Blunt Trauma In Children Research Articles

Triage tools for detecting cervical spine injury in paediatric trauma patients.

Paediatric cervical spine injury (CSI) after blunt trauma is rare but can have severe consequences. Clinical decision rules (CDRs) have been developed to guide clinical decision-making, minimise unnecessary tests and associated risks, whilst detecting all significant CSIs. Several validated CDRs are used to guide imaging decision-making in adults following blunt trauma and clinical criteria have been proposed as possible paediatric-specific CDRs. Little information is known about their accuracy. To assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of CDRs or sets of clinical criteria, alone or in comparison with each other, for the evaluation of CSI following blunt trauma in children. For this update, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and six other databases from 1 January 2015 to 13 December 2022. As we expanded the index test eligibility for this review update, we searched the excluded studies from the previous version of the review for eligibility. We contacted field experts to identify ongoing studies and studies potentially missed by the search. There were no language restrictions. We included cross-sectional or cohort designs (retrospective and prospective) and randomised controlled trials that compared the diagnostic accuracy of any CDR or clinical criteria compared with a reference standard for the evaluation of paediatric CSI following blunt trauma. We included studies evaluating one CDR or comparing two or more CDRs (directly and indirectly). We considered X-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine, and clinical clearance/follow-up as adequate reference standards. Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts for relevance, and carried out eligibility, data extraction and quality assessment. A third review author arbitrated. We extracted data on study design, participant characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, index test, target condition, reference standard and data (diagnostic two-by-two tables) and calculated and plotted sensitivity and specificity on forest plots for visual examination of variation in test accuracy. We assessed methodological quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Version 2 tool. We graded the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. We included five studies with 21,379 enrolled participants, published between 2001 and 2021. Prevalence of CSI ranged from 0.5% to 1.85%. Seven CDRs were evaluated. Three studies reported on direct comparisons of CDRs. One study (973 participants) directly compared the accuracy of three index tests with the sensitivities of NEXUS, Canadian C-Spine Rule and the PECARN retrospective criteria being 1.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 1.00), 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00), respectively. The specificities were 0.56 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.59), 0.52 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.55) and 0.32 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.35), respectively (moderate-certainty evidence). One study (4091 participants) compared the accuracy of the PECARN retrospective criteria with the Leonard de novo model; the sensitivities were 0.91 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.96) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.83 to 0.97), respectively. The specificities were 0.46 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.47) and 0.50 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.52) (moderate- and low-certainty evidence, respectively). One study (270 participants) compared the accuracy of two NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) head injury guidelines; the sensitivity of the CG56 guideline was 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) compared to 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) with the CG176 guideline. The specificities were 0.46 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.52) and 0.07 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.11), respectively (very low-certainty evidence). Two additional studies were indirect comparison studies. One study (3065 participants) tested the accuracy of the NEXUS criteria; the sensitivity was 1.00 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.00) and specificity was 0.20 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.21) (low-certainty evidence). One retrospective study (12,537 participants) evaluated the PEDSPINE criteria and found a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.99) and specificity of 0.70 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.72) (very low-certainty evidence). We did not pool data within the broader CDR categories or investigate heterogeneity due to the small quantity of data and the clinical heterogeneity of studies. Two studies were at high risk of bias. We identified two studies that are awaiting classification pending further information and two ongoing studies. There is insufficient evidence to determine the diagnostic test accuracy of CDRs to detect CSIs in children following blunt trauma, particularly for children under eight years of age. Although most studies had a high sensitivity, this was often achieved at the expense of low specificity and should be interpreted with caution due to a small number of CSIs and wide CIs. Well-designed, large studies are required to evaluate the accuracy of CDRs for the cervical spine clearance in children following blunt trauma, ideally in direct comparison with each other.

Blunt Trauma in Children: Efficacy and Safety of Transarterial Embolization, 10-Year Experiences in a Single Trauma Center.

