Evaluation Of Trauma Research Articles

Surgeon-Performed Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Acute Sigmoid Diverticulitis: A Pragmatic Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background and purpose Early diagnosis and risk stratification of sigmoid diverticulitis rely heavily on timely imaging. Computerized tomography (CT), the gold standard diagnostic test, may be delayed due to resource constraints or patient comorbidity. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has an established role in trauma evaluation, and could potentially diagnose and stage acute diverticulitis, thus shortening the time to definitive treatment. Aims This study aimed to benchmark the accuracy of surgeon-performed POCUS against CT in diagnosing and staging acute diverticulitis. A secondary aim was to evaluate the duration between the POCUS and the confirmatory CT scan report. Patients and methods A pragmatic prospective multicenter cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02682368) was conducted. Surgeons performed point-of-care ultrasound as first-line imaging for suspected acute diverticulitis. POCUS diagnosis and radiologic Hinchey classification were compared to CT as the reference standard. Results Of 45 patients with suspected acute diverticulitis, POCUS classified 37 (82.2%) as uncomplicated diverticulitis, four (8.8%) as complicated diverticulitis, and four (8.8%) as other diagnoses. The POCUS-estimated modified radiologic Hinchey classification was largely concordant with CT staging with an accuracy of 88.8% (95% CI, 75.95-96.2%), a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 90.2- 100%) and a specificity of 44.4% (95% CI, 13.7-78.8%). The positive predictive value (PPV) was 87.8% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 100%. There was moderate agreement between CT and POCUS, with a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.56. The mean delay between CT and POCUS was 9.14 hours (range 0.33 to 43.5). Conclusion We examined the role of POCUS in the management of acute diverticulitis and our findings suggest that it is a promising imaging modality with the potential to reduce radiation exposure and treatment delays. Adding a POCUS training module to the surgical curriculum could enhance diagnosis and expedite the management of acute diverticulitis.

Application of a Thoracic CT Decision Rule in the Evaluation of Injured Children: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Differences in injury patterns in children suggest that life-threatening chest injuries are rare. Radiation exposure from computed tomography increases cancer risk in children. Two large retrospective pediatric studies have demonstrated that thoracic computed tomography can be reserved for patients based on mechanism of injury and abnormal findings on chest radiography. Implement a decision rule to guide utilization of thoracic computed tomography in the evaluation of pediatric blunt trauma, limiting risk of unnecessary radiation exposure and clinically significant missed injuries. A protocol for thoracic computed tomography utilization in pediatric blunt trauma was implemented using a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle at our Level I pediatric trauma center, reserving thoracic computed tomography for patients with (1) mediastinal widening on chest radiography or (2) vehicle-related mechanism and abnormal chest radiography. We modified our resuscitation order set to limit default imaging bundles. The medical record and trauma registry data were reviewed for all pediatric blunt trauma patients (younger than 18 years) over a 30-month study period before and after protocol implementation (May 2017 to July 2018 and February 2019 to April 2020), allowing for a 6-month implementation period (August 2018 to January 2019). During the study period, 1,056 blunt trauma patients were evaluated with a median (range) Injury Severity Score of 5 (0-58). There were no significant demographic differences between patients before and after protocol implementation. Thoracic computed tomography utilization significantly decreased after implementation of the protocol (26.4% [129/488] to 12.7% [72/568; p < .05]), with no increase in clinically significant missed injuries. Protocol compliance was 88%. Application of decision rules can safely limit ionizing radiation in injured children. Further limitations to thoracic computed tomography utilization may be safe and warrant continued study due to the rarity of significant injuries.

