Skin Pigmentation Impacts the Clinical Diagnosis of Wound Infection: Imaging of Bacterial Burden to Overcome Diagnostic Limitations.

Underrepresentation of diverse skin tones in medical education and providers' implicit racial bias drives inequities in wound care, such as disproportionally poor outcomes for Black patients. Diagnostic indicators (e.g., erythema) can present differently depending on skin pigmentation. This post hoc analysis of 350 chronic wounds from a prospective 14-site clinical trial aimed to determine how the perception of clinical signs and symptoms of infection (CSS) differs by patient skin tone and if fluorescence-imaging can offer a more objective diagnostic solution. Participants were grouped by skin tone (low, medium, high) as measured by the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Classification (FSPC) scale. CSS and total bacterial load (TBL) were compared across FSPC groups, along with sensitivity to detect TBL >104 CFU/g using CSS alone and combined with fluorescence-imaging. Erythema was reported less often with increasing FSPC score (p = 0.05), from 13.4% (low), to 7.2% (medium), to 2.3% (high), despite comparable bacterial loads (median = 1.8 × 106 CFU/g). CSS sensitivity in the high group (2.9%) was 4.8-fold to 8.4-fold lower than the low (p = 0.003) and medium groups (p = 0.04). Fluorescence-imaging significantly improved the detection of high bacterial load in each group, peaking in the high group at 12-fold over CSS alone. These findings underscore the threat of pervasive racialized health inequities in wound care, where missed diagnosis of pathogenic bacteria and infection could delay treatment, increasing the risk of complications and poor outcomes. Fluorescence-imaging is poised to fill this gap, at least in part, serving as a more objective and equitable indicator of wound bacteria. Clinicaltrials.gov #NCT03540004 registered 16-05-2018.

Uncovering the high prevalence of bacterial burden in surgical site wounds with point-of-care fluorescence imaging.

Detection of bacterial burden within or near surgical wounds is critical to reducing the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI). A distinct lack of reliable methods to identify postoperative bioburden has forced reliance on clinical signs and symptoms of infection (CSS). As a result, infection management has been reactive, rather than proactive. Fluorescence imaging of bacterial burden (FL) is positioned to potentially flip that paradigm. This post hoc analysis evaluated 58 imaged and biopsied surgical site wounds from the multi-centre fluorescence imaging assessment and guidance clinical trial. Diagnostic accuracy measures of CSS and FL were evaluated. A reader study investigated the impact of advanced image interpretation experience on imaging sensitivity. Forty-four of fifty-eight surgical site wounds (75.8%) had bacterial loads >104  CFU/g (median = 3.11 × 105  CFU/g); however, only 3 of 44 were CSS positive (sensitivity of 6.8%). FL improved sensitivity of bacterial detection by 5.7-fold compared with CSS alone (P = .0005). Sensitivity improved by 11.3-fold over CSS among clinicians highly experienced with FL interpretation (P < .0001). Surgical sites that reach the stage of referral to a wound specialist frequently harbour asymptomatic high bacterial loads that delay healing and increase infection risk. Advanced imaging of pathological bacterial burden improves surgical site monitoring and may reduce the rate of SSIs.

Diagnosis and treatment of the invasive extension of bacteria (cellulitis) from chronic wounds utilising point-of-care fluorescence imaging.

Early diagnosis of wound-related cellulitis is challenging as many classical signs and symptoms of infection (erythema, pain, tenderness, or fever) may be absent. In addition, other conditions (ie, chronic stasis dermatitis) may present with similar clinical findings. Point-of-care fluorescence imaging detects elevated bacterial burden in and around wounds with high sensitivity. This prospective observational study examined the impact of incorporating fluorescence imaging into standard care for diagnosis and management of wound-related cellulitis. Two hundred thirty-six patients visiting an outpatient wound care centre between January 2020 and April 2021 were included in this study. Patients underwent routine fluorescence scans for bacteria (range: 1-48 scans/patient). Wound-related cellulitis was diagnosed in 6.4% (15/236) of patients. In these patients, fluorescence scans showed an irregular pattern of red (bacterial) fluorescence extending beyond the wound bed and periwound that could not be removed through cleansing or debridement, indicating the invasive extension of bacteria (wound-related cellulitis). Point-of-care identification facilitated rapid initiation of treatments (source control and antibiotics, when warranted) that resolved the fluorescence. No patients had worsening of cellulitis requiring intravenous antibiotics and/or hospitalisation. These findings demonstrate the utility of point-of-care fluorescence imaging for efficient detection and proactive, targeted management of wound-related cellulitis.

