Perforating Calcinosis Cutis as a Complication of Intraosseous Fluid Infusion in the Setting of a Near-Drowning Event.

Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis represents a subset of calcinosis cutis resulting secondary to treatments or procedures. We present the first report of calcinosis cutis resulting from the intraosseous infusion and one of a few cases with associated transepidermal elimination. A previously healthy 2-year-old female presented with a new-onset unilateral shin rash 1 week following hospitalization for a near-drowning event. A dermatologic exam revealed multiple small, tender, firm, chalky-white papules with surrounding erythema, in addition to two erythematous macules superior and medial to the papular lesions, corresponding to prior intraosseous access sites. The rash persisted despite trials of topical mupirocin and acyclovir cream, prompting a referral to a dermatologist. An excisional biopsy was performed, revealing circumscribed dermal deposits of acellular basophilic material connected to the overlying epidermis through an invaginated keratin plug. A von Kossa silver stain highlighted the deposits, confirming the diagnosis of perforating calcinosis cutis. The lesions did not recur following the excisional biopsy. Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis may be seen as a complication of the infusion of calcium-containing fluids via intraosseous access, in addition to the more commonly observed peripheral intravenous access. Awareness of this disorder is important in order to distinguish it from an infectious mimic and guide the selection of therapy.

A multicenter phase II study of intrabone single-unit cord blood transplantation without antithymocyte globulin.

To overcome the delayed or failed engraftment after unrelated cord blood transplantation (CBT), we conducted a multicenter phase II study of intrabone single-unit CBT without antithymocyte globulin (ATG) for adult patients with hematological malignancies (UMIN-CTR, UMIN000020997). Sixty-four patients received an intrabone injection of unwashed (n = 61) or washed (n = 3) cord blood after local anesthesia. All injection-related adverse events were mild and resolved spontaneously. Sixty-two patients were evaluable for the efficacy of intrabone CBT of serological HLA-A, -B, and -DR ≥ 4/6 matched cord blood with a median number of 2.57 × 107/kg cryopreserved total nucleated cells. The probability of survival with neutrophil engraftment on day 28 was 77.4% (95% confidence interval, 67.0-85.8%), which exceeded the threshold value. The cumulative incidences of neutrophils ≥ 0.5 × 109/L on day 60 was 80.6% (68.2-88.6%), with a median time to recovery of 21 days after transplantation. The cumulative incidences of platelets ≥ 20 × 109/L and platelets ≥ 50 × 109/L on day 100 were 75.8% (62.6-84.9%) and 72.6% (59.4-82.1%), respectively, with median time to platelets ≥ 20 × 109/L and platelets ≥ 50 × 109/L of 38 and 45 days after transplantation, respectively. The cumulative incidences of grade II-IV and III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease were 29.0% and 6.5%, respectively. All responded to steroid therapy, and secondary treatments were not required. The present study suggests the efficacy of intrabone single-unit CBT without ATG in terms of early engraftment and controllable acute graft-versus-host disease.

Compartment Syndrome of the Leg after Intraosseous (IO) Needle Insertion.

Intraosseous (IO) needles are used in patients who are critically ill when it is not possible to obtain venous access. While IO allows for immediate access, IO infusions are associated with complications including fractures, infections, and compartment syndrome. We present a case of an 87-year-old man who developed lower extremity compartment syndrome after receiving an IO needle insertion and had to be treated surgically with fasciotomy to correct the problem.

