The cervical spine can be cleared without MRI after blunt trauma:A retrospective review of a single level 1 trauma center experience over 8 years.

BACKGROUND: The newest CT scanners provide resolution comparable to MRIs leading many to question when and whether cervical spine MRIs are warranted. METHODS: An 8 year retrospective review identified 241 patients who underwent CT scan and MRI of the cervical spine. The initial clinical examination, cervical spine CT scan, and cervical spine MRI were compared to identify cervical spine injuries that would have been missed had the MRI not been performed. RESULTS: The CT scans were normal in 153 patients, and abnormal in 88. Of the 88 abnormal CT scans, the MRIs were abnormal in 65, and normal in the other 23. The indications for MRI in patients with normal CT scans were neck pain, an abnormal neurologic examination, and/or altered mental status. Of the 13 patients with abnormal MRIs, none were pain free with a normal clinical examination. CONCLUSION: In the absence of focal signs of neurologic injury, the cervical spine can be cleared without a clinical exam or MRI if the cervical CT scan does not demonstrate injury or abnormality.

Risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality in elderly patients admitted to a regional trauma center after sustaining a fall.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Falls are a significant cause of mortality in the elderly patients. Despite this, the literature on in-hospital mortality related to elderly falls remains sparse. Our study aims to determine the risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality in elderly patients admitted to a regional trauma center after sustaining a fall. METHODS: All elderly case records with fall-related injuries between 2003 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed for demographic characteristics, injury severities, comorbidity factors and clinical outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In total, 1026 elderly patients with fall-related injuries were included in the study. The average age of patients was 80.94 ± 8.16 years. Seventy seven percent of the patients had at least one comorbid condition. Majority of the falls occurred at home. More than half of the patients fell from ground level. Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate was 16 %. Head injury constituted the most common injury sustained in patients who died (77 %). In addition to age, ISS, GCS, ICU admission and anemia were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with in-hospital deaths in elderly fall patients. CONCLUSION: Ground-level falls in the elderly can be devastating and carry a significant mortality rate. Elderly patients with anemia were two times more likely to die in the hospital after sustaining a fall in our study population. Increased focus on anemia which is often underappreciated in elderly fall patients can be beneficial in improving outcomes and reducing in-hospital mortality.

Chronic relapsing pancreatitis from a scorpion sting in Trinidad.

Chronic relapsing pancreatitis is a rare cause of abdominal pain in children and exceptionally rarely is related to a scorpion sting. We describe a 13-year-old girl who, following envenoming by a scorpion, developed recurrent attacks of sharp, intermittent pain in the umbilical region associated with fever, nausea, anorexia and vomiting, and changes in her psychological behaviour. Thorough clinical evaluation, including CT scanning, disclosed unabated pancreatitis. A modified Puestow procedure was performed with very good results. Physicians should be aware that in chronic relapsing pancreatitis, particularly in children, a scorpion sting should be considered an aetiological possibility.