Eur J Trauma Emerg S
-
Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Oct 2013
Do cervical spine X-rays for trauma have clinically significant incidental findings?
About 800,000 cervical X-rays for trauma are taken every year in the USA. Those X-rays are reviewed by orthopedic specialists in the emergency room (ER) for traumatic findings. The quantity of incidental atraumatic findings in this very prevalent examination is unknown. We sought to determine the incidence of those findings. ⋯ Incidental findings in the cervical spine were associated with older age. Awareness of the prevalence of incidental findings is important in order to ensure that they are detected and managed appropriately.
-
Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Oct 2013
Lactic acidosis is associated with multiple organ failure and need for ventilator support in patients with severe hemorrhage from trauma.
Lactate is a biomarker for hypoperfusion and subsequent resuscitation in trauma. It is also a predictor of mortality, but few studies have correlated lactate levels with relevant morbidities after trauma. ⋯ Elevated blood lactate levels from trauma were closely correlated with worse outcomes. Thus, lactate shows promise as a biomarker for resuscitation as well as a predictor of mortality. Furthermore, this study supports its use in critical care trials as an outcome measure.
-
Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Oct 2013
Distinguishing between acute appendicitis and appendiceal mucocele: is this possible preoperatively?
Mucocele of the appendix is an infrequent event, characterized by a cystic dilatation of the lumen. It is often diagnosed clinically from signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis or, if it is asymptomatic, as an incidental finding during ultrasonography, computed tomography, or laparotomy. ⋯ A threshold 10-mm diameter of the appendix under compression is a useful preoperative measurement for differentiating between appendiceal mucocele and acute appendicitis. Microhematuria is simple test that can provide a significant role in supporting the clinical diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele in the emergency department.