An update on chemical eye burns.

Ocular chemical injuries vary in severity, with the more severe end of the spectrum having profound visual consequences and medicolegal implications. Grading of ocular injuries is critical for determining acute treatment and visual prognosis. Poor immediate management results in more challenging treatment of acute disease. Similarly, poorly controlled acute disease results in more treatment-resistant chronic ocular disease. Despite several decades of research and public health initiatives, simple and effective interventions such as wearing protective eyewear and immediate irrigation of eyes remain as key challenges. Education and prevention are therefore important public health messages. Hurdles in the acute management of disease include poor evidence-base for commonly used treatments (e.g. based on experimental animal studies), reduced treatment adherence rates and high clinic non-attendance rates. The evolution of treatment strategies, particularly limbal stem cell transplantation, has revolutionised the visual and cosmetic outcomes in chronic phases of disease. It is therefore increasingly important to consider tertiary referral for patients with limbal stem cell failure or vision-limiting corneal scarring.

Management of Major Burns in 37 Casualties of a Colored Powder Explosion: Experience of the Linkou Burn Center in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: On June 27, 2015, a colored powder explosion occurred in Taiwan. As a result, 499 people were injured, and over 200 people were in critical condition because of severe burns. Forty-nine casualties were transported to the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. METHODS: We undertook a single-center retrospective observational study using clinical data for 37 patients with major burns with more than 20% total burn surface area (TBSA). We describe the experience of managing patients with acute burn injuries in these patients. Patient-specific data were analyzed and expressed as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: Thirty-seven major burn patients were admitted to our hospital. The mean ± SD age was 22.5 ± 5 years. The mean ± SD TBSA was 48.9% ± 20%. All patients were stabilized within 6 hours after admission, and no patient experienced hypothermia or hypovolemia. We performed 95 debridement procedures and 88 skin grafts. A mean of 5.6 surgeries were performed for each patient. The mean ± SD hospital stay was 62 ± 32 days. The ratio for hospital days/%TBSA was 1.36, and hospital charges/hospital days ratio was US $973 a day for surviving patients. Two mortalities (2/37, 5.4%) were reported: one was related to cardiac insult, and another was caused by sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: We share our experience in managing 37 major burn patients in a colored powder explosion to improve the holistic care in modern mass burn casualties. Aggressive early debridement and skin grafting reduced hospital stay and costs.

[Thermal injuries : Clinical and acute management in pediatric practice]. / Thermische Verletzungen : Klinik und Akutmanagement in der pädiatrischen Praxis.

BACKGROUND: Each year 30,000 children suffer from burn injuries in Germany and 2000 of these children must be treated in special pediatric burn centers. Approximately two thirds of these children are less than 4 years old, 70% of thermal injuries are due to scalding with hot liquids. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to give an overview of the characteristics of pediatric burn trauma with recommendations for initial treatment, surgical therapy as well as follow-up treatment. CONCLUSION: Physicians are especially challenged by pediatric burn injuries which can cause lifelong stigma by scarring and other physical defects. The treatment of pediatric thermal injuries should be performed in clinics with expertise in treating pediatric burns to achieve optimal results.

[Evaluation and treatment of patients after caustic ingestion].

This article presents recommendations regarding early management of patients after intake of corrosive chemicals, based on best evidence and clinical experience. Risk assessment built on clinical history, presentation and endoscopy is discussed as well as initial treatment, surgical appraisal and observation. Controversy still surrounds the need for endoscopy in asymptomatic patients, the use of computed tomography in assessing the severity of lesions as well as pharmacological treatment for preventing strictures.

Glaucoma after chemical burns and radiation.

Glaucoma after chemical burns represents a posttraumatic glaucoma, usually open-angle glaucoma. It is a frequent complication of chemical burns, especially with alkali and it can appear in the acute stage or as a late complication. Because of the complications and scars, the treatment is very difficult. Topical treatment is based on AC inhibitors, ß-blockers, α2-agonists. Trabeculectomy, shunts, cyclophotocoagulation, and cryotherapy are the solutions in the late stages. Glaucoma after irradiation is a closing-angle secondary glaucoma. The risk factors such as the radiation dose and the volume of the radiated structure are important in the appearance and evolution of this type of glaucoma. Topical treatment is usually ineffective, the preferable options being laser and surgical treatments. Although it is not a frequently seen pathology, it is important to know how to diagnose and treat this type of glaucoma. There are various options available for treatment, but choosing one is difficult because of the possible complications.