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is an established approach for controlling hemorrhage in adults with acute abdominal and pelvic trauma. However, its application in pediatric trauma is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TAE in a population of pediatric patients with blunt trauma. This retrospective study was conducted in pediatric patients (<18 years) who underwent TAE for blunt trauma between February 2014 and July 2022. The patients were categorized into subgroups based on age and body weight. Patient demographics, injury severity, transfusion requirements, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Exactly 73 patients underwent TAE. Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%), and clinical success was achieved in 83.6%. The mortality and complication rates were 4.1% and 1.4%, respectively. The mean duration of hospitalization was 19.3 days. Subgroup analysis showed that age, body weight, and sex did not significantly affect clinical success. The injury severity score and transfusion requirement were predictors of clinical success, with lower values associated with better outcomes. TAE is effective and safe for managing blunt pediatric trauma in younger and lighter patients. Injury severity and transfusion requirement are predictors of clinical success.

Trends of Patients Admitted to Pediatric Surgery Department Due to Unintentional Trauma at A Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi

Objective: To determine the frequency and factors associated with unintentional trauma and its management in children under 14 years of age. Study Design and Setting: This study is retrospective, descriptive and was conducted at the Pediatric Surgery Department and Emergency Room at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi. Methodology: Total duration of the study was from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020 and all the unintentional trauma cases in children below 14 years of age were included. Details of history, examination, and any procedure done were recorded through a predesigned proforma in regard to their age, gender, day of presentation and, factors related to trauma like the anatomical site, place, mode and type of injury along with their treatment outcomes. Descriptive statistics were run using SPSS version 26. Results: Out of 103 children, (66%) were males in the age group of 2-4 years. The surge of injuries was on weekdays (71.8%). Domestic injuries were 68.9% which is significantly higher. The most affected region was the head/ neck (28.2%) with lacerations (40.0%) and bruises (90.0%). Amongst the management outcomes, the invasive procedures were frequent (48.5 %) for laceration (48.0%). Conclusion: Amongst the (6.4%) of unintentional trauma cases, the majority of these injuries were blunt trauma in children under four years of age on the head/ neck region. We conclude that the majority of these pediatric injuries were moderate in nature and required invasive treatment strategies but these injuries are preventable.

Increased and unjustified CT usage in paediatric C-spine clearance in a level 2 trauma centre

PurposeCervical spine injury after blunt trauma in children is rare but can have severe consequences. Clear protocols for diagnostic workup are, therefore, needed, but currently not available. As a step in developing such a protocol, we determined the incidence of cervical spine injury and the degree of protocol adherence at our level 2 trauma centre.MethodsWe analysed data from all patients aged < 16 years suspected of cervical spine injury after blunt trauma who had presented to our hospital during two periods: January 2010 to June 2012, and January 2017 to June 2019. In the intervening period, the imaging protocol for diagnostic workup was updated. Outcomes were the incidence of cervical spine injury and protocol adherence in terms of the indication for imaging and the type of imaging.ResultsWe included 170 children in the first study period and 83 in the second. One patient was diagnosed with cervical spine injury. Protocol adherence regarding the indication for imaging was > 80% in both periods. Adherence regarding the imaging type decreased over time, with 45.8% of the patients receiving a primary CT scan in the second study period versus 2.9% in the first.ConclusionRadiographic imaging is frequently performed when clearing the paediatric cervical spine, although cervical spine injury is rare. Particularly CT scan usage has wrongly been emerging over time. Stricter adherence to current protocols could limit overuse of radiographic imaging, but ultimately there is a need for an accurate rule predicting which children really are at risk of injury.

Risk assessment for intra-abdominal injury following blunt trauma in children: Derivation and validation of a machine learning model.

