Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect traumatic intracranial haematoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Head injury is the most common trauma presentation to UK emergency departments, with around 1.2 million patients each year. The key management principal for this time critical illness remains early surgical intervention. With the development of handheld near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) devices, there is now the possibility of triaging and diagnosing these patients immediately, where computed tomography (CT) scanner is unavailable. NIRS has two related but distinct potential uses within clinical medicine. Firstly, as a triage tool both in hospital and prehospital settings by doctors, nurses or paramedics as determined by its negative predictive value (NPV). Secondly, as a diagnostic aid as determined by its positive predictive value (PPV). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is therefore to interrogate the current literature on NIRS in detecting intracranial haematomas. RESULTS: NIRS technology has a cross-study sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 90%, PPV of 77%, and a NPV of 90%, which does not meet current standards as a diagnostic/triage tool in the populations studied. Additionally, its use is limited to those without extracranial injuries and may also be complicated by long scan times. CONCLUSION: Larger and more heterogeneous studies are required for specifically evaluating NIRS performance in detecting intracranial lesions requiring emergency evacuation.

Intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulation for patients with traumatic high cervical injuries and ventilator dependent respiratory failure: A systematic review of safety and effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulation using an abdominal laparoscopic approach has been proposed as a safer alternative to traditional phrenic nerve stimulation. It has also been suggested that early implementation of diaphragmatic pacing may prevent diaphragm atrophy and lead to earlier ventilator independence. The aim of this study was therefore to systematically review the safety and effectiveness of intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulators in the treatment of patients with traumatic high cervical injuries resulting in long-term ventilator dependence, with particular emphasis on the affect of timing of insertion of such stimulators. METHODS: The Cochrane database and PubMed were searched between January 2000 and June 2015. Reference lists of selected papers were also reviewed. The inclusion criteria used to select from the pool of eligible studies were: (1) reported on adult patients with traumatic high cervical injury, who were ventilator-dependant, (2) patients underwent intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulation, and (3) commented on safety and/or effectiveness. RESULTS: 12 articles were included in the review. Reported safety issues post insertion of intramuscular electrodes included pneumothorax, infection, and interaction with pre-existing cardiac pacemaker. Only one procedural failure was reported. The percentage of patients reported as independent of ventilatory support post procedure ranged between 40% and 72.2%. The mean delay of insertion ranged from 40 days to 9.7 years; of note the study with the average shortest delay in insertion reported the greatest percentage of fully weaned patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although evidence for intramuscular diaphragmatic stimulation in patients with high cervical injuries and ventilator dependent respiratory failure is currently limited, the technique appears to be safe and effective. Earlier implantation of such devices does not appear to be associated with greater surgical risk, and may be more effective. Further high quality studies are warranted to investigate the impact of delay of insertion on ventilator weaning.