The quick carotid scan for prevention of strokes due to carotid artery disease.

There are approximately 800,000 strokes in the United States (U.S.) annually. This number has remained the same for decades despite efforts at prevention. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 80% of strokes could be prevented. A prime reason for failure of prevention is that the three immediate modifiable causes of strokes, carotid artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AFib), and hypertension (HTN) are asymptomatic in 80% of cases prior to the stroke. Strokes occur predominantly in seniors and the only possible means of reducing strokes on a large scale is to screen seniors for the asymptomatic disease so that it can be preemptively managed. We present a quick, accurate and cost-effective method of screening the senior population for asymptomatic carotid disease. The technique is a quick carotid scan (QCS). The QCS is a 1-minute long, image only, rapid, color flow ultrasound scan of the cervical carotid arteries that had a sensitivity of 97% when evaluated at New York University (NYU). Once identified by the QCS the approximately 8% of those screened found to have a positive QCS can then be referred for a full carotid duplex ultrasound (DUS). Those patients with a positive DUS can then be referred for further evaluation and appropriate stroke prevention management. The use of a full carotid DUS for screening widely for carotid disease is too time consuming and too costly. Approximately 160,000 or nearly 20% of the 800,000 strokes that occur annually in the U.S. are due to CAD that could in large part be prevented by screening the senior population with the QCS, finding those with CAD, evaluating them, and preemptively managing them prior to the occurrence of the stroke.

Insulated Offloading Provides Offloading Protection and Enhanced Skin Perfusion.

INTRODUCTION: Locally and neurally mediated vasodilation of the cutaneous vasculature has been shown to occur in response to locally and systemically applied heat stresses. The resultant shunting of blood to the periphery can be upwards of 7 L/min to 8 L/min when profound heat stresses are applied. The increased cutaneous circulation from local heat stress may benefit extremities afflicted with a wound or area of compromised arterial supply. Insulating the extremity also may increase local cutaneous perfusion. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine if increased local warmth from an insulated offloading boot or mitt (designed to protect an extremity from trauma, offload the extremity to prevent pressure ulcers, and insulate the extremity to minimize heat loss) also results in increased local cutaneous perfusion using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICGFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients from an outpatient wound care clinic with a wound or area of compromised arterial supply on the upper or lower extremity were studied prior to and following a minimum of a single 60-minute session of insulated offloading boot or mitt use utilizing ICGFA. Measurements taken were time to first onset of fluorescence (seconds) and ingress and egress rates for the area of concern and the remainder of the area imaged. RESULTS: All 9 patients exhibited signs of increased local warmth by a mean of 3.1ºF while body temperature decreased by a mean of 1.2ºF. Local cutaneous perfusion increased with a mean change of 1 for the ingress rate to the area of concern and a mean change of 0.1 to the remainder of the area imaged. Also, ICGFA was able to demonstrate preferential shunting of the increased cutaneous perfusion to the site of most need. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest enhanced skin perfusion may be an additional advantage of insulated offloading boot or mitt use.

Treatment of Nonreconstructable Critical Limb Ischemia With Ischemic Wounds Utilizing a Noninvasive Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Device Monitored With Fluorescence Angiography.

