Articles: trauma.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2024
Review Meta AnalysisContrast-enhanced CT scan (CECT) for the detection of hollow viscus and mesenteric injuries in blunt trauma - an updated systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.
Despite improved awareness of blunt traumatic hollow viscus and mesenteric injuries (THVMI), the accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) varies considerably among studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis of test accuracy aims to explore the diagnostic performance of CECT in detecting THVMI in blunt trauma. ⋯ CECT has a fundamental role in identifying THVMI with high specificity but suboptimal sensitivity. Clinical criteria are still of paramount importance, especially in cases of ambiguous initial CECT images.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2024
Efficacy and safety of the serratus anterior plane block (SAP block) for pain management in patients with multiple rib fractures in the emergency department: a retrospective study.
Chest trauma is a severe and frequent cause of admission to the emergency department (ED). The serratus anterior plane (SAP) block seems to be an effective method of pain management; however, data on efficacy and safety of a single SAP block performed in the ED by emergency physicians (EP) are limited. This study aimed to compare SAP block performed by the EP in the ED plus standard therapy to standard therapy alone in terms of pain severity at 0-3-6-12-18 and 24 h, total opioid consumption (milligrams of morphine equivalents, MME), respiratory function (SpO2/FiO2 ratio), and adverse events (i.e. pneumothorax, infections in the site of injection, or Local Anaesthetic Systemic Toxicity syndrome due to SAP block) in the first 24 h. ⋯ The SAP block, in combination with standard therapy, appeared to be more effective in providing pain relief than standard therapy alone in patients admitted to the SICU for traumatic rib fractures.
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The NEXUS criteria have been introduced in the 1990s to assist emergency department physicians to decide whether to perform radiographic work-up following cervical whiplash injury. Four criteria have been described on these profile radiographs of the cervical spine including angulation between cervical endplates, 3-mm listhesis, posterior facet joints overlap, and widened interspinous space. ⋯ Hence, we present the striking case of a young female patient whose radiographs displayed slight but abnormal signs of lower cervical spine instability, but was nonetheless discharged home with dynamic X-rays of the cervical spine to be performed in a delayed setting. We hope that these striking features will help us remind the importance of radiologic semiology of posttraumatic unstable cervical spine.