1/25. An unidentified substance.AT 5.00 am one Friday morning a 19-year-old woman was brought into the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department following a head on collision with a van. The young woman had sustained severe head injuries, along with a fractured pelvis and a ruptured spleen. Following resuscitative surgery, the patient was taken to the intensive care unit, where she remained unconscious following her head injury. Two patients from the van were admitted to A&E with minor injuries, and were discharged home mid-morning. When staff checked the woman's belongings and listed them in a property book, they discovered white powder in a small twist of white paper, which amounted to about the size of a pea. Staff present listed the substance in the property book and then locked it in the cd cupboard. Six hours later, following discussion with senior staff, two nurses disposed of the substance by flushing it down the toilet and recorded their actions with a witness signature from a senior nurse and pharmacist. Was this the best course of action from the viewpoint of the seriously injured patient and the other two involved in the van? What opinion would a police officer have?- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/25. Asymptomatic hyponaturemia in a patient with mild head injury due to syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone--a case report.hyponatremia is commonly seen in patients with severe and moderate head injury, but it is rarely reported in those with mild head injury. The authors report a patient with mild head injury who presented with data typical of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), but showed no clinical deterioration. Though the clinical significance of this condition is unclear, the true incidence of this pathology might well be found to be higher than expected, should it receive more clinical and/or serological attention. Continuing clinical assessment will be needed to determine the significance of this condition in relation to that in patients with SIADH following the various causes reported previously.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/25. cluster analysis of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance images in human head injury.OBJECTIVE: Issues surrounding the nature of the edema associated with traumatic brain injury in humans, and its evolution in the acute phase, remain unresolved. This study aimed to characterize the topographical nature of the pathophysiological changes in human traumatic brain injury with diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging. methods: Multislice diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from five patients undergoing elective ventilation for management of traumatic focal contusion or hematomas. The diffusion tensor and the T2-weighted intensity were then computed for every voxel in the image data set for each patient. The topographical distribution of abnormalities in the trace of the diffusion tensor and T2-weighted images were characterized by cluster analysis. RESULTS: In four patients with technically satisfactory data, a narrow band of tissue was observed in the periphery of focal lesions, which was characterized by selective reduction in the trace of the diffusion tensor, without any associated increase in the T2-weighted signal intensity. CONCLUSION: This change is interpreted as indicating either a partial redistribution of water from the extra- to intracellular compartment, or a reduction in the diffusivity of water in the intracellular or cytosolic environment. These diffusion and T2-weighted characteristics are also found in early ischemic change, hence, such regions may represent potentially salvageable tissue at risk of permanent damage. The study illustrates the advantage of using information contained within the diffusion tensor in addition to more conventional imaging sequences.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/25. Profound retrograde amnesia following mild head injury: organic or functional?This paper describes a 56 year old female patient (JJ) who suffered a minor head injury at work and presented with profound retrograde amnesia for both public events and autobiographical material spanning her entire life. In addition, she complained of word-finding difficulties and anterograde memory impairment and neuropsychological assessment found evidence of mild executive dysfunction. Neurological investigations (CT and EEG) were essentially normal although changes indicative of small vessel disease were noted on MRI brain scan. Various forms and aetiologies of remote memory loss were considered including, simulated, psychogenic and organic amnesia, but differential diagnosis proved difficult. It is proposed that criteria used in clinical practice to differentiate functional and organic complaints are limited and this may be because (1) both factors can be involved in the aetiology of amnesia, and (2) a similar underlying brain mechanism, such as a retrieval deficit could underlie many instances of organic and psychogenic amnesia. Future research, complemented by functional brain imaging, is needed to explore the nature of retrieval deficits.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/25. The importance of serial neurologic examination and repeat cranial tomography in acute evolving epidural hematoma.Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of head-injured patients, and its increasing availability has led to its liberal use. CT scanning provides excellent anatomic detail of the brain as fixed static images, but the dynamic nature of human physiology means that many injury patterns will evolve in time. We describe an 8-year-old child who had fallen 8 feet from a tree. He had a brief loss of consciousness but a normal neurologic evaluation on arrival to the emergency department (ED). He underwent expedited cranial CT scanning, which revealed no acute brain injury. Two and one half hours later, the patient had a mild depression in consciousness, prompting a second CT scan in the ED, which revealed an acute epidural hematoma. He had acute surgical evacuation of the hematoma and made a full neurologic recovery. This case illustrates that a single early CT examination may at times provide a false sense of security and underscores the importance of serial neurologic examinations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/25. The injured coach.The patient in this case was diagnosed as having an epidural hematoma (shown in x-ray at right). This results from hemorrhage between the dura mater and the skull. The hemorrhage may result from a traumatic insult to the side of the head, which can fracture the temporal bone and lacerate the middle meningeal artery. Since the hemorrhage is arterial in nature, the patient may deteriorate quickly. These patients may present with what is referred to as a "lucid interval." The patient typically has a significant blow to the head that results in a short period of unconsciousness. They then regain consciousness at a time that frequently coincides with the arrival of EMS. Once conscious, they are in a period known as the lucid interval. They will still have a headache, but may otherwise be acting normally and show no other physical findings on examination. Many such patients refuse treatment and transport. [table: see text] Inside the skull, however, the problem will grow. Broken arterial vessels are bleeding, causing an expanding hematoma. The patient typically will soon complain of a severe headache along with other associated complaints, such as nausea/vomiting, then will lose consciousness again and/or have a seizure. Initial physical findings may include contralateral weakness and a decreased Glasgow Coma score. As the hematoma expands, cerebral herniation may occur, compressing the third cranial nerve, which presents as a "blown pupil." EMS providers should have a high suspicion of injuries that affect the side of the head and the base of the skull. It is important to not only assess such injuries, but also the mechanism of injury, and to know the complications or later presentation that can arise from such injuries. Given that this patient was alert, oriented, not obviously intoxicated, and accompanied by his wife, the providers in this case would have had no choice but to abide by a refusal of treatment and transport. However, that could lead to serious complications, such as ongoing minor neurological deficits, later on. If this is the case, contacting medical control should be the priority.