Hyphema in Open-Globe Versus Closed-Globe Injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom: 2001–2011

Introduction The goal of this study is to update the incidence of hyphema in Operation Iraqi (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF). We wanted to assess associated ocular injuries and final visual acuity (VA) in open-globe versus closed-globe injuries with a hyphema. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective review of the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database (WRTOD) to identify U.S. Service members and DoD civilians with hyphema who were evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center between 2001 and 2011. Primary outcome measures were the final VA and differences in concomitant ocular injuries in open-globe hyphema and closed-globe hyphema. Results 168 of 890 eyes (18.9%) in the WROTD had a hyphema. Closed-globe injuries were noted in 64 (38.1%) eyes and open-globe injuries in 104 (61.9%) eyes. A final VA of less than 20/200 was noted in 88 eyes (51.8%). Eyes with hyphema were more likely to have traumatic cataract formation (odds ratio (OR) 6.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.2–9.2, P < 0.001), retinal detachment (OR 4.2, CI 2.8–6.4, P < 0.001), angle recession (OR 8.1, CI 2.9–24.3, P < 0.001), and final VA of less than 20/200 (OR 3.7, CI 2.6–5.4, P < 0.001). Traumatic cataract formation (OR 7.4, CI 2.9–18.7, P < 0.001), retinal detachment (OR 6.1, CI 2.1–17.5, P < 0.001), and a final VA less than 20/200 (OR 6.1, CI 2.4–15.4 P < 0.001) were statistically more likely to occur with an open-globe hyphema than with a closed-globe hyphema. Conclusions Close follow-up in patients with hyphema is important due to the associated development of traumatic cataract and retinal detachment and poor final visual outcome.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Military Service Members Hospitalized Following a Suicide Attempt versus Suicide Ideation

Psychiatric hospitalization for a suicide attempt (SA), rather than suicide ideation (SI) alone, is a stronger risk indicator for eventual suicide death. Yet, little is known about demographic and clinical characteristics differentiating those admitted for SA versus SI. Understanding these differences has implications for assessment and treatment. A retrospective review of electronic medical records (EMRs) was performed on service members (n = 955) admitted for SA or SI at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center between 2001–2006. Service members hospitalized for SA were younger compared to those hospitalized for SI. The proportion of women admitted for SA was significantly higher than those admitted for SI whereas their male counterparts showed the opposite pattern. Patients admitted for SA, versus SI, had significantly higher prevalence of adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotion and conduct (MDEC), personality disorder not otherwise specified (PDNOS), and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Patients admitted for SI had significantly higher prevalence of adjustment disorder with depressed mood and deferred Axis II diagnosis, compared to those admitted for SA. There were no significant between-group differences in the average or median number of documented prior suicide attempts. Findings highlight the need for more standardized assessment, diagnostic decision-making, and documentation practices for all patients.

USA300 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Emerging as a Cause of Bloodstream Infections at Military Medical Centers

Background.USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of skin and soft-tissue infection (SSTI) in military personnel. USA300 MRSA has emerged as an important cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) in metropolitan centers.Objective.To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and patient outcomes associated with USA300 MRSA BSI in military tertiary medical centers.Design.Retrospective case-control study.Patients.Patients admitted during the period 2001–2009 with MRSA BSI.Setting.Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Washington, DC) and National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda, MD) tertiary medical centers with 500 inpatient beds combined, which provide care to active duty service members and military beneficiaries.Methods.After identifying patients with MRSA BSI, we collected epidemiological data from electronic medical records and characterized bacterial isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).Results.A total of 245 MRSA BSI cases were identified, and 151 isolates were available for analysis. Epidemiological characteristics for the 151 patients with available isolates included the following: mean age, 61 years; male sex, 70%; white race, 62%; and combat-wounded service members, 11%. The crude in-hospital mortality rate was 17%. PFGE demonstrated that 30 (20%) of 151 MRSA BSI cases with isolates available for analysis were due to USA300, and 27 (87%) of these 30 cases were healthcare-associated infection. USA300 was associated with a significantly increasing proportion of MRSA BSI when examined over sequential time periods: 2 (4%) of 51 isolates during 2001–2003, 9 (19%) of 47 isolates during 2004–2006, and 19 (36%) of 53 isolates during 2007–2009 (P<.001).Conclusion.USA300 MRSA is emerging as a cause of healthcare-associated BSI in tertiary military medical centers.

