J Trauma
-
Despite the severity of consequences associated with traumatic amputation, little is known about the epidemiology or healthcare resource burden of amputation injuries, and even less is known about these injuries in the pediatric population. ⋯ Pediatric traumatic amputations contribute substantially to the health resource burden in the United States, resulting in 21 million dollars in inpatient charges annually. More effective interventions to prevent these costly injuries among children must be implemented.
-
Controversy continues as to the most safe and reliable method for clearing the cervical spine (C-spine) in a trauma patient who is rendered unable to participate in a clinical examination. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive test to detect soft-tissue injuries, it is impractical for routine use in every patient largely because of its cost and time of acquiescence. Recent studies have advocated the sole use of multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) scans of the C-spine to decide if cervical collar immobilization can be discontinued. The current investigation retrospectively reviewed a series of MDCT scans obtained after an acute traumatic event that were used to direct treatment in the emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit. ⋯ C-spine clearance of patients without the ability participate in a clinical examination remains difficult. A multidisciplinary, algorithmic approach generally yields the most consistent results. However, our data highlight that reliance on a single imaging modality may lead to missed diagnosis of C-spine injuries. These data suggest that early involvement of the spine service for radiographic clearance may help identify occult injuries or suspicious findings necessitating further evaluation.
-
Decreased red blood cell (RBC) deformability and activation of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMN]) after trauma-hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) have been implicated in the development of multiple organ dysfunction. Experimentally, female animals seemed to be protected from the effects of T/HS, at least in part, because of elevated estrogen levels. Thus, we examined the relative role of estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and -beta in this protective response. ⋯ The protective effects of estrogen on T/HS-induced RBC deformability are mediated, at least in part, via activation of both ER-alpha and -beta, whereas ER-beta activation is involved in limiting T/HS-induced neutrophil activation.
-
Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Computed tomography alone versus computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the identification of occult injuries to the cervical spine: a meta-analysis.
Ruling out injuries of the cervical spine in obtunded blunt trauma patients is controversial. Although computed tomography (CT) readily demonstrates fractures and malalignment, it provides limited direct evaluation of ligamentous integrity, leading some to advocate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in obtunded patients. Thus, the question remains: does adding an MRI provide useful information that alters treatment when a CT scan reveals no evidence of injury? ⋯ Reliance on CT imaging alone to "clear the cervical spine" after blunt trauma can lead to missed injuries. This study supports a role for the addition of MRI in evaluating patients who are obtunded, or unexaminable, despite a negative CT scan.
-
Multicenter Study
Visceral adiposity is not associated with inflammatory markers in trauma patients.
Excess visceral adiposity induces chronic subclinical inflammation resulting in the metabolic syndrome. Whether excess visceral adiposity impacts posttraumatic inflammatory profiles more is unknown. We hypothesized that obese patients (body mass index >30 kg/m) with higher visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution would have increased inflammatory outcomes. ⋯ Visceral body fat distribution in obese patients is not associated with increased inflammatory profiles or clinical outcomes after trauma. The impact of injury severity on acute inflammation likely overwhelms the metabolic disturbances and subclinical inflammation associated with visceral obesity in the chronic setting.