Computed tomography is the criterion standard for diagnosing intra-abdominal injury (IAI) but is expensive and risks radiation exposure. The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) model identifies children at low risk of IAI requiring intervention (IAI-I) in whom computed tomography may be omitted but does not provide an individualized risk assessment to positively predict IAI-I. We sought to apply machine learning algorithms to the PECARN blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) data set experimentally to create models for predicting both the presence and absence of IAI-I for pediatric BAT victims. Using the PECARN data set, we derived and validated predictive models for IAI-I. The data set was divided into derivation (n = 7,940) and validation (n = 4,089) subsets. Six algorithms were tested to create 2 models using 19 clinical variables including emesis, dyspnea, Glasgow Coma Scale score of <15, visible thoracic or abdominal trauma, seatbelt sign, abdominal distension, tenderness or rectal bleeding, peritoneal signs, absent bowel sounds, flank pain, pelvic pain or instability, sex, age, heart rate, and respiratory rate (RR). Five algorithms were fitted to predict the absence (low-risk model) or presence (high-risk model) of IAI-I. Models were validated using the test subset. For the low-risk model, four algorithms were significantly better than the baseline rate (2.28%) when validated using the test set. The random forest model identified 73% of children as low risk, having a predicted IAI-I rate of 0.54%. For the high-risk model, all six algorithms had added predictive power compared with the baseline rate with the highest reportable risk being 39.0%. By incorporating both models into a web application, child-specific risks of IAI-I can be estimated ranging from 0.28% to 39.0% CONCLUSION: We developed a tool that provides a child-specific risk estimate for IAI-I after BAT. This publically available model provides a powerful tool for clinicians triaging pediatric victims of blunt abdominal trauma. Prognostic, Level II.

Pediatric retinal damage due to soccer-ball-related injury: Results from the last decade.

To outline the incidence of posterior segment injuries related to soccer-ball blunt trauma in children. Retrospective search of the computerized hospital medical database between the years 2007 and 2017. All pediatric trauma cases were reviewed and cases with blunt trauma related to direct orbital/ocular hit from a soccer-ball were included. Cases were divided into two groups (non-severe and severe) based on the presence of sight-threatening findings on presentation (e.g. retinal tear, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and macular edema). Out of 343 pediatric patients with relevant diagnoses, 14 (4.1%) were treated for injuries related to soccer-ball trauma. All patients were males at their early-to-mid teens (14.3 ± 2.1 years). The most common funduscopic finding was peripheral commotio retina (13, 93%). There was equal distribution between the two groups (seven each). Retinal injury in the severe group included retinal tear (3), vitreous hemorrhage (4), retinal detachment (1), and macular hole (1). Five patients in this group presented with visual acuity of 20/25 or better. Rate of external signs of injury were similar in both groups. Soccer-ball blunt trauma in children can cause significant posterior segment injuries regardless of the presence of external injury or ocular complaints. A thorough ocular exam is mandatory in all cases for the detection of vision-threatening retinal injuries.

Abdominal blunt trauma in children: experience from a single center

Background: Abdominal blunt trauma (ABT) remains an important cause of childhood morbidity and sometimes, mortality. Recently the approach for management of ABT has tilted towards conservative one with excellent results. In this study, we present our experience of ABT from a teaching hospital.Methods: All patients below 17 years with ABT between December 2012 and May 2016 were studied retrospectively and methods and results analyzed.Results: A total of 33 patients presented with ABT, mainly due to fall from height or road-traffic accidents. Age ranged from 3 to17 years. Of the 33 patients, 30 patients had solid organ injuries and only 3 patients had isolated hollow viscus injuries. Operative intervention was needed in 6 (18.2%) patients, of whom three needed upfront surgery. They had had hollow viscus injury. Others who developed signs and symptoms of other injuries included duodenal injury, ureteric transection and delayed adhesive intestinal obstruction following bile leak, one each. Average hospital stay of patients with solid organ injury was 5.4±1.6 days while for those with hollow viscus injury requiring operative intervention, this was 12.3±2.4 days. There was no mortality.Conclusions: ABT is a frequent emergency in children in the developing world. Prompt initial management significantly affects the eventual outcome. Imaging studies are the cornerstone of diagnosing the type and extent of injury. Most patients can be managed conservatively. However, constant masterly vigilance is needed to pick up the evolving signs, thereby avoiding possible complications and morbidity.