Syndesmosis Instability

The syndesmosis is one of important stabilizer of the ankle joint and consists of a complex ligamentous structure: the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament; the interosseous ligament; the posterior inferior tibiofibular and the transverse ligaments. The posterior syndesmosis plays the most important role providing 40–45% of the resistance to diastasis, while the AITFL provides around 35%. Major injuries of two of the syndesmosis components represent a loss of more than 50% of resistance to diastasis and may result in instability. Syndesmosis injury or a high ankle sprain, is a frequent athletic trauma accounting for 1% to 18% of all ankle sprains, 17 to 84% of all sport injuries, and 10% of all ankle fractures. Most of the mechanism injury is external rotation injury. A radiographic study suggested that about 20.3% of ankle sprains were combined with a syndesmosis injury. Without proper treatment, the chronic syndesmosis injury remains symptomatic for more than 6 months after the initial trauma, with persistent pain, functional disability, and early-stage ankle arthritis. Normally, syndesmosis widens 1 mm during normal gait. Widening of syndesmosis more than 1 mm can reduce tibiotalar contact surface about 42%. The degenerative changes can occur if the lateral talar shift more than 2 mm. Clinical tests for syndesmosis injuries are external rotation stress test, Cotton test, dorsiflexion-compression test, squeeze test, crossed-leg test, fibular translation and AITFL palpation. Standard radiographs are part of ankle trauma evaluation, especially for fracture exclusion, applying the Ottawa criteria. Computerized tomography (CT) scan is a useful tool to assess tibiofibular diastasis, fibular rotation and joint asymmetry, but shows low sensitivity. MRI is showing very high sensitivity and specificity in identification of syndesmotic injuries. For stable lesion can be treated with conservative means, including non weight bearing or protected weight bearing with a cast or walking boot and a rehabilitation protocol. An unstable lesion requires a surgical procedure to avoid long-term disability and chronic instability. Ankle arthroscopy remains essential for diagnosis and treatment. With accessory tools that measure the syndesmosis gap (e.g. 3.5 mm shaver canula or a metallic tools). Passage of a 3 mm spherical probe during external rotation indicates very high likelihood of rupture of both the AITFL and the IOL. Also, concomitant intra-articular pathologies (osteochondral lesions, other ligamentous rupture or loose bodies) can be presented, with 19% needs to be addressed, reinforcing the role of arthroscopy not only for diagnosis but also for treatment. It is also an excellent tool to evaluate anatomic reduction and residual diastasis.

Etiology, evaluation, and management of facial nerve trauma

A typical presenting concern in general practitioners' offices, emergency rooms, otolaryngology, and neurology departments are facial nerve paralysis. Penetrating injury to the facial nerve, especially iatrogenic damage, is one of the most frequent traumatic reasons of facial paralysis. The facial paralysis that results from blunt trauma that crushes the nerve frequently appears as an incomplete or delayed paralysis. The affected part of the nerve will determine how the injury manifests clinically. For adequate patient counseling with respect to prognosis and management, accurate diagnosis of facial nerve palsy must be achieved. The most often employed standardized instrument for determining the level of facial weakness is the House-Brackmann 6-grade instrument for facial nerve activity. The greatest success chances for reanimation occur in cases of a recent, sudden nerve transection i.e., less than 72 hours, where the nerve is quickly identified and repaired using direct coaptation or interposition grafts. The primary strategy of care is surveillance in situations with facial nerve paralysis where it is known that the nerve is physically intact such as blunt force trauma with incomplete or delayed complete paralysis. Neurological, muscular, static, and facial plastic treatments are some examples of facial reanimation approaches.

A systematic study on 3-D reconstruction computed tomography in cases of maxillofacial traumatic injuries

