Use of ultrasonography in the patient with acute renal trauma. (1/646)

The purpose of this study was to assess the use of emergent ultrasonographic examination in acute traumatic renal injuries. Over a 3 year period, prospective data of all patients who had an emergency ultrasonogram were recorded. Thirty-two patients with 37 renal injuries were studied retrospectively to identify in how many patients the sonogram detected free fluid or a renal parenchymal abnormality. Free fluid in the abdomen was identified in 19 of 32 patients (59%). However, 12 of these 19 patients had concomitant injury, such as splenic rupture requiring splenectomy, severe liver lacerations, or bowel lacerations requiring repair, that were possible causes of the free fluid. Eliminating these patients, only seven of 20 patients with isolated renal injuries had free fluid in the abdomen (35%), whereas 13 of 20 patients (65%) had no evidence of free fluid. All seven patients with free fluid had moderate or severe renal injuries. Renal parenchymal abnormalities were identified on ultrasonograms in eight of 37 (22%) of injured kidneys. The abnormalities were detected more commonly in cases of severe injury (60%). In conclusion, acute injuries of the kidney from blunt abdominal trauma often are associated with significant splenic, hepatic, or bowel trauma. Isolated renal injuries frequently occur without the presence of free fluid in the abdomen. Furthermore, the ultrasonogram of the kidney often is normal with acute renal injuries, but it is more likely to be abnormal with severe (grade II or greater) renal injuries. Sonography may be used in the triage of patients with blunt abdominal trauma and possible renal injury. However, a negative ultrasonogram does not exclude renal injury, and, depending on clinical and laboratory findings, other imaging procedures such as computed tomography should be performed.  (+info)

Employment of trauma and injury severity score and a severity characterization of trauma in the outcome evaluation of trauma care and their research advances. (2/646)

OBJECTIVE: To review the application of trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) and a severity characterization of trauma (ASCOT) in the outcome evaluation of trauma care and their research advances. DATA SOURCES: Both Chinese- and English-language literature searched by using MEDLINE/CD-ROM (1985-1996) and Index of Chinese-Language Literature (1985-1996). STUDY SELECTION: Over fifty papers and reviews published over the past ten years were selected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: TRISS can be employed for different purposes, that is, preliminary outcome-based evaluation (PRE) and definitive outcome-based evaluation (DEF). TRISS is a method which is now the most extensively used for the outcome evaluation of trauma. Even so, it still has some shortcomings, e.g., trauma can not be given the weights that should be given, and the section of age is too simple. ASCOT is also a physiologic and anatomic combined method for the evaluation of injury severity and outcome. To some extent, this method obviates the shortcomings of TRISS in the calculation of probability of survival (Ps) with injury severity score (ISS). Therefore, ASCOT is considered to be superior to TRISS in the evaluation of Ps. However, TRISS is still now more extensively used than ASCOT just because ASCOT was recently developed.  (+info)

