A case series: bilateral ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to large volume fluid resuscitation in critically ill burn patients.

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) in the trauma setting is a rare and devastating condition associated with systemic hypotension, massive volume resuscitation, and sepsis. The objective of this case series is to highlight a potential correlation between severe burn and ischemic optic neuropathy. We present three patients with total body surface area (TBSA) thermal injury burns ranging from 57 to 68% treated at the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center that developed bilateral ischemic optic neuropathy during their hospital stay. Each patient required greater than 25 L of crystalloid fluid within 24 h after admission, suffered multiple bouts of sepsis, and required extended pressor support. We postulate that ischemic optic neuropathy develops as a result of the interplay between the patient's systemic pathophysiology, i.e. shock, sepsis and the continued need for large volume fluid resuscitation. Current treatments of ION have not proven to be effective, except for possibly limiting fluid resuscitation. In the few cases of refractory burn shock, the incidence of this condition is unlikely to be readily improved. However, it is important for clinicians to be aware of this devastating complication and consider early ophthalmology involvement in the care of severely burned patients.

Flavor compounds and quality parameters of chevon as influenced by sericea lespedeza hay.

This research assessed the utilization of sericea lespedeza (SL, Lespedeza cuneata ) hay, a highly condensed tannin (CT) forage (87-181 g CT/kg), as a dietary regimen of meat goats, and thereby the effects on physicochemical properties of goat meat (chevon) and flavor compounds in cooked chevon chops were evaluated. Although it is commonly believed that higher amounts of CT can have deleterious effects on animal performance due to low digestibility and low voluntary intakes in ruminants, feeding meat goats with SL hay increased the body weight compared to goats fed bermudagrass hay without altering the chemical composition and meat quality of chevon. Feeding SL hay to meat goats also did not significantly influence the flavor volatiles in cooked chevon chops. The findings indicate that SL hay can be used as a low-input forage to replace expensive forages.