Eur J Trauma Emerg S
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Aug 2010
Role of Neuroprotein S-100B in the Diagnostic of Pediatric Mild Brain Injury.
Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability in children and adolescents. Patients with moderate or severe lesions can be readily recognized clinically, require immediate radiologic diagnostics by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), admission to intensive care units, and, in some cases, will go on to require neurosurgical intervention. Patients with mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs) are diagnostically challenging. ⋯ Admitting all MTBI patients for observation and performing CTs only in case of clinical deterioration is costly and a substantial drain on resources, not to mention the radiation exposure and a source of stress for the majority of patients. Current European guidelines for diagnostics and therapy in MTBI patients are only partially applicable to the pediatric population. This article reviews the clinical problem, treatment options and guidelines, as well as diagnostic tools, with special focus on neuroprotein S-100B in pediatric and adolescent patients with MTBIs.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Aug 2010
Rupture of Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon: A Complication of Volar Locking Plating of the Distal Radius.
We report an unusual case of complete rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon following volar locking plating for a distal radius fracture. We believe that the prominence of a distal locking screw head predisposed to the rupture of the tendon. We highlight that correctly attaching the distal locking screws to the plate is essential for obtaining the correct biomechanics of the device and preventing flexor tendon rupture.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Aug 2010
A Portable CT Scanner in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Decreases Transfer-Associated Adverse Events and Staff Disruption.
Computerized tomography (CT) is an important diagnostic tool in the management of critically ill children, especially those with neurosurgical problems such as traumatic brain injury. Traditionally, such scans require transfer to the radiology department (RD) at times of extreme physiological instability, such as incipient cerebral herniation, and exposes children with actual, or potential, spinal injuries to the risks of transfer. Moving children from pediatric intensive care (PIC), often overnight, also depletes units of senior staff. Portable CT (PCT) scanning offers a solution to this problem, and we assessed patient stability and staff time occupied during urgent CT scans before and after the introduction of a PCT scanner (CereTom(®)) in a regional neurosurgical pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). ⋯ PCT scanning is safe for unstable neurosurgical patients who need urgent diagnostic head CT, reducing the risks associated with transfer and the depletion of staff provision to the other children in the PICU. While this study did not specifically address image quality, all images were diagnostic regarding the indication for scanning.
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Caring for pediatric trauma patients requires an understanding of the distinct anatomy and pathophysiology of the pediatric population compared to adult trauma patients. Initial evaluation, management, and resuscitation are performed as a multidisciplinary approach including pediatric physicians, trauma surgeons, and pediatric intensive care physicians. Head injury severity is the principle determinant of outcome and mortality in polytraumatized children. ⋯ Spine and pelvic injuries as well as injuries of the extremities require age-adapted surgical procedures. However, the degree of recovery in polytraumatized children is often remarkable, even after apparently devastating injuries. Maximal care should, therefore, be rendered under the assumption that a complete recovery will be made.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Aug 2010
Proximal Tibial Sleeve Fracture: Case Report of a Rare Injury and Review of the Literature.
A sleeve fracture occurs when a ''sleeve'' of cartilage or periosteum is avulsed with or without an osseous fragment, an injury most commonly reported in the patella. Proximal tibial sleeve fractures are extremely rare and we present a case in an adolescent male who had concomitant osteochondral as well as chondral fractures of his patella. ⋯ Given that the ''sleeve'' of the injury contains tissue with osteogenic potential, we recommend that displaced proximal tibial sleeve fractures should be managed operatively to avoid dysfunction of the extensor mechanism. These patients should also have perioperative assessment for occult osteochondral and chondral injuries that are potentially repairable and thus may have implications for prognosis.