Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries
All trauma patients will have their own specific radiologic and laboratory examinations depending on the involved organ during the injury.
Routine Examinations in the Emergency Department
Routine examinations in the emergency department for burn patients include general investigations such as complete blood count (CBC), serum electrolytes, blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, clotting factor tests, blood typing and cross-matching, urinalysis, and arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis. For patients with suspected inhalational injuries, additional evaluation should include a chest X-ray and measurement of carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) levels. In cases of electrical injuries, a 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and cardiac enzyme testing may be done.
Imaging
Laser Doppler Imaging
Laser doppler imaging produces a color map of the affected tissue to assess burn depth and may be used 2-5 days after the burn.
Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM)
Reflectance confocal microscopy combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) may visualize morphologic changes in the skin and cell damage up to a depth of 1 mm.