title: Laser Doppler imaging prediction of burn wound outcome in children.
abstract: The ability of laser Doppler imaging (LDI) to evaluate burn depth in children was investigated. Fifty-seven patients were prospectively studied over a 10-month period. Each patient was clinically assessed, photographed and independently scanned between 36 and 72 h of the burn. Patients were reviewed until wound healing had occurred within 12 days or skin grafting had been performed. The median age was 1 year and 10 months (range 5 months to 15 years and 8 months). The median body surface area burnt was 7.0% (range 0.5-30%). In 30 patients, the burn did not heal within 12 days, 17 of which were grafted. Clinical examination correctly determined 66% of deep partial or full thickness burns between 36 and 72 h of injury compared to 90% using LDI. The LDI was also more specific; correctly diagnosing 96% of superficial partial thickness burns as opposed to 71% on clinical examination. Moderate degrees of movement did not appear to limit the accuracy of the scan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic Surgery, Division of Surgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, The University of Sydney, Locked Bag 4001, NSW 2145, Westmead, Australia. andrewh3@chw.edu.au
authors.forename: A J A
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: H C O
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Cass
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology