Naval Hospital Pensacola

Femoral head fractures are rare injuries which can be technically challenging to treat. Different surgical approaches have been described for the treatment of these injuries but have not previously been directly compared to determine which approach provides the greatest exposure. The purpose of our study was to calculate and compare the surface area exposed by two different surgical approaches to the femoral head (Smith-Petersen and trochanteric flip osteotomy). A qualitative comparison of the location of exposure between the two approaches was also conducted. Dissections were conducted on eight cadaver pelvises, with a Smith-Petersen approach performed on one side and trochanteric flip osteotomy performed on the other (16 approaches total with one of each approach performed on each pelvis). Each approach included a surgical hip dislocation. The amount of femoral head surface area exposed via each approach was calculated using digital image capture software (ImageJ, Bethesda, MD). The calculations of area exposed were then compared using a paired sample t-test. In summary, the Smith-Petersen approach with a surgical hip dislocation is a valuable option for approach to the femoral head. The Smith-Petersen approach provided a significantly greater amount of exposure compared to the trochanteric flip osteotomy (1328mm 2 +/- 379mm 2 versus 1086mm 2 +/- 270mm 2 ; p=0.017). Qualitative comparisons of the location exposure demonstrated that the Smith-Petersen approach provided improved exposure of the anteroinferior head while the trochanteric flip osteotomy provided improved exposure of the posterosuperior head. This study suggests that a Smith-Petersen approach may increase the area exposed compared to the trochanteric flip osteotomy with surgical hip dislocation, particularly for the anteroinferior aspect of the head.

Arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair procedures generally involve either repair solely of the ATFL or repair of the ATFL with inferior extensor retinaculum (IER) reinforcement. Both techniques produce strong clinical outcomes; however, studies directly comparing ATFL repair techniques with and without IER reinforcement are limited. We hypothesize that patients receiving arthroscopic ATFL repair with IER reinforcement have superior clinical outcome scores. A systematic review and meta-analysis per PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines was conducted. To assess the relationship of type of surgical procedure (repair of only the ATFL or repair of the ATFL plus IER reinforcement) to reported clinical outcomes based on the Karlsson and Peterson Scoring System for Ankle Function (KAFS), visual analog scale (VAS), and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, we used the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% CI of preoperative to postoperative scores as an effect size. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to identify the source of differences in the observed effect size between studies. A total of 638 studies met the initial search criteria. The meta-analysis included 34 studies to compare clinical outcomes of arthroscopic ATFL repair. Arthroscopic ATFL repair both with and without IER reinforcement resulted in significantly improved preoperative to postoperative clinical outcome scores. Arthroscopic ATFL repair with IER reinforcement resulted in a significantly higher preoperative to postoperative SMD for KAFS (P = .091) and VAS (P = .065) scores compared to arthroscopic ATFL repair without IER reinforcement. There was no significant difference in the preoperative to postoperative SMD of AOFAS (P = .453) scores when comparing surgical procedures. ATFL repair with IER reinforcement had a significantly greater rate of superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) injury (P = .004). Arthroscopic ATFL repair with IER reinforcement leads to improved clinical outcome scores but carries a higher risk of SPN injury compared to arthroscopic ATFL repair without IER reinforcement. Patients receiving either arthroscopic procedure should achieve excellent functional outcomes.

During deployment, a 52-year-old male developed acute behavioral changes. Though initially considered to have PTSD and related agitation and confusional state, his evaluation was consistent with acute encephalopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed T2 hyperintensities, and CSF analysis was positive for anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody. A nuclear protein in testis carcinoma midline carcinoma was discovered in the lung. Immunotherapy and surgical resection led to steady improvement prior to adjuvant chemotherapy. Autoimmune encephalitis due to anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies is increasingly being recognized as causal of acute behavioral change.

Military service members (SMs) demonstrate high rates of patellofemoral chondral defects (PFCDs) that are difficult to diagnosis and, if untreated, result in a cascade of events eventually leading to osteoarthritis. Running is an essential occupational task for SMs; however, there is little evidence regarding techniques to maintain running ability in individuals with cartilage defects. The purpose of this case series was to assess the clinical application of foot strike run retraining in patients with PFCDs. This case series included two active duty U.S. Marine Corps SMs who presented to outpatient physical therapy with PFCD, diagnosed via MRI. Both patients attended eight foot strike run retraining sessions. Running mechanics and patient-reported outcomes were recorded pre-training, post-training, and at a 1-month follow-up visit. Both patients successfully converted their strike pattern from a rearfoot to a non-rearfoot strike pattern with training and retained this strategy at 1-month follow-up. Post-intervention, both patients demonstrated increased running tolerance, and improvements in Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Lower Extremity Functional Scale scores. Biomechanical analysis showed that both patients demonstrated a 63% to 70% reduction in average and peak vertical ground reaction force loading rates post-treatment. Modification of foot strike pattern from rear to non-rearfoot strike during running for individuals with PFCD can reduce the magnitude of impact loading, which potentially limits disease progression. These findings suggest that foot strike run retraining may be a feasible strategy to reduce pain and improve function in SMs with PFCD who are required to run for occupational responsibilities.

