Injury
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Computed tomography (CT) of the chest (CTC), abdomen, and pelvis (CTAP) is common when assessing trauma patients in the emergency department. However, unnecessary imaging can expose patients to unneeded radiation and increase healthcare costs. Here, we characterize the use of torso CT imaging for the evaluation of ground level falls (GLF) at a single level 1 trauma center. ⋯ Using PE, CXR, and PXR as a screening tool in patients sustaining GLF, which if negative close to obviates the need for torso CT, may reduce healthcare costs and radiation exposure without compromising patient care.
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To evaluate the clinical characteristics, surgical approach and visual results in pediatric traumatic cataract. ⋯ Traumatic cataract is a major cause of visual loss in children. Lower OTS and presence of additional surgery were the prognostic factors for poor final VA in the pediatric cases. Optimal timing and accurate management of traumatic cataract are important in the pediatric population.
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Degloving soft-tissue injuries are serious and potentially devastating medical conditions where an early recognition is a crucial step for a favorable outcome. One of the most important types is Morel-Lavallée lesions (MLL); a significant soft-tissue injury associated with pelvic trauma (30%) and thigh (20%), located over the greater trochanter. ⋯ MLL diagnosis and treatment must be identified as early as possible. We didn't find a correlation between MLL size and the treatment performed. In our study all patients returned to their jobs and normal life. Patients following conservative treatment take longer time to recover and could require more patient's implication, but -at least- would avoid possible surgical complications.
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The algorithm for evaluating adolescent patients with blunt trauma includes abdominal pelvic CT (APCT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of APCT in this context. ⋯ Our study found that adolescent blunt trauma patients treated at our trauma center had a higher rate of APCT usage, but a comparable rate of positive findings when compared with the most recent literature. Future studies should focus on reducing the number of patients who undergo APCT despite an absence of clinical risk factors.
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Early damage control resuscitation and massive transfusion (MT) protocol activations improve outcomes in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock, where scores to guide MT prediction are used including: the Assessment of Blood Consumption (ABC), Shock Index (SI), and Revised Assessment of Bleeding and Transfusion (RABT) scores. Our aim was to validate the RABT score in patients from two level I trauma centers in Canada. ⋯ The RABT score is a valid tool for predicting the need for MTPs, performing similarly with a trend towards higher sensitivity when compared to the ABC score and SI.