[Bilateral eye injuries by external transversal force]

A 49-year-old female victim of violent crime with an acute bilateral loss of vision was referred to our hospital. The ophthalmological evaluation showed complete subconjunctival hemorrhage of both eyes, bilateral hemophthalmos and hypotonia of the left eye. These raised the suspicion of an occult scleral rupture. We immediately performed exploratory surgery and found a perforating scleral lesion of the left eye and a penetrating scleral lesion of the right eye. Furthermore, a small, cruciform wound was detected on the left temple. In cooperation with the department of radiology, the extraordinary injury pattern was reconstructed: a horizontal stab wound with perforation of the left eye and penetration of the right eye caused by a screwdriver. Visual rehabilitation necessitated further surgical interventions. Besides the intraoperative approach, immediate primary wound management within 100 h of trauma plays a pivotal role for long-term outcome.

[Universal newborn hearing screening in Marien Hospital Hamburg from September 1999 till April 2002]

BACKGROUND

With a prevalence of 5 in 1000 newborns with a hearing disorder, the congenital hearing disorders apparently constitute a serious health problem. The aim of this study was the introduction of a universal newborn hearing screening at our clinic. We also investigated if a universal screening only on parents' demand is possible.

METHODS

From September 1999 to April 2002 a total of 3049 newborns, delivered at the Marien Hospital in Hamburg 97 %, were screened with the Echo-Screen TE (Fischer-Zoth).

RESULTS

Only 2 of the 3049 screened infants showed signs of severe sensori-neural hearing loss. Both children belonged to high risk groups. During the period of the parental request for an investigation only 10.4 % of the newborn were screened compared to 97 % newborns during the universal newborn hearing screening.

CONCLUSION

By measurement of TEOAE alone, we found a significantly lower incidence of hearing disorders than reported in literature; it may therefore not be sufficient for screening. Universal newborn hearing screening only performed on parents' demand seems to be impossible to conduct. Also before establishing a universal newborn hearing screening, cost allocation has to be solved.

Platelet function testing in apheresis products: flow cytometric, resonance thrombographic (RTG) and rotational thrombelastographic (roTEG) analyses

During storage of platelet concentrates, quality control of the units is mandatory. This includes the important testing of the hemostatic function of platelets. So far, mostly platelet aggregation analyses have been performed. In this study, new approaches were tested to evaluate the applicability of modern techniques for quality monitoring. Plateletpheresis was performed with two different cell separators (AMICUS cell separator, Fenwal, Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, USA; COBE Spectra, COBE BCT, Lakewood, USA). In each procedure split products (n = 22) were prepared and stored for 1-2 days (n = 22) or 3 5 days (n = 22). Platelet hemostatic capacity was tested by applying flow cytometry. platelet aggregation (platelet-rich-plasma [PRP]+agonist), resonance thrombography (RTG; PRP, no agonist) and rotational thrombelastography (roTEG; PRP+agonist). Flow cytometric analyses did not reveal significant changes in structural (CD41a. CD42b) or activation-dependent antigens (CD62p, CD63, LIBS, RIBS). Also, differences in the data from the flow cytometric reactivity tests were not significant between the two groups. In platelet aggregation assays, shape change (p = 0.8), maximum aggregation (p = 0.4), and maximum gradient (p = 0.8) did not show significant differences between the two groups. In the RTG test, differences between r-time (reaction time; p = 0.4), and f-time (clot formation time [fibrin influence]; p = 0.3), and in roTEG r-time (coagulation time; p = 0.1) and k-time (clot formation time; p = 1.0) were not significant. P-time (clot formation time [platelet influence]) and M (maximum amplitude) in RTG, and k-time and MA (maximum amplitude) in roTEG showed a slight decrease in platelet function (p < or = 0.05). We conclude that platelet function is well maintained during storage. This is reflected by the results of immunological and platelet function assays. Rotational thrombelastography (in the case of PRP) and especially resonance thrombography represent promising methods for quality control of platelet concentrates and rapidly provide information about the status of platelet function and the whole clotting process.

Annexin V and platelet antigen expression is not altered during storage of platelet concentrates obtained with the AMICUS cell separator

During storage of platelet concentrate the so-called "storage lesion" occurs. During this time, platelets loose their morphological and functional capacities that are necessary for proper in vivo efficacy following transfusion. Annexin V represents a marker for apoptosis. In this study, Annexin V and additional antigens were analyzed by flow cytometry. Platelet concentrates were obtained with a new cell separator (AMICUS Separator, Fenwal). Following apheresis, platelet units were stored for an experimentally prolonged time of seven days. Daily aliquots of the platelet-rich plasma were obtained to measure Annexin V and platelet antigens CD62p, CD63, CD41a, CD42b, and the binding of fibrinogen. All analyses were performed using flow cytometry. During storage, no significant changes in mean channel fluorescence intensity (MCFI) of CD41a (P = 0.99) and CD42b (P = 0.29), percentage of CD62p+ and CD63+ platelets (P = 0.23 for CD62p; P = 0.52 for CD63), and the binding of fibrinogen to platelets occurred (P = 0.85). Also, the expression of Annexin V remained constant with no significant change (P = 0.36). This study shows that antigens of platelets, obtained with the AMICUS cell separator are well preserved during storage. Regarding Annexin V, no obvious signs of apoptosis can be detected by flow cytometry. These findings demonstrate the high degree of biocompatibility of the apheresis device and storage container.