Safety of Pressurized Intraosseous Blood Infusion Strategies in a Swine Model of Hemorrhagic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines support intraosseous access for trauma resuscitation when intravenous access is not readily available. However, safety of intraosseous blood transfusions with varying degrees of infusion pressure has not been previously characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult female Yorkshire swine (Sus scrofa; n = 36; mean (M): 80 kg, 95% CI: 78-82 kg) were cannulated and then bled approximately 30% total blood volume. Swine were randomly assigned to proximal humerus intraosseous blood infusion with either Rapid Infuser, or Pressure Bag, or Push-Pull methods (n = 12 each). Flow rates, infusion pressures, vitals, biochemical variables, and pulmonary and renal tissue pathology were contrasted between groups. RESULTS: Flow rates were greater for the Push-Pull strategy than Pressure Bag (96.5 mL/min versus 72.6 mL/min, P = 0.02) or Rapid Infuser (96.5 mL/min versus 60 mL/min, P = 0.002) strategies. The pressures generated during the Push-Pull transfusion (3058 mmHg) were greater than the other strategies (≤360 mmHg). After the observation period, plasma-free hemoglobin levels were higher in the Push-Pull strategy than in the Rapid Infuser (40 mg/dL versus 12 mg/dL, P = 0.02) or Pressure Bag (40 mg/dL versus 12 mg/dL, P = 0.01). Groups did not significantly differ in vitals, biochemical variables, or tissue pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Push-Pull conferred the highest flow rates, but with higher infusion pressures and evidence of intravascular hemolysis. Rapid Infuser and Pressure Bag infusions had no increase from baseline in plasma-free hemoglobin. Pressure Bag infusion was noted to confer an advantage in flow rates over Rapid Infuser. Intraosseous blood transfusion with pressure bags can safely bridge toward central access in the early phases of trauma resuscitation.

Emergency sternal intraosseous access for warm fresh whole blood transfusion in damage control resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Intraosseous (IO) vascular access is increasingly used as an emergency tool for achieving access to the systemic circulation in critically ill patients. The role of IO transfusion of blood in damage control resuscitation is however questionable due to possible inadequate flow rate and hemolysis. Some experts claim that IO transfusion is contraindicated. In this study, we have challenged this statement by looking at flow rates of autologous fresh whole blood reinfusion and hemolysis using two of the commonly used Food and Drug Administration-approved and Conformité Européenne (CE)-marked sternal needles. Additionally, the success rate of sternal access between the two devices is evaluated. METHODS: Volunteer professional military personnel, were enrolled prospectively in a nonrandomized observational study design. We collected 450 mL of autologous whole blood from each participant. Participants were divided into the following three groups of 10: Tactically Advanced Lifesaving IO Needle (T.A.L.O.N.) IO, FAST1 IO, and intravenous group. The reinfusion was done by gravity only. Blood sampling was performed before blood collection and 30 minutes after reinfusion. Investigation of hemolysis was performed by measurements of haptoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase. Success rate was evaluated by correct aspiration of bone marrow. RESULTS: Median reinfusion rate was 46.2 mL/min in the FAST1 group, 32.4 mL/min in the T.A.L.O.N. group, and 74.1 mL/min in the intravenous group. Blood samples from all participants were within normal ranges. There was no statistically significant difference in haptoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase between the groups. In the FAST1 group, 1 (9%) of 11 procedures failed. In the T.A.L.O.N. group, 4 (29%) of 14 procedures failed. CONCLUSION: Although preferable, achieving peripheral venous access in the bleeding patient is a major problem. Our findings suggest that fresh whole-blood transfusion through the IO route is safe, reliable, and provide sufficient flow for resuscitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care management study, level III.

[Intramedullary placement of intraosseous cannulas inserted in the preclinical treatment of polytrauma patients : A retrospective, computed tomography-assisted evaluation]. / Intramedulläre Lage von präklinisch angelegten intraossären Zugängen bei polytraumatisierten Patienten : Retrospektive, computertomographisch gestützte Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Use of intraosseous access to the vascular system is rare in the pre-hospital setting (<1%). However, as patients for which the use of an intraosseous device is indicated are usually in a critical condition, awareness of possible application errors is vital. A survey was performed to evaluate intramedullary needle placement by means of computed axial tomography. METHODS: In the period of 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2015 all multislice-CT trauma scans performed in a trauma center were monitored for intraosseous devices in situ. The placement site, type of intraosseous device and needle deployed, thickness of bone and soft tissues, site for optimum needle placement, and both deviation from gold standard placement and visible complications were also recorded. RESULTS: In 11 out of 982 patients with suspected polytrauma that were studied during the observation period, 13 intraosseous cannulas were found (1.12%). In all cases, the EZ-IO® (Teleflex, P.O. Box 12600, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA) intraosseous vascular access system was used. All applications were placed correctly in the medullary cavity, but none concurred with the current guidelines: The site of the puncture deviated laterally in seven cases, medially in two cases, cranially in four cases, and caudally in two cases. The most common error in all 13 cases was overshooting during needle introduction. CONCLUSION: Even though clinical criteria may suggest correct placement of an intraosseous device, the results of this survey provide evidence that deviations in positioning are common. Placement of the needle too deep can cause complications within the soft tissues or potentially impede intraosseous infusion.

