The Relationship between Facial Fractures and Radiologically-proven Cranial Injuries

PURPOSE: In this study, we retrospectively investigated the medical records of patients with facial fractures and suspected cranial injuries in order to determine if there was any relationship between various facial fracture patterns and cranial injuries. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed to identify patients diagnosed with facial fractures who underwent cranial computed tomography (CT) scans. Records were reviewed for gender, age, injury mechanism, facial fracture pattern, and presence or absence of cranial injuries. Facial fracture patterns were classified as isolated fractures (tripod, zygomatic arch, maxilla, orbit, and mandible), combined fractures, or total fractures. Cranial injuries included skull fractures, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages, subdural hemorrhages, epidural hemorrhages, and contusional hemorrhages. All cranial injuries were established by using cranial CT scans, and these kinds of cranial injuries were defined radiologically-proven cranial injuries (RPCIs). We evaluated the relationship between each pattern of facial fractures and the incidence of RPCIs. RESULTS: Of 132 eligible patients with facial fractures who underwent cranial CT scans, a total of 27 (20.5%) patients had RPCIs associated with facial fractures. Falls and slips were the most common causes of the fractures (31.8%), followed by assaults and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). One hundred one (76.5%) patients had isolated facial fractures, and 31 (23.5%) patients had combined facial fractures. Fractures were found most commonly in the orbital and maxillary bones. Patients with isolated maxillary fractures had a lower incidence of RPCIs than those with total mandibular fractures. RPCIs frequently accompanied combined facial fractures. CONCLUSION: Combined facial fractures had a significant positive correlation with RPCIs. This means that facial fractures caused by stronger or multidirectional external force are likely to be accompanied by cranial injuries.

The monitoring and nursing of hypokalemia for patients with severe cranial injury / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To reduce the hypokalemia caused by inner environment imbalance effectively in order to lower the death rate and improve the prognosis for patients with severe cranial injury.Methods Seventy-five patients with severe cranial injury who had hypokalemia were studied retrospoctively from October 10th,2003 to July 30th,2006.Results The waves of electrocardiogram and changes of illness condition was closely observed,the volume:of intake and output and kalium outcome was accurately recorded.Kalium was supplemented as early as possible.the amount was adjusted by the use of dehydratins agents and biochemical kalium.Only timely and effective monitoring and treatment could complications be reduced or prevented.Conclusions Severe cranial injury is one of the most severe trauma,timely monitoring and nursing measures are key point for rectification of hypokalemia for patients with severe cranial injury.

Manejo del hematoma subdural crónico mediante minitrépano y sistema de drenaje sin succión, experiencia en 213 pacientes / Management of chronic subdural hematoma with twist-drill craniostomy: report of 213 patients

Objetivos: Aún existen controversias respecto a la técnica en el manejo quirúrgico del hematoma subdural crónico. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir nuestra experiencia en la craneostomía mediante el uso de minitrépano (twist drill). Pacientes y métodos: Fueron tratados 213 pacientes en los hospitales “Teodoro Maldonado Carbo” y “Alcívar” de Guayaquil, entre los meses de enero del 1992 y febrero del 2005. La técnica quirúrgica consistió en la evacuación del hematoma mediante minitrépano que se realizó en la cama del paciente y bajo anestesia local. Para evaluar los resultados utilizamos las escalas de Markwalder y la escala de evolución de Glasgow. Valoramos la evolución, las complicaciones y la recidiva. Resultados: Existió antecedente traumático en 65 % de los casos. Setenta y nueve por ciento ingresaron en grado 2 de la escala de Markwalder. Nueve por ciento presentó alguna complicación. Ocho por ciento recidivó, pero mostró curación después de un nuevo procedimiento. A los 6 meses, el 97 % evolucionó en grado 5 según la escala de evolución Glasgow. Conclusiones: La craneostomía por minitrépano es un método rápido, seguro, efectivo y menos costoso.

OBJECTIVES: Controversies regarding the surgical management of chronic subdural hematoma still remain. The objective of the present study was to describe our experience with twist-drill craniostomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirteen patients were treated at the "Teodoro Maldonado Carbo" and "Alcívar" facilities between January 1992- February 2005. The surgical technique consisted of a twist-drill made under local anesthesia at the patient's bedside. We administered the Markwalder grading scale and the Glasgow outcome scale to assess treatment results. Clinical outcome, complications and relapse were measured. RESULTS: The etiology was traumatic in 65% of cases. At admission, 79% scored 2 of the Markwalder grading scale. Nine percent of the patients displayed complications. The chronic subdural hematoma persisted in 8%; they were treated again with another twist-drill craniostomy with favorable results. At six months, 97.6% reached 5 in the Glasgow outcome scale. CONCLUSIONS: Twist-drill craniostomy is a less time consuming, safe, effective, and cost-efficient method for the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma.

