Background We hypothesized that the recent change of sepsis definition by sepsis-3 would facilitate the measurement of timing of sepsis for trauma patients presenting with initial systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Moreover, we investigated factors associated with sepsis according to the sepsis-3 definition.Methods Trauma patients in a single level I trauma center were retrospectively reviewed from January 2014 to December 2016. Exclusion criteria were younger than 18 years, Injury Severity Score (ISS) <15, length of stay <8 days, transferred from other hospitals, uncertain trauma history, and incomplete medical records. A binary logistic regression test was used to identify the risk factors for sepsis-3.Results A total of 3,869 patients were considered and, after a process of exclusion, 422 patients were reviewed. Fifty patients (11.85%) were diagnosed with sepsis. The sepsis group presented with higher mortality (14 [28.0%] vs. 17 [4.6%], P<0.001) and longer intensive care unit stay (23 days [range, 11 to 35 days] vs. 3 days [range, 1 to 9 days], P<0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that, in men, high lactate level and red blood cell transfusion within 24 hours were risk factors for sepsis. The median timing of sepsis-3 was at 8 hospital days and 4 postoperative days. The most common focus was the respiratory system.Conclusions Sepsis defined by sepsis-3 remains a critical issue in severe trauma patients. Male patients with higher ISS, lactate level, and red blood cell transfusion should be cared for with caution. Reassessment of sepsis should be considered at day 8 of hospital stay or day 4 postoperatively.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the ultrasonographic variation of the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC), internal jugular vein (IJV), subclavian vein (SCV), and femoral vein (FV) to predict fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients. Relevant articles were obtained by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases (articles up to 21 October 2021). The number of true positives, false positives, false negatives, and true negatives for the index test to predict fluid responsiveness was collected. We used a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics model and bivariate model for meta-analysis. Finally, 30 studies comprising 1719 patients were included in this review. The ultrasonographic variation of the IVC showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.75 and 0.83, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.86. In the subgroup analysis, there was no difference between patients on mechanical ventilation and those breathing spontaneously. In terms of the IJV, SCV, and FV, meta-analysis was not conducted due to the limited number of studies. The ultrasonographic measurement of the variation in diameter of the IVC has a favorable diagnostic accuracy for predicting fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients. However, there was insufficient evidence in terms of the IJV, SCV, and FV.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of massive transfusion (MT), critical administration threshold (CAT), and resuscitation intensity (RI) for the mortality of trauma patients with severe hemorrhage. Methods: Seventeen relevant articles were obtained by searching the PubMed databases through February 15, 2019. The estimated mortality rates and injury severity scores were obtained through a meta-analysis. In addition, diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) reviews were conducted to obtain the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and the summary receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: At 24 hours, the estimated mortality rates were 0.194, 0.126, and 0.168 in assessments using MT, CAT, and RI, respectively. In addition, the pooled sensitivity of CAT (0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.94) was significantly higher than that of MT (0.63; 95% CI, 0.57-0.68) and RI (0.69; 95% CI, 0.63-0.75). Overall, the pooled specificity of MT and CAT was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.80-0.83) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.83-0.88), respectively, while the pooled sensitivity was 0.49 (95% CI, 0.44-0.54) and 0.50 (95% CI, 0.38-0.62), respectively. Conclusion: CAT may be a more sensitive predictor for 24-hour mortality than other predictors. Furthermore, RI also appears to be a useful predictor for 24-hour mortality. Both MT and CAT showed high specificity for overall mortality.

Objectives: Rasmussen’s aneurysm may cause life-threatening hemoptysis. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with hemoptysis and Rasmussen’s aneurysm.Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients who clinically presented with hemoptysis and were diagnosed with a Rasmussen’s aneurysm on spiral chest computed tomography (CT).Results: Our study included 16 patients (men:women, 12:4; mean age, 65.25 ± 13.0 years). Massive hemoptysis was observed in nine patients (56%) and blood-tinged sputum in four patients (25%). Ten patients (62.5%) had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, and three patients (18.7%) had underlying lung cancer. Chest CT revealed coexisting fungal balls in seven patients (43.7%). Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) was performed in 12 patients (75%). One patient died of uncontrolled massive hemoptysis.Conclusions: Patients with Rasmussen’s aneurysm showed hemoptysis during the course of the disease; however, bleeding can be controlled with conservative therapy and radiological interventions, such as BAE.

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Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a novel technique to maintain proximal arterial pressure. It is important to locate the balloon catheter correctly in performing REBOA but it is inaccurate to check the catheter position by external measurement. Even if the position of the catheter is initially confirmed by X-ray, it is difficult to determine the location of the catheter that changes according to various situations. We performed REBOA under real-time fluoroscopy and could maintain the catheter in correct position under various situations.

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that primarily causes opportunistic infections. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rare infection that can occur in immunocompromised patients, nevertheless, prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential because it can be fatal. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis can only be diagnosed based on the findings of a pathological examination. Mucormycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis if the condition of patients with underlying immunocompromised conditions or diseases does not improve with general intensive care.