J Trauma
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The purpose of this report is to analyze the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and outcome of surgical treatment in patients with popliteal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in order to make trauma surgeons aware of the various issues patients with popliteal AVFs might present. ⋯ Trauma of the popliteal space requires special attention, since blood vessel injuries in that zone might result in serious complications. Popliteal traumatic AVFs result in a high rate of leg amputation and long-standing fistulas produce cardiac overload. The presence of thrill and bruit over the injury site should alert the examiner to consider the existence of AVF. Angiography is a reliable diagnostic tool, and should be used in all vitally stable patients. Surgical or nonsurgical closure of AVF will prevent local and systemic complications that might be irreversible in long-standing fistulas.
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In a statistical outcome analysis covering 10 years, 554 patients with isolated head trauma were analyzed. The aim of this study was to combine clinical and computed tomographic characteristics in a prognostic scoring system determining outcome after head injury. ⋯ The presented scaling system allows a predictive value in mortality and morbidity to be determined for each patient suffering from brain trauma.