Early decompressive craniectomy for severe penetrating and closed head injury during wartime

Object Decompressive craniectomy has defined this era of damage-control wartime neurosurgery. Injuries that in previous conflicts were treated in an expectant manner are now aggressively decompressed at the far-forward Combat Support Hospital and transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda for definitive care. The purpose of this paper is to examine the baseline characteristics of those injured warriors who received decompressive craniectomies. The importance of this procedure will be emphasized and guidance provided to current and future neurosurgeons deployed in theater. Methods The authors retrospectively searched a database for all soldiers injured in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom between April 2003 and October 2008 at WRAMC and NNMC. Criteria for inclusion in this study included either a closed or penetrating head injury suffered during combat operations in either Iraq or Afghanistan with subsequent neurosurgical evaluation at NNMC or WRAMC. Exclusion criteria included all cases in which primary demographic data could not be verified. Primary outcome data included the type and mechanism of injury, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and injury severity score (ISS) at admission, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at discharge, 6 months, and 1–2 years. Results Four hundred eight patients presented with head injury during the study period. In this population, a total of 188 decompressive craniectomies were performed (154 for penetrating head injury, 22 for closed head injury, and 12 for unknown injury mechanism). Patients who underwent decompressive craniectomies in the combat theater had significantly lower initial GCS scores (7.7 ± 4.2 vs 10.8 ± 4.0, p < 0.05) and higher ISSs (32.5 ± 9.4 vs 26.8 ± 11.8, p < 0.05) than those who did not. When comparing the GOS scores at hospital discharge, 6 months, and 1–2 years after discharge, those receiving decompressive craniectomies had significantly lower scores (3.0 ± 0.9 vs 3.7 ± 0.9, 3.5 ± 1.2 vs 4.0 ± 1.0, and 3.7 ± 1.2 vs 4.4 ± 0.9, respectively) than those who did not undergo decompressive craniectomies. That said, intragroup analysis indicated consistent improvement for those with craniectomy with time, allowing them, on average, to participate in and improve from rehabilitation (p < 0.05). Overall, 83% of those for whom follow-up data are available achieved a 1-year GOS score of greater than 3. Conclusions This study of the provision of early decompressive craniectomy in a military population that sustained severe penetrating and closed head injuries represents one of the largest to date in both the civilian and military literature. The findings suggest that patients who undergo decompressive craniectomy had worse injuries than those receiving craniotomy and, while not achieving the same outcomes as those with a lesser injury, did improve with time. The authors recommend hemicraniectomy for damage control to protect patients from the effects of brain swelling during the long overseas transport to their definitive care, and it should be conducted with foresight concerning future complications and reconstructive surgical procedures.

In V itro Activity of the Aminoglycoside Antibiotic Arbekacin against Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus Isolated from War-Wounded Patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center

ABSTRACT We determined the in vitro MIC of arbekacin against 200 Acinetobacter isolates recovered from wounded soldiers. The median MIC was 2 μg/ml (range, 0.5 to >64 μg/ml). A total of 97.5% of the isolates had arbekacin MICs of <8 μg/ml and 86.5% had MICs of ≤4 μg/ml. There was no association between the arbekacin MIC and susceptibility to 16 other antibiotics or the specimen source (P = 0.7239). Synergy testing suggested an enhanced effect of arbekacin-carbapenem combinations.

Natural History of Colonization with Gram-Negative Multidrug-Resistant Organisms among Hospitalized Patients

Objective.To determine the anatomic sites and natural history of colonization with gram-negative multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).Design.Prospective, longitudinal cohort study.Setting.Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a 236-bed tertiary care center in Washington, DC.Patients.Deployed subjects (ie, inpatients medically evacuated from Iraq or Afghanistan) or nondeployed subjects admitted to the same hospital.Methods.Consenting patients had 6 anatomic sites cultured every 3 days for 2 weeks and then weekly. Gram-negative organisms resistant to 3 or more classes of antibiotics were considered MDROs. Isolates were genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Clinical data, data on antibiotic use, and clinical culture results were collected.Results.Of 60 deployed subjects, 14 (23%) were colonized with an MDRO at admission, and 13 (22%) had incident colonization during hospitalization. The groin was the most sensitive anatomic site for detecting MDRO colonization, and all but one subject remained colonized for the duration of their hospitalization. Sixty percent of subjects with incident Acinetobacter colonization and 25% of subjects with incident Klebsiella colonization had strains that were related to those isolated from other subjects. Of 60 nondeployed subjects, 5 (8%) were colonized with an MDRO at admission; all had recent healthcare contact, and 1 nondeployed subject had an isolate related to a strain recovered from a deployed subject.Conclusions.Colonization with gram-negative MDROs is common among patients with war-related trauma admitted to a military hospital and also occurs among nondeployed patients with recent healthcare contact. The groin is the most sensitive anatomic site for active surveillance, and spontaneous decolonization is rare.