Relation of a TNF gene polymorphism to severe sepsis in trauma patients. (3/646)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation of the biallelic Nco1 restriction fragment length polymorphism in the first intron of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) beta gene with the development of severe sepsis in multiply injured patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The biallelic Nco1 polymorphism of the TNFbeta gene has been described to be associated with autoimmune diseases and with the mortality rate in severe sepsis. Therefore, the Nco1 polymorphism may be associated with the clinical finding that despite comparable risk factors, posttraumatic sepsis develops in some patients but not others. METHODS: The study group consisted of 110 patients with severe blunt trauma (Injury Severity Score > or = 17). Typing of each patient for the biallelic Nco1 polymorphism was performed by analyzing restriction fragments of an Nco1-digested DNA fragment obtained using polymerase chain reaction. Genotypes were then related to the occurrence of severe posttraumatic sepsis and TNFalpha serum concentrations. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients showed an uncomplicated posttraumatic recovery, and severe sepsis developed in 53 patients. The overall allele frequency (TNFB1 0.29, TNFB2 0.71) and genotype distribution (TNFB1 homozygous 7.3%, TNFB1/TNFB2 42.7%, TNFB2 homozygous 50%) were in agreement with the distribution in healthy volunteers. Genotype distribution in patients with an uncomplicated clinical course was significantly different from that in patients with severe posttraumatic sepsis. Development of severe posttraumatic sepsis was significantly increased in patients homozygous for the allele TNFB2. In patients with severe posttraumatic sepsis, TNFalpha serum concentrations were significantly higher in TNFB2-homozygous individuals compared with heterozygous and TNFB1 -homozygous individuals. The age- and injury-matched odds ratio for the homozygous TNFB2 genotype compared with the heterozygous genotype was 5.22 (p = 0.007, 95% confidence interval 1.6 to 17.9). CONCLUSIONS: In multiply injured patients, the Nco1 polymorphism within the TNFbeta gene is associated with the development of severe posttraumatic sepsis and with increased TNFalpha serum levels when severe sepsis has occurred. This suggests a genetic determination of the individual inflammatory response after infection or tissue damage, which significantly influences susceptibility to severe nosocomial infections.  (+info)

The effect of recall on estimation of incidence rates for injury in Ghana. (4/646)

BACKGROUND: Injury is a major public health problem in many developing countries. Due to limitations of vital registry and health service data, surveys are an important tool to obtain information about injury in these countries. The value of such surveys can be limited by incomplete recall. The most appropriate recall period to use in surveys on injury in developing countries has not been well addressed. METHODS: A household survey of injury in Ghana was conducted. Estimated annual non-fatal injury incidence rates were calculated for 12 recall periods (1-12 months prior to the interview, with each successively longer period including the preceding shorter periods). RESULTS: There was a notable decline in the estimated rate from 27.6 per 100 per year for a one-month recall period to 7.6 per 100 per year for a 12-month recall period (72% decline). The extent of this decline was not influenced by age, gender, rural versus urban location, nor by type of respondent (in-person versus proxy). Rate of decline was influenced by severity of injury. Injuries resulting in <7 days of disability showed an 86% decline in estimated rates from a one-month to a 12-month recall period, whereas injuries resulting in > or =30 days of disability showed minimal decline. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting, longer recall periods significantly underestimate the injury rate compared to shorter recall periods. Shorter recall periods (1-3 months) should be used when calculating the overall non-fatal injury incidence rate. However, longer recall periods (12 months) may be safely used to obtain information on the more severe, but less frequent, injuries.  (+info)

Local mitochondrial function following traumatic brain injury in rats. (5/646)

The effect of lateral fluid percussion injury on mitochondrial function in the rat brain was investigated by quantitative imaging of changes in the regional activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), a mitochondrial enzyme of the tricarboxylic acid cycle for adenosine triphosphate production. Regional SDH was measured in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortices, CA1 and CA2-3 of the hippocampus, thalamus, corpus callosum, caudate/putamen, and cerebellum 1 hour and 72 hours after low, medium, and high pressure injury. No regional difference between the hemispheres in the activity of SDH was observed in the sham group. The hippocampus showed high SDH activity. The CA2-3 regions showed the highest activity among the regions examined. The corpus callosum, which is white matter, showed the lowest. One hour after low pressure fluid percussion injury, only the frontal lobe showed significantly lower SDH activity than the sham control in the ipsilateral hemisphere, whereas after 72 hours SDH activity was significantly lower in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes. SDH activity was significantly lower in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes in the medium and high pressure injury groups than in the sham control 1 hour after injury, and SDH activity in the CA1 and CA2-3 of the hippocampus was significantly decreased 72 hours after injury. No decrease in SDH activity was observed in any region of the contralateral hemisphere either 1 hour or 72 hours after injury. Mitochondrial dysfunction of the ipsilateral cortex and hippocampus following fluid percussion injury is correlated with the severity of injury and advances with time after injury. The results suggest that progression of mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with secondary bioenergetic deterioration.  (+info)