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/25. Widespread cutaneous involvement by invasive Apophysomyces elegans in a gravid patient following trauma.Invasive infections in humans with organisms from the fungal subclass Zygomycetes are most commonly seen in immunocompromised and diabetic patients. Rarely, such fungal infections may be seen in immunocompetent, nondiabetic individuals. In these cases, cutaneous trauma with direct implantation of fungal organisms into the wound from soil contamination is the frequent scenario. We present the case of a 31-year-old gravid woman involved in a single-vehicle automobile accident who presented to our institution with severe head trauma. On admission, a small ecchymotic area on her right forearm was noted. The lesion eventually expanded and ulcerated. culture and histologic examination of tissue from the site revealed fungal organisms consistent with Zygomycetes. Subsequent studies confirmed the fungal organism as Apophysomyces elegans. Antifungal therapy was initiated, and multiple debridements were performed. amputation of the right arm above the elbow was eventually necessary, but aggressive surgical intervention and antifungal therapy were unsuccessful in preventing the spread of the infection. The patient died 2 weeks after admission from polymicrobial sepsis. This case illustrates the dangerously invasive nature of A elegans, even in immunocompetent individuals.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/25. Ophthalmic injuries in children involved in all-terrain vehicle crashes.PURPOSE: To describe the spectrum of ophthalmic injuries in children involved in all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes. methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a level 1 children's trauma center to identify cases with ICD-9 codes pertaining to crashes involving ATVs and cross-referenced for ophthalmic trauma. From these cases, we documented the nature of the crash, patient's age, ophthalmic injuries received, and length of hospitalization. RESULTS: Twenty children, 5 to 16 years of age (mean, 11.1 years), involved in ATV crashes were admitted between June 1997 and April 2002. One was riding with an adult and 3 with other children; 16 were operating the vehicles alone at the time of their crashes. None was wearing a helmet, and all had head trauma. Nine patients had ophthalmic injuries, including lacerations of the eyelid (n = 5), orbital fractures (n = 9), and traumatic optic neuropathies (n = 2). The latter two had final visual acuities of count fingers and no light perception. The average length of hospitalization was 6.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic trauma is a frequent complication of ATV crashes involving children. Injuries may range from minor lacerations to complex orbital fractures; visual loss may be severe. We believe that the age of the vehicles' operators and their failure to wear protective helmets contribute to the severity of injuries.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/25. Is there an upper limit of intracranial pressure in patients with severe head injury if cerebral perfusion pressure is maintained?Authors of recent studies have championed the importance of maintaining cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) to prevent secondary brain injury following traumatic head injury. Data from these studies have provided little information regarding outcome following severe head injury in patients with an intracranial pressure (ICP) greater than 40 mm Hg, however, in July 1997 the authors instituted a protocol for the management of severe head injury in patients with a glasgow coma scale score lower than 9. The protocol was focused on resuscitation from acidosis, maintenance of a CPP greater than 60 mm Hg through whatever means necessary as well as elevation of the head of the bed, mannitol infusion, and ventriculostomy with cerebrospinal fluid drainage for control of ICP. Since the institution of this protocol, nine patients had a sustained ICP greater than 40 mm Hg for 2 or more hours, and five of these had an ICP greater than 75 mm Hg on insertion of the ICP monitor and later experienced herniation and expired within 24 hours. Because of the severe nature of the injuries demonstrated on computerized tomography scans and their physical examinations, these patients were not aggressively treated under this protocol. The authors vigorously attempted to maintain a CPP greater than 60 mm Hg with intensive fluid resuscitation and the administration of pressor agents in the four remaining patients who had developed an ICP higher than 40 mm Hg after placement of the ICP monitor. Two patients had an episodic ICP greater than 40 mm Hg for more than 36 hours, the third patient had an episodic ICP greater than of 50 mm Hg for more than 36 hours, and the fourth patient had an episodic ICP greater than 50 mm Hg for more than 48 hours. On discharge, all four patients were able to perform normal activities of daily living with minimal assistance and experience ongoing improvement. Data from this preliminary study indicate that intense, aggressive management of CPP can lead to good neurological outcomes despite extremely high ICP. Aggressive CPP therapy should be performed and maintained even though apparently lethal ICP levels may be present. Further study is needed to support these encouraging results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/25. Behavioral treatment of dizziness secondary to benign positional vertigo following head trauma.Benign positional vertigo (BPV) represents a challenge to rehabilitation due to the subjective nature of the complaint of dizziness, frequent failure of pharmacologic intervention, and complicating psychologic factors. Behavioral therapy was used to treat a 26-year-old woman who complained of debilitating dizzy spells after mild head injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident. During a three-week baseline period before treatment, the patient reported a weekly average of 48 dizzy spells, which prevented participation in independent activities and kept her homebound and psychologically distressed. Nine-week behavioral treatment included biofeedback-assisted relaxation training, psychologic counseling, gaze-fixation practice, desensitization exercise, and generalization training. This protocol has been used successfully to train aviators to combat vertigo and nausea in flight. Our regimen included hourly recording of physical activity, notation of frequency of dizzy spells, and use of behavioral methods during nine weeks. The patient reported 90% reduction in dizzy spells and full resumption of independent activities including driving and athletics. Results are discussed in the context of behavioral problems associated with BPV and application of behavioral methods to the complaint of dizziness.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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