Bupropion is an oral antidepressant that is commonly used to treat various mood disorders. Its therapeutic mechanism of action results from inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. Bupropion is generally well-tolerated and patients usually experience no side effects or mild adverse events. Rarely, hypersensitivity reactions to bupropion, such as urticaria, have been observed. However, the prevalence of delayed onset bupropion-associated urticaria may not be properly reflected in the literature due to misdiagnosis of the condition caused by its atypical presentation. We report a 20-year-old man with delayed onset bupropion-associated urticaria; he had been on bupropion for three weeks and subsequently developed new severely pruritic, erythematous wheals on his abdomen, bilateral flanks, and upper extremities. The clinical features of this rare adverse reaction to bupropion are also summarized.

We present the experience of our U.S. Navy Role 2's deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and serving a multinational, joint-service military base. We detail our efforts to establish a low-titer O (LTO) walking blood bank (WBB) in an effort to prepare for potential combat casualties. We decided on an LTO WBB based on our available resources and a review of the literature. We collected blood samples from volunteer O-type donors throughout deployment. We conducted some titers locally and sent all samples to the ASBP in San Antonio for confirmatory testing. We conducted internal training on the WBB to improve our efficiency. We conducted monthly base-wide drills and blood drives to increase our donor pool and improve coordination between the multiple units on base. We were able to collect samples from 108 military members during our deployment. Because of cold chain and shipping issues, by the time we departed theater, we had confirmation of 31 LTO donors from the Armed Services Blood Program. Thanks to local titers and units arriving to theater with titers complete; we were able to maintain an LTO donor pool close to our intended target of 50 available donors through most of our deployment. A WBB based on LTO blood is possible in theater. In order to maximize donor pools, it is imperative that units deploying to forward areas complete titer and transfusion transmissible disease testing before arrival in theater.

This study examined the relationship between intracranial abnormalities (ICAs) and self-reported neurobehavioral and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms in members of the military with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI). Participants included 539 members of the US military with nonpenetrating msTBI. Self-reported neurobehavioral and PTS symptoms were assessed using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory and the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version. ICAs were categorized as present/absent (by subtype) based upon medical record review. Spearman rank-order correlations and stepwise multiple regression analyses examined univariate and combined predictive relationships between ICAs and self-reported symptoms. The presence of any ICA was associated with reduced self-reported neurobehavioral and PTS symptoms. ICA-associated reductions were largest for PTS, followed by affective and cognitive neurobehavioral symptoms, and relatively weak for somatic/sensory and vestibular symptoms. Effects of different types of ICAs were comparable. Greater time since injury was related to greater symptom report, whereas duration of loss of consciousness and posttraumatic amnesia were not consistently related to self-reported symptoms. Results suggest that ICAs are associated with suppression of reported PTS and neurobehavioral symptoms-potentially via reduction in self-awareness. These findings support comprehensive, objective evaluation to identify impairments in self-awareness and functioning in msTBI patients.

Attempting to expedite delivery of care to wounded war fighters, this study aimed to quantify the ability of medical and surgical teams to perform lifesaving damage control and resuscitation procedures aboard nontraditional US Navy Vessels on high seas. Specifically, it looked at the ability of the teams to perform procedures in shipboard operating and emergency rooms by analyzing motion of personnel during the procedures. One hundred and twelve damage control and resuscitation procedures were performed during a voyage of the US Naval Ship Brunswick in transit from Norfolk, Virginia, to San Diego, California. The ability of personnel to perform these procedures was quantified by the use of motion link analysis designed to track the movement of each participant as they completed their assigned tasks. The link analysis showed no significant change in the number of movements of participants from the beginning to the end of the study. However, there was a learning effect observed during the study, with teams completing tasks faster at the end of the study than at the beginning. This shows that the working conditions aboard the US Naval Ship Brunswick were satisfactory for the assigned tasks, indicating that these medical operations may be feasible aboard nontraditional US Navy vessels.

Physiological events (PEs) are a growing problem for US military aviation with detrimental risks to safety and mission readiness. Seeking causative factors is, therefore, of high importance. There is no evidence to date associating carbon dioxide (CO2) pre-flight exposure and decompression sickness (DCS) in aviators. This study is a case series of six aviators with PE after being exposed to a rapid decompression event (RDE) with symptoms consistent with type II DCS. The analysis includes retrospective review of flight and environmental data to further assess a possible link between CO2 levels and altitude physiologic events (PEs). IRB approval was obtained for this study. This case series presents six aviators with PE after being exposed to a rapid decompression event (RDE) with symptoms consistent with type II DCS. Another three aviators were also exposed to a RDE, but remained asymptomatic. All events involved tactical jet aircraft flying at an average of 35,600' Mean Sea Level (MSL) when a RDE occurred, Retrospective reviews led to the discovery that the affected individuals were exposed, pre-flight, to poor indoor air quality demonstrated by elevated levels of measured CO2. PEs are a growing safety concern for the aviation community in the military. As such, increasing measures are taken to ensure safety of flight and completion of the mission. To date, there is no correlation of CO2 exposure and altitude DCS. While elevated CO2 levels cannot be conclusively implicated as causative, this case series suggests a potential role of CO2 in altitude DCS through CO2 direct involvement with emboli gas composition, as well as pro-inflammatory cascade. Aviators exposed to elevated CO2 in poorly ventilated rooms developed PE symptoms consistent with DCS, while at the same command, aviators that were exposed to a well ventilated room did not. This report is far from an answer, but does demonstrate an interesting case series that draws some questions about CO2's role in these aviator's DCS experience. Other explanations are plausible, including the accurate diagnosis of DCS, health variables amongst the aviators, and differences in aircraft and On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems (OBOGS). For a better understanding, the role of environmental CO2 and pre-flight exposure as a risk of DCS should be reviewed.