Is arterial proximity a valid indication for arteriography in penetrating extremity trauma? A prospective analysis.

Three hundred seventy-three patients with a penetrating extremity injury were studied to assess the yield of arteriography. Patients underwent arteriography if any of the following was present: bruit, history of hemorrhage or hypotension, fracture, hematoma, decreased capillary refill, major soft-tissue injury, or nerve or pulse deficit. In the absence of these findings, arteriography was performed if the injury was in "proximity" to a major neurovascular bundle. In 216 patients, arteriography was performed when an abnormal finding was noted. Sixty-five injuries were identified, 19 requiring intervention. Proximity was the indication for arteriography in 157 patients. Seventeen injuries were identified, of which one required repair. In penetrating extremity trauma, the need for arteriography is based on clinical findings. The use of arteriography to screen for an arterial injury when proximity alone is the indication rarely identifies a significant injury and should be abandoned.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis in critically injured patients. Preoperative diagnostic imaging.

The potential lethality and predisposing factors of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) are well established; however, preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge. This update of a previous report of 30 cases of AAC at a Level I trauma center describes 14 multiply injured patients who developed AAC and underwent cholecystectomy. All 14 patients had acutely inflamed gallbladders; 6 (42.8%) had areas of necrosis or gangrene. The mortality rate was 7% (1 patient). While the percentage of patients receiving prolonged intensive care (100%), narcotic analgesics (100%), and TPN (93%) correlates with the experience cited previously, the percentage undergoing preoperative diagnostic imaging is unusually high, reflecting a heightened suspicion for AAC. Computed tomographic or sonographic evidence of gallbladder wall thickness greater than or equal to 4 mm, pericholecystic fluid or subserosal edema without ascites, intramural gas, or a sloughed mucosal membrane was considered diagnostic criteria for AAC. We conclude that preoperative computed tomogram or ultrasound imaging leads to earlier recognition of this life-threatening problem.

Blunt chest trauma in the elderly.

Significant differences were identified between a group of elderly patients (65 years and older) and a nonelderly group both with blunt thoracic trauma. There was a lower incidence of elderly patients presenting in shock; however, cardiopulmonary arrest at arrival was more frequent in this group. Although the types of complications were similar in both populations, the morbidity and mortality rates were higher in the elderly. A high index of suspicion must be generated for an elderly patient who has sustained blunt chest trauma. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach may lead to a decrease in the high morbidity and mortality rates in the elderly.

Selective management of abdominal stab wounds. Importance of the physical examination.

The treatment of patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds remains controversial. We reserve celiotomy for patients who have clinical findings of peritonitis or hemorrhage. Repeated physical examination is the most important element of observation. Recently, 330 patients with stable abdominal stab wounds presented over a 12-month period. These patients were followed up with serial physical examinations and laboratory measurements. Of the 330 patients, 107 patients (32%) required celiotomy for the repair of a life-threatening injury (group 1); 28 patients (8%) underwent nontherapeutic celiotomies (group 2); 19 patients (6%) had negative explorations (group 3); and 176 patients (53%) were observed and discharged (group 4). There were three missed injuries in group 4. Serial physical examination can be a reliable technique in the management of abdominal stab wounds and is comparable to other approaches.

Tension pneumopericardium in blunt chest trauma.

Tension pneumopericardium is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma. We present two case reports of tension pneumopericardium, with clinical, hemodynamic, and radiographic evidence supporting the diagnosis. Although tension pneumopericardium is uncommon in blunt chest trauma, it should be considered in patients with pneumopericardium and hemodynamic instability.

Blunt thoracic trauma. Analysis of 515 patients.

A retrospective analysis of 515 cases of blunt chest trauma is presented. The overall thoracic morbidity rate was 36% and mortality rate was 15.5%. Atelectasis was the most common complication. Severe chest trauma can be present in the absence of rib or other thoracic bony fractures. Emergency thoracotomies for resuscitation of the patient with blunt chest trauma with absent vital signs proved unsuccessful in 39 of 39 patients. A high index of suspicion for blunt chest injury occurring in blunt trauma, coupled with an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach, remains the cornerstone of treatment to minimize the morbidity and mortality of such injuries.

Injuries of the duodenum.

The records of 115 patients with a duodenal injury have been reviewed. The majority of the patients (83 percent) were treated with primary repair of the injury. Twelve patients underwent duodenal diverticulization. The mortality rate in all 115 patients was 12 percent, in 105 patients who survived more than 48 hours 4 percent, and in 26 patients with pancreaticoduodenal injury 15 percent. Vascular injury was the major cause of early death. Enteric perforations were present in 75 percent of the patients with sepsis. The majority of patients with associated pancreatic injury had primary repair and did not have pancreaticoduodenal complications. Duodenal fistula continues to be a serious postoperative complication. Primary repair with drainage is the preferred treatment. Gastrostomy and feeding jejunostomy are useful adjuncts. A more complex operation should be reserved for a highly select group of patients with severe duodenal injury.

Spontaneous pulmonary torsion.

A patient with systemic manifestations of sepsis after above-knee amputation developed massive left pulmonary atelectasis and pneumonia. These persisted despite repeated bronchoscopies. At thoracotomy, 180 degrees torsion of the left lung was found. The patient improved temporarily but died later of sepsis, probably related to severe hip osteomyelitis.

Immunoglobulin production in burned patients.

To further characterize immunologic alterations found in thermally injured patients, a series of experiments dealing with lymphocyte immunoglobulin production were performed. Circulating immunoglobulin levels were measured, plasma antitetanus toxoid was quantitated, and lymphocytes were cultured and in vitro immunoglobulin production recorded. Postburn circulating immunoglobulins were initially depressed but returned to normal at a variable rate. We found a normal response to rechallenge with tetanus toxoid. However, culture of lymphocytes in vitro showed that lymphocytes from burned patients had an elevated spontaneous immunoglobulin production and no augmentation with mitogen stimulation. This alteration in immunoglobulin production was not found in a group of postoperative or trauma patients and appears to be unique to burned patients.