Severe and polytraumatic injuries among recreational skiers and snowboarders: incidence, demographics and injury patterns in South Tyrol.

BACKGROUND: Alpine skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports. The practice of these sports is related to traumatic injuries, some of which are severe and/or life threatening. OBJECTIVES: To identify the incidence, injury patterns and associated risk factors of severe and polytraumatic injuries in South Tyrol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During four consecutive winter seasons (2001-2005), data of every patient referred to our emergency department (Bolzano-Bozen) after a skiing or snowboarding accident were collected. One hundred and five patients with an Injury Severity Score of 16 or higher were identified (90 skiers, 15 snowboarders). Statistical descriptive analyses were carried out by producing frequency tables. Chi-square test was performed to verify possible association between injury severity and type of sport. Risk factors for severe injuries were evaluated using logistic regression with robust variance estimators. RESULTS: Traumatic brain injury was the most common injury observed (51 cases), followed by vertebral injury (45 cases); 63% of the patients reported two or more associated injuries. We observed significant associations between severe spine injuries and the following risk factors: snowboarders who reported more severe injuries than skiers [odds ratio=5.89, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.31, 26.44], age classes of 40-50 years and over 60 years showed an OR of 8.10 (95% CI=1.87, 35.06) and 5.16 (95% CI=1.27, 21.01), respectively, with respect to age class (20-40 years). CONCLUSION: Severe traumatic injuries occur among skiers and snowboarders, and preventive measures such as the use of helmets and educational programs, are necessary.

Factors affecting injury severity among recreational skiers and snowboarders: an epidemiology study.

Different results have been reported for skiing and snowboarding injuries worldwide. Few studies consider the injury severity score (ISS) for the evaluation of differences among injured skiers-snowboarders. The aim of this study is to identify possible risk factors that affect the severity of skiing and snowboarding injuries in three winter seasons (2002-2005) in South Tyrol. For every injured skier or snowboarder referred to our emergency department in three consecutive seasons, the following data were collected: date of birth, gender, self-declared technical skills level, place of residence (local/non-local), as well as the date, time, and place of the accident. Type of injury and ISS were retrospectively assigned. Data concerning the snowfall in the last 24 h, average snow level, and outdoor air temperature values were obtained from four weather stations that were located inside the ski resorts. A multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between ISS and potential determinants. In the analyzed seasons, 2,511 injured skiers and 843 injured snowboarders were evaluated at our emergency department. There was a significant change in the ISS value for subjects with different self-reported skills levels (P < 0.001). Men and non-local residents experienced more severe injuries than women and local residents, respectively (P < 0.013, P < 0.001). The ISS was higher for people aged over 60 (P < 0.001). Snowfalls brought about a decrease in accident severity (P = 0.009). The severity of the injuries increases with age. Prevention and information programs should be targeted to people who are at high risk of severe injury. A 24-h fresh snowfall seems to reduce the severity of injuries. Very little is known about snow conditions and winter sports injury. Further studies are needed to explore this field.

Sledding injuries: is safety in this winter pastime overlooked? A three-year survey in South-Tyrol.

BACKGROUND: Sledding is a popular traditional pastime in northern countries. However it is only rarely thought as a potentially dangerous activity even though serious injuries and deaths do occur. The purpose of this study was to calculate the incidence, the severity and the pattern of sledding-related injuries in our area, in order to set up possible preventive measures. RESULTS: In three consecutive winter seasons (Dec.-Apr.,2002-2005). 356 patients (182 males, 174 females, mean age 26.9 years, range 2 to 81) were referred directly to our ED after a sledding injury. One patient (male, age 21 years) was transferred from a community hospital and died on the following day. Two patients (males, age 47 and 28 years) were declared dead on the scene. In the majority of the cases the accident was due to a fall and collision with the ground or a standing object. The number of injuries showed a progressive increase during the observed seasons and all deadly accidents were observed in the last season. Injuries were divided into three severity classes: minor (ISS /= 4 < 15), severe (ISS >/= 15). Minor and intermediate injuries were equally distributed between males and females, whereas all severe and deadly accidents occurred to male patients. Time of accident and place of accident did not affect the injury severity. A total of 386 lesions were detected. The most common diagnosis was head trauma (14,5%), followed by knee sprain (13%), ankle sprain (11.5%), and ankle/leg fracture (9%). 41 patients required hospital admission. The mean hospital length of stay was 3.9 days and 16 patients required surgery. The most common diagnosis on admission was lower limb fracture (13 patients) and head trauma (13 patients). The percentage of pediatric injuries was much lower than that reported in other studies. CONCLUSION: Sledding is rarely thought of as a potentially dangerous activity, but it can result in serious injury. Better public awareness of the risks of sledding injuries is required and preventive measures like the use of helmet, soft-side protections on the tracks, regular checks of the track conditions and good lightning for night sledding should be enforced.

Ablation of non functioning renal allograft by embolization: a valid alternative to graft nephrectomy?

