Development and usability testing of a fully immersive VR simulation for REBOA training.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a potentially life-saving procedure for bleeding trauma patients. Being a rare and complex procedure performed in extreme situations, repetitive training of REBOA teams is critical. Evidence-based guidelines on how to train REBOA are missing, although simulation-based training has been shown to be effective but can be costly and complex. We aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptance of REBOA training using a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) REBOA simulation, as well as assess the confidence in conducting the REBOA procedure before and after the training. METHODS: Prospective feasibility pilot study of prehospital emergency physicians and paramedics in Bern, Switzerland, from November 2020 until March 2021. Baseline characteristics of trainees, prior training and experience in REBOA and with VR, variables of media use (usability: system usability scale, immersion/presence: Slater-Usoh-Steed, workload: NASA-TLX, user satisfaction: USEQ) as well as confidence prior and after VR training were accessed. RESULTS: REBOA training in VR was found to be feasible without relevant VR-specific side-effects. Usability (SUS median 77.5, IQR 71.3-85) and sense of presence and immersion (Slater-Usoh-Steed median 4.8, IQR 3.8-5.5) were good, the workload without under-nor overstraining (NASA-TLX median 39, IQR 32.8-50.2) and user satisfaction high (USEQ median 26, IQR 23-29). Confidence of trainees in conducting REBOA increased significantly after training (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Procedural training of the REBOA procedure in immersive virtual reality is possible with a good acceptance and high usability. REBOA VR training can be an important part of a training curriculum, with the virtual reality-specific advantages of a time- and instructor-independent learning.

Virtual Reality for Pain Relief in the Emergency Room (VIPER) - a prospective, interventional feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Pain is one of the most common, yet challenging problems leading to emergency department (ED) presentation, despite the availability of a wide range of pharmacological therapies. Virtual reality (VR) simulations are well studied in a wide variety of clinical settings, including acute and chronic pain management, as well as anxiety disorders. However, studies in the busy environment of an adult ED are scarce. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a VR simulation for pain and anxiety control in a convenience sample of adult ED patients presenting with traumatic and non-traumatic pain triaged 2-5 (i.e., urgent to non-urgent) with a pain rating of ≥ 3 on a numeric rating scale (NRS 0-10). METHODS: Prospective within-subject, repeated measures interventional feasibility pilot study at a Swiss University ED. The intervention consisted of a virtual reality simulation in addition to usual care. Pain and anxiety levels were measured using a verbally administered numeric rating scale (NRS) before and after the intervention. Information on patient experience was collected using established rating scales. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were enrolled. The most common pain localisations were extremities (n = 15, 28.8%) and abdomen (n = 12, 23.1%). About one third of patients presented with trauma-associated pain (n = 16, 30.8%). Duration of pain was mainly acute (< 24 h) (n = 16, 30.8%) or subacute (> 24 h) (n = 32, 61.5%). The majority of patients were triage category 3, i.e. semi-urgent (n = 48, 92.3%). Significant reduction in pain (NRS median pre-VR simulation 4.5 (IQR 3-7) vs. median post-VR simulation 3 (IQR 2-5), p < 0.001), and anxiety levels (NRS median pre-VR simulation 4 (IQR 2-5) vs. median post-VR simulation 2 (IQR 0-3), p < 0.001) was achieved, yielding moderate to large effect sizes (Cohen's d estimate for pain reduction = 0.59 (95% CI 0.19-0.98), for anxiety level on NRS = 0.75 (95% CI 0.34-1.15). With medium immersion and good tolerability of the VR simulation, user satisfaction was high. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality analgesia for pain and anxiety reduction in the busy setting of an ED is feasible, effective, with high user satisfaction. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to better characterize its impact on pain perception and resource utilization.

