Articles: trauma.
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Emerg Med Australas · Feb 2025
Evaluating accuracy of cervical spine computed tomography interpretation by emergency trainees with the use of a structured protocol.
Radiological evaluation of cervical spine injury with computed tomography (CT) scanning is a fundamental component of the assessment of major trauma. Accurate interpretation of scans is essential for safe clearance or diagnosis of injuries. However, delays in radiologist reporting often result in prolonged spinal immobilisation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a simple, structured reporting tool to improve assessment of CTs of the cervical spine by emergency medicine trainees. ⋯ Interpretation of cervical spine CT scans by trainees was inferior compared to radiologists and did not improve with a structured reporting template. Other innovative strategies towards timely reporting of CT scans by radiologists of the cervical spine are indicated for earlier definitive diagnosis.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Feb 2025
Novel application of latent class analysis to outcome assessment in traumatic brain injury with multiple injury subtypes or poly-TBI.
The aim of this study was to stratify poly-traumatic brain injury (poly-TBI) patterns into discrete classes and to determine the association of these classes with mortality and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST). ⋯ Distinct poly-TBI classes were associated with increased in-hospital mortality and WLST. Further research with larger datasets will allow for more comprehensive poly-TBI class definitions and outcomes analysis.
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Collecting patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) has been a longstanding priority for the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand (BRANZ). An earlier pilot of hospital-led PROM collection encountered low participation rates and high loss to follow-up, indicating consideration for an alternative model was warranted. ⋯ Collecting PROMs from burns patients in the first 12 months after injury via a centralised approach was shown to be feasible, with higher participation rates and low missingness.
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The clinical use of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate in adult trauma patients at risk of bleeding is supported by evidence for urgent reversal of oral anticoagulants but is controversial in acquired traumatic coagulopathy.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 2025
Minor Head Trauma in Children Younger Than 3 Months and Clinical Predictors of Clinically Important Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Major studies have defined clinical rules to regulate the use of computed tomography in children after head trauma. Infants younger than 3 months are considered at higher risk of brain injuries than older children and at the same time at higher risk of radiation-induced damage. Hence, it would be desirable to have clinical decision rules more adapted to this subset of patients. The objectives of this study are to compare the rate of brain injuries in children younger than 3 months or 3 to 24 months and to assess predictors of clinically important traumatic brain injuries (ciTBIs) (the ones causing death, neurosurgical intervention, long intubation, or hospitalization for 2 days or more) in the former group. ⋯ Children younger than 3 months presenting after minor head trauma constitute a relevant population. Available clinical predictors well correlate with ciTBIs in this age group.