Chronic neck pain following road traffic accidents in an Irish setting and it's relationship to seat belt use and low back pain.

Chronic neck pain following road traffic accidents is a highly prevalent condition in developed societies. It constitutes the main element of chronic whiplash syndrome, and is often used synonymously with that term. It is also a highly controversial condition, with debate in the extensive literature as to the nature of the complaint. We performed an analysis of 100 consecutive patients presenting for treatment of chronic neck pain following road traffic accidents. The mean duration of neck pain was 15.5 months and 90% of patients reported wearing a seatbelt at the time, a significantly greater proportion than the general population (p<0.001). All patients in the study were involved in litigation related to the accident. The mean time off work due to the injury was 4.9 months (range 1 week-3 years). 60 patients also complained of accident related low back pain, a statistically significant association with whiplash syndrome (p<0.001). Our study demonstrates a significantly high incidence of reported seatbelt use in patients presenting with chronic neck pain and whiplash syndrome. We also found a significant association between whiplash and chronic lumbar pain, an association having important medico-legal implications and requiring further analysis.

Irish orthopaedic patients' attitudes to blood transfusion.

This study was designed in response to perceived increased public anxiety about the risks of allogenic blood transfusion. A questionnaire was completed by 203 patients attending an elective orthopaedic hospital. The questionnaire examined patients' factual knowledge about various aspects of transfusion, their attitudes to blood transfusion and confidence in the safety of blood products. Despite recent publicity, only 124 patients (61%) regarded blood transfusion as a risk for hepatitis transmission while 172 patients (85%) knew of the risk of blood transmission of HIV. 22 patients (11%) reported that they would have no concerns about receiving a blood transfusion, while at the other extreme, 9 (5%) would not be willing to receive blood under any circumstances. 162 patients (80%) felt that allogenic blood transfusion was either entirely safe or that there was an acceptable small risk associated with it. A majority of responders (109 patients, 54%) reported they would favour autologous transfusion if available. Current practices and alternatives to traditional allogenic blood transfusion are discussed in the context of elective orthopaedic surgery.

Intussusception, volvulus and malrotation.

A case of ileocolic intussusception, associated with mid-gut volvulus and malrotation with bowel necrosis is reported. There is evidence to suggest that the intussusception preceded the volvulus.

Hypertrophic callus formation leading to high-output cardiac failure in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta.

A 4-year old child with osteogenesis imperfecta developed high-output cardiac failure secondary to hypertrophic callus formation in four long bones. The association of hypertrophic callus formation with fracture and operative intervention is well known, but the role of infection in the aetiology of his condition is not well defined.

Diastasis of the pubic symphysis peculiar to horse riders: modern aspects of pelvic pommel injuries.

Diastasis of the pubic symphysis is a well documented injury typically associated with high energy trauma. Three cases in horse riders are here described, emphasising the appropriate modern investigation, including computed tomography, and orthopaedic and urological management.