qSOFA score not predictive of in-hospital mortality in emergency patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Quick sequential organ failure assessement (qSOFA) has been validated for patients with presumed sepsis and the general emergency department (ED) population. However, it has not been validated in specific subgroups of ED patients with a high mortality. We aimed to investigate the prognostic performance of qSOFA with respect to in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and length of hospitalisation in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, we compared qSOFA to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), model of end stage liver disease score (MELD), and Child-Pugh criteria and evaluated whether addition of sodium (Na+) levels to qSOFA increases its prognostic performance. METHODS: This observational study included patients admitted with the diagnosis of decompensated liver cirrhosis. All patients with a complete set of vital parameters were included in this study. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients were included. A positive qSOFA score was not associated with in-hospital mortality, ICU admission, or length of hospitalisation (all p > 0.15). MELD scores reliably predicted need for ICU admission and in-hospital mortality (both p < 0.01), but not the length of hospitalisation. qSOFA-Na+ only moderately increased the diagnostic performance of qSOFA with regard to need for ICU admission (AUCICU[qSOFA] = 0.504 vs. AUCICU[qSOFA-Na+] = 0.609, p = 0.03), but not for in-hospital mortality (AUCdeath[qSOFA] = 0.513 vs. AUCdeath[qSOFA-Na+] = 0.592, p = 0.054). CONCLUSION: qSOFA does not predict in-hospital mortality, ICU admission or length of hospitalisation in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Extension of qSOFA with a disease-specific component, the qSOFA-Na+, moderately increased the diagnostic ability of qSOFA.

Epistaxis in anticoagulated patients: Fewer hospital admissions and shorter hospital stays on rivaroxaban compared to phenprocoumon.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of epistaxis in patients on anticoagulants is challenging and associated with higher admission rates and longer hospital stays compared with patients without anticoagulation. However, there is little information about epistaxis in patients taking new direct oral anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban compared with patients on traditional vitamin K antagonists such as phenprocoumon. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the emergency department of the University Hospital Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: All admissions to the emergency department of the University Hospital Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland from 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2016 with non-traumatic epistaxis on anticoagulant therapy with phenprocoumon or rivaroxaban were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We compared clinical outcome parameters (admission rates, length of hospital stay and mortality) for both anticoagulant groups. RESULTS: We included 440 patients with epistaxis, 123 (28%) on rivaroxaban and 317 (72%) on phenprocoumon. Fewer hospital admissions and shorter hospital stays were found in patients under rivaroxaban (12 (10.4%) vs 57 (18.0%) patients, P=.033; 0.7±2.2 vs 1.5±3.7 days, P=.011) compared with phenprocoumon. Anterior epistaxis was more common in the rivaroxaban group in contrast to posterior epistaxis in patients on phenprocoumon (74 (60.2%) vs 139 (43.8%) patients, P=.002; 7 (5.7%) vs 39 (12.3%) patients, P=.042). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that epistaxis on direct oral anticoagulation with rivaroxaban is associated with shorter hospital stays and fewer hospital admissions than epistaxis on vitamin K antagonist phenprocoumon.

Aetiology of adult burns treated from 2000 to 2012 in a Swiss University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Burns in Switzerland are frequent and lead to high economic and social costs. However, little is known about the aetiology of burns suffered by patients seeking treatment in hospital emergency departments. This knowledge could be used to develop preventive measures. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included all patients (≥16 years old) with acute thermal injuries of known cause admitted to the adult emergency department in Bern University Hospital (Switzerland, not a specialised burns unit) between 2000 and 2012. Clinical and sociodemographic data were extracted from medical records, i.e. the environment in which the burn occurred, as well as details of burn severity and aetiology. RESULTS: Seven hundred and one (701) patients with a mean age of 35.0±14.5 years (56% men) were included in the analysis. The winter season and the days around Christmas, turn of the year and Swiss National Day were identified as times with high risk of burns. Household (45%) and workplace (31%) were the most common locations/settings in which the burns occurred. Approximately every second burn was caused by scald, every fourth by flame and every seventh by hot objects. The analysis identified cooking, tar and electricity in workplace accidents, barbecues and the use of gasoline as aetiological factors in burns in leisure time, together with water in domestic thermal injuries. Burns occurred predominantly on non-protected skin on the hand and arms. The most severe burns were seen in electrical and flame burns. Men suffered more severe burns than women in all settings except psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the incidence and severity of burns in Switzerland could be reduced by preventive strategies and public campaigns, including education on fire protection systems, raising awareness about the times and locations where the risks of burns are greater, further improvement in workplace safety, particularly with cooking facilities and electrical equipment, and the development of innovative safety devices (i.e. machines, protective gloves). These findings have to be interpreted carefully, as this study includes only adult patients who presented in our ED and, in most cases, the burns covered less than 20% of the body surface.