High doses of methylprednisolone in the management of caustic esophageal burns.

OBJECTIVE: Caustic substance ingestion in childhood is a public health issue in developing countries, and several management protocols have been proposed to prevent the resulting esophageal strictures. The role of corticosteroids in preventing corrosive-induced strictures is controversial. Our aim was to study the influence of high doses of corticosteroids in preventing esophageal strictures. METHODS: Eighty-three children with a mean age of 4.10 6 2.63 years and with grade IIb esophageal burns (an esophagogastroscopy was performed within 24­48 hours of injury) due to corrosive substance ingestion were enrolled in our study between 2005 and 2008. Forty-two children (study group) received methylprednisolone (1 g/1.73 m2 per day for 3 days), ranitidine, ceftriaxone, and total parenteral nutrition. Forty-one children (control group) were administered the same regimen excluding methylprednisolone. Stricture development was compared between groups based on endoscopic and radiologic findings. RESULTS: During the endoscopic examination, stricture development was observed in 4 patients (10.8%) in the study group and in 12 patients (30%) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P = .038). The stricture development rate in the upper gastrointestinal system with barium meal was 14.3% and 45.0% in the study and control groups, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P = .004). The duration of total parenteral nutrition was shorter in the study group compared with the control group (P = .001). High doses of methylprednisolone were well tolerated in the study group without any side effects. CONCLUSIONS: High doses of methylprednisolone used for the management of grade IIb esophageal burns may reduce stricture development.

Glaucoma in patients with ocular chemical burns.

PURPOSE: To examine the development and management of glaucoma in patients with ocular chemical burns. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational case series. METHODS: setting: University of Washington Eye Clinics. patient population: Twenty-nine eyes (18 patients) with ocular chemical burns seen between 1997 and 2010 with a minimum of 3 months of follow-up. observation procedure: Eyes were graded using the Roper-Hall scale. main outcome measures: Long-term use of glaucoma medications (3 months or more) and need for glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 45 ± 17 years, with a mean follow-up of 75 ± 47 months (median, 66 months). Roper-Hall grade III or IV eyes (n = 20) had significantly higher intraocular pressure at presentation (35.9 vs 16.4 mm Hg; P = .001) and over follow-up were more likely to require long-term glaucoma medications (P = .003) or to undergo glaucoma surgery (P = .016) than Roper-Hall grade I or II eyes. Thirteen eyes (12 Roper-Hall grade III or IV) underwent glaucoma surgery. Eight eyes underwent glaucoma tube implant surgery; 4 required at least 1 revision. Seven eyes underwent diode laser cyclophotocoagulation; 4 required repeat treatment. Most (89%) eyes had controlled intraocular pressure at the last follow-up. However, 76% of eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or worse at initial evaluation did not have improved vision at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with Roper-Hall grade III or IV ocular chemical burns were more likely to have glaucoma and to require surgery for it. Outcomes of glaucoma management generally were good, although tube implant surgeries often had complications requiring revision.

Comparison of prognostic value of Roper Hall and Dua classification systems in acute ocular burns.

AIM: To compare the predictive outcome of ocular burns using two different prognostic classification systems, that is, Dua and Roper Hall classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial, the extent of acute ocular burns in 100 patients was graded by Roper Hall and Dua classifications. Patients were randomised in two groups of 50 each to receive conventional medical therapy alone or additional amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). Moderate burns were graded similarly (grade II and III) under both systems, while severe burns were classified differently and compared further. Baseline parameters (size of epithelial defect, corneal haze, limbal ischaemia, conjunctival involvement and visual acuity) and outcome variables (healing of epithelial defect, corneal clarity, corneal vascularisation, visual outcome and symblepharon) after 1 year were noted and compared. RESULTS: There was no difference in terms of time taken and rate of healing of epithelial defect, but there was a significant difference in extent of corneal vascularisation between grades IV, V and VI (p<0.05). In patients who received AMT in addition to medical therapy, the degree of corneal clarity achieved was significantly better in patients with grade IV burns than either grade V (p=0.045) or grade VI (p=0.024) burns, and final visual acuity was significantly better in these patients (p=0.043). On comparison of patients with grade IV burns (with and without AMT), the outcome in terms of extent of corneal vascularisation was significantly better (p=0.0124) in patients who received AMT. CONCLUSIONS: Dua classification by providing further subclassification of grade IV ocular burns by Roper Hall into three separate grades has a superior prognostic predictive value in severe ocular burns.