INTRODUCTION: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a leading cause of lower extremity amputation. When CLI is identified, revascularization should be performed if possible. When options for revascularization do not exist, use of a noninvasive intermittent pneumatic compression device (NPCD) can be considered. OBJECTIVE: Presented here are 2 cases of patients with nonreconstructable CLI at risk for limb loss who were serially assessed with indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICGFA) to determine the effects of NPCD use on local tissue perfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both patients were treated with the NPCD for 1 hour, 3 times per day, for 4 weeks. Serial ICGFA utilizing a ICGFA device was performed at various time points to monitor the effects of NPCD use on tissue perfusion. RESULTS: The treatment of both patients with serial ICGFA provided limited objective evidence of increased local tissue perfusion which expedited wound resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Larger randomized control trials of this modality of perfusion assessment and NPCD use are recommended.

Control of lower extremity edema in patients with diabetes: Double blind randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of mild compression diabetic socks.

AIMS: Persons with diabetes frequently present with lower extremity (LE) edema; however, compression therapy is generally avoided for fear of compromising arterial circulation in a population with a high prevalence of peripheral arterial disease. This double blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed whether diabetic socks with mild compression could reduce LE edema in patients with diabetes without negatively impacting vascularity. METHODS: Eighty subjects with LE edema and diabetes were randomized to receive either mild-compression knee high diabetic socks (18-25mmHg) or non-compression knee high diabetic socks. Subjects were instructed to wear the socks during all waking hours. Follow-up visits occurred weekly for four consecutive weeks. Edema was quantified through midfoot, ankle, and calf circumferences and cutaneous fluid measurements. Vascular status was tracked via ankle brachial index (ABI), toe brachial index (TBI), and skin perfusion pressure (SPP). RESULTS: Seventy-seven subjects (39 controls and 38 mild-compression subjects) successfully completed the study. No statistical differences between the two groups in terms of age, body mass index, gender, and ethnicity. Repeated measures analysis of variance and Sidak corrections for multiple comparisons were used for data analyses. Subjects randomized to mild-compression diabetic socks demonstrated significant decreases in calf and ankle circumferences at the end of treatment as compared to baseline. LE circulation did not diminish throughout the study with no significant decreases in ABI, TBI or SPP for either group. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this RCT suggest that mild compression diabetic socks may be effectively and safely used in patients with diabetes and LE edema.

Closed incision negative pressure therapy: international multidisciplinary consensus recommendations.

Surgical site occurrences (SSOs) affect up to or over 25% of patients undergoing operative procedures, with the subset of surgical site infections (SSIs) being the most common. Commercially available closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) may offer surgeons an additional option to manage clean, closed surgical incisions. We conducted an extensive literature search for studies describing ciNPT use and assembled a diverse panel of experts to create consensus recommendations for when using ciNPT may be appropriate. A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using key words 'prevention', 'negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)', 'active incisional management', 'incisional vacuum therapy', 'incisional NPWT', 'incisional wound VAC', 'closed incisional NPWT', 'wound infection', and 'SSIs' identified peer-reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2015. During a multidisciplinary consensus meeting, the 12 experts reviewed the literature, presented their own ciNPT experiences, identified risk factors for SSOs and developed comprehensive consensus recommendations. A total of 100 publications satisfied the search requirements for ciNPT use. A majority presented data supporting ciNPT use. Numerous publications reported SSI risk factors, with the most common including obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 ); diabetes mellitus; tobacco use; or prolonged surgical time. We recommend that the surgeon assess the individual patient's risk factors and surgical risks. Surgeons should consider using ciNPT for patients at high risk for developing SSOs or who are undergoing a high-risk procedure or a procedure that would have highly morbid consequences if an SSI occurred.

A literature-based guide to the conservative and surgical management of the acute Charcot foot and ankle.

Acute Charcot neuroarthropathy of the foot and ankle presents with the insidious onset of a unilateral acutely edematous, erythematous, and warm lower extremity. The acute stages are typically defined as Eichenholtz Stage 1, or Stage 0, which was first described by Shibata et al. in 1990. The ultimate goal of treatment is maintenance of a stable, plantigrade foot which can be easily shod, minimizing the risk of callus, ulceration, infection, and amputation. The gold standard of treatment is non-weight-bearing immobilization in a total contact cast. Surgical intervention remains controversial. A review of the literature was performed to provide an evidenced-based approach to the conservative and surgical management of acute Charcot neuroarthropathy of the foot and ankle.