Impact of proton pump inhibitor use on magnesium homoeostasis: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary emergency department.

BACKGROUND: To date, the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been associated with a low risk of hypomagnesaemia and associated adverse outcomes. We hypothesised that a better risk estimate could be derived from a large cohort of outpatients admitted to a tertiary emergency department (ED). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 5118 patients who had measurements of serum magnesium taken on admission to a large tertiary care ED between January 2009 and December 2010. Hypomagnesaemia was defined as a serum magnesium concentration < 0.75 mmol/l. Demographical data, serum electrolyte values, data on medication, comorbidities and outcome with regard to length of hospital stay and mortality were analysed. RESULTS: Serum magnesium was normally distributed where upon 1246 patients (24%) were hypomagnesaemic. These patients had a higher prevalence of out-of-hospital PPI use and diuretic use when compared with patients with magnesium levels > 0.75 mmol/l (both p < 0.0001). In multivariable regression analyses adjusted for PPIs, diuretics, renal function and the Charlson comorbidity index score, the association between use of PPIs and risk for hypomagnesaemia remained significant (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.54-2.85). While mortality was not directly related to low magnesium levels (p = 0.67), the length of hospitalisation was prolonged in these patients even after adjustment for underlying comorbid conditions (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Use of PPIs predisposes patients to hypomagnesaemia and such to prolonged hospitalisation irrespective of the underlying morbidity, posing a critical concern.

Reducing fall risk in the elderly: risk factors and fall prevention, a systematic review.

Falls in the elderly are a major source of injury resulting in disability and hospitalization. They have a significant impact on individual basis (loss of quality of live, nursing home admissions) and social basis (healthcare costs). Even though falls in the elderly are common there are some well studied risk factors. Special emphasis should be put on sarcopenia/frailty, polypharmacy, multimorbidity, vitamin D status and home hazards. There are several well evaluated fall prevention approaches that either target a single fall risk factor or focus on multiple risk factors. It has to be kept in mind that not all fall prevention strategies are useful for all patients as for example dietary substitution of vitamin D is only recommended in people with increased risk for a vitamin D deficiency. Home hazard reduction strategies are more effective when combined with other fall prevention approaches such as for example exercise programs. In conclusion elderly patients should routinely be screened for relevant risk factors and if need an indiviudally targeted fall prevention program compiled.

What is the incidence of intracranial bleeding in patients with mild traumatic brain injury? A retrospective study in 3088 Canadian CT head rule patients.

OBJECTIVE: Only limited data exists in terms of the incidence of intracranial bleeding (ICB) in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). METHODS: We retrospectively identified 3088 patients (mean age 41 range (7-99) years) presenting with isolated MTBI and GCS 14-15 at our Emergency Department who had undergone cranial CT (CCT) between 2002 and 2011. Indication for CCT was according to the "Canadian CT head rules." Patients with ICB were either submitted for neurosurgical treatment or kept under surveillance for at least 24 hours. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to correlate the incidence of ICB with age, gender, or intake of coumarins, platelet aggregation inhibitors, or heparins. RESULTS: 149 patients (4.8%) had ICB on CCT. No patient with ICB died or deteriorated neurologically. The incidence of ICB increased with age and intake of anticoagulants without clinically relevant correlation (R = 0.11; P < 0.001; R = -0.06; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data show an incidence of 4.8% for ICB after MTBI. However, neurological deterioration after MTBI seems to be rare, and the need for neurosurgical intervention is only required in selected cases. The general need for CCT in patients after MTBI is therefore questionable, and clinical surveillance may be sufficient when CCT is not available.

[Disorders of serum sodium in emergency patients : salt in the soup of emergency medicine]. / Störungen des Natriumhaushalts beim Notfallpatienten : Salz in der Suppe der Notfallmedizin.

Electrolyte disorders are common and potentially fatal laboratory findings in emergency patients. Approximately 20 % of patients in the emergency department present with either hyponatremia or hypernatremia. Recently it was shown that disorders of serum sodium are not only an expression of the severity of the underlying disease but independent predictors for the outcome of patients. They directly influence patient daily life by causing not only gait and concentration disturbances but also an increased tendency to fall together with a reduced bone mass. Given these new data it is even more important to detect and adequately correct dysnatremia in patients in the emergency department. Acute, symptomatic dysnatremia should be corrected promptly by use of 3 % NaCl for hyponatremia and 5 % glucose for hypernatremia. A close monitoring of serum sodium concentration is, however, essential in any case of correction of hyponatremia or hypernatremia in order to avoid rapid overcorrection and subsequent complications. A profound knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the development of hyponatremia, e.g. diuretics, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver and hypernatremia, e.g. dehydration, infusions, diuretics and osmotic diuresis is essential. The present article describes the epidemiology, etiology and correction of hyponatremia and hypernatremia on the basis of current knowledge with special emphasis on emergency department patients.