The skeletal anatomy of maxillofacial region is the most complex in the body. Injuries of this region is classified from isolated injuries which involves osseous components to complex maxillofacial injuries involving the entire facial skeleton. The aim of any imaging technique for maxillofacial injury is to evaluate the positions of anatomic elements in precision for both hard and soft tissues in spatial planes. The oldest method of imaging Maxillofacial injuries was the classic x-rays. The challenge of the classical method was the inability to represent all the bone structures of facial skeleton precisely and the very difficulty to access the elements of the soft tissue of face in detailed form. Computed tomography have replaced conventional x-rays and is now a very important tool of imaging for very precise evaluation of maxillofacial trauma and it’s potency with the ability to detect the exact number and site along with the extent of fractures.A systemic self-study was planned to analyze the best choice of imaging techniques for cases of maxillofacial traumatic injuries. With the application of electronic databases we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Clinical Trial Gov, Medline Plus, health line, John Hopkins Medicine which were published in English language. This systemic self-study have reviewed the facts which were published earlier to determine the ideal choice of imaging techniques for any trauma to maxillofacial region. Vast analysis and along with proper examination of data to evaluate with final conclusion.Based on our systemic self study we observed this fact that maxillofacial injuries are one of the most frequently encountered injuries which are very often admitted in emergency department. With the revolution of technology in healthcare, today 3D Computed tomography has become the ultimate and primary imaging method because of its significant technical improvement.We concluded that 3D Computed Tomography imaging is very useful for assessing the severity of midface fracture and injury. The reason for 3D Computed Tomography being chosen as imaging choice is just because the 3D image displays the spatial relationships of fracture segments which are in dislocated form and assists surgeons with better graphic display of the actual anatomic presentation which further guides and asists in the management planning and surgical approach in operation Theatre. Hence 3D Computed tomography is the imaging method of choice for an accurate diagnosis which have totally replaced conventional radiography due to its inability to depict the complex anatomical structure of maxillofacial region. This is the reason 3D Computed Tomography is regarded as golden choice in cases of oro-maxillofacial trauma.

Utilization of Chest and Abdominopelvic CT for Traumatic Injury From 2011 to 2018: Evaluation Using a National Commercial Database.

BACKGROUND. Increases in the use of CT to evaluate patients presenting with trauma have raised concern about inappropriate imaging. The evolving utilization of CT for trauma evaluation may be impacted by injury severity. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to explore patterns in utilization of chest and abdominopelvic CT among trauma-related emergency department (ED) visits across the United States. METHODS. This retrospective study was conducted with national commercial claims information extracted from the MarketScan Commercial Database. Trauma-related ED encounters were identified from the 2011-2018 MarketScan database files and classified by injury severity score (minor, intermediate, and major injuries) on the basis of International Classification of Diseases codes. ED encounters were also assessed for chest CT, abdominopelvic CT, and single-encounter chest and abdominopelvic CT examinations. Utilization per 1000 trauma-related ED encounters was determined. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to determine incidence rate ratios (IRRs) as a measure of temporal changes in utilization. RESULTS. From 2011 to 2018, 8,369,092 trauma-related ED encounters were identified (5,685,295 for minor, 2,624,944 for intermediate, and 58,853 for major injuries). Utilization of chest CT per 1000 trauma-related ED encounters increased from 4.9 to 13.5 examinations (adjusted IRR, 1.15 per year; minor injuries, from 2.2 to 7.7 [adjusted IRR, 1.17]; intermediate injuries, from 8.5 to 21.5 [adjusted IRR, 1.16]; major injuries, from 117.8 to 200.1 [adjusted IRR, 1.08]). Utilization of abdominopelvic CT per 1000 trauma-related ED encounters increased from 7.5 to 16.4 (adjusted IRR, 1.12; minor injuries, 4.8 to 12.2 [adjusted IRR, 1.13]; intermediate injuries, 10.6 to 21.7 [adjusted IRR, 1.13]; major injuries, 134.8 to 192.6 [adjusted IRR, 1.07]). Utilization of single-encounter chest and abdominopelvic CT per 1000 trauma-related ED encounters increased from 3.4 to 8.9 [adjusted IRR, 1.16; minor injuries, 1.1 to 4.6 [adjusted IRR, 1.18]; intermediate injuries, 6.4 to 16.4 [adjusted IRR, 1.16]; major injuries, 99.6 to 179.9 [adjusted IRR, 1.08]). CONCLUSION. National utilization of chest and abdominopelvic CT for trauma-related ED encounters increased among commercially insured patients from 2011 to 2018, particularly for single-encounter chest and abdominopelvic CT examinations and for minor injuries. CLINICAL IMPACT. Given concerns about increased cost and detection of incidental findings, further investigation is warranted to explore the potential benefit of single-encounter chest and abdominopelvic CT examinations of patients with minor injuries and to develop strategies for optimizing appropriateness of imaging orders.

