Development and global validation of a 1-week-old piglet head finite element model for impact simulations / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Child head injury under impact scenarios (e.g. falls, vehicle crashes, etc.) is an important topic in the field of injury biomechanics. The head of piglet was commonly used as the surrogate to investigate the biomechanical response and mechanisms of pediatric head injuries because of the similar cellular structures and material properties. However, up to date, piglet head models with accurate geometry and material properties, which have been validated by impact experiments, are seldom. We aim to develop such a model for future research.@*METHODS@#In this study, first, the detailed anatomical structures of the piglet head, including the skull, suture, brain, pia mater, dura mater, cerebrospinal fluid, scalp and soft tissue, were constructed based on CT scans. Then, a structured butterfly method was adopted to mesh the complex geometries of the piglet head to generate high-quality elements and each component was assigned corresponding constitutive material models. Finally, the guided drop tower tests were conducted and the force-time histories were ectracted to validate the piglet head finite element model.@*RESULTS@#Simulations were conducted on the developed finite element model under impact conditions and the simulation results were compared with the experimental data from the guided drop tower tests and the published literature. The average peak force and duration of the guide drop tower test were similar to that of the simulation, with an error below 10%. The inaccuracy was below 20%. The average peak force and duration reported in the literature were comparable to those of the simulation, with the exception of the duration for an impact energy of 11 J. The results showed that the model was capable to capture the response of the pig head.@*CONCLUSION@#This study can provide an effective tool for investigating child head injury mechanisms and protection strategies under impact loading conditions.

The association between intracranial pressure and optic nerve sheath diameter on patients with head trauma / Associação entre a pressão intracraniana e o diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico em pacientes com traumatismo cranioencefálico

Abstract Background: Although intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is the gold standard method for measuring intracranial pressure after traumatic brain injury, optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement with ultrasound (US) is also used in the evaluation of ICP. Objective: To investigate the association between a series of OSND measurements by US and changes in clinical presentation of the patient. Methods: Prospective study including 162 patients with traumatic brain injury. Age, sex, cerebral CT findings, ONSD levels by US at minutes 0, 60, and 120, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) within same period, change of consciousness, treatment, and mortality data were reviewed. The association of ONSD levels with GCS, change of consciousness, treatment, and mortality was evaluated. Results: There was no difference in ONSD changes in the patients' sample within the period (p=0.326). ONSD significantly increased in patients who died (p<0.001), but not in those who survived (p=0.938). There was no significant change in ONSD of the patients who received anti-edema therapy (p=801), but significantly increased ONSD values were found in those who received anti-edema therapy (p=0.03). Patients without change of consciousness did not have any significant change in ONSD (p=0.672), but ONSD values increased in patients who consciousness became worse, and decreased in those who presented a recovery (respectively, p<0.001, p=0.002). A negative correlation was detected between ONSD values and GSC values measured at primary, secondary, and tertiary time periods (for all p<0.001). Conclusions: ONSD follow-up may be useful to monitor ICP increase in patients with acute traumatic brain injury.

RESUMO Antecedentes: Embora o monitoramento da pressão intracraniana (PIC) seja o método padrão-ouro para medir a pressão intracraniana após lesão encefálica traumática, a medição do diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico (DBNO) com ultrassom (US) também é usada na avaliação da PIC. Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre uma série de medidas de DBNO por US e mudanças na apresentação clínica do paciente. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo incluindo 162 pacientes com traumatismo cranioencefálico. Idade, sexo, achados de TC cerebral, níveis de DBNO por US nos minutos 0, 60 e 120, Escala de Coma de Glasgow (GCS) no mesmo período, mudança de consciência, tratamento e dados de mortalidade foram revisados. A associação dos níveis de DBNO com GCS, mudança de consciência, tratamento e mortalidade foi avaliada. Resultados: Não houve diferença nas mudanças de DBNO na amostra de pacientes no período (p=0,326). O DBNO aumentou significativamente em pacientes que morreram (p<0,001), mas não naqueles que sobreviveram (p=0,938). Não houve mudança significativa no DBNO dos pacientes que receberam terapia antiedema (p=801), mas valores significativamente aumentados de DBNO foram encontrados naqueles que receberam terapia antiedema (p=0,03). Pacientes sem alteração da consciência não tiveram alteração significativa no DBNO (p=0,672), mas os valores do DBNO aumentaram nos pacientes que pioraram a consciência e diminuíram naqueles que apresentaram recuperação (respectivamente, p<0,001, p=0,002). Detectou-se correlação negativa entre os valores de DBNO e os valores de GSC medidos nos períodos primário, secundário e terciário (para todos, p<0,001). Conclusões: O acompanhamento do DBNO pode ser útil para monitorar o aumento da PIC em pacientes com lesão cerebral traumática aguda.

Caracterización clínico-quirúrgico, neuroimagenológico y por neuromonitorización del trauma craneoencefálico en la provincia matanzas. 2016-2018 / Clinical-surgical, neuroimaging and neuromonitored characterization of the encephalococranial trauma in the province of Matanzas. 2016-2018

