Eur J Trauma Emerg S
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Oct 2013
Distinguishing between acute appendicitis and appendiceal mucocele: is this possible preoperatively?
Mucocele of the appendix is an infrequent event, characterized by a cystic dilatation of the lumen. It is often diagnosed clinically from signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis or, if it is asymptomatic, as an incidental finding during ultrasonography, computed tomography, or laparotomy. ⋯ A threshold 10-mm diameter of the appendix under compression is a useful preoperative measurement for differentiating between appendiceal mucocele and acute appendicitis. Microhematuria is simple test that can provide a significant role in supporting the clinical diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele in the emergency department.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Oct 2013
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomies in a newly established trauma center: a report from Qatar.
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a routine surgical procedure for critically ill patients who require prolonged ventilatory support. ⋯ PDT is safe and can be performed with minimal complications even in a newly established trauma center.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Oct 2013
Management of biliary complications following damage control surgery for liver trauma.
The liver is the most frequently injured solid intra-abdominal organ. The major cause of early death following severe liver trauma is exsanguination. Although perihepatic packing improves survival in severe liver trauma, this leaves parenchymal damage untreated, often resulting in post-traumatic biliary leakage and a subsequent rise in morbidity. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and treatment of biliary leakage following the operative management of liver trauma. ⋯ Biliary complications continue to occur frequently following damage control surgery for liver trauma. The majority of biliary complications can be managed without an operation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and internal stenting represent a safe strategy to manage post-operative biliary leakage and bilhemia in patients following liver trauma. Minor biliary leakage should be managed by percutaneous drainage alone.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Oct 2013
Do cervical spine X-rays for trauma have clinically significant incidental findings?
About 800,000 cervical X-rays for trauma are taken every year in the USA. Those X-rays are reviewed by orthopedic specialists in the emergency room (ER) for traumatic findings. The quantity of incidental atraumatic findings in this very prevalent examination is unknown. We sought to determine the incidence of those findings. ⋯ Incidental findings in the cervical spine were associated with older age. Awareness of the prevalence of incidental findings is important in order to ensure that they are detected and managed appropriately.