Der Unfallchirurg
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Clinical Trial
[Results of balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures].
The aim of this study was to evaluate the reduction of pain, improvement of sagittal alignment, complications and intermediate term results of balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF). The study group consisted of 87 patients with 145 VCFs which were not responsive to non-operative treatment. All data were collected prospectively. ⋯ In two patients an asymptomatic moderate loss of reduction was detected. These intermediate term results indicate that kyphoplasty reduces pain and improves sagittal alignment in patients with VCF. However, in 26% of patients new fractures occurred, predominantly in adjacent levels but approximately 50% of these fractures were clinically asymptomatic.
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Case Reports
[Accidental abdominal needlestick injury incurred while discarding a disposal container].
Needlestick injuries routinely occur in everyday clinical practice. Adequate instruction of employees in health care and correct prophylaxis against exposure could conspicuously reduce the incidence. Successful prevention of chronic infectious diseases comprises strict vaccination plans and substantial knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis. The introduction of self-securing cannulas and injection instruments represents an important technological advance.
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Accidents with the risk of exposure to hazardous nuclear, biological, or chemical materials are rare. Most emergency rooms are not familiar with the management of contaminated patients after this kind of incident. There are also ambiguous cases concerning the contamination status of the patient. ⋯ The security arrangements should protect both (medical) personnel and third persons. Early medical treatment combined with decontamination should be the aim. Based on the case of a contaminated patient who was brought to our emergency department after an explosion of a fog grenade with red phosphorus, we discuss our management concept and the current literature.
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Case Reports
[Possibilities for the operative treatment of traumatic posterior shoulder dislocation].
Traumatic posterior locked shoulder dislocation is very rare. The dislocation is often combined with fractures of the humeral head or reversed Hill-Sachs deformities. This case report shows two different possibilities for treatment.
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Bacterial infections with local inflammation or hematogenous spreading may occur after joint punctures and intra- or periarticular injections. The risk of severe infections increases in patients with diseases accompanied by low immunity, e.g., gout, alcoholism, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus. Cases of septic omarthritis after intra-articular injection with fatal outcome after delayed onset of therapy are known. ⋯ Because the clinical picture was recognized early, we were able to prevent severe progression with organ failure. Another female patient developed a postinjection bacterial acromioclavicular arthritis followed by septic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and eventually multiple organ failure (MOF). With inconspicuous clinical findings in the initial shoulder examination the bacterial arthritis was detected as the cause of sepsis only after intensive investigations.