J Trauma
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The purpose of this study was to better define the incidence and characteristics of patients with spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA), using the database of the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS). ⋯ In the large NEXUS cohort, SCIWORA was an uncommon disorder, and occurred only in adults.
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Prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in head injured patients has avoided heparin products because of concern for exacerbating intracranial bleeding. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of unfractionated heparin (UFH) for VTE prophylaxis after traumatic brain injury. ⋯ Early use of UFH in the severe head injured patient does not increase bleeding complications.
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This article presents a series of patients with traumatic retrobulbar hematoma and orbital trauma, treated with extended pterional orbital decompression. ⋯ The presented pterional orbital decompression represents an effective alternative approach for patients with sight-threatening retrobulbar hematoma or orbital trauma, especially in cases that require direct access to damaged structures and maximal decompression of the orbit. Immediate detection and treatment of orbital hematomas is mandatory for acceptable outcome of eye function.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of temperature on oxidative stress in brain stem tissue induced by hemorrhagic shock. We researched the hemorrhagic oxidative stress at various core temperatures using reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) as markers of lipid peroxidation in brain stem homogenate. ⋯ Moderate systemic hypothermia (28 degrees C) appears to protect brain stem tissue from oxidative stress during severe hemorrhagic shock in rats, as indicated by insignificant change in tissue TBARS and GSH concentrations. These results suggest antioxidant protective effects of moderate systemic hypothermia in metabolically active brain stem tissue during hemorrhagic shock. Similar effects in humans remain to be studied.