Orthopaedic Diagnoses in the Black Pediatric Population.

The Black pediatric population is one that has been historically underserved and continues to have unmet needs. Factors including lack of diversity in orthopaedic studies and in historical standards, such as bone age, may inadvertently lead to inferior care. There are certain conditions in this population for which the practicing orthopaedic surgeon should have a higher degree of suspicion, including slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Blount disease, and postaxial polydactyly. Systemic diseases with higher rates in this population have orthopaedic manifestations, including sickle cell disease, vitamin D deficiency, and obesity. Racial discrepancies in access to prenatal care can have orthopaedic consequences for babies, especially cerebral palsy and myelodysplasia. Racial discrepancy exists in evaluation for nonaccidental trauma. Increased awareness of these issues better prepares practitioners to provide equitable care.

Role of laparoscopy in patients with abdominal trauma: Rashid Hospital Trauma Center experience

Background: Exploratory laparotomy has been the standard intervention for surgical evaluation or treatment of abdominal trauma. Laparoscopic surgery with its proposed favorable surgical outcome may provide a reliable and accurate diagnosis of the injury. In this study, we aim to define the diagnostic role of laparoscopy in abdominal trauma and define the proposed advantages of reducing nontherapeutic laparotomies. Methodology: The study is a cohort retrospective study conducted at a level I trauma center – Rashid Hospital, United Arab Emirates. All patients from January 2016 to May 2019 with a history of abdominal trauma requiring surgical intervention fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. The outcome of this study was to look at the rate of reduction of nontherapeutic laparotomies and the rate of missed injury. Results: The rate of reduction of nontherapeutic laparotomy in patients with abdominal trauma using diagnostic laparoscopy was 19.4%. Post-operative complications were higher in the open exploration group (p-value = 0.04). No missed injury was reported among the laparoscopy group. The mean hospital stay was higher in the laparotomy group compared to the laparoscopy group (13.6 vs 17.1). Laparoscopy was successful in 68.4% of the patients and the conversion rate was 31.6%. Conclusions: Laparoscopy has a role in the diagnosis of intra-abdominal injuries of hemodynamically stable patients with suspected abdominal injury to reduce unnecessary laparotomies, thereby decreasing postoperative complications.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings after knee, foot, and ankle traumas.

The aim of this study is to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of knee and ankle traumas that could not be detected in the first post-traumatic evaluation and diagnosed within 15 days after the follow-up examination and to discuss the results we obtained with current data. Patients admitted to the emergency department trauma department between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Applications due to traffic accidents and all traumas except knee and ankle trauma were excluded from the study. Medical records were used to reveal the demographic characteristics of the cases, clinical findings, mechanisms of injury, additional injuries, and interventions in the emergency room. The mean age of 2,039 patients included in the study due to knee, foot, and ankle trauma was 35.69±12.01, and the median value was 36 (age range 11-71). The patients were divided into 2 groups knee trauma and ankle trauma and statistical evaluations were made. Of the patients evaluated for knee trauma (n=1,157), 463 (40%) were female and 694 (60%) were male. Of the patients evaluated for ankle trauma (n=882), 397 (45%) were female and 485 (55%) were male. It is evident that knee, foot, and ankle traumas after simple falls and sports injuries are frequently encountered by emergency physicians. It is known that post-traumatic ligament injury, bone contusion, intraarticular fluid/hematoma formation, and fractures that cannot be detected by radiographs can be overlooked in emergency departments where patient density is high.

Value of contrast-enhanced arterial phase imaging in addition to portovenous phase in CT evaluation of blunt abdominopelvic trauma.