OBJECTIVE: Removal of transplant for the treatment of graft intolerance syndrome (GIS) is an invasive procedure with high risk, often performed in patients with poor general conditions. Renal allograft embolization is a recent alternative treatment to surgical nephrectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of allograft embolization in a series of patients with GIS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 12 patients (9 males and 3 females) with irreversible renal graft rejection and GIS. All patients were in hemodialysis and they have not responded to medical treatment. Infection was ruled out by blood and urine cultures. The embolization was performed using polyvinyl alcohol particles and steel coils. Vascular access was obtained via femoral artery puncture in all the patients. Before starting embolization at the puncture site local anaesthesia was performed. RESULTS: Eleven of the twelve procedures were technically successful, but in one patient a second treatment was necessary, after a month, for the presence of collateral perirenal circulation caused hematuria. There were no major complications and the mean hospital stay was 5 days. CONCLUSION: The graft embolization is a simple, safe and effective technique that permits non-surgical ablation of a non-functioning renal allograft in a significant number of patients.

Dietary poisoning with Veratrum album--a report of two cases.

Veratrum album is a poisonous plant that can easily be mistaken for the yellow gentian, Gentiana lutea, used in beverages. Two adult men were brought to the emergency department six hours after drinking gentian spirit. Each presented with nausea and vomiting, preceded by headache, developed within one hour after ingestion, and followed by diarrhea in one of the patients. Vital signs were normal except for heart rates of 42 and 45 beats per minute in the two patients, respectively. Laboratory findings were unremarkable. Electrocardiograms revealed sinus bradycardia. Activated charcoal and antiemetics were given and the patients were admitted for observation of signs of toxicity. The further clinical course was uneventful. Heart rates returned to normal within eight hours after admission. Retrospective investigation of the gentian beverage confirmed that V. album was mistaken for G. lutea. Patients with clinical toxicity following unintentional ingestion of V. album should be kept under observation and generally recover with supportive care.

Embolization of a hypoplastic kidney with a vaginal ectopic ureter in a case of pseudo-incontinence.

Ureteral ectopy into the vagina is a cause of pseudo-incontinence. When the corresponding kidney has a good function, the treatment of choice is the ureter reimplantation, otherwise the alternative is partial or total nephrectomy. To report a case of 18-year-old girl presented with urinary leakage occurring between normal voids that at 11-year-old was found to have, at cistoscopy and vaginoscopy, an left ureteral ectopy into the vagina with a non demonstrable corresponding kidney at conventional intravenous urography, dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy and ultrasonography. Moreover the right kidney was found enlarged but normally located. Her parents refused the explorative laparotomy to localize and to remove the left kidney. We completed the examination with computed tomography that revealed a small hypoplastic and ectopic left kidney located at L4 level. Because the contribution of the hypoplastic kidney to the total renal function was insignificant, we decided to eliminate it. A selective embolization of the left renal artery was performed using polyvinyl alcohol foam. The pseudo-incontinence stopped immediately after The patient was discharged home in II postoperative day and has been free from any leakage for 3 years. Serum creatinine levels and blood pressure returned to their normal values.

Skiing and snowboarding injuries and their impact on the emergency care system in South Tyrol: a restrospective analysis for the winter season 2001--2002.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and the pattern of skiing and snowboarding injuries in South Tyrol and their impact on the emergency medical system in the winter season 2001--2002 in an attempt to rationalize and improve the emergency care and assist in prevention strategies. METHODS: All medical records of patients referred to our emergency department (ED) that sustained a skiing or snow-boarding injury during the study period were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, local or non-local residency, type of injury, data and time of accident, type of transport to the hospital, hospital admission or ED discharge, Injury Severity Score, outcome (including mortality) were evaluated. On site mortality data were obtained from the emergency call-center registry. Ski resorts utilization was estimated from the data published by the Regional Office of Cable Transport. RESULTS: For the period analyzed approximately 2,500,000 skier and snowboarder days were recorded in the whole region of which about 500,000 were attributed to the four nearby ski resorts that refer to our hospital. Of the 1087 patients, 794 were skiers and 294 were snowboarders. Snow-boarders were younger than skiers (mean age 20 and 36 respectively, p = 0.001). Females were equally represented in the two groups. Male patients, children, senior skiers and non-local residents suffered from more severe injuries than their corresponding classes (p < 0.01, p = 0.002, p = 0.02, p = 0.000 respectively). Critical injuries (ISS > or = 25) were homogeneously spread in the groups, with the exception of the non-local resident patients that showed a higher incidence (p < 0.02). No difference in severity was found between skiers and snowboarders. The incidence was 2.05 per 1,000 skier-days. Mortality rate was 1.6 per 1,000,000 skier-days. The pattern of injury was different: snowboarders showed more forearm and wrist trauma and skiers more lower extremity injuries. 208 patients were hospitalized and the mean length of stay was 4.5 days. Head trauma and fractures were the most common diagnosis of admission. The lack of field triage led to 12% of unjustified helicopter transfer and 9.6% of avoidable ambulance transport. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence, pattern of injuries and mortality from skiing and snowboarding accidents in South Tyrol resemble those reported in other part of the world. Nevertheless, strategies for prevention are needed. The routine use of helmets should be enforced by law. Dangerous behaviors should be prosecuted. Skiers and snowboarders should be made aware that skiing beyond their technical ability can be life-threatening.