Delayed flail chest from osteomyelitis and malnutrition that emerged 3 weeks after blunt chest trauma: a case report.

We present the case of a victim of a motor vehicle accident in his late 60s who suffered from severe torso injuries. He initially presented with abdominal and chest pain, and underwent emergency laparotomy for hemoperitoneum. After surgery, the patient developed pneumonia and septicemia, which were responsive to antibiotics. The patient was treated with mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit for approximately 10 days and experienced a severe weight loss of approximately 30%, but slowly recovered without dyspnea. Notably, on hospital day 24, he experienced sudden respiratory distress and flail motion of the chest wall in a general ward. This late presentation of flail chest was attributed to non-union at rib fracture sites, and was likely exacerbated by malnutrition and osteomyelitis. Surgical stabilization of rib fractures and excision of the infected rib were successfully performed. The findings from this case highlight the complexity of managing delayed onset of flail chest. The findings from this case suggest the importance of vigilance for late emerging complications in patients with trauma, even when initial symptoms are absent.

Mean corpuscular volume as a prognostic factor for 30-day mortality in major trauma patients: a retrospective cohort study.

We investigated the clinical implications of the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in patients with major trauma. This single-center retrospective review included 2021 trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit between January 2016 and June 2020. We included 1218 patients aged [Formula: see text] 18 years with an injury severity score [Formula: see text] 16 in the final analysis. The clinical and laboratory variables were compared between macrocytosis (defined as MCV [Formula: see text] 100 fL) and non-macrocytosis groups. Cox regression analysis was performed to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) of variables for 30-day mortality, with adjustment for other potential confounding factors. The initial mean value of MCV was 102.7 fL in the macrocytosis group (n = 199) and 93.7 fL in the non-macrocytosis group (n = 1019). The macrocytosis group showed a significantly higher proportion of initial hypotension, transfusion within 4 and 24 h, and 30-day mortality than the non-macrocytosis group. Age ([Formula: see text] 65 years), hypotension (systolic blood pressure [Formula: see text] 90 mmHg), transfusion (within 4 h), anemia (Hb < 12 g/day in women, < 13 g/day in men), and macrocytosis were significantly associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted HR = 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.94; p = 0.046) in major trauma patients. Thus, initial macrocytosis independently predicted 30-day mortality in patients with major trauma at a Level I trauma center.

Successful endovascular treatment of an obstruction following the surgical repair of a traumatic portal vein injury: a case report.

Traumatic portal vein injury is rare, but the associated mortality rate ranges from 50% to 70%. The management of this injury is difficult and remains controversial. In this case report, we describe the successful endovascular treatment of an obstruction that developed following the surgical repair of a traumatic portal vein injury. A man in his mid-40s who had been injured in a car accident presented to our trauma center with abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and open wounds over both knees. Emergency laparotomy revealed a longitudinal rupture from the upper border of the pancreas to the mid-portion of the portal vein; his hemorrhage was successfully controlled surgically. However, postoperative abdominal computed tomography imaging revealed portal vein obstruction. One week after admission to the intensive care unit, an endovascular stent was successfully inserted into the patient's portal vein via a percutaneous transhepatic approach. The associated injuries, including the distal common bile duct obstruction, were successfully managed by choledochojejunostomy. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful. Thus, endovascular stent placement is an effective and safe means of treating an obstruction following the surgical repair of a traumatic portal vein injury.

Comparing machine learning and logistic regression for acute kidney injury prediction in trauma patients: A retrospective observational study at a single tertiary medical center.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with trauma and is associated with poor outcomes. Therefore, early prediction of AKI in patients with trauma is important for risk stratification and the provision of optimal intensive care unit treatment. This study aimed to compare 2 models, machine learning (ML) techniques and logistic regression, in predicting AKI in patients with trauma. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 400 patients who sustained torso injuries between January 2016 and June 2020. Patients were included if they were aged > 15 years, admitted to the intensive care unit, survived for > 48 hours, had thoracic and/or abdominal injuries, had no end-stage renal disease, and had no missing data. AKI was defined in accordance with the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition and staging system. The patients were divided into 2 groups: AKI (n = 78) and non-AKI (n = 322). We divided the original dataset into a training (80%) and a test set (20%), and the logistic regression with stepwise selection and ML (decision tree with hyperparameter optimization using grid search and cross-validation) was used to build a model for predicting AKI. The models established using the training dataset were evaluated using a confusion matrix receiver operating characteristic curve with the test dataset. We included 400 patients with torso injury, of whom 78 (19.5%) progressed to AKI. Age, intestinal injury, cumulative fluid balance within 24 hours, and the use of vasopressors were independent risk factors for AKI in the logistic regression model. In the ML model, vasopressors were the most important feature, followed by cumulative fluid balance within 24 hours and packed red blood cell transfusion within 4 hours. The accuracy score showed no differences between the 2 groups; however, the recall and F1 score were significantly higher in the ML model (.94 vs 56 and.75 vs 64, respectively). The ML model performed better than the logistic regression model in predicting AKI in patients with trauma. ML techniques can aid in risk stratification and the provision of optimal care.

