Computed tomography in the assessment of pediatric abdominal trauma.

A retrospective review was conducted to determine the clinical reliability of computed tomography(ic) (CT) in the initial evaluation of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma. Sixty patients underwent CT with infusion over the two-year study period. Seventeen injuries were identified by CT scans in 12 patients. Injuries included splenic hematoma, hepatic injury, duodenal hematoma, traumatic pancreatitis, retroperitoneal hematoma, renal pelvis laceration, and perinephric hematoma. Three patients required abdominal exploration and CT findings were confirmed in these cases. Other diagnostic studies (nuclear imaging, ultrasonography, upper gastrointestinal tract studies) that were obtained in some patients also confirmed the CT findings. Patients who had normal CT scans had unremarkable hospital courses, and none required reevaluation for missed injury. Only two CT scans were inadequate due to motion artifact.

Unsuspected upper cervical spine fractures associated with significant head trauma: role of CT.

Several recent studies report the sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) to be far greater than that of traditional plain film radiographic studies for evaluation of cervical spine fractures and spinal cord pathology. Nevertheless, plain films continue to be the standard screening examination. CT is used only if fractures are demonstrated or suspected on plain film survey. Recently, three patients with significant head and neck trauma (all three patients had intracranial hemorrhage) had cervical spine evaluation by computed tomography and standard plain film views. CT demonstrated significant C1-C2 fractures, while plain films were completely normal in all three cases. Prospectively studying the next 50 patients with significant head trauma, we added a few more slices to the routine head scan protocol to cover the first three cervical vertebrae. This added very little time or cost to the procedure. The additional CT images demonstrated four upper cervical fractures that could not be seen on plain films, even in retrospect. Our findings suggest that routine inclusion of the upper cervical spine with head CT is appropriate in the evaluation of patients with significant head trauma as defined by intracranial hemorrhage or skull fracture.

Driving under the influence--a level-I trauma center's experience.

Alcohol-impaired driving is a major issue confronting today's society. New legislation is emerging to help curtail this ongoing problem. To evaluate the legislative effects in terms of outcome pertaining to injured drivers, we analyzed the records of 116 consecutive motor vehicle drivers who were admitted to our trauma center over a 16-month period. Medical reports, police reports, and drivers' abstracts were reviewed. Of the 116 drives, 61 (53%) had blood alcohol concentrations that exceeded the legal limit (blood alcohol level greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL) on arrival at the emergency department. Only four of these patients were ticketed for driving under the influence and received the mandatory suspension of their driver's license. None was convicted of this offense, which carries criminal charges and a revocation of the driver's license. Mechanisms for efficient collection of blood specimens and mandatory occurrence reporting are two recommendations that merit investigation to obviate further escape of injured, intoxicated drivers from the legal net. In addition, alcohol rehabilitation and education cannot be overlooked and should warrant strong societal support.

Thoracic aortic trauma: role of dynamic CT.

Two protocols were developed to study the efficacy of both chest radiography and dynamic computed tomography (CT) of the thorax in screening for traumatic aortic injury. Both protocols demonstrated a definite role for dynamic CT in excluding aortic injury in patients with normal initial chest radiographs. The authors studied 164 patients, and preliminary results indicated a high reliability for this method. Their algorithm, with 6-month follow-up, yielded both 100% sensitivity and a 100% negative predictive value. Unnecessary aortography, with its associated morbidity and cost, was decreased by 73%.