An epidemiological study of abdominal blunt trauma in pediatric population

Background The management of abdominal blunt trauma in children has changed considerably. Nonoperative treatment is successful in more than 85% of the appropriately selected cases. Aim To evaluate the incidence of various modes of abdominal blunt trauma and the effectiveness of conservative treatment. Patients and methods A retrospective study of 101 cases of abdominal blunt trauma in children admitted to hospital in a 5-year period has been carried out. Of 101 patients, 67 patients had organ injury. Laparotomy was done in 14 patients based on clinical findings and investigations, and 90 patients were managed conservatively. Results The nonoperative management in abdominal blunt trauma was successful in more than 85% patients. Conclusion Nonoperative management is associated with lower morbidity and less hospital stay in paediatric patients with abdominal blunt trauma.

3:36 PM Abstract No. 17 Blunt trauma in children: efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization: 4-year experiences in a single trauma center

3:36 PM Abstract No. 17 Blunt trauma in children: efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization: 4-year experiences in a single trauma center

The Challenge of Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Children: Report of a Case and Review of Management

Blunt abdominal trauma is the most frequent cause of abdominal injuries in children. The term solid organ injury (SOI) is referred to liver, spleen and kidney. Splenic injuries are the most common. The management of SOI has been motive of discussion for years and has undergone a radical shift in the last decades. Currently, non-operative management is the gold standard of care when circumstances are favorable. In 1977, non-operative management was supported by surgeons in Toronto. Later, the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) pointed that management should be based on imaging findings and CT grading of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. However, this caused long stays and unnecessary follow-up imaging. Soon, APSA guidelines were questioned and raised controversy. Finally, hemodynamic status was defined as the main key for taking decisions and ATOMAC guidelines gained support. However, facing a blunt trauma in children is always a challenge. Hemodynamic stability is not easy to define and heart rate and blood pulse are poor markers for stability. This complicates the management of blunt trauma in children. As consequence, it is important that these children are treated in pediatric centers. We report a case of a 15-year-old male who suffered from a blunt abdominal trauma with splenic and renal injuries treated by adult surgeons when playing football. We review the current recommendations for blunt abdominal trauma in children and the differences with adult management. J Med Cases. 2017;8(11):340-346 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc2901w

Methods for Collecting Paired Observations From Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Department Providers for Pediatric Cervical Spine Injury Risk Factors.

Cervical spine injuries (CSIs) after blunt trauma in children are rare, but cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency department (ED) providers routinely use spinal precautions and cervical spine imaging, respectively, during the management of children experiencing blunt trauma. These practices lack evidence, and there is concern that they may be harmful. A pediatric CSI risk assessment tool is needed to inform EMS and ED provider decision making. Creating this tool requires prospective data collection from EMS and ED providers at the time of patient evaluation. The purpose of this article is to describe the methods used to prospectively capture paired EMS and ED provider observations of children cared for after blunt trauma. Given the rarity of prospective observational research with EMS, the novel use of Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) in this study, and the potential to inform future studies, we are publishing our methodology in advance of outcome data related to the risk assessment tool. The study was conducted at four tertiary children's hospitals as a prerequisite for a planned larger study to derive a CSI risk assessment tool. We created a web-based, branch-logic questionnaire using the REDCap data collection system. The survey was administered via tablet computer to ED providers evaluating children with blunt trauma and, if applicable, to EMS providers who provided patient care at the scene. We collected information regarding factors determined a priori to be plausibly associated with CSI in children. Eligible children presenting to the ED after blunt trauma with at least one of the following one of the following were included: prehospital EMS spinal precautions, ED trauma team evaluation, or cervical spine imaging in the ED. Exclusions included penetrating trauma, language barrier, or state's custody. Enrollment occurred when research coordinators (RCs) were available, generally 12-16 hours/day. RCs approached EMS providers prior to departing the ED and ED providers after they completed their patient assessments. An ED provider survey was required for enrollment. Enrolled children were followed for 28 days to determine the presence of CSI (primary outcome) by subsequent imaging or by patient/family telephone follow-up for those without imaging. Over 18 months, we prospectively enrolled 4,144 of 5,764 (71.9%) eligible children, including 74 of 110 (67.3%) children diagnosed with CSI. Enrollment during RC hours was 85.9%. Fifty-three enrolled children were withdrawn from the study. Of those in the final study cohort, 36.5% arrived by EMS scene response in spinal precautions. The remaining 63.5% arrived by EMS scene response without spinal precautions or by private vehicle or interfacility transfer. EMS scene response providers completed surveys for 60.2% of enrolled children arriving in spinal precautions. RCs missed the EMS providers for 37.1% of children; however, EMS declined participation for only 2.6%. Our method of data collection demonstrates the ability to prospectively capture paired observations from EMS and ED personnel for children undergoing evaluation after blunt trauma. While this methodology will be used to implement and evaluate a CSI tool in future studies, it may also be adapted to studies requiring prospective data collection from EMS and ED personnel.