Fat Intravasation from Intraosseous Flush and Infusion Procedures.

STUDY HYPOTHESIS: The primary study objective was to delineate the procedural aspects of intraosseous (IO) infusions responsible for fat intravasation by testing the hypothesis that the fat content of effluent blood increases during IO infusions. METHODS: IO cannulas were inserted into the proximal tibiae of 35 anesthetized swine (Sus scrofa, 50.1 ± 3.5 kg) and intravasated fat was assessed using a lipophilic fluoroprobe (Nile red) and by vascular ultrasound imaging. Effluent blood bone marrow fat was assessed at baseline, during flush, and with regimens of controlled infusion pressures (73-300 mmHg) and infusion flow rates (0.3-3.0 mL per second). Fat intravasation was also assessed with IO infusions at different tibial cannulation sites and in the distal femur. In 7 animals, the lipid uptake of alveolar macrophages and lung tissue assessed for fat embolic burden using oil red O stain 24 hours post infusion. Additionally, bone marrow shear-strain was assessed radiographically with IO infusions. RESULTS: Fat intravasation was observed during all IO infusion regimens, with subclinical pulmonary fat emboli persisting 24 hours post infusion. It was noted that initial flush was a significant factor in fat intravasation, low levels of intravasation occurred with infusions ≤300 mmHg, fat intravasation and bone marrow shear-strain increased with IO infusion rates, and intravasation was influenced by cannula insertion site. Ultrasound findings suggest that echogenic particles consistent with fat emboli are carried in fast and slow venous blood flow fields. Echo reflective densities were observed to rise to the nondependent endovascular margins and coalesce in accordance with Stoke's law. In addition, ultrasound findings suggested that intravasated bone marrow fat was thrombogenic. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that in swine the intravasation of bone marrow fat is a common consequence of IO infusion procedures and that its magnitude is influenced by the site of cannulation and infusion forces. Although the efficacy and benefits of IO infusions for emergent care are well established, emergency care providers also should be cognizant that infusion procedures affect bone marrow fat intravasation.

Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations to Prevent/Manage Post-Lumbar Puncture Headaches in Pediatric Patients Receiving Intrathecal Chemotherapy.

Post-lumbar puncture headaches (PLPHs) are a known complication of lumbar puncture procedures. Children undergoing treatment for cancer often undergo multiple lumbar punctures, placing them at increased risk for PLPHs. There are currently no guidelines for the prevention or management of PLPHs in children. A team was therefore assembled to conduct a systematic review of the evidence in relationship to PLPHs in the pediatric population. Clinical questions were developed and used to guide the literature review. Twenty-four articles were deemed appropriate for use and were evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Based on the review of evidence, strong recommendations are made for the use of smaller needle sizes and for the use of pencil point needles during lumbar puncture procedures. Weak recommendations are made for needle orientation and positioning following the procedure as well as for interventions used to treat PLPHs once they occur. There is a need for additional, pediatric-specific studies to further examine the issue of PLPH prevention and treatment.

Orthopedic management of complications of using intraosseous catheters.

Intraosseous (IO) catheters have been used for vascular access in trauma and critically ill patients with increasing frequency in emergency departments and critical care units across the United States. Their use has long been accepted as a reliable method of obtaining vascular access in pediatric patients with difficult intravascular access. Articles about the complications of using IO catheters are scarce. Although orthopedic surgeons are not likely to place an IO catheter in an emergency situation, they often become involved when complications of IO catheter use arise. In a literature search, we identified 5,759 patients treated with IO catheters. The overall complication rate was 2.1%. In this article, we discuss the literature on IO catheter complications and report 2 cases of orthopedic management of IO catheter complications.