The evolution of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy [NPWT1: a review of science, available devices, and evolution in the usage of NPWT.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is an important clinical tool with multiple published studies reporting more rapid formation of granulation tissue and a decreased time for wound healing.Since the induction of NPWT systems in 1995, there has been wide usage of the device for treatment of wounds. However, the past 18 years has also witnessed a significant shift in the way NPWT is utilized. Meeting the demands and wound care needs of an ever-growing population has resulted in several other companies releasing their versions of the NWPT device. Although there is a significant body of literature supporting the science and clinical advantages of the KCI system, the newer systems differ in terms of suction devices, connecting tubing, and wound interface materials. It cannot be assumed that the newly developed devices have the same science and clinical advantages as the KCI System. The purpose of this article is to review the science behind NPWT, assess and compare the currently available devices, and examine the scientific literature supporting the efficiency and application of NPWT in wound reconstruction.

Safety and efficacy of mild compression (18-25 mm Hg) therapy in patients with diabetes and lower extremity edema.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes often present with lower extremity (LE) edema; however, because of concomitant peripheral arterial disease, compression therapy is generally avoided by providers in fear of compromising arterial circulation. This pilot study sought to assess whether diabetic socks with mild compression (18-25 mm Hg) can reduce LE edema in patients with diabetes without negatively impacting vascularity. METHODS: Eighteen subjects (9 males, 9 females) aged 61 ± 11 years with diabetes, LE edema, and a mean ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 1.10 ± 0.21 successfully completed this uncontrolled study. At baseline, subjects were fitted and instructed to wear the socks during all waking hours. Follow-up visits occurred weekly for four consecutive weeks. Edema was quantified through midfoot, ankle, and calf circumferences and cutaneous fluid measurements. Vascular status was tracked via ABI. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance and least significant difference post hoc analyses were used for data analyses. Calf circumferences showed a statistically significant (p < .05) decrease of 1.3 ± 0.28 cm after just one week and remained significantly smaller than baseline throughout the study. Foot circumferences were significantly reduced at week 2 (-0.98 ± 0.35 cm) and remained significantly below baseline for the remainder of the study. The ankle also demonstrated a trend of circumference reduction but was not statistically significant. Cutaneous edema significantly reduced by week 3 (-3.1 ± 1.3 U) and remained so at week 4. Ankle-brachial index significantly increased (0.14 ± 0.049) at week 2 but was not significantly higher at weeks 3 or 4. No adverse events occurred during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Mild compression therapy (18-25 mm Hg) decreased swelling in diabetes patients with LE edema without compromising vascularity.

Axillary sheath hematomas causing neurologic complications following arterial access.

Iatrogenic brachial plexus injuries secondary to expanding hematomas and pseudoaneurysms have been described in limited nature in previously published data. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed neurologic deficits because of a compressive hematoma after axillary arteriography. She underwent emergent exploration of her left arm with decompression of the axillary sheath and brachial artery repair with complete recovery. We describe the presentation, relevant anatomy, and importance of this condition and stress the need for early recognition and surgical intervention to prevent permanent neurologic deficits.

Noninvasive assessment of lower extremity hemodynamics in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

The timely and accurate noninvasive assessment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a critical component of a limb preservation initiative in patients with diabetes mellitus. Noninvasive vascular studies (NIVS) can be useful in screening patients with diabetes for PAD. In patients with clinical signs or symptoms, NIVS provide crucial information on the presence, location, and severity of PAD, as well as an objective assessment of the potential for primary healing of an index wound or a surgical incision. Appropriately-selected NIVS are important in the decision-making process to determine whether and what type of intervention might be most appropriate, given the clinical circumstances. Hemodynamic monitoring is likewise very important following either an endovascular procedure or a surgical bypass. Surveillance studies, usually with a combination of physiologic testing and imaging with duplex ultrasound, accurately identify recurrent disease prior to the occurrence of thrombosis, allowing targeted reintervention. NIVS can be broadly grouped into three general categories: physiologic or hemodynamic measurements; anatomic imaging; and measurements of tissue perfusion. These types of tests and suggestions for their appropriate application in patients with diabetes are reviewed.

