BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Xe-CT measures CBF and can be used to make clinical treatment decisions. Availability has been limited, in part due to safety concerns. Due to improvements in CT technology, the concentration of inhaled xenon gas has been decreased from 32% to 28%. To our knowledge, no data exist regarding the safety profile of this concentration. We sought to better determine the safety profile of this lower concentration through a multicenter evaluation of adverse events reported by all centers currently performing xenon/CT studies in the US.

The INVOS cerebral oximeter and portable xenon enhanced CT (Xe/CT) scan are two commonly used diagnostic devices in patients who have experienced neurologic insults such as traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid hemorrhage. While the INVOS device is a relatively inexpensive, non-invasive measure of cerebral blood oxygen saturation, Xe/CT is a more complex costly diagnostic test that is the current gold standard for assessing cerebral perfusion in patients in the neurosciences intensive care unit (NSI) at the University of New Mexico Hospital. The purpose of this research was to investigate a possible relationship between these two diagnostic devices that might enable clinicians to better determine the appropriate timing and necessity of Xe/CT scans by evaluating trends in cerebral oximetry. The research was conducted in the University of New Mexico Hospital NSI over 18 months, with 25 imaging studies being collected from among 22 patients. Computer generated cortical segments obtained from the Xe/CT scans were correlated to INVOS cerebral oximeter pad placement on each patient's forehead, and the values were then compared using Spearman correlation coefficients. In this study, no statistically significant relationship between the devices was found although expansion of the study to a greater number of patients may uncover such a relationship.

Currently, strength greater than 20 mm Hg of compression is considered necessary for support hose used to treat symptomatic venous insufficiency in lower extremities. This strength is frequently uncomfortable, which reduces compliance and therefore clinical effectiveness. Whether more comfortable, nonprescription, light compression support hose is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate venous insufficiency was investigated in 36 men with subjective complaints and objective signs (per Doppler ultrasound) of lower extremity venous insufficiency. All participants wore padded, light-compression (6 mm Hg), crew-height socks for 1 month. Then, participants were assigned to one of two groups on the basis of initial Doppler results. The half with the worst results wore stronger-compression (12 mm Hg) over-the-calf support socks, on the assumption that patients with worse venous insufficiency would require more support; those with the better Doppler results continued to wear the light-compression socks. Participants were retested at monthly intervals for 3 months. In each group, data indicated that the venous insufficiency for all patients improved objectively and subjectively. Many of the objective venous values improved with either statistical or highly statistical significance-specifically deep venous valve function, superficial venous valve functions, and venous capacity-without statistically altering arterial function. Improvement occurred in the first month of the trial and continued throughout the study. The use of light-compression support socks is effective and should be considered as a first line of therapy in treatment of mild to moderate venous insufficiency.

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As far back as the times of Neanderthal caveman, skeletons show obvious limb amputations suggesting tourniquet use. Yet even today thousands of people's deaths are tourniquet related, both military and civilian. These deaths are preventable. Why do they still occur? How can they be prevented?Recent terrorist attacks in US and abroad, catastrophic natural events such as tornados and earth quakes and even just motor vehicle or hunting accidents can all result in injuries treatable with tourniquets. Not all tourniquet related deaths occur in war/conflict areas or are military related [1][2][3]. Danger is ever present, but simple and economical measures can be instituted to greatly reduce the incidence of tourniquet related deaths, both military and civilian.