Predictors of returning to work.

An investigation of predictors of returning to work in a sample of physically injured persons who are receiving workers' compensation benefits and vocational rehabilitation is presented. One hundred fourteen injured subjects (86 with back injury; 28, other injury) undergoing vocational rehabilitation and receiving workers' compensation benefits were assessed on demographic, emotional, cognitive, financial incentive, and miscellaneous variables. Predictors for returning to work were identified using stepwise logistic regression. Patients with moderate or severe depression, defined as a score greater than 16 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), were significantly less likely to return to work following vocational rehabilitation efforts than patients with less severe depression (for back-injured patients, odds ratio (OR) = 31, 95% CI [8.8, 108]). BDI scores correctly classified 84 percent of the back-injury and 86% of the other-injury groups with respect to their return to work. The level of workers' compensation benefit was the only variable that added (marginally) to the predictive power of the BDI. In a physically injured population receiving workers' compensation benefits, who are judged to be not clearly permanently disabled, level of depressive symptoms is a strong predictor of returning to work. Caution is warranted in using the BDI as the sole determinant in a forensic situation for making a real-world prediction, as BDI responses are easy to fake. Treatment of concurrent depression is an important component of helping physically injured workers resume gainful employment.

Retropharyngeal hematoma secondary to minor blunt head and neck trauma.

Retropharyngeal hematomas are relatively rare. They are clinically important because of the close proximity of the retropharyngeal space to the upper airway. Any swelling in the space may cause the posterior pharyngeal wall to bulge anteriorly into the airway and cause airway obstruction. Management starts with securing and maintaining the patient's airway. Diagnosis rests upon clinical examination and radiographic studies. Treatment depends upon the size of the hematoma as well as the clinical course of the patient. Smaller hematomas may be observed. Larger hematomas and those that fail to reabsorb should undergo drainage. A case of retropharyngeal hematoma following minor blunt head and neck trauma is presented. We review the literature and present management and treatment principles for this group of patients.

Metastatic thyroid carcinoma presenting as distal spinal cord compression.

The prognosis of metastatic thyroid carcinoma is dependent on the age of the patient, the histologic characteristics of the neoplasm, and the site of metastasis. A more favorable prognosis is found in patients less than 40 years old with follicular carcinoma and without any bony metastases. Metastatic thyroid carcinoma presenting as distal spinal cord compression is extremely rare. We report one such case and review the literature. As reported in the literature, the combination of decompressive laminectomy followed by total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy has proved to be effective in the treatment of patients with thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the distal vertebral bodies.

Surgical complications of bedside tracheotomy in an otolaryngology residency program.

A prospective analysis of 124 consecutive adult patients undergoing tracheotomy was performed to examine the incidence of resulting complications. All tracheotomies were performed by a junior otolaryngology resident under the supervision of a member of the attending staff or a chief resident. The vast majority were performed at the bedside in an intensive care unit. The complications were divided into two groups: early (within 2 days) and late (2 to 14 days). Seven patients had complications directly related to tracheotomy. Four of these complications occurred in three patients and were considered significant. There were no mortalities. Despite the fact that our tracheotomies were routinely performed by residents at the bedside, our complication rate was comparable to those reported from other centers. We believe that bedside tracheotomy, properly supervised and performed, is a safe procedure.