Compare the diagnostic performance of the arterial phase plus portovenous phases (AP + PVP) of abdominopelvic CT (CT) with PVP alone in the detection and characterization of traumatic vascular injury and the effects on radiologists' confidence. CT of 103 consecutive inpatients (median 36 years, 83 males) with blunt abdominopelvic injuries were retrospectively included if performed within 24 h after trauma and before definitive management. Images were re-reviewed by two blinded radiologists with disagreements resolved by the third radiologist. Sixty vascular injuries (liver 23, spleen 15, kidneys 9, pancreas 2, adrenals 3, mesentery, and pelvis 4 each) were found with 4 injuries (liver 2, spleen, and kidneys 1 each) not detected at initial CT. Nineteen (liver 6, spleen 10, kidneys 2, adrenal 1) were visualized only on AP. The sensitivity and accuracy of AP + PVP were 89.58-91.67% and 94.44-95.15%, compared to 61.67-62.50% and 77.67-80.00% of PVP alone. The agreements on the types of injury with final diagnoses were higher for AP + PVP than for PVP alone (78.69% vs. 44.26%). The mean diagnostic radiologist confidence ((1 = 25%, 2 = 50%, 3 = 75%, 4 > 90%) increased significantly in the detection (from 3.38 to 3.71) and characterization (from 2.46 to 3.67) of vascular injuries with AP + PVP compared to PVP alone. For 19 lesions detected only on AP, 11 (spleen 8, liver 2, adrenal 1) received nonoperative management; others had transarterial embolization or surgery. The addition of AP improves the detection and characterization of vascular injuries in CT evaluation of blunt abdominopelvic trauma. • AP+PVP was more sensitive and precise than PVP alone in the detection of traumatic vascular abdominopelvic injuries. • AP+PVP improved the characterization of traumatic abdominopelvic vascular injuries. • When all abdominopelvic vascular injuries were considered, AP increased radiologists' diagnostic confidence in the detection and characterization of vascular injuries.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric firearm injuries in Colorado

BackgroundIn 2019 firearm injuries surpassed automobile-related injuries as the leading cause of pediatric death in Colorado. In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to community-level social, economic, and health impacts as well as changes to injury epidemiology. Thus, we sought to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric firearm injuries in Colorado. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of pediatric firearm injured patients (≤ 18-years-old) evaluated at three trauma centers in Colorado from 2018–2021. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the time of their firearm injury: pre- COVID injuries and post- COVID injuries. Group differences were examined using t-tests for continuous variables and Chi Squared or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables. ResultsOverall, 343 firearm injuries occurred during the study period. There was a significant increase in firearm injuries as a proportion of overall pediatric ED trauma evaluations following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (pre COVID: 5.18/100 trauma evaluations; post COVID: 8.61/100 trauma evaluations, p<0.0001). Assaults were the most common injury intent seen both pre and post COVID (70.3% vs. 56.7%, respectively); however, unintentional injuries increased significantly from 10.3% to 22.5% (p = 0.004) following the onset of the pandemic. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a 177% increase in unintentional injuries in adolescents. ConclusionPediatric firearm injuries, particularly unintentional injuries, increased significantly in Colorado following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The substantial increase in unintentional injuries among adolescents highlights the necessity of multi-disciplinary approaches to limit or regulate their access to firearms. Level of EvidenceLevel III. Study TypeRetrospective.

Incidence, Presentation, and Natural History of Adrenal Hemorrhage

INTRODUCTION: Adrenal hemorrhage (AH) occurring within a normal gland or an adrenal tumor can be indistinguishable on imaging. Guidelines regarding appropriate follow-up of AH are lacking. METHODS: We identified patients with AH found on chest, abdominal, or spinal CT at our tertiary medical center from January 1, 2006, to October 5, 2021, and performed a retrospective cohort analysis. Follow-up imaging of patients without documented resolution of hemorrhage underwent dedicated review by an attending radiologist for evidence of underlying mass. RESULTS: Of 490,301 scans, 550 (0.11%) had evidence of AH. Mean age of patients with AH was 36.8 years and 34.7% were women. Most scans (n = 493, 89.6%) were performed during trauma evaluation. Two patients underwent intervention at the time of presentation: 1 embolization and 1 aspiration of hemorrhagic cyst. Of 126 (22.9%) patients with follow-up imaging at our institution, 92 (73.0%) demonstrated resolution of hemorrhage and 19 (15.1%) showed decreased size at medians of 8.1 and 1.6 months after index scan, respectively. Ten patients (7.8%) had evidence of an adrenal mass, confirmed on follow-up imaging (n = 7) and/or at adrenalectomy (n = 3), with 1 adrenal cortical carcinoma confirmed on pathology. Nontrauma scans with AH were significantly more likely to have an underlying mass (n = 7/35 [20%] nontrauma vs n = 3/96 [3.1%] trauma, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: AH is a rare finding on CT imaging that may indicate the presence of an underlying mass, particularly when unrelated to trauma. Interval imaging follow-up at 6 months to 1 year should be considered to assess for resolution of hemorrhage and exclude underlying mass.

