Clin Osteol 2013; 18(1): 3-8

Use of bone densitometry in burned patientsOriginal contributions

P. Lengyel, S. Tomková, J. Babík, E. Frišman

Resuscitation of burned patients is closely associated with q extent and depth; also important is the time since the injury Thirty-five patients with at least 20 % TBSA (2nd-3rd-4th degree) burns were examined using DEXA HOLOGIC QDR 4500 whole body scans at 24, 48 and 72 hours postburn. Ther TBSA, the average extent being 34.34 % (n = 35). These burned patients were compared with a group of 34 non-burned individuals matched by height and weight and examined with DEXA. The whole body scans were used to determine the weight of fat tissue (FAT), lean tissue (LEAN), bone mineral content (BMC) and the total weight (FAT + LEAN + BMC) in various regions such as the head, trunk, upper and lower extremities. The values were plotted on graphs and weight increase/decrease at 48 and 72 hours postburn were calculate The data obtained by weighing and by DEXA examination correlated significantly (+0.92 %). The average weight changes were evaluated, showing that in the case of superficial (1st-2nd-2nd B degree) burns, there was an increa­ se of +0.15 % (48 h) followed by a decrease of -0.95 % (72 h) in LEAN. The changes were +1.51 % (48 h)/+0.93 % (72 h) and +0.18 % (48 h)/-0.15% (72 h) for FAT and LEAN + FAT + BMC, respectively In deep (3rd-4th degree) burns, the changes were +2.46 % (48 h)/ +5.99 % (72 h) for LEAN, +1.48 % (48 h)/+5.77 % (72 h) for FAT and +1.39 % (48 h)/+5.37 % (72 h) for LEAN + FAT + BMC. The group of burned patients had a higher proportion of the LEAN component (77.2 % of total b (72.8 %). This equals to an average absolute weight difference of +4.4 kg (n = 34). At present time, there is a lack of non-invasive investigation methods accurately measuring the weight of various body compartments, that is fluid shifts in burned patient. According to weight increase/decrease, DEXA examination can illustrate the shift of edema fluids between the regions and various types of tissues. Fluid retention as a weight increase or fluid elimination as a weight loss may serve as prognostic signs of healing/non-healing of particular burns at the time when it is not clear whether the burns are deep dermal or whole skin thickness. In the future, burned patient.

Keywords: burns, DEXA

Published: June 11, 2013  Show citation