Noninvasive assessment of lower-extremity hemodynamics in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

The timely and accurate noninvasive assessment of peripheral arterial disease is a critical component of a limb preservation initiative in patients with diabetes mellitus. Noninvasive vascular studies can be useful in screening patients with diabetes for peripheral arterial disease. In patients with clinical signs or symptoms, noninvasive vascular studies provide crucial information on the presence, location, and severity of peripheral arterial disease and an objective assessment of the potential for primary healing of an index wound or a surgical incision. Appropriately selected noninvasive vascular studies are important in the decision-making process to determine whether and what type of intervention might be most appropriate given the clinical circumstances. Hemodynamic monitoring is likewise important after either an endovascular procedure or a surgical bypass. Surveillance studies, usually with a combination of physiologic testing and imaging with duplex ultrasound, accurately identify recurrent disease before the occurrence of thrombosis, allowing targeted reintervention. Noninvasive vascular studies can be broadly grouped into three general categories: physiologic or hemodynamic measurements, anatomical imaging, and measurements of tissue perfusion. These types of tests and suggestions for their appropriate application in patients with diabetes are reviewed.

A case of limb ischemia secondary to paradoxical embolism.

Paradoxical embolism is rarely considered a cause for acute limb ischemia. Although patent foramen ovales (PFOs) are often seen in young patients with stroke, clinicians may not consider evaluation for PFOs in young patients with acute peripheral ischemia. We present a 47-year-old patient presenting with lower extremity ischemia secondary to paradoxical embolism. This case highlights the importance of evaluating for paradoxical embolism in otherwise-unexplained cases of acute limb ischemia.

The impact of a podiatric lead limb preservation team on disease outcomes and risk prediction in the diabetic lower extremity: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We used a model of lower-extremity ulceration to determine the impact of a podiatric lead limb preservation team on identified relationships among risk factors, predictors of ulceration, amputation, and clinical outcomes of lower-extremity disease in patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 485 patients with diabetes mellitus were randomly selected from the diabetic population and included in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were then stratified into two groups: those who received specialty podiatric medical care and those who did not. Data covering a 5-year period were collected using electronic medical records and chart abstraction to capture detailed treatment characteristics, ulcer status, and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, the frequencies of inpatient and outpatient encounters and the durations of hospital stays were significantly greater with increasing wound depth and in the presence of infection. In addition, the overall ulcer incidence was greater in patients with callus (34.3% versus 10.3%, P < .0001) with and without neuropathy (20.4% and 4.1%, P < .0001). Among patients treated in a specialty multidiscipline podiatric medical setting, the proportion of all amputations that were "minor" was significantly increased (33.7% versus 67.3%, P = .0006), and survival was significantly improved (19.5% versus 7.7%, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of individuals at increased risk for lower-extremity ulceration and subsequent referral for advanced multidiscipline podiatric medical specialty care may decrease rates of ulceration and proximal amputation and improve survival in patients with diabetes mellitus who are at high risk for ulceration and limb loss.

Preserving functional capacity as opposed to tissue preservation in the diabetic patient: a single institution experience.

The authors performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of all diabetic patients who underwent transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) for toe gangrene or neuropathic ulceration from May 2006 to June 2009. Twenty-nine TMAs were performed in diabetic patients during the study period, including 24 men and 5 women with a mean +/- SD age of 66.3 +/- 7.5 years. The indications for TMA were gangrene of > or = 2 digits in 12 patients (41%) and neuropathic ulceration with underlying osteomyelitis or abscess and a concomitant dysfunctional forefoot in 17 patients (59%). Of the 12 patients who presented with toe gangrene, 7 (58%) underwent endovascular intervention and 5 (42%) underwent open vascular bypass. Equinus contracture was present in 27 patients (93%), and 26 (96%) of these patients underwent tendo-Achilles lengthening or gastrocnemius recession. Correction of equinus contracture was not performed in 1 patient as it was deemed not feasible. Forefoot varus deformity was present in 22 (76%) patients, and balancing was performed in 17 of these patients (77%) with skeletal stabilization or tendon transfer. Balancing was not performed in the remaining patients as it was not necessary or not feasible. Sixteen patients (55%) healed primarily and 5 patients (17%) developed minor wound separation that healed via secondary intention. An additional 4 patients were able to maintain functional revision procedures confined to the foot (1 TMA revision, 3 Chopart amputations). Three patients (10%) required below-knee amputation, and there were 2 deaths (7%) during the time period. Functional amputation confined to the foot was achieved in 86% of ambulatory diabetic patients. These results support a more aggressive initial approach in ambulatory diabetic patients with multiple digital ulcerations, allowing this patient population to remain functional and avoid multiple reoperations and ultimately major amputation.