The Need for Trauma Management Training and Evaluation on a Prehospital Setting.

Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in the world, being the main cause of death in people under 45 years old. The epidemiology of these deaths shows an important peak during the first hour after a traumatic event. Therefore, learning how to manage traumatic injuries in a prehospital setting is of great importance. Medical students from Universidad Autónoma performed 66 different simulations to stabilize a trauma patient on a prehospital scene by using a web-based trauma simulator. Then, a panel of trauma experts evaluated the simulations performed, observing that, on average, an important number of simulations were scored below 5, being the score values provided from 0, minimum, to 10, maximum. Therefore, the first need detected is the need to further train prehospital trauma management in undergraduate education. Additionally, a deeper analysis of the scores provided by the experts was performed. It showed a great dispersion in the scores provided by the different trauma experts per simulation. Therefore, a second need is identified, the need to develop a system to objectively evaluate trauma management.

Plain Radiographic Analysis of Laryngeal Dimensions in Young Children: Normal versus Croup.

(1) Background: Contrary to a tenet of the funnel-shaped pediatric larynx with the cricoid level being narrowest, recent studies show the glottis and subglottis as the narrowest levels. To locate the functionally narrowest level of the larynx, we reported normal laryngeal dimensions and their croup-related changes in young children. (2) Methods: We reviewed normal plain neck radiographs recorded for the evaluation of minor trauma or foreign bodies in 504 children aged ≤4 years who visited the emergency department from 2016 through 2021. Using computed tomography-based localization of the glottis, we radiographically defined the subglottis and cricoid. At these levels, we measured diameters and calculated cross-sectional areas (CSAs) on the radiographs. The values were compared to the equivalent values of a 1:1 age-matched population with croup. (3) Results: In the study population (n = 401), the narrowest diameter and CSA were observed in the glottis. In detail, the mean anteroposterior/transverse diameters were 9.8/3.4 mm at the glottis, 8.5/5.6 mm at the subglottis, and 7.4/6.8 mm at the cricoid (p < 0.001), respectively. In the same order, the mean CSAs were 26.5, 38.1, and 40.5 mm2 (p < 0.001). All dimensions were narrower in the croup population (p < 0.001). We found croup-related narrowing, namely reductions in the transverse diameter and CSA that were more severe closer to the glottis (p < 0.001), without differences per level in the anteroposterior diameter. (4) Conclusions: This study confirms the glottis as the narrowest level of the larynx in young children. In addition, level-based differences in croup-related narrowing suggest some point between the glottis and subglottis as the functionally narrowest level.

Laryngeal Trauma, Its Types, and Management.