Can handheld micropower impulse radar technology be used to detect pneumothorax? Initial experience in a European trauma centre.

BACKGROUND: Pneumothoraces are a common injury pattern in emergency medicine. Rapid and safe identification can reduce morbidity and mortality. A new handheld, battery powered device, the Pneumoscan (CE 561036, PneumoSonics Inc., Cleveland, OH, USA), using micropower impulse radar (MIR) technology, has recently been introduced in Europe for the rapid and reliable detection of PTX. However, this technology has not yet been tested in trauma patients. This is the first quality control evaluation to report on emergency room performance of a new device used in the trauma setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed at a Level I trauma centre in Switzerland. All patients with thoracic trauma and undergoing chest X-ray and CT-scan were eligible for the study. Readings were performed before the chest X-ray and CT scan. The patients had eight lung fields tested (four on each side). All readings with the Pneumoscan were performed by two junior residents in our department who had previously received an instructional tutorial of 15min. The qualitative MIR results were blinded, and stored on the device. We then compared the results of the MIR to those of the clinical examination, chest X-ray and CT-scan. RESULTS: 50 patients were included, with a mean age of 46 (SD 17) years. Seven patients presented with PTX diagnosed by CT; six of these were detected by Pneumoscan, leading to an overall sensitivity of 85.7 (95% confidence interval 42.1-99.6)%. Only two of seven PTX were found during clinical examination and on chest X-ray (sensitivity 28.6 (95% CI 3.7-71.0)%). Of the remaining 43 of 50 patients without PTX, one false-positive PTX was found by the Pneumoscan, resulting in a specificity of 97.7 (95% CI 87.7-99.9)%. DISCUSSION: The Pneumoscan is an easy to use handheld technology with reliable results. In this series, the sensitivity to detect a PTX by the Pneumoscan was higher than by clinical examination and chest X-ray. Further studies with higher case numbers and a prospective study design are needed to confirm our findings.

A review of full-body radiography in nontraumatic emergency medicine.

This paper reports on the application of full-body radiography to nontraumatic emergency situations. The Lodox Statscan is an X-ray machine capable of imaging the entire body in 13 seconds using linear slit scanning radiography (LSSR). Nontraumatic emergency applications in ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt visualisation, emergency room arteriography (ERA), detection of foreign bodies, and paediatric emergency imaging are presented. Reports show that the fast, full-body, and low-dose scanning capabilities of the Lodox system make it well suited to these applications, with the same or better image quality, faster processing times, and lower dose to patients. In particular, the large format scans allowing visualisation of a greater area of anatomy make it well suited to VP shunt monitoring, ERA, and the detection of foreign bodies. Whilst more studies are required, it can be concluded that the Lodox Statscan has the potential for widespread use in these and other nontraumatic emergency radiology applications.

Gender, age and ethnic aspects of analgesia in acute abdominal pain: is analgesia even across the groups?

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown differences in pain perception between men and women, which may affect pain management strategies. AIM: Our primary aim was to investigate whether there are gender-based differences in pain management in patients admitted to our emergency department with acute, non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP). Our secondary aim was to evaluate if other factors influence administration of analgesia for patients admitted with NSAP. METHODS: From June 2007 to June 2008, we carried out a retrospective, gender-based, frequency-matched control study with 150 patients (75 consecutive men and 75 women) who presented with NSAP at our emergency department. Pain was documented using a numerical rating scale ('0' no pain, '10' most severe pain). A multinomial regression model was used to assess factors that might influence pain management. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was seen between men and women with respect to pain management (P= 0.085). Younger patients were, however, more likely to receive weaker (P= 0.011) and fewer analgesics (P < 0.001). Patients with previous abdominal surgery (P= 0.012), known chronic pain conditions (P= 0.029) or relevant comorbidities (P= 0.048) received stronger analgesia. Nationality (P= 0.244), employment status (P= 0.988), time of admission (P= 0.487) and known psychiatric illness (P= 0.579) did not influence pain management. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant gender-dependent differences in pain management were observed. However, younger patients received less potent analgesic treatment. There is no reason for certain groups to receive suboptimal treatment, and greater efforts should be made to offer consistent treatment to all patients.