Decision analytic approach to severe head injury management. (6/646)

Severe head injury management in the intensive care unit is extremely challenging due to the complex domain, the uncertain intervention efficacies, and the time-critical setting. We adopt a decision analytic approach to automate the management process. We document our experience in building a simplified influence diagram that involves about 3000 numerical parameters. We identify the inherent problems in structuring a model with unclear domain relationships, numerous interacting variables, and real-time multiple inputs. We analyze the effectiveness and limitations of the decision analytic approach and present a set of desiderata for effective knowledge acquisition in this setting. We also propose a semi-qualitative approach to parameter elicitation.  (+info)

Air bags and ocular injuries. (7/646)

PURPOSE: This investigation retrospectively examined ocular injuries associated with air bag deployment to gain a better appreciation of potential risk factors in motor vehicle accidents. National statistics regarding the efficacy of air bags were reviewed. METHODS: Review of the literature from 1991 to 1998 identified 44 articles describing 97 patients with air-bag-induced ocular injuries. Variables extracted from each case were age, sex, height, position in the car, eye wear, vehicle impact speed, visual acuity, and specific ocular injuries. RESULTS: Corneal abrasions occurred in 49% of occupants, hyphemas in 43%, vitreous or retinal hemorrhages in 25%, and retinal tears or detachments in 15%. The globe was ruptured in 10 patients. Patients involved in higher-speed accidents (over 30 mph) sustained a greater percentage of vitreous or retinal hemorrhages and traumatic cataracts, while those at slower speeds were more prone to retinal tears or detachments. In a subset of 14 patients with serious ocular injuries, the impact speed of 11 patients was recorded at 30 mph or less. Slower speed may be a risk factor for some ocular injuries. Occupant height was not a significant factor. National statistics confirm that air bags reduce fatalities in motor vehicle accidents. However, children sitting in the front seat without a seat belt and infants in passenger-side rear-facing car seats are at risk for fatal injury. CONCLUSION: Air bags combined with seat belts are an effective means of reducing injury and death in adults during motor vehicle accidents. However, this study has documented a wide variety of ocular injuries associated with air bag deployment. It is hoped that researchers can develop modifications that continue to save lives while minimizing additional harm.  (+info)

The devastating potential of blunt vertebral arterial injuries. (8/646)

OBJECTIVE: To formulate management guidelines for blunt vertebral arterial injury (BVI). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Compared with carotid arterial injuries, BVIs have been considered innocuous. Although screening for BVI has been advocated, particularly in patients with cervical spine injuries, the appropriate therapy of lesions is controversial. METHODS: In 1996 an aggressive arteriographic screening protocol for blunt cerebrovascular injuries was initiated. A prospective database of all screened patients has been maintained. Analysis of injury mechanisms and patterns, BVI grades, treatment, and outcomes was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (0.53% of blunt trauma admissions) were diagnosed with 47 BVIs during a 3.5-year period. Motor vehicle crash was the most common mechanism, and associated injuries were common. Cervical spine injuries were present in 71% of patients, but there was no predilection for cervical vertebral level or fracture pattern. The incidence of posterior circulation stroke was 24%, and the BVI-attributable death rate was 8%. Stroke incidence and neurologic outcome were independent of BVI injury grade. In patients treated with systemic heparin, fewer overall had a poor neurologic outcome, and fewer had a poor outcome after stroke. Trends associated with heparin therapy included fewer injuries progressing to a higher injury grade, fewer patients in whom stroke developed, and fewer patients deteriorating neurologically from diagnosis to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Blunt vertebral arterial injuries are more common than previously reported. Screening patients based on injury mechanisms and patterns will diagnose asymptomatic injuries, allowing the institution of therapy before stroke. Systemic anticoagulation appears to be effective therapy: it is associated with improved neurologic outcome in patients with and without stroke, and it appears to prevent progression to a higher injury grade, stroke, and deterioration in neurologic status.  (+info)

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