The Challenge of Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Children: Report of a Case and Review of Management

Blunt abdominal trauma is the most frequent cause of abdominal injuries in children. The term solid organ injury (SOI) is referred to liver, spleen and kidney. Splenic injuries are the most common. The management of SOI has been motive of discussion for years and has undergone a radical shift in the last decades. Currently, non-operative management is the gold standard of care when circumstances are favorable. In 1977, non-operative management was supported by surgeons in Toronto. Later, the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) pointed that management should be based on imaging findings and CT grading of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. However, this caused long stays and unnecessary follow-up imaging. Soon, APSA guidelines were questioned and raised controversy. Finally, hemodynamic status was defined as the main key for taking decisions and ATOMAC guidelines gained support. However, facing a blunt trauma in children is always a challenge. Hemodynamic stability is not easy to define and heart rate and blood pulse are poor markers for stability. This complicates the management of blunt trauma in children. As consequence, it is important that these children are treated in pediatric centers. We report a case of a 15-year-old male who suffered from a blunt abdominal trauma with splenic and renal injuries treated by adult surgeons when playing football. We review the current recommendations for blunt abdominal trauma in children and the differences with adult management. J Med Cases. 2017;8(11):340-346 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc2901w

Predictors of Intrathoracic Injury after Blunt Torso Trauma in Children Presenting to an Emergency Department as Trauma Activations

BackgroundThoracic injuries are a major cause of death associated with blunt trauma in children. Screening for injury with chest x-ray study, compared with chest computed tomography (CT) scan, has been controversial, weighing the benefits of specificity with the detriment of radiation exposure. ObjectiveTo identify predictors of thoracic injury in children presenting as trauma activations to a Level I trauma center after blunt torso trauma, and to compare these predictors with those previously reported in the literature. MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients (<18 years of age) who presented to the Emergency Department of a Level I trauma center between June 2010 and June 2013 as a trauma activation after sustaining a blunt torso trauma and who received diagnostic imaging of the chest as part of their initial evaluation. ResultsData analysis was performed on 166 patients. There were 33 patients (20%) with 45 abnormalities detected on diagnostic imaging of the chest, with the most common abnormalities being lung contusion (36%), pneumothorax (22%), and rib fracture (13%). Statistically significant predictors of abnormal diagnostic imaging of the chest included Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) < 15 (27% with abnormality vs. 13% without abnormality), hypoxia (22% vs. 5%), syncope/loss of consciousness (55% vs. 35%), cervical spine tenderness (12% vs. 3%), thoraco-lumbar-sacral spine tenderness (41% vs. 17%), and abdominal/pelvic tenderness (12% vs. 3%). ConclusionsBased on our data, predictors of thoracic injury in children after blunt torso trauma include GCS < 15, hypoxia, syncope/dizziness, cervical spine tenderness, thoraco-lumbar-sacral spine tenderness, and abdominal/pelvic tenderness.

Cataract secondary to self-inflicted blunt trauma in children with autism spectrum disorder

We report 3 cases of bilateral cataract secondary to self-inflicted blunt eye trauma in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). All 3 children hit their foreheads, orbits, or globes repeatedly for long periods of time and developed cataracts. Clinicians must be aware of this phenomenon to diagnose ocular pathology early and to provide adequate education, counseling, and services to affected patients and their families and to put appropriate postoperative care mechanisms in place to prevent permanent ocular damage.

