1/17. Craniofacial trauma in children.Craniofacial trauma is relatively uncommon in children, but the potential involvement of the structures at the base of the skull and the intracranial space makes it important for physicians to understand the potential dangers presented by such injuries. This report delineates the different types of injury that can damage the upper facial skeleton and the brain of a child. The author reviews initial management and diagnosis of such injuries and examines the approach to definitive reconstructive surgery using three case studies as examples for discussion.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/17. Coronal computerized tomography and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.Accurate diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (CSFR) is a challenge for physicians caring for patients with traumatic brain injury. Failure to recognize this condition may result in significant medical complications and prolong hospitalization. Two male patients who developed CSFR within 2 months of severe head injury are described. A clear nasal discharge was noted on examination approximately 30 and 35 days after head injury in both patients and a CSF fistula was suspected. High-resolution computerized tomography (CT) with coronal sections confirmed the diagnosis. Both patients underwent neurosurgical intervention to repair the fistulous tracts without recurrence. Sequelae of CSFR in one case included meningitis and pneumocephalus. literature review shows water-soluble contrast CT cisternography (CTC) to be the gold standard for the diagnosis of CSFR. However, other diagnostic studies may include immunoelectrophoresis of rhinorrhea, use of isotope tracers, plain x-rays, tomography, and noncontrast high-resolution CT. More invasive studies like CTC are often recommended in the diagnosis of this condition, but are more costly, painful, and carry a small risk of infection. Our two case reports emphasize that high-resolution CT may be performed as a primary noninvasive diagnostic procedure before more invasive studies, and the results obtained may be sufficient for therapeutic planning.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/17. Post-traumatic intracerebral pneumatocele: case report.pneumocephalus occurs in 0.5 to 1.0% of head trauma, but may also occur after neurologic surgery, or as a result of eroding infection or neoplasm. The pathophysiology involves the presence of craniodural fistula allowing ingress of air. A ball-valve mechanism may allow air to enter but not exit the cranium, or CSF leak permits air entrance as fluid leaves the intracranial space. While a "succession splash" is considered diagnostic of pneumocephalus, most patients have nonspecific signs and symptoms such as headache. Therefore, a high index of suspicion in a patient with recent head trauma is necessary. The diagnosis is made radiographically by CT scan. This is generally performed to rule out intracranial hematoma or cerebral contusion in head trauma, but will reveal even very small quantities of air to the unsuspecting physician. Therapy is often noninvasive, allowing the craniodural defect to heal spontaneously. Selected situations require immediate operative repair of the fistula.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/17. Three dimensional CT reconstruction for the evaluation and surgical planning of facial fractures.Despite advances in radiology--including CT scanning--the three-dimensional (3D) nature of facial fractures must still be inferred by the spatial imagination of the physician. A computer system (Insight Phoenix Data Systems, Inc., Albany, N.Y.) uses CT studies as substrate for 3D reconstructions. We have used the Insight computer for the evaluation and surgical planning of facial fractures of 16 patients with complex injuries. We present five illustrative cases, directly photographed from the computer monitor. Images can also be manipulated in real time by rotating or planar sectioning (functions best appreciated on video). The ability to cybernetically extract the facial skeleton from living subjects provides precise anatomic data previously unobtainable. The images are valuable for an accurate assessment of the relationship between the injured and uninjured sections of the face. We conclude that 3D reconstruction is an important advance in the treatment of facial fractures.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/17. Radiographical documentation of direct injury of the intracanalicular segment of the optic nerve in the orbital apex syndrome.In the radiographical evaluation of the orbital apex syndrome, standard radiographs, tomograms, and computed tomographic scans have proved useful in the demonstration of the bony pathology, especially for optic canal fractures. The limitation of these methods, however, remains in their inability to provide accurate delineation of the associated soft tissue pathology, including the presence of optic nerve sheath hematoma. Recent developments in computer technology and graphic imaging are now available to provide an accurate three-dimensional radiographical analysis of the extent of skeletal and soft tissue injury in the orbital apex syndrome. The physician, in essence, can perform a radiographical "living autopsy". The technique was used to evaluate a patient with bilateral apex syndrome. It clearly showed that a severe direct injury to the intracanalicular portion of the optic nerve was responsible for the development of blindness in this patient. The progression of optic nerve injury, from perineural sheath hematoma to the ultimate development of optic nerve atrophy and fibrosis, was radiographically documented.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/17. Orbital emphysema: a potentially blinding complication following orbital fractures.A case of visual loss due to orbital emphysema secondary to a blow-out fracture of the orbit is presented. Because vision returned to 20/20 following an optic nerve decompression procedure, we hypothesize that our patient developed a compressive optic neuropathy with ischemia due to the emphysema. Essential instructions concerning the injury that the emergency physician should give the patient suffering an orbital blow-out are also presented.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/17. Traumatic intraspinal pneumocele.Traumatic intraspinal pneumocele (TIP) is a radiologic finding in which air is visualized within the spinal canal on routine cervical spine x-rays following a head injury. TIP may be the initial radiologic evidence of a severe central nervous system injury. The presence of TIP will alert a physician to the severity of the head injury, as well as the need for further radiologic investigations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/17. Bloody cerebrospinal fluid: traumatic tap or child abuse?A central nervous system dysfunction of nontraumatic etiology was initially suspected in three cases of shaken baby syndrome. blood contaminating the cerebrospinal fluid was attributed to a traumatic lumbar puncture. Failure to detect retinal hemorrhages contributed to the misdiagnosis. Emergency physicians must consider the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome in a critically ill infant with bloody cerebrospinal fluid. ophthalmoscopy should be done routinely in these patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/17. Serious head injuries from lawn darts.Serious injuries secondary to lawn darts have not been reported. In this article two cases of penetrating skull injuries are reported. One patient developed a polymicrobial brain abscess necessitating surgical drainage and a prolonged hospitalization. Psychologic function was diminished at discharge. The second child required surgical repair of a depressed skull fracture. Thirteen lawn dart head injuries have been reported to the consumer product safety Commission between 1983 and 1985. These injuries are summarized along with the reported cases to point out the seriousness (neurologic impairment in 5/10 head injuries) of such injuries and warn parents and physicians of the potential dangers of this game.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/17. Occult transorbital intracranial penetrating injuries.Emergency physicians who are confronted with orbital injuries must recognize that the transorbital route offers little resistance to intracranial penetration. Neither direct inspection of an orbital wound nor plain radiographs are sufficient to evaluate the extent of penetration beyond the orbital confines. A high index of suspicion is critical to the proper assessment and subsequent management of such injuries. We present two cases of penetrating injury. In the first, an arrow caused a hematoma in the superior cerebellar peduncle after passing through the medial orbit and superior orbital fissure. In the second, a wire entered the upper lid, fractured the orbital roof, and caused a frontal hematoma.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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