Functional and survival outcomes in traumatic blunt thoracic aortic injuries: An analysis of the National Trauma Databank.

OBJECTIVE: Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BAI) remains a leading cause of trauma deaths, and off-label use of endovascular devices has been increasingly utilized in an effort to reduce the morbidity and mortality in this population. Utilizing a nationwide database, we determined the incidence of BAI, and analyzed both functional and survival outcomes at discharge compared with matched controls. METHODS: Patients with BAI were identified by International Classification of Disease-9 codes from the National Trauma Data Bank (Version 6.2), 2000-2005. Patients were analyzed based on aortic repair, associated physiologic burden, and coexisting injuries. Control groups were matched by age, mechanism, major thoracic Abbreviated Injury Scale score (AIS >/= 3), major head AIS, and major abdominal AIS. Outcomes were assessed using the functional independence measure (FIM) score and overall mortality. FIM scores were scored from 1 (full assistance required) to 4 (fully independent) for three categories: feeding, locomotion, and expression. RESULTS: During the study period, 3,114 patients with BAI were identified among 1.1 million trauma admissions for an overall incidence of 0.3%. One hundred thirteen (4%) were dead on arrival, and 599 (19%) died during triage. Of the patients surviving transport and triage (n = 2402), 29% had a concomitant major abdominal injury and 31% had a major head injury. Sixty-eight percent (1,642) underwent no repair, 28% (665) open aortic repair, and 4% (95) endovascular repair with associated mortality rates of 65%, 19%, and 18%, respectively (P < .05). Aortic repair independently improved survival when controlling for associated injuries and physiologic burden (odds ratio (OR) = 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.24-0.54, P < .05). Compared with matched controls, BAI resulted in a higher mortality (55% vs. 15%, P < .05), and independently contributed to mortality (OR = 4.04; 95% CI, 3.53-4.63, P < .05). In addition, BAI patients were less likely to be fully independent for feeding (72% vs. 82%, P < .05), locomotion (33% vs. 55%, P < .05), and expression (80% vs 88%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: This manuscript is the first to define the incidence of BAI utilizing the NTDB. Remarkably, two-thirds of patients are unable to undergo attempts at aortic repair, which portends a poor prognosis. When controlling for associated injuries, blunt aortic injury independently impacts survival and results in poor function in those surviving to discharge.

Cardiovascular risk factor screening and follow-up in a military population aged 40 years and older.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed a worksite-based cardiovascular risk assessment offered to soldiers aged 40 and older to identify unrecognized cardiovascular risk and evaluate compliance with instructions to follow up for further evaluation. METHODS: Participants had fasting blood tests, waist circumference and blood pressure measurement and a carotid artery duplex scan performed at their worksite. A healthcare professional discussed the participants' results with them and, if indicated, recommended follow up within the following one month. RESULTS: Seventy-six (46%) of the 163 eligible soldiers agreed to participate. Twenty-nine (38%) of the 76 participants were instructed to follow up for elevated blood pressure, glucose, or lipids. Only 7 of 29 (24%) complied with follow-up instructions. CONCLUSION: Voluntary worksite-based interventions can effectively identify soldiers with unmanaged cardiovascular risk factors, but a more aggressive follow-up strategy should be used to ensure these soldiers receive indicated medical intervention.