J Trauma
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Outcome after severe head injury has been shown in some studies to be more favorable in children than in adults. Mortality rates reported range between 20% and 40% for children. Only contradicting data are available regarding the impact of trauma modalities on long-term outcome, or the relative influence of head fractures, intracranial hemorrhages, and brain edema on survival or neurologic sequelae in children. ⋯ The overall death rate in this study of children with severe head injury was low (22%) compared with other studies. However, the incidence of severe neurologic impairment at discharge remained high. The major risks for death or neurologic impairment were primary areflexia and the development of secondary brain swelling/edema, indicated by a low GCS score.
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This study focuses on the analysis of snowboarding versus skiing injuries, especially fracture, dislocation, or both, of the elbow, based on 7 years of medical records and roentgenograms of patients injured at a ski-snowboard area, Mt. Zao National Park, and demonstrates the precise characteristics of snowboard injury in the elbow region. ⋯ Posterior dislocation; fractures of coronoid process, radial neck, and radial head; and extension-type fracture of the distal humerus characterize the particular and frequent injury mechanism responsible for snowboarding trauma in the elbow region. Thus, snowboarding injury of the elbow is recognized as a severe injury and is characterized by a frequent risk of posterior dislocation, fracture, or both. The severity of elbow injuries in snowboarding mainly seems to be due to direct mechanical force on the elbow, receiving the full impact of falling down, combined with an outstretched hand and elbow extension, or with an outstretched hand and longitudinal thrust force, to the proximal radius and ulna and distal humerus.
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Comparative Study
Comparative use of magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiologic investigation for the prognosis of head injury.
To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrophysiologic investigation as prognostic methods in acute head injury. ⋯ MRI scans performed early after head injury provide several indicators for unfavorable outcome. Electrophysiologic investigations add to this prognostic evidence. Both methods have comparably high specificity. However, because of the higher density of prognostic information obtained, MRI seems superior to electrophysiologic testing.
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Although injury is the leading cause of cardiac arrests in children older than 1 year, few studies have examined the survival and functional outcome of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in pediatric trauma patients. ⋯ Survival outcome of CPR in pediatric trauma patients appears to be comparable to that reported in adults of mixed arrest causes. Future research needs to identify factors underlying the excess mortality associated with penetrating trauma.
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Comparative Study
Differential profile of facial injuries among mountainbikers compared with bicyclists.
Bicyclists and mountainbikers are prone to facial trauma. In the current study, we present a large series of cycling-related sports trauma to the face in an effort to identify the injury pattern among mountainbikers compared with bicyclists. ⋯ Appropriate design of helmets with faceguards will reduce the incidence of facial injuries caused by cycling-related accidents and incentives are needed for making helmet use compulsory for all cyclists, particularly for mountainbikers.