Intestinal obstruction caused by small bowel entrapment within a lumbar fracture: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal obstruction associated with traumatic vertebral fracture is extremely rare. We report a case of obstructive small bowel injury caused by entrapment of the small intestine at the fracture site of the 5th lumbar vertebra due to trauma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old man fell from a height of 4 m and visited the emergency room of a local hospital with complain of back pain. During the examination, a 5th lumbar vertebral body fracture and left psoas muscle hematoma were observed, and the patient was admitted to the neurosurgery department for conservative treatment. The patient received conservative treatment for 2 days, but new symptoms of intestinal obstruction and fever occurred. A neurosurgeon at the hospital suspected duodenal perforation and transferred the patient to the regional trauma center for treatment. Our medical staff reviewed the patient's symptoms and imaging data and decided to perform an emergency operation because of small bowel entrapment in the 5th lumbar vertebrae fracture and perforation of the small intestine. We found that the small bowel, approximately 160 cm below the ligament of Treitz, was incarcerated at the 5th lumbar vertebral fracture site. After careful manual reduction of the entrapment of the small intestine, a small bowel resection of 25 cm, including the injury site, was performed with anastomosis. CONCLUSION: If symptoms of intestinal obstruction are observed in patients with traumatic spinal injury, medical staff must consider the exceedingly rare possibility of bowel entrapment.

Endovascular treatment of traumatic renal artery pseudoaneurysm with a Stanford type A intramural haematoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) associated with aortic branch tear and intramurally located pseudoaneurysm after blunt trauma has not been reported. Here, we report a case of progressive type A aortic IMH associated with a pseudoaneurysm arising from the injured proximal renal artery after blunt trauma. CASE SUMMARY: During logging operations, a 66-year-old man experienced blunt force trauma after being injured by a fallen tree. He arrived at our trauma center with a left flank pain complaint. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a pseudoaneurysm arising from the proximal renal artery (localized within the aortic media) and Stanford type A IMH. A covered stent was deployed along the left main renal artery, bridging the pseudoaneurysm and covering the parent artery, successfully excluding the pseudoaneurysm as confirmed using aortography. However, although the degree of the pseudoaneurysm decreased, follow-up CT revealed remnant pseudoaneurysm, likely caused by an endoleak. Subsequently, a covered stent was additionally installed through the previously deployed covered stent. Successful exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm was confirmed using final aortography. In the 7-mo follow-up CT scan, the IMH and pseudoaneurysm completely disappeared with no evidence of stent-related complications. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment such as stent-graft placement can be an effective and safe treatment for traumatic renal artery injury.

Observational management of Grade II or higher blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury: 15 years of experience at a single suburban institution.

Background: We aimed to investigate the outcomes after delayed management of ≥ Grade II blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury (BTAI). Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2019, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 21 patients with ≥ Grade II thoracic aortic injury resulting from blunt trauma. Twelve patients underwent observation for the injury, whereas nine patients were transferred immediately after the diagnosis. Patients were divided into a nonoperative management group (n = 7) and delayed repair group (n = 5) based on whether they underwent thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair or surgery. Results: The most common dissection type was DeBakey classification IIIa (n = 9). Five patients underwent delayed surgery (including aneurysm repair), with observation periods ranging from 1 day to 36 months. The delayed repair group exhibited higher injury severity scores than the nonoperative management group (n = 7). The nonoperative management group was followed-up with blood pressure management without a change in status for a period ranging from 3 to 96 months. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that conservative management may be appropriate for select patients with Grade II/III BTAI, especially those exhibiting hemodynamic stability with anti-impulse therapy and minimally sized pseudoaneurysms. However, further studies are required to identify the risk factors for injury progression and long-term outcomes.

Undetected traumatic cardiac herniation like playing hide-and-seek-delayed incidental findings during surgical stabilization of flail chest: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic blunt pericardial injury is a rare condition with only a few reported cases which were generally diagnosed during initial examinations upon admission. However, pericardial injuries not bad enough to dislocate the heart may only cause intermittent electrocardiogram (ECG) changes or be asymptomatic. CASE SUMMARY: In this case, we report a blunt pericardial injury undetected on preoperative transthoracic echocardiography and chest computed tomography. We misjudged intermittent ECG changes and blood pressure fluctuations as minor symptoms resulting from cardiac contusion and did not provide intensive treatment. The pericardial injury was found incidentally during surgical stabilization of rib fractures and was successfully repaired. CONCLUSION: Post-traumatic blunt pericardial ruptures should be considered in patients with blunt chest trauma showing abnormal vital signs and ECG changes.

Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients with torso injury: a retrospective single-center study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients admitted to critical care after a torso injury. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 178 patients with torso injury aged >15 years who were intubated in the emergency room and placed on a mechanical ventilator after intensive care unit (ICU) admission, survived for >48 hours, had thoracic and/or abdominal injuries, and had no end-stage renal disease. We compared clinico-laboratory variables between ventilator-associated pneumonia (n = 54, 30.3%) and non-ventilator-associated pneumonia (n = 124, 69.7%) groups. Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Ventilator-associated pneumonia was associated with a significantly longer stay in the ICU (11.3 vs. 6.8 days) and longer duration of mechanical ventilation (7 vs. 3 days). Injury Severity Score (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.048; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.008-1.090), use of vasopressors (AOR: 2.541; 95% CI: 1.121-5.758), and insertion of a nasogastric tube (AOR: 6.749; 95% CI: 2.397-18.999) were identified as independent risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with torso injury who were admitted to the ICU was highly correlated with Injury Severity Score, use of vasopressors, and insertion of a nasogastric tube.

Risk factors for acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with torso injury: A retrospective observational single-center study.

ABSTRACT: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in trauma patients and associated with poor outcomes. Identifying AKI risk factors in trauma patients is important for risk stratification and provision of optimal intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. This study identified AKI risk factors in patients admitted to critical care after sustaining torso injuries.We performed a retrospective chart review involving 380 patients who sustained torso injuries from January 2016 to December 2019. Patients were included if they were aged >15 years, admitted to an ICU, survived for >48 hours, and had thoracic and/or abdominal injuries and no end-stage renal disease. AKI was defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition and staging system. Clinical and laboratory variables were compared between the AKI and non-AKI groups (n = 72 and 308, respectively). AKI risk factors were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.AKI occurred in 72 (18.9%) patients and was associated with higher mortality than non-AKI patients (26% vs 4%, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified bowel injury, cumulative fluid balance >2.5 L for 24 hours, lactate levels, and vasopressor use (adjusted odds ratio: 2.953, 2.058, 1.170, and 2.910; 95% confidence interval: 1.410-6.181, 1.017-4.164, 1.019-1.343, and 1.414-5.987; P = .004, .045, .026, and .004, respectively) as independent risk factors for AKI.AKI in patients admitted to the ICU with torso injury had a substantial mortality. Recognizing risk factors at an early stage could aid risk stratification and provision of optimal ICU care.

Pneumatic Colorectal Injury Caused by High Pressure Compressed Air.

The pneumatic colorectal injury caused by high pressure compressed air are rare and can be fatal. Herein, we present a case of 45-year-old male who developed sudden onset of severe abdominal pain after cleaning the dust on his pants with high pressure compressed air gun dust cleaner. Emergent exploratory laparotomy was done which findings are a huge rectal perforation with multiple serosal and subserosal tear in sigmoid to splenic flexure of colon. Anterior resection with left hemicolectomy, and temporary transverse colostomy was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful. Recently, prognosis is generally favorable because of prompt diagnosis and emergent surgical management.

Right-sided diaphragmatic rupture in a poly traumatized patient.

Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR) is uncommon, and may be associated with other severe life-threatening injuries after blunt trauma. Recently, we experienced a right-sided TDR patient with other multiple life-threatening injuries. A 59-year-old female inflicted with a right-sided TDR accompanied by herniated liver was treated with thoracoscopic exploration. We successfully managed associated life-threatening injuries such as traumatic brain injury and pelvic bone fractures with bleeding, simultaneously.

Appendiceal transection associated with seat belt restraint.

The seat belt is designed for safety in a motor vehicle and should be worn to prevent severe injuries. But, the seat belt itself can be an injury factor in combination with deceleration forces applied to fixation points of mobile viscera. Here, we present a 23-year-man with traumatic transection of the appendix, highly mobile viscera, following seat belt injury.

The endovascular treatment of a ruptured aneurysm of the middle colic artery combined with an isolated dissection of superior mesenteric artery: report of a case.

BACKGROUND: Ruptured aneurysm of the middle colic artery is very rare. Its concomitance with isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMAD) has not yet been reported in the literature. CASE REPORT: A previously well 56-year-old man was referred to our hospital with acute-onset pain throughout the entire abdomen. A ruptured aneurysm of the middle colic artery and isolated SMAD were revealed using a computed tomography (CT) scan. Coil embolization was successfully performed for a ruptured aneurysm of the middle colic artery. During the immediate postprocedural period, the patient had ischemic colitis, but he recovered in a few days with conservative treatment. Close observation was elected to address the SMAD because the condition was not thought to be responsible for any symptoms. The CT scan followed after 2 years showed no change in SMAD. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully performed endovascular treatment for a ruptured aneurysm of the middle colic artery. For the incidentally detected SMAD, close observational management was chosen.