A 5-year follow up of patients discharged with non-specific abdominal pain: out of sight, out of mind?

BACKGROUND/AIM: Acute non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP) is prevalent in 6-25% of the general population and is a common cause of admission to the emergency department (ED). Despite involvement of substantial financial and human resources, there are few data on long-term outcome after initial diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcome of patients initially admitted with NSAP to an ED. METHODS: The study involves a 5-year follow-up analysis of prospectively collected data on 104 patients admitted to our ED in 2003 with NSAP. Primary end-point was clinical outcome 5 years after initial ED admission. Predictive risk factors were assessed using a multivariate regression model. RESULTS: 29 patients (28%) had recurring NSAP 5 years after initial ED admission, 76% of these patients received (multiple) diagnostic examinations and 13% eventually required diagnostic (or therapeutic) surgery. Although approximately half of patients with recurring NSAP eventually received a definite diagnosis, 30% still suffered from recurrent abdominal pain. Using regression analysis, no single factor in our dataset could be identified as a predictor for NSAP persistence. CONCLUSION: The long-term impact for patients initially admitted to our ED with acute NSAP is significant--28% of patients continue to suffer from recurring NSAP after 5 years. NSAP therefore remains, despite more advanced diagnostic tools, a true and, as yet, unsolved problem.

[Ethics, empiricism and uncertainty]. / Ethik, Empirik und Unsicherheit.

Accidents can lead to difficult boundary situations. Such situations often take place in the emergency units. The medical team thus often and inevitably faces professional uncertainty in their decision-making. It is essential to communicate these uncertainties within the medical team, instead of downplaying or overriding existential hurdles in decision-making. Acknowledging uncertainties might lead to alert and prudent decisions. Thus uncertainty can have ethical value in treatment or withdrawal of treatment. It does not need to be covered in evidence-based arguments, especially as some singular situations of individual tragedies cannot be grasped in terms of evidence-based medicine.

[A million football fans in a city of 120,000 inhabitants--a nightmare for emergency medicine and disaster management? Euro 2008 and the "Orange wonder of Berne"]. / 1.000.000 Fussballfans in einer Stadt mit 120.000 Einwohnern--ein notfallmedizinischer Albtraum? Die Euro 2008 und das "Oranje-Wunder von Bern"

The 2008 European Football Championship 2008 (Euro 08) is the largest sporting event ever organized in Switzerland. One million visitors came to the city of Berne during the event and the local airport in Bern/Belp registered 261 extra flights. For each football game there were 33,000 fans in the stadium and 100,000 fans in the public viewing zones.The ambulance corps and the Department of Emergency Medicine (ED) at Inselspital, University Hospital Berne, were responsible for basic medical care and emergency medical management. Injuries and illnesses were analyzed by a standardized score (NACA score). The preparation strategy as well as costs and patient numbers are presented in detail.A total of 30 additional ambulance vehicles were used, 4,723 additional working days (one-third medical professionals) were accumulated, 662 ambulance calls were registered and 240 persons needed medical care (62% Swiss, 28% Dutch and 10% other nationalities). Among those needing treatment 51 were treated in 1 of the 4 city hospitals. No injuries with NACA grades VI and VII occurred (NACA I: 4, NACA II: 17, NACA III: 16, NACA IV: 10 and NACA V: 4 patients). The city of Berne compensated the Inselspital Bern with a total of 112,603 Euros for extra medical care costs. The largest amount was spent on security measures (50,300 Euros) and medical staff (medical doctors 22,600 Euros, nurses 29,000 Euros). Because of the poor weather and the exemplary behavior of the fans, the course of events was rather peaceful.

Can S-100B serum protein help to save cranial CT resources in a peripheral trauma centre? A study and consensus paper.

