Eur J Trauma Emerg S
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Eur J Trauma Emerg S · Oct 2013
Cervical spine fractures in the elderly: morbidity and mortality after operative treatment.
Although there are currently many different strategies and recommendations in the therapy of cervical spine fractures in elderly patients, there are still no generally accepted treatment algorithms. The aim of the present study was to analyze the morbidity, mortality, and outcome of operated cervical spine injuries in the elderly. ⋯ In elderly patients with cervical spine fractures, the hospital course is complicated by medical issues and early mortality rates are significant. Therefore, treatment strategies should be carefully individualized to the patients and their comorbidities.
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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.
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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.