Subconjunctival application of regenerative factor-rich plasma for the treatment of ocular alkali burns.

PURPOSE: To study the efficiency of the subconjunctival application of autologous regenerative factor-rich plasma (RFRP) in patients with different degrees of ocular alkali burns. METHODS: Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients with ocular alkali burns were analyzed. They were classified into moderate and relevance groups according to the severity of the burn. A control group was established for each with conventional topical medical treatment; subconjunctival regenerative factor rich plasma (RFRP) was applied to the other groups. A further group was added to the severe chemical burn group, which received autohemotherapy. The clinical evolution of the lesions and the period in which the pathology prevented the patient from working were studied; monitoring was carried out until the patient had healed. RESULTS: In the moderate chemical burns, there was a significant reduction in corneal and conjunctival epithelization times, sick leave duration, and healing time when the patients were treated with RFRP in comparison to the control group. With regard to the severe burns, significant reduction in time to corneal scarring in those treated with RFRP in comparison to traditional treatment was reported. RFRP showed, at least as effective and less side effects than the autohemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Subconjunctival infiltration with autologous RFRP can be considered an effective, straightforward, and economical form of treatment for burns of the ocular surface.

[A modified classification of chemical esophageal burn and its consequences].

A modified classification of esophageal chemical burn and its consequences, based on the now existing classifications summary and the clinic experience analysis is presented.

Evaluation of therapeutic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in acute ocular chemical burns.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in acute ocular chemical burns. METHODS: The study was conducted in 50 eyes of 50 patients (24 male, 26 female) with average age of 38.3+/-14.3 years. DALK in 5 eyes (10%), DALK with quadrant conjunctivo-limbal graft in 25 eyes (50%), and DALK with amniotic membrane in 20 eyes (40%) were performed along with conventional medical therapy. Controls who were matched in all respects (50 eyes) were given medical therapy only as they refused surgical intervention. RESULTS: Follow-up of cases ranged from 6 to 48 months (mean 21.5+/-14.18 months). Forty-three eyes (86%) could be restored with clear cornea as compared to 6% in control group. The visual acuity improvement was seen in 100% with good score (0.49+/-1.46) in DALK group as compared to 18% with low score (0.03+/-0.01) in control group (p<0.0001). Visual acuity improvement in DALK was 6/12 in 19 eyes (38%), 6/24 in 28 eyes (56%), and 6/36 in 3 eyes (6%) but was 3/60-6/60 in 6 eyes (12%) and finger counting only in 3 eyes (6%) in control group. Eyes with advanced grade II and grade III showed better improvement than those with burns of grade IV (p<0.05). The discomfort was relieved and epithelial healing was achieved immediately in DALK as compared to a prolonged course in control group (p<0.0001). Vascularization presented in 38% in DALK with least score (0.13+0.15) as compared to 100% in control group with high score (2.8+/-0.30). Perforation of cornea was seen only in 2 cases (4%) in DALK with low score (0.03+/-0.10) as compared to 88% in control group (1.33+/-0.20). Symblepharon was seen in 2% in DALK group as compared to 62% in control group. CONCLUSIONS: DALK with and without conjunctival or amniotic membrane transplantation is an effective technique in restoring the integrity of the eye with an excellent graft transparency in 86% and improvement in visual acuity in 100% of the acute chemical burns.

Caustic ingestion in adults: the role of endoscopic classification in predicting outcome.