BACKGROUND: Cranial CT (CCT) is the gold standard to rule out traumatic brain injury. The serum level of the protein S-100B has recently been proposed as promising marker of traumatic brain injury. We prospectively investigated whether it might be a reliable tool for CCT triage in mild brain injury at a peripheral trauma centre with limited CT resources. METHODS: Patients with mild head injury and a Glasgow Coma Score of 13-15 admitted to the emergency department of a peripheral trauma centre were enrolled. Blood samples for S-100B analysis were obtained after clinical evaluation. The cut-off level for positive S-100B was 0.105 µg/l. All patients underwent CCT. The relationship between clinical findings, CCT results and S-100B levels was evaluated. RESULTS: 233 patients were enrolled. Median time between injury and sampling was 137 min. CCT was positive in 22 (9%) patients. Of these, 19 (8%) had positive serum S-100B levels. Overall, S-100B had a specificity of 12.2% and a sensitivity of 86.4%, with a positive predictive value of 12.8% and a negative predictive value of 85.7% as a selection tool for CCT triage in patients with mild head injury. CONCLUSION: The S-100B serum level showed a high sensitivity and negative predictive value in the screening of patients with mild head injury. The use of serum S-100B as a biomarker for CCT triage may improve patient screening and decrease the number of CCT scans performed. This would reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and free up capacity in the emergency rooms of peripheral hospitals to enable them to cope better with multiple admissions.

Impact of Lodox Statscan on radiation dose and screening time in paediatric trauma patients.

INTRODUCTION: As part of the primary investigation, polytrauma patients arriving at our emergency department are examined in accordance with the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) rules, using the new Lodox Statscan (LS) digital low-radiation imaging device. The aim of this study was to establish whether entrance and effective radiation doses using LS in children were comparable to those of paediatric Computed Radiography (CR) and to evaluate the duration of scanning for both techniques in young polytrauma patients. METHODS: 19 consecutive polytrauma patients aged <16 years who had LS imaging were included in this prospective analysis. For a comparison of our results, we put together an age-, size-, injury type- and ISS-matched group of young patients screened using paediatric Conventional Radiology (CR). Entrance, effective doses and mean duration of diagnostic imaging were recorded for both groups. RESULTS: Effective and entrance doses were higher in the LS group compared to the paediatric CR group (p<0.001). This might be partly due to the higher radiation dose necessary for lateral LS spine imaging, and also because with conventional radiography, only selected parts of the spine are imaged compared to the standard full spinal view with LS. Diagnostic imaging with LS required less time than paediatric CR (p=0.117). CONCLUSION: LS scanning will probably be a useful diagnostic tool for a range of paediatric clinical indications in the future. But only the future will show whether LS will survive in the face of low-dose radiation CT scanners and magnetic resonance imaging devices that may eventually completely replace conventional radiography.

Management of blunt injuries to the spleen.

BACKGROUND: Non-operative management (NOM) of blunt splenic injuries is nowadays considered the standard treatment. The present study identified selection criteria for primary operative management (OM) and planned NOM. METHODS: All adult patients with blunt splenic injuries treated at Berne University Hospital, Switzerland, between 2000 and 2008 were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 206 patients (146 men) with a mean(s.d.) age of 38.2(19.1) years and an Injury Severity Score of 30.9(11.6). The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma classification of the splenic injury was grade 1 in 43 patients (20.9 per cent), grade 2 in 52 (25.2 per cent), grade 3 in 60 (29.1 per cent), grade 4 in 42 (20.4 per cent) and grade 5 in nine (4.4 per cent). Forty-seven patients (22.8 per cent) required immediate surgery. Transfusion of at least 5 units of red cells (odds ratio (OR) 13.72, 95 per cent confidence interval 5.08 to 37.01), Glasgow Coma Scale score below 11 (OR 9.88, 1.77 to 55.16) and age 55 years or more (OR 3.29, 1.07 to 10.08) were associated with primary OM. The rate of primary OM decreased from 33.3 to 11.9 per cent after the introduction of transcatheter arterial embolization in 2005. Overall, 159 patients (77.2 per cent) qualified for NOM, which was successful in 143 (89.9 per cent). The splenic salvage rate was 69.4 per cent. In multivariable analysis age at least 40 years was the only factor independently related to failure of NOM (OR 13.58, 2.76 to 66.71). CONCLUSION: NOM of blunt splenic injuries has a low failure rate. Advanced age is independently associated with an increased failure rate.