Anesthesia through an intraosseous line using an 18-gauge intravenous needle for emergency pediatric surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the success and complication rate of intraosseous (IO) access for delivery of anesthesia with the use of an 18-gauge (G) intravenous (IV) needle. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Children's Welfare Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. PATIENTS: 300 critically ill infants and toddlers, age 3 weeks to 16 months, requiring emergency surgery for intra-abdominal or pelvic conditions, in whom peripheral or central access was not obtainable. Patients presented for surgery between 2007 and 2010. INTERVENTIONS: In 26 patients, the IO catheter was established when peripheral access was not obtained at the outset of surgery; in 4 patients standard peripheral vascular access failed during the surgical procedure and IO access was obtained. An 18-G IV needle was placed into the proximal tibia and attached to an extension set with a 3-way stopcock to deliver anesthesia. MAIN RESULTS: For 26 critically ill children and 4 other children, IV access failed during delivery of anesthesia; vascular access was successfully obtained within minutes in all 30 infants (100%) using the intraosseous route. Ninety percent (27/30) of patients awoke immediately postoperatively in good condition; 10% (3/30) went to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for further care due to their critical preoperative condition. Complications associated with use of the IO route were considered minor (3/30 pts [10%]) and included extravasation of fluid in two cases and cellulitis in one. CONCLUSION: The IO route provided for rapid delivery of anesthesia, induction, and maintenance in this series of critically ill infants undergoing emergency surgery when other vascular access routes failed. Few complications were noted. Intraosseous access was achieved through a simple technique using an 18-gauge IV needle.

Intraosseous infusion is unreliable for adenosine delivery in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia.

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a common tachyarrhythmia in the pediatric population that can necessitate immediate treatment. Adenosine has been well studied as a mainstay treatment, but the methods of adenosine administration have not been very well delineated. The intraosseous technique has presented itself as a possible method of administration. We describe 2 cases in which adenosine was administered through bone marrow infusion to convert SVT without success. The cases we describe show that intraosseous is not a reliable method of administering adenosine to stop SVT. Both patients presented with SVT refractory to vagal maneuvers and difficult intravenous placement. Intraosseous access was achieved, but administration of adenosine at increasing doses was unable to successfully convert the arrhythmia.

[Intraosseous access on a 1300 g septical premature infant]. / Kasuistik - Intraossärer Zugang bei einem 1300†g schweren septischen Neugeborenen.

This article reports about the perioperative disposition of an intraosseous (IO) needle on a 15 days old critically ill premature infant (weight 1300g) in line with an urgent surgery and sole possible vascular access on circulation insufficiency.Due to vital danger there was perioperatively no time to place a large-bore vascular access in addition to the 2 lying 28G-submerging venous catheters with a minimal flow rate. Because it was not possible to set a secure vascular access in several attempts - with generalised oedema and anasarca -, after having interrupted the surgery, the sole possibility was to dispose an IO needle in the range of the tibia.It was obvious, that a puncture of very small and weak bones is difficult and that a secure bone marrow puncture on infants beyond the weight category of 3 kg declared by the producer can be hard. Anyhow in case of emergency, an attempt is reasonable and useful, the effect after the application on the whole circulation situation was considerably verifiable.

Osteomyelitis and osteonecrosis after intraosseous perfusion with gentamicin.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and discuss previously unreported complications associated with intraosseous perfusion with gentamicin in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Ten-year-old Warmblood gelding. METHODS: Intraosseous perfusion with gentamicin into the proximal phalanx (P1) was used as part of the treatment regimen for distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bursa synovial sepsis. Although the sepsis responded favorably complications developed at the perfusion site, including persistent osteomyelitis, progressive osteonecrosis, and ultimately pathologic fracture of P1. RESULTS: The progression of the clinical signs and findings at necropsy are suggestive of a toxic osteonecrosis secondary to intraosseous perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Further work is needed to investigate the effects of high dose gentamicin on equine mesenchymal cells that may be achieved during intraosseous perfusion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lower doses of perfusate within the medullary canal of P1 or alternative perfusion sites should be considered.

Transient femoral neuropathy after harvest of bone from the iliac crest.

A 31-year-old woman had bone harvested from the left anterior iliac crest as a graft for an augmentation genioplasty. For postoperative analgesia, she was given a bupivacaine infusion into the iliac wound. She developed a temporary left femoral mononeuropathy from which she recovered completely.