Laryngotracheal wounds are rare; however, they have a significant mortality rate. These wounds can be blunt or penetrating. Usually, the larynx is protected from blunt trauma by the sternum and jaw. A "clothesline" injury happens when the exposed neck is struck by a hard object, such as a wall wire or tree branch, or when an attack is intended to damage the larynx. Additionally, injuries may occur when the neck is stressed due to damage, such as in a rear-end accident that causes a whiplash-like injury or when the larynx is intentionally targeted for harm. Penetrating neck trauma may result in injury to the larynx. Assume a patient has suffered a penetrating or severe neck injury. It is usually evident from their medical history or a quick trauma evaluation in that case. However, it is recommended to be cautious for anterior neck injuries in general and to have a low threshold for establishing a surgical airway. The priority is securing an airway when a patient with a laryngeal injury arrives in the emergency room. The operating surgeon may request any flexible laryngoscopy, computed tomography (CT), esophagram, and chest X-ray for additional examination, depending on the nature of the damage and the patient's health. After the examination, the initial step in treating laryngeal injuries should be to locate and secure the airway. According to the evaluation and management based on the Schaefer classification system for laryngeal injury, the patient is treated based on whether the patient has impending airway obstruction or a stable airway. Medical management or observation and surgical management depend on the site and severity of the injury, patient condition, and type of injury. There are several complications related to laryngotracheal trauma, which can be minor or even fatal. Following successful treatment, postoperative and rehabilitative care, vocal rest, speech therapy, and swallowing therapy may be necessary.

171 Presentations of Infants With Skull Fractures ≤ 3 Months of Age, With and Without Intracranial Hemorrhage

171 Presentations of Infants With Skull Fractures ≤ 3 Months of Age, With and Without Intracranial Hemorrhage

Hispanic Farmers Experience Shorter EMS Response Times but Longer Emergency Department Length of Stay Following Occupational Injuries.

Agriculture has the highest rate of fatal injuries by sector. Hispanic workers also experience more fatal work injuries than every other minority group combined. Pre-hospital and initial trauma evaluation represent an important marker to understand the impact of a trauma system. We sought to investigate whether Hispanic agricultural workers in the United States (US) experience disparities following traumatic occupational injuries in terms of pre-hospital and emergency department care. We retrospectively analyzed the National Trauma Data Bank from 2012-2016 to understand differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic farmers in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response and transport times (minutes), transport mode, transfer rates, presentation to University or Level I trauma hospitals, Injury Severity Scores (ISS), length of stay (LOS) in the emergency department (ED, minutes) or hospital (days), need for the operating room (OR), admittance to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and mortality. A total of 6,161 farmers were included in our analyses (median age 47years, females 7.0%). Multivariable analyses indicate differences regarding EMS response, EMS transport, and LOS in the ED. Rates of admission to the ICU, surgical operations, days on a ventilator, discharge from the hospital with supportive care, and mortality did not differ between groups. Non-Hispanic patients have longer median EMS response and total transport times. Hispanic patients have longer median LOS in the ED. However, the lack of significant differences in management variables other than EMS times and ED LOS indicate an equitable delivery of trauma care once patients were transferred from the ED.

Role of multi detector computed tomography (MDCT) in evaluation and management of blunt abdominal trauma

Background: The majority of all blunt and penetrating body injuries are abdominal injuries. Computed tomography is a significant and quick technology that provides information on the kind of abdominal damage quickly and aids in patient care in accordance with that information. The current study's objectives were to assess the value of Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) in identifying intra-abdominal injuries in patients with acute abdominal trauma and to give knowledge that might precisely guide therapy decisions (non- operative versus operative). and to compare the computed tomography (CT) results to either clinical observation, a further CT scan (if necessary), or the results of surgery (wherever applicable). Objectives: To examine the utility of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in detecting intra-abdominal injuries in patients with blunt abdominal trauma and providing information to define the role of therapy (operative versus conservative). Materials and Methods: This two-year prospective study looked at 50 patients who had suffered blunt abdominal trauma. The MDCT findings were compared to clinical outcomes, follow-up CT scans (if needed), and surgical outcomes (whichever applicable). Results: Motor vehicular accidents were the commonest cause of abdomen blunt injury (68%). Abdominal injury was present in 38 (76%) patients and hemoperitoneum was seen on CT scan in 33 patients (85.8%). In 27 patients, hemoperitoneum was associated with solid organ injury. The commonest injury was splenic injury. In 6 patients (15.8%) who underwent surgery, CT findings of hemoperitoneum and solid organ injury were verified, and bowel injury was shown to be the origin of isolated hemoperitoneum in two cases. The CT scan was 100% accurate in detecting hemoperitoneum. During the follow-up period, all conservatively handled cases recovered without incident. As a result, OIS grading appeared to predict care methods in the majority of patients in this study's overall analysis of solid organ injuries, with the exception of those with bowel and mesenteric injuries. Conclusion: In the diagnosis and management of blunt abdominal trauma, CT is the imaging modality of choice. Keywords: Computed tomography; Blunt Abdominal Trauma; Organ Injury Scaling (OIS); splenic injury; liver injury, road traffic accidents.