BACKGROUND: The ingestion of caustic substances induces an extensive spectrum of injuries to the aerodigestive tract which include extensive necrosis and perforation of the esophagus and stomach. The gold standard of safely assessing depth, extent of injury, and appropriate therapeutic regimen is esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The objective of this study was to report our clinical experience and to evaluate the role of a 6-point EGD classification system of injury in predicting outcomes in adult patients diagnosed with caustic agent ingestion. METHODS: The study was a retrospective medical chart review from 273 patients admitted to the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Tao-Yuan, Taiwan between June 1999 and July 2006 for treatment of caustic ingestion. The patients underwent EGD within 24 hours of admission and mucosal damage was graded using Zagar's modified endoscopic classification scheme. After treatment, patients were followed in the outpatient clinic for a minimum of 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients were included for analysis. Grade 3b injury was the most common caustic injury (n = 82, 30.03%), followed by grade 2b injuries (n = 62, 22.71%). Stricture was the most common complication (n = 66, 24.18%), followed by aspiration pneumonia (n = 31, 11.36%), and respiratory failure (n = 21, 7.69%). Compared to grade 3a mucosal injury, grade 3b mucosal injuries were at greater risk of prolonged hospital stay (odds ratio [OR]: 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-4.80), ICU admission (OR: 10.82; 95% CI: 2.05-200.39), and gastrointestinal (OR: 4.15; 95% CI: 1.55-13.29) and systemic complications (OR: 4.07; 95% CI: 1.81-14.07). CONCLUSION: In patients with caustic ingestion, EGD should be performed within 12 to 24 hours and categorized according to a 6-point scale. Patients with grade 3b burns identified on endoscopy have high rates of morbidity. The 6-point scale is useful for predicting immediate and long-term complications, and guiding appropriate therapy.

Histopathologic limbus evolution after alkaline burns.

PURPOSE: To study the histopathologic evolution of the corneal limbus after alkaline burns according to the clinical severity and therapy used. METHODS: A prospective study of 15 eyes from 12 patients (9 men and 3 women) with moderate and severe alkaline burns was performed. All patients were divided into 2 groups in accordance with the clinical ocular severity and the therapy that was used: medical therapy, amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT), autologous limbal transplantation (ALT), and ALT combined with AMT (ALT + AMT). Biopsies were obtained from affected limbal areas immediately after the ocular burn and 9 months later. RESULTS: Limbal regeneration was limited to small areas in patients with moderate burns treated with medical therapy; in contrast, the limbal structure showed significant stromal and epithelial regeneration in patients with moderate burns treated with AMT. There was an important stromal regeneration with an incomplete reepithelialization in patients with severe burns treated with AMT. Patients treated with ALT showed a good reepithelialization with a defective stromal regeneration. Epithelial and stromal regeneration was notable in patients with severe burns treated with ALT + AMT. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with moderate alkaline burns, AMT improved both limbal stromal and epithelial regeneration more effectively than medical therapy. In patients with severe burns, the best reepithelialization and stromal regeneration were obtained with ALT + AMT.

Updates on the evaluation and management of caustic exposures.

In 2004, the American Association of Poison Control Centers' Toxic Exposure Surveillance System documented over 200,000 exposures to caustic substances, in both household and industrial products. Although the most commonly affected body areas are the face, eyes, and extremities, all reported fatalities were as a result of ingestion. Little controversy exists in patient management following dermal or ocular caustic exposure. Immediate water irrigation of the site of caustic exposure, followed by routine burn care, analgesia, intravenous fluids, and electrolyte replacement are standards of care. In this manuscript, a thorough review of the management of gastrointestinal caustic exposure is explored, not only because of the high rates of morbidity and mortality associated with these exposures, but also because there remains controversy regarding appropriate management of such exposures. Hydrofluoric acid, a weak acid in its aqueous form, requires special consideration and specific antidotes, and as such, is addressed separately.

Proposed new classification scheme for chemical injury to the human eye.

PURPOSE: Various ocular alkali burn classification schemes have been published and used to grade human chemical eye injuries for the purpose of identifying treatments and forecasting outcomes. The ILSI chemical eye injury classification scheme was developed for the additional purpose of collecting detailed human eye injury data to provide information on the mechanisms associated with chemical eye injuries. This information will have clinical application, as well as use in the development and validation of new methods to assess ocular toxicity. METHODS: A panel of ophthalmic researchers proposed the new classification scheme based upon current knowledge of the mechanisms of eye injury, and their collective clinical and research experience. Additional ophthalmologists and researchers were surveyed to critique the scheme. The draft scheme was revised, and the proposed scheme represents the best consensus from at least 23 physicians and scientists. RESULTS: The new scheme classifies chemical eye injury into five categories based on clinical signs, symptoms, and expected outcomes. Diagnostic classification is based primarily on two clinical endpoints: (1) the extent (area) of injury at the limbus, and (2) the degree of injury (area and depth) to the cornea. CONCLUSIONS: The new classification scheme provides a uniform system for scoring eye injury across chemical classes, and provides enough detail for the clinician to collect data that will be relevant to identifying the mechanisms of ocular injury.