Correlation Between Facial Fracture and Cranial Injury

PURPOSE: There are two theories about the relationships between facial fractures and cranial injuries. One is that facial bones act as a protective cushion for the brain, and the other is that facial fractures are the marker for increased risk of cranial injury. They have been debated on for many years. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between facial fractures and cranial injuries. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 242 patients with facial fractures. The data were analyzed based on the medical records of the patients: age, gender, cause of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), alcohol intake, type of facial fractures, and type of cranial injury. The patients were divided into two groups: facial fractures with cranial injury and facial fractures without cranial injury. We compared the general characteristics between the two groups and evaluated the relationship between each type of facial fracture and each type of cranial injury. RESULTS: Among the 242 patients with facial bone fractures, 96 (39.7%) patients had a combination of facial fractures and cranial injuries. Gender predilection was demonstrated to favor males: the ratio was 3:1. The mean age was 36.51+/-19.63. As to the injury mechanism, traffic accidents (in car, out of car, motorcycle) were statistically significant in the group of facial fractures with cranial injury (p=0.038, p=0.000, p=0.003). The ISS was significant, but alcohol intake was not significant. No significant relationship between facial fractures and skull fractures was found. Only maxilla fractures, zygoma fractures, and cerebral concussion had a significant difference in cranial injury (p=0.039, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: There is a no correlation between facial fractures and skull fractures, which suggests that the cushion effect is the predominent relationship between facial fractures and cranial injuries.

Correlation Between Facial Fracture and Cranial Injury

PURPOSE: There are two theories about the relationships between facial fractures and cranial injuries. One is that facial bones act as a protective cushion for the brain, and the other is that facial fractures are the marker for increased risk of cranial injury. They have been debated on for many years. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between facial fractures and cranial injuries. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 242 patients with facial fractures. The data were analyzed based on the medical records of the patients: age, gender, cause of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), alcohol intake, type of facial fractures, and type of cranial injury. The patients were divided into two groups: facial fractures with cranial injury and facial fractures without cranial injury. We compared the general characteristics between the two groups and evaluated the relationship between each type of facial fracture and each type of cranial injury. RESULTS: Among the 242 patients with facial bone fractures, 96 (39.7%) patients had a combination of facial fractures and cranial injuries. Gender predilection was demonstrated to favor males: the ratio was 3:1. The mean age was 36.51+/-19.63. As to the injury mechanism, traffic accidents (in car, out of car, motorcycle) were statistically significant in the group of facial fractures with cranial injury (p=0.038, p=0.000, p=0.003). The ISS was significant, but alcohol intake was not significant. No significant relationship between facial fractures and skull fractures was found. Only maxilla fractures, zygoma fractures, and cerebral concussion had a significant difference in cranial injury (p=0.039, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: There is a no correlation between facial fractures and skull fractures, which suggests that the cushion effect is the predominent relationship between facial fractures and cranial injuries.

Enternal nutrition support of Nutrison fibre in neurosurgical coma patients / 肠外与肠内营养

Objectives:To discuss clinical significance of enternal nutrition of Nutrison fibre in neurosurgical coma patients. Methods:The study group(20 cases,GCS≤5) was fed gastrically with Nutrison fibre by a nasal feeding tube, and the control group(20 cases,GCS≤5) was supported with common fluid diet.In all cases,triceps skin fold,blood sugar,albumin,total lymphocyte count,complications and nitrogen balance were observed. Results:There were not significant differences between the study group and the control group in nutritional status,but the rate of complication in study group was obviously lower than that in control group. Conclutions:Enteral nutrition with Nutrison fibre can decrease the complications in nurosurgical coma patients and improve the quality of life.

A Case of Penetrating Cranial Injury by a Wooden Foreign Body

Many objects create penetrating cranial injuries. Metallic objects and low velosity missiles are the most common offenders. Wood as wounding agent of the brain, has some characteristics. It has profound risk of infection, a significant propensity to fragmentation that is virtually undetechable on routine X-ray screening and very low atteunation value in CT scan. Because of its characteristics and rarity, we report a case of penetrating cranial injury by a wooden foreign body with review of literature.