Accesos vasculares en neonatología / Vascular access in neonatology

El siguiente artículo explica la técnica de coloración de accesos vasculares en pacientes recién nacidos del área de neonatología. Además de definir lo que se conoce como este tipo de catéteres, se describe la clasificación de los mismos; las indicaciones y contraindicaciones para su colocación, las complicaciones y las precauciones

Osteomyelitis at the injection site of adrenalin through an intraosseous needle in a 3-month-old infant.

Intraosseous (IO) puncture is considered for the administration of drugs and fluids when vascular access cannot be achieved rapidly. Adrenaline/epinephrine, adenosine, crystalloids, colloids and blood products can be applied and administered effectively using this route during resuscitation of children. This technique is relatively simple with complications of <1%. These may include tibial fracture, lower extremity compartment syndrome and osteomyelitis. A case is described in which a 3-month-old male infant presented for emergency resuscitation requiring IO infusion utilising both tibial bones. High doses of adrenaline (1:1000; 0.1 mg/kg) were administered in the right tibial epiphysis only after the standard initial concentration (1:10000; 0.01 mg/kg) had minimal effect. A local inflammatory reaction was noted 24 h later in the right tibial region, which developed into cutaneous necrosis, and was eventually resected. Radiologically, no osseous lesion could be demonstrated, however, a bone scintigram revealed osteomyelitis. Upon surgical revision, purulent destruction was evident requiring removal of the epiphysis and part of the metaphysis. Although osteomyelitis is a rare complication which may be caused by sepsis, or contamination during insertion, we speculate that adrenaline in high concentrations may promote the development of osteomyelitis and the drug should be applied cautiously in more diluted concentrations.

Vía intraósea en pediatría / Intraosseous cannulation in pediatrics

Introducción: Establecer un adecuado acceso vascular en niños críticamente enfermos suele ser un difícil problema que la vía intraósea (VIO) puede resolver de manera sencilla y segura. Objetivos: El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar en forma prospectiva el éxito de la colocación, tiempo de permanencia y complicaciones de la VIO dentro de un protocolo de accesos vasculares de emergencia. Material y métodos: Se precisaron las indicaciones, contraindicaciones, oportunidad, técnica de colocación y registros de evolución y complicaciones. Se definió como éxito cuando se detectó una pérdida de resistencia al pasar con la aguja la tabla ósea, que la misma pudiera mantenerse colocada sin sostén y objetivarse pasaje de líquidos sin infiltraciones. Resultados: Se colocaron 32 VIO en 20 pacientes según el protocolo propuesto de accesos vasculares de emergencia. Las indicaciones más comunes fueron paro cardiorrespiratorio (PCR) y shock, con un porcentaje de éxito del 78 por ciento y un tiempo promedio de colocación de 3 min. No se registraron complicaciones que requirieran tratamiento ni fueran relevantes a los fines de la evolución. La indicación de VIO fue demorada, en relación al protocolo, en más de la mitad de los procedimientos. Conclusiones: La VIO fue, dentro de un protocolo de accesos vasculares de emrgencia, un procedimiento útil, seguro y rápido para lograr un acceso vascular en niños críticamente enfermos. Su difusión dentro de un programa que permita el entrenamiento práctico y destaque las indicaciones, contraindicaciones y medidas que prevengan complicaciones es un desafío para los pediatras que atienden emergencias

Compartment syndrome after intraosseous infusion: an experimental study in dogs.

An experimental study was designed to investigate the development of compartment syndrome with the use of an intraosseous line in dogs. We used an open technique for insertion of a 20-gauge spinal needle to the tibia. The needle was secured to the tibia with bone cement. Throughout the intraosseous infusion of saline with radio-opaque dye (rate, 480 mL/h), serial radiographic examination and pressure monitoring of the anterolateral compartment of the leg was performed. Although there was no change up to approximately 350 mL of fluid infusion, the radio-opaque dye was detected in the soft tissues and compartment pressure increased to more than 35 mm Hg. Compartment pressure continued to increase in direct proportion to the amount of dye infused. In the present study, the possible technical errors, which may cause compartment syndrome, have been eliminated. However, compartment syndrome developed because of the failure of microvasculature within a muscle adjacent to bone. We suggest that there is a need for a dose-and time-dependent scale for safe intraosseous infusion.