Severe ocular injury resulting from chuna packets.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a mechanism of severe ocular alkali burns occurring as a result of bursting of chuna packets (edible calcium hydroxide paste), a popular additive to chewing tobacco in India. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one patients (25 eyes) who experienced ocular burns as a result of bursting of chuna packets. INTERVENTION: Patients were treated medically or with 1 or more of the following surgeries: symblepharon release, amniotic membrane grafting, allograft or autograft stem cell transplantation, or both, and large diameter lamellar keratoplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were time interval between the injury and presentation, presenting visual acuity, grade of injury, management (medical therapy or surgical intervention), and final visual outcome at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The average age at time of injury was 8.4+/-5.5 years. The median visual acuity at presentation was light perception with projection. The ocular burns were grade 4 in 23 eyes. Eight of 25 eyes were treated medically, and the rest underwent 1 or more surgeries in the form of symblepharon release (n = 6), amniotic membrane grafting (n = 3), allograft or autograft stem cell transplantation (n = 6), and large diameter lamellar keratoplasty (n = 6). At the final follow-up (mean, 637+/-592 days), median visual acuity was 1/60. CONCLUSIONS: Bursting of chuna packets can cause severe ocular alkali burns in children. These patients carry a poor visual prognosis with both medical and surgical therapy.

Corrosive injury of the oesophagus in children.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined a cohort of pediatric patients treated for suspected corrosive injury of the oesophagus in the ENT department between 1994 and 2003. METHODS: During the study period we examined 337 patients. All patients were treated according to an individual diagnostico-therapeutic protocol that included: foremost, early rigid oesophagoscopy; intensive medical therapy; nasogastric tube placement; and/or surgical intervention. RESULTS: Our proposed system of grading on a scale from 0 to 4 was used to classify the findings upon oesophagoscopy. One hundred eighty eight patients (55.7%) had a negative exam; 1st degree corrosive injury was present in 58 patients (17.4%); 2nd and 3rd degree injury in 81 patients (24%); and 4th degree was found in 10 patients (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Because the endoscopic findings were positive in 44% of patients with suspected corrosive injury, early rigid oesophagoscopy is indicated in all patients suspected of having corrosive injury even in the absence of clinical symptoms.

Biochemical indicators of caustic ingestion and/or accompanying esophageal injury in children.

A prospective clinical study was conducted to evaluate whether or not any biochemical predictor of caustic ingestion and complicating esophageal injury exists. Children who were admitted to the hospital within 24 hours following caustic substance ingestion between 1994 and 2000 inclusive were evaluated. The ingested substance and complaints upon admission were noted. Groups were constructed according to the ingested substances such as household bleach (HB) (Group 1), acid (Group 2) or alkali ingestion (Group 3). Full biochemical analyses, chest X-ray and blood gas estimations were obtained and children were evaluated endoscopically. Seventy-eight children were studied. There were 19, 20 and 39 children in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There were no sex or age differences among groups (p>0.05). Esophagogastric injury was not encountered in Group 1. Second degree injury was present in 12 and 11 children in Group 2 and Group 3, respectively. Blood pH level was decreased in Group 1 (p=0.013), but not different in Groups 2 and 3 (p>0.05). pH did not differ in patients with or without esophageal injury (p>0.05). While serum uric acid values were significantly increased in children with esophageal burn (p=0.001), serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly decreased in children with esophageal injury (p=0.01 and p=0.019, respectively). Blood bicarbonate and serum potassium, chloride, urea nitrogen, creatinine, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, calcium, glucose, protein, albumin and bilirubin levels did not differ between group (p>0.05), nor between patients with or without complicating esophageal injury (p>0.05). Low serum pH level is an indicator of HB ingestion. Routine endoscopy may not be necessary in children with normal blood pH values after ingestion. Although normal values of pH, uric acid, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels do not rule out ingestion of an acid-or alkali-containing substance other than HB, increase in uric acid and decreases in phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels point to the presence of an esophageal injury.