RESUMEN Introducción: el traumatismo encefalocraneano es una causa frecuente de mortalidad y morbilidad. Según datos epidemiológicos aporta la mayor cantidad de fallecidos en menores de 45 años a nivel mundial. Objetivo: caracterizar el trauma craneoencefálico desde el punto de vista clínico-quirúrgico, neuroimagenológico y por neuromonitorización en los pacientes investigados. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal, en el Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital Provincial Clínico Quirúrgico Docente José Ramón López Tabrane y Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, de Matanzas, durante el periodo comprendido entre enero del 2016 a enero del 2018. Resultados: predominó el sexo masculino con el 71,7% de los casos, la mayor prevalencia estuvo en edades inferiores a 48 años con el 80,1 %. La mayor cantidad presentaba un traumatismo encefalocraneano leve con el 56% de los casos seguido del traumatismo encefalocraneano moderado y severo con el 29% y 15% de los casos respectivamente. Predominaron las fracturas lineales (45,8%), seguido de las contusiones sin efecto de masa y los hematomas subdurales con el 24,2% y 23,3%. La mayoría de los pacientes presentó una escala de Marshall II con el 40,8%. Las cifras de presión intracraneal entre de 20-40 mmHg se presentó con mayor frecuencia (44,4 %). Conclusiones: la mitad de los pacientes neuromonitorizados presentaron una saturación del golfo de la vena yugular dentro de parámetros normales con el 50%. La operación más practicada fue la evacuación de hematomas subdurales con el 29,4%.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the encephalocranial trauma (ECT) is a frequent cause of mortality and morbidity. According to epidemiological data, it causes the highest number of deaths in people aged less than 45 years worldwide. Objective: to characterize the encephalocranial trauma from the clinical-surgical, neuroimaging and neuromonitoring point of view in the studied patients. Materials and methods: observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out in the Neurosurgery Service of the Provincial Teaching Surgical Clinical Hospitals "Jose Ramon Lopez Tabrane" and "Comandante Faustino Perez Hernandez", of Matanzas, during the period from January 2016 to January 2018. Results: male sex predominated with 71.7% of the cases; the highest prevalence was in ages below 48 years with 80.1%. Most of them presented a mild encephalocranial trauma with 56% of the cases followed by moderate and severe encephalocranial trauma with 29% and 15% of the cases respectively. Linear fractures predominated (45.8%), followed by contusions without mass effect and subdural hematomas with 24.2% and 23.3%. Most of patients presented a Marshall II scale with 40.8%. The intracranial pressure between 20-40 mmHg occurred more frequently (44.4%). Conclusions: half of the neuromonitored patients presented jugular vein gulf saturation within normal parameters with 50%. The most practiced operation was the evacuation of subdural hematomas with 29.4%.

Unión cráneo-cervical - anatomía normal y correlación con imágenes / Cranio Cervical Junction - Anatomy and Imaging Correlation

La solicitud de estudios de imagen en pacientes con trauma cervical es muy frecuente en la práctica diaria. Esa patología es causa relativamente frecuente de discapacidad en pacientes jóvenes junto con el trauma encéfalo craneano. En un porcentaje no despreciable de los casos, las lesiones traumáticas comprometen la unión cráneo- cervical y en esos pacientes, la morbi-mortalidad es más significativa. La transición entre el cráneo y el raquis se basa en un conjunto de estructuras óseas relacionadas por articulaciones muy móviles y estabilizadas por un grupo de ligamentos y músculos que le brindan al mismo tiempo gran solidez. Para una correcta interpretación de los estudios de imagen de uso corriente en la clínica, es fundamental un sólido conocimiento anatómico de la unión cráneo-cervical y sus componentes. Es el objetivo de esta revisión, sistematizar la anatomía de la unión cráneo-cervical con especial énfasis en sus ligamentos, analizar la fisiología de sus movimientos y el concepto de estabilidad para luego realizar una correlación con tomografía computada multi-detector y resonancia magnética.

The request of imaging techniques in patients with cervical spine trauma is very common in clinical practice. Cervical trauma is a relatively common cause of disability in young patients. In a significant percentage of cases traumatic injuries compromise the cranio-cervical junction with more important morbidity and mortality in this group of patients. The transition between the skull and the spine is based on a set of bony structures, high mobility joints, and stabilization mechanism formed by a group of ligaments and muscles. A solid anatomical knowledge of the cranio-cervical junction and its components is essential for a correct interpretation of current high resolution imaging studies. The goal of this review is highlight the anatomy of the cranio-cervical junction with special emphasis on the ligaments, analyze the biomechanics of their movements and the concept of stability. At last but not leastwe will establish a correlation with multidetector computed tomography and high-resolutionmagnetic resonance imaging.

Nervo óptico: medida do diâmetro de sua bainha para detectar hipertensão intracraniana / Optic nerve: measure the diameter of its sheath to detect intracranial hypertension

Resumo Objetivo: este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre a avaliação e detecção da hipertensão intracraniana através da ultrassonografia do nervo óptico. Métodos: revisão narrativa da literatura baseado em um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados eletrônicas: PubMed, LILACS, SCIELO e CINAHL, através do uso dos descritores: Intracranial Hypertension. Optic Nerve. Ultrasonography, seus correspondentes em português e suas intersecções. Foram selecionados 27 artigos publicados no período de 1998-2017. Resultados: os artigos indicaram que a ultrassonografia do diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico (DBNO) é util na detecção da hipertensão intracraniana. Conclusão: O aumento do DBNO é uma alteração com elevada acurácia para diagnosticar o aumento da pressão intracraniana em pacientes críticos.

Abstract Objective: This work had the objective of reviewing the literature on the evaluation and detection of intracranial hypertension through optical nerve ultrasound. Method: literature review based on a bibliographic survey in the electronic databases: PubMed, LILACS, SCIELO and CINAHL, using the following descriptors: Intracranial Hypertension.Optic Nerve. Ultrasonography, its correspondents in Portuguese and their intersections. We selected 27 articles published in the period of 1998-2017. Results: the articles indicated that ultrasonography of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath (ONSD) is useful in the detection of intracranial hypertension. Conclusion: The increase in ONSD is a highly accurate change to diagnose increased intracranial pressure in critically ill patients.

Pediatric minor head trauma: do cranial CT scans change the therapeutic approach?

OBJECTIVES: 1) To verify