the thoracic spine, may not be safely visualized.

Medication assisted treatment in US drug courts: results from a nationwide survey of availability, barriers and attitudes.

Drug treatment courts are an increasingly important tool in reducing the census of those incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses; medication assisted treatment (MAT) is proven to be an effective treatment for opioid addiction. However, little is known about the availability of and barriers to MAT provision for opioid-addicted people under drug court jurisdiction. Using an online survey, we assessed availability, barriers, and need for MAT (especially agonist medication) for opioid addiction in drug courts. Ninety-eight percent reported opioid-addicted participants, and 47% offered agonist medication (56% for all MAT including naltrexone). Barriers included cost and court policy. Responses revealed significant uncertainty, especially among non-MAT providing courts. Political, judicial and administrative opposition appear to affect MAT's inconsistent use and availability in drug court settings. These data suggest that a substantial, targeted educational initiative is needed to increase awareness of the treatment and criminal justice benefits of MAT in the drug courts.

Minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion in patients older than 70 years of age: analysis of peri- and postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND: The number of spine operations performed in the elderly population is rising. OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe perioperative and postoperative complications in patients 70 years and older who have undergone minimally invasive lumbar interbody spine fusion. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 66 consecutive patients aged 70 years or older who underwent a minimally invasive interbody lumbar fusion. Electronic medical records were analyzed for patient demographics, procedures, and perioperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2009, 66 patients with an average age of 74.9 years (range, 70-86 years) underwent 68 lumbar interbody fusions procedures. The mean follow-up was 14.7 months (range, 1.5-50 months). The minimally invasive approaches included 41 cases of extreme lateral interbody fusion and 27 minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions. We observed 5 major (7.4%) and 17 minor (25%) complications. The 5 major complications consisted of 4 cases of interbody graft subsidence and 1 adjacent level disease. There were no intraoperative medical complications. There were no myocardial infarctions, pulmonary embolisms, hardware complications requiring removal, wound infections, major visceral, vascular, neural injuries, or death in the study period. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive interbody fusions can be performed in the elderly (ages 70 years and older) with an overall low rate of major complications. Graft subsidence in this population when not supplemented with posterior instrumentation is a concern. Age should not be a deterrent to performing complex minimally invasive interbody fusions in the elderly.

Extreme lateral interbody fusion approach for isolated thoracic and thoracolumbar spine diseases: initial clinical experience and early outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospective collected data on 22 patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe our initial clinical experience and outcomes with the extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) approach for spinal diseases requiring access to the thoracic cavity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Minimally invasive anterior approaches to the thoracic spine have traditionally consisted of thoracoscopic and mini-open thoracotomy techniques. We present our initial experience with employing the XLIF technique to treat thoracic spine diseases. METHODS: Clinical, radiographic, operative, postoperative, and functional outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients (15 females, 7 males, average age 64.6 y) with isolated thoracic and thoracolumbar spine diseases were treated between 2005 and 2009. The indications for surgery included degenerative scoliosis (11), pathological fractures from tumors (2), adjacent level disease from prior fusions (5), thoracic disc herniations (3), and discitis/osteomyelitis (1). A total of 47 levels were treated. In the subset of patients treated for degenerative scoliosis, the mean preoperative and postoperative coronal Cobb angles were 22 and 14, respectively. The mean preoperative and postoperative sagittal angles were 39 and 44, respectively. The average estimated blood loss and length of stay were 227.5 mL and 4.8 d, respectively. Three complications consisting of wound infection, subsidence, and adjacent level disease requiring additional procedures were encountered. There were no neural, vascular, visceral injuries, or death. At a mean follow-up of 16.4 months (range, 3-50), we observed a 95.5% substantial clinical benefit. All patients who had reached a minimum of 6 months (95.5%) demonstrated radiographic evidence of fusion. CONCLUSIONS: The XLIF technique can be expanded to treat diseases in the thoracic spine. Although the magnitude of deformity correction achieved is less than that of the traditional open approaches, the lesser invasiveness of this technique may be tolerable for the elderly and in patients with significant medical comorbidities.

Impact of tumor histology on resectability and neurological outcome in primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors: a single-center experience with 102 patients.

BACKGROUND: Surgical outcomes for intramedullary spinal cord tumors are affected by many variables including tumor histology and preoperative neurological function. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of tumor histology on neurological outcome in primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review of 102 consecutive patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors treated at a single institution between January 1998 and March 2009. RESULTS: Ependymomas were the most common tumors with 55 (53.9%), followed by 21 astrocytomas (20.6%), 12 hemangioblastomas (11.8%), and 14 miscellaneous tumors (13.7%). Gross total resection was achieved in 50 ependymomas (90.9%), 3 astrocytomas (14.3%), 11 hemangioblastomas (91.7%), and 12 miscellaneous tumors (85.7%). At a mean follow-up of 41.8 months (range, 1-132 months), we observed recurrences in 4 ependymoma cases (7.3%), 10 astrocytoma cases (47.6%), 1 miscellaneous tumor case (7.1%), and no recurrence in hemangioblastoma cases. When analyzed by tumor location, there was no difference in neurological outcomes (P = .66). At the time of their last follow-up visit, 11 patients (20%) with an ependymoma improved, 38 (69%) remained the same, and 6 (10.9%) worsened. In patients with an astrocytoma, 1 (4.8%) improved, 10 (47.6%) remained the same, and 10 (47.6%) worsened. One patient (8.3%) with a hemangioblastoma improved and 11 (91.7%) remained the same. No patient with a hemangioblastoma worsened. In the miscellaneous tumor group, 2 (14.3%) improved, 10 (71.4%) remained the same, and 2 (14.3%) worsened. Preoperative neurological status (P = .02), tumor histology (P = .005), and extent of resection (P < .0001) were all predictive of functional neurological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Tumor histology is the most important predictor of neurological outcome after surgical resection because it predicts resectability and recurrence.