Embolization for pediatric blunt splenic injury is an alternative to splenectomy when observation fails

Management of splenic injury has shifted from operative to nonoperative management in both children and adults with reports of high success rates. Benefits of splenic conservation include decreased hospital stay, blood transfusion, and mortality, as well as avoidance of infectious complications. Angiography with embolization is an innovative adjunct to nonoperative management and has resulted in increased splenic salvage in adults; however, data in the pediatric population are scant. A retrospective comparative study of a single-hospital trauma registry reviewed from 1999 to 2009. Patients 18 years and younger admitted with injury to the spleen were included. Children with penetrating injury were excluded. Children were divided into three categories by initial treatment: observation, embolization, or splenectomy. Data recorded include age, radiographic grade of injury, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Groups were analyzed for success of initial treatment, requirement for transfusion of packed red blood cells, splenic salvage, and mortality. Registry review identified 259 children with blunt splenic injury. Initial treatment was observation in 227, embolization in 15, and splenectomy in 17. In the observation group, 9 (4%) of 227 children failed initial treatment; 8 of these underwent embolization, while 1 unerwent splenectomy. In the embolization group, 1 (7%) of 15 failed initial treatment and underwent splenectomy. Blood transfusion was required by 38 (17%) of 227 in the observation group, 6 (40%) of 15 (p = 0.02) in the embolization group, and 15 (88%) of 17 (p < 0.01) in the splenectomy group. Overall splenic salvage rate was 237 (92%) of 259. Three children died in the observation group, and four children died in the splenectomy group. There was no death in the embolization group. Splenic artery embolization for blunt trauma in children is associated with a higher blood transfusion rate compared with observation but offers a safe, intermediate alternative to splenectomy when observation fails. Therapeutic study, level IV.

Chest computed tomography imaging for blunt pediatric trauma: not worth the radiation risk

IntroductionA child's risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure associated with computed tomography (CT) imaging is estimated to be as high as 1/500. Chest CT (CCT), often as part of a “pan-scan,” is increasingly performed after blunt trauma in children. We hypothesized that routine CCT for the initial evaluation of blunt injured children does not add clinically useful information beyond chest radiograph (CXR) and rarely changes management. MethodsPediatric (<15 y) trauma team evaluations over 6 y at an academic Level I trauma center were reviewed. Demographic data, injuries, imaging, and management were identified for all patients undergoing CT. Effective radiation dose in milliSieverts (mSv) was calculated using age-adjusted scales. ResultsFifty-seven of 174 children (33%) undergoing CT imaging had a CCT; 55 (97%) of these had a CXR. Pathology was identified in significantly fewer CXRs compared with CCTs (51% versus 83%, P < 0.001). All 7/57 (12%) emergent or urgent chest interventions were based on information from CXR. In 53 children (93%), the CCT was ordered as part of a pan-scan, resulting in a radiation dose of 37.69 ± 7.80 mSv from initial CT scans. Radiation dose was significantly greater from CCT than from CXR (8.7 ± 1.1 mSv versus 0.017 ± 0.002 mSv, P < 0.001). ConclusionsClinically useful information found on CCT had good correlation to information obtained from CXR and did not change patient management, however, did add significantly to the radiation exposure of initial imaging. We recommend selective use of CCT, particularly in the presence of an abnormal mediastinal silhouette on CXR after a significant deceleration injury.

Insurance type, not race, predicts mortality after pediatric trauma

BackgroundIn adult trauma, mortality varies with race and insurance status. In the elderly, insurance type has little impact on mortality after trauma and the influence of race is reduced. How race and insurance affect pediatric trauma requires further attention. We hypothesized that mortality after pediatric trauma is influenced by insurance type and not race. MethodsWe reviewed all cases of blunt trauma in children ≤13 y requiring admission, using the National Trauma Data Bank Research Data Sets for 2007 and 2008. Exclusions included an Abbreviated Injury Score of 6 for any body region, dead on arrival, and missing data. Our primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. ResultsWe identified 831 Asian (1.2%), 10,592 black (15.5%), 45,173 white (66.2%), and 8498 Hispanic (12.5%) children, and 3161 children (4.6%) classified as other race. Mean age was 7.4 ± 4.5 y, 11.9% were uninsured, and overall in-hospital mortality was 1.4%. Multivariable modeling indicated that race was not associated with increased mortality (Asian versus white, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.05, P = 0.88; black versus white, AOR 0.92, P = 0.42; Hispanic versus white, AOR 0.87, P = 0.26; and other race versus white, AOR 1.01, P = 0.96). In contrast, insurance status (any insurance versus no insurance, AOR 0.6, P < 0.01) and insurance type (private insurance versus no insurance, AOR 0.47, P < 0.01; Medicaid versus no insurance, 0.67, P < 0.01) predicted reduced mortality. ConclusionsInsurance status and insurance type are important predictors of mortality after pediatric trauma while, in contrast, race is not.

