Unfallchirurgie
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Radiological investigations contribute little in differentiating the problems of patients with whiplash injuries. Nevertheless the more prolonged cases of whiplash injuries must not be attributed to preexisting degenerative disease, despite radiologically-proven medicolegal opinion. In this study, 60 patients who were seen for whiplash injuries in the Department for Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf for clinical and radiological evaluation, an average of 5.7 years post injury, were divided into two groups (n = 30) depending on radiologically-proven preexisting degenerative changes of the cervical spine. ⋯ We are not able to differentiate the posttraumatic course from the natural history of the degenerative process, either clinically or radiologically. Considering the involvement of sensitive neurological structures the classical objective organic diagnosis of "whiplash injury" may not be adequate in describing the complaints of patients, and should not be used to justify the rejection of the patients subjective symptoms as mere simulation for financial gains. The evaluation of the patients' X-rays using Arlen's technique sheds no further light on the issue.
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Following the insertion of an intramedullary nail, the fat embolism is a frequent complication in patients with long bone fractures. The respiratory function of patients with fractures of the femur and accompanying severe chest injuries was improved. In general these patients have a high risk to develop a respiratory distress syndrome. ⋯ Four of them developed an ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome) up to grade IV for a period of 5 days. Two patients suffered an ARDS grade I for a period of 2 days. In the study no typical features of fat embolism syndrome were found in any of these patients.