Articles: trauma.
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Neuropathic pain can originate from a variety of conditions. Early treatment is vital. Nurses have an important role in initiating treatment and providing ongoing pain management and support for patients.
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This paper is Part I of a 2-part series to describe the background and methodology for the Canadian C-Spine Rule study to develop a clinical decision rule for rational imaging in alert and stable trauma patients. Current use of radiography is inefficient and variable, in part because there has been a lack of evidence-based guidelines to assist emergency physicians. ⋯ Part I details the background and rationale for the development of the Canadian C-Spine Rule. Part II will describe in detail the objectives and methods of the Canadian C-Spine Rule study.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious health issue in the United States, killing 100,000 people a year and serving as a source of long-term disability for many more. It is the leading cause of death in patients under the age of 45 years. ⋯ Key skills in the care of brain-injured patients include adequately gauging the severity of injury, recognizing the primacy of sufficient blood flow and oxygen delivery to the injured brain, and being able to detect and correct when possible local and global physiological abnormalities that frequently put the injured brain at ongoing risk within the intensive care unit. This article discusses these issues, including invasive hemodynamic and intracranial monitoring, useful methods for reducing intracranial pressure, and management of complications arising from acute head injury.
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Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is a simple procedure that can be performed by emergency physicians. It has the potential to save vision, particularly in cases of blunt ocular trauma. The case of a 37-year-old man with blunt ocular trauma, a retrobulbar hemorrhage and rapidly increasing orbital pressure requiring an urgent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is presented. Pathophysiology, indications, contraindications, procedure and follow-up care are described.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Jan 2002
Cerebrospinal fluid procalcitonin and severe traumatic brain injury in children.
To determine the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid procalcitonin concentration and severe traumatic brain injury in children. ⋯ Cerebrospinal fluid procalcitonin concentration is increased in children after traumatic brain injury. The attenuated increase in cerebrospinal fluid procalcitonin among victims of abusive head trauma warrants further study because it may reflect impairment of endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms or delay in seeking medical attention. The significance of these observations remains to be determined as future studies elucidate the physiologic and mechanistic properties of procalcitonin.