Analysis of Admission Thromboelastogram Profiles in 1369 Male and Female Trauma Patients

IntroductionRecent studies have demonstrated a hypercoagulable thromboelastrogram (TEG) in female trauma patients compared with males, conferring a possible survival advantage. We hypothesized that TEG profiles would reveal a relative hypercoagulable state in female compared with male trauma patients. MethodsA prospective review was conducted on all adult trauma patients admitted to the trauma service at an American College of Surgeons–verified level I trauma center from December 2019 to June 2021 who, per our institutional protocol, received a thrombelastotgraphy on their initial arrival to the trauma center if classified as a level I or II trauma activation. The thromboelastography values of male and female trauma patients were compared as the primary outcome variables of interest. The secondary outcomes investigated were hospital length of stay, surgical interventions, and ventilatory requirement. ResultsA total of 1369 patients met inclusion criteria, with 878 (64.1%) male and 491 (35.9%) female. Female patients had a higher median alpha angle (74.8 versus 72.6°, P < 0.001), maximum amplitude (69.3 versus 66.2 mm, P < 0.001), and shorter median K time (1.0 versus 1.2 s, P < 0.001). Female patients had a shorter hospital length of stay (4 versus 5 d, P < 0.001), had a lower rate of surgical intervention (14.6% versus 25.5%, P < 0.001), and had lower rates of mechanical ventilation (19.3% versus 39.5%, P < 0.001). ConclusionsFemale trauma patients were found to have hypercoagulable indices on TEG at the time of initial trauma evaluation compared with males. Intrinsic differences in sex coagulation profiles should be further investigated to optimize modern resuscitation strategies.

Automated detection and analysis of subdural hematomas using a machine learning algorithm.

Machine learning algorithms have shown groundbreaking results in neuroimaging. Herein, the authors evaluate the performance of a newly developed convolutional neural network (CNN) to detect and quantify the thickness, volume, and midline shift (MLS) of subdural hematoma (SDH) from noncontrast head CT (NCHCT). NCHCT studies performed for the evaluation of head trauma in consecutive patients between July 2018 and April 2021 at a single institution were retrospectively identified. Ground truth determination of SDH, thickness, and MLS was established by the neuroradiology report. The primary outcome was performance of the CNN in detecting SDH in an external validation set, as measured using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Secondary outcomes included accuracy for thickness, volume, and MLS. Among 263 cases with valid NCHCT according to the study criteria, 135 patients (51%) were male, the mean (± standard deviation) age was 61 ± 23 years, and 70 patients were diagnosed with SDH on neuroradiologist evaluation. The median SDH thickness was 11 mm (IQR 6 mm), and 16 patients had a median MLS of 5 mm (IQR 2.25 mm). In the independent data set, the CNN performed well, with sensitivity of 91.4% (95% CI 82.3%-96.8%), specificity of 96.4% (95% CI 92.7%-98.5%), and accuracy of 95.1% (95% CI 91.7%-97.3%); sensitivity for the subgroup with an SDH thickness above 10 mm was 100%. The maximum thickness mean absolute error was 2.75 mm (95% CI 2.14-3.37 mm), whereas the MLS mean absolute error was 0.93 mm (95% CI 0.55-1.31 mm). The Pearson correlation coefficient computed to determine agreement between automated and manual segmentation measurements was 0.97 (95% CI 0.96-0.98). The described Viz.ai SDH CNN performed exceptionally well at identifying and quantifying key features of SDHs in an independent validation imaging data set.