Assessing burn wound depth using in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

Mark J. Koruda, Andrea Zimbler, R. Gregg Settle, Danny O. Jacobs, Rolando H. Rolandelli, Gerald L. Wolf, John L. Rombeau

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is no accurate noninvasive method for differentiating between partial-thickness and full-thickness cutaneous burn wounds. Full-thickness burns (FTB) result in slower resorption of wound edema than partial thickness burns (PTB). Since proton NMR parameters, particularly the T1 relaxation time, correlate with tissue water content (TWC), the present study determined whether proton NMR could distinguish PTB from FTB. An area of upper dorsum (∼ 15% BSA) of 35 adult rats was immersed in boiling water for either 3 sec (PTB) or 10 sec (FTB). In 10 control rats, the same area was immersed in room temperature water. Rats were sacrificed at either 3 or 48 hr after burn, and skin samples were analyzed to determine spin-lattice (T1) and spin-spin (T2) relaxation times. TWC was then measured gravimetrically by desiccation. Both T1 and T2 times significantly correlated with TWC (T1: r = 0.74, P < 0.0001; T2: r = 0.75; P < 0.0001). Both PTB and FTB resulted in significant elevations of T1, T2, and TWC 3 hr after injury (P > 0.001). At 48 hr postburn the T1, T2, and TWC of the PTB group had decreased to control values (P > 0.05), while all FTB parameters remained significantly elevated as compared to both the control and the 48-hr PTB parameters (P < 0.001). In vitro NMR measurements distinguish PTB from FTB in this rat model within 48 hr. These data provide a basis for investigating in vitro NMR techniques for the noninvasive assessment of burn wound depth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)475-481
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume40
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Assessing burn wound depth using in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this