J Trauma
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Case Reports
Ipsilateral fracture dislocation of the radial shaft head associated with elbow dislocation: case report.
A severe form of an extremely unusual injury, ipsilateral fracture dislocation of the radial shaft head associated with elbow dislocation, is described. Radial shaft fracture was irreducible even after the radial head and the elbow were reduced. Open reduction and internal fixation are viable options.
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Comparative Study
Prospective analysis of a rapid trauma ultrasound examination performed by emergency physicians.
The objective of this prospective study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the rapid trauma ultrasound examination, performed by emergency physicians, for detecting free peritoneal and thoracic fluid in patients presenting to a level I trauma center with major blunt or penetrating torso trauma. Emergency medicine residents and faculty were trained to perform an ultrasound examination of the torso evaluating for free intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, pleural, and pericardial fluid. ⋯ Ultrasonography can serve as an accurate diagnostic adjunct in detecting free peritoneal and thoracic fluid in trauma patients. Appropriately trained emergency physicians can accurately perform and interpret these trauma ultrasound examinations.
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Review Case Reports
Diagnosis by video-assisted thoracoscopy of traumatic pericardial rupture with delayed luxation of the heart: case report.
Isolated pericardial rupture is probably a frequently overlooked injury. We present a case of delayed heart herniation through a left pericardial tear resulting from blunt trauma. Diagnosis was achieved by video-assisted thoracoscopy, which was also helpful in the selection of the appropriate site and extent for the thoracotomy incision.
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Two cases of benign cervical prevertebral soft tissue swelling following traumatic asphyxia are presented. Neither were associated with neck pain, neck tenderness, or mechanism of injury associated with cervical injury, and each resolved spontaneously. Traumatic asphyxia, which results in significant craniofacial swelling, may also result in swelling of the retropharyngeal soft tissues, which may be detected on cervical radiography. Cervical prevertebral soft tissue swelling in the setting of traumatic asphyxia should not be misinterpreted as suggestive of spinal injury in the absence of other findings.
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To determine the usefulness of early echocardiography in stable patients with penetrating wounds in proximity to the heart. ⋯ Using the protocol of early ECHO and selective pericardial window, no clinically significant injuries were missed. In all, 12 penetrating cardiac injuries were identified and repaired successfully. We have found early and aggressive work-up, as outlined herein, to be helpful in the successful treatment of occult cardiac injuries.