Cervical Arterial Injury After Blunt Trauma in Children

The incidence of cervical vascular injury (CVI) after blunt cervical trauma in children and adolescents is low. Potential harm from missed injury is high. Screening for CVI has increased with advances in noninvasive angiography, including computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). We attempt to characterize CVI in children and adolescents and evaluate the utility of advanced imaging in CVI screening in this patient population. Clinical and radiographic records of consecutive patients aged 4 to 18 years with blunt cervical spine trauma from 1998 to 2008 were reviewed. Patient demographics, injury pattern, neurological findings, and treatment were recorded. Sixty-one patients were identified. Nineteen underwent screening to evaluate for CVI, including 12 males and 7 females, mean age 13.5 years. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (n=11). Seven patients underwent MRA, 7 CTA, 3 had both studies, and 2 had traditional angiography. Seven patients had CVI, with an overall incidence of 11.5%. High-risk criteria (fracture extension to transverse foramina, fracture/dislocations or severe subluxations, or C1-C3 injury) were associated with increased rates of CVI. Neurological injury was found in 12/19 patients screened and 6/7 patients with CVI. Two of 7 patients underwent anticoagulation due to documented CVI. No delayed-onset ischemic neurological events occurred. After blunt cervical spine trauma, certain fracture patterns increase the risk of CVI. CVI is common, with a minimum incidence of 7/61 or >10% of pediatric patients with blunt cervical spine injury. Over 1/4 of patients studied on the basis of high-risk criteria had injury. Advanced imaging with noninvasive angiography (CTA/MRA) should be strongly considered in pediatric patients with cervical spine trauma. The presence of CVI may prompt a change in management. Level IV-retrospective diagnostic study.

Management of testicular rupture after blunt trauma in children

Testicular rupture is a very rare entity in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgical repair after testicular rupture in children. Between January 2000 and January 2010 seven patients were operated on because of testicular rupture. Mean age at the time of the accident was 15 years. In all patients, an emergency scrotal ultrasonography showed a rupture of the testicular capsule with a surrounding hematocele. Surgical exploration was performed to evacuate the hematocele and repair the ruptured testis. Mean follow-up was 4.9 years. Average hospital stay was 2 days. Mean time between surgery and the initial trauma was 35 h. There were no major complications. Control ultrasound imaging showed that the tunica was repaired and Doppler signal confirmed vascularity in all patients. There were no significant differences in size between the right and left testes. There were no recorded cases of testicular atrophy. Semen analysis showed normospermia 6 months after surgery and anti-sperm antibodies count was within normal limits in all patients. Prompt surgical intervention is crucial. Ruptured testis can be salvaged, with a high success rate, if surgical repair is performed within 72 h of testicular injury.

Imaging for Hepatic Vascular Injury from Blunt Trauma in Children—Nine Cases Report

Introduction Hepatic vascular injury (HVI) is an uncommon complication of blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) in children. Diagnosis and management must be done by imaging. Methods A retrospective review of pediatric patients over a seven-year period (2000–2007). Of 25 files of liver injuries (LI), 9 cases of HVI were diagnosed. All of our cases were explored by sonographic, duplex sonography and computed tomography. Results Of twenty-five cases of LI, nine cases of HVI were recorded. Sex ratio male/female = 1.25 with mean age = 7.88, five cases of vein injuries, two cases of traumatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm, and two cases of arteriovenous fistula. Conclusion HVI affects 36% of liver injuries. Those injuries are often lethal, so systematic detection and treatment in emergency is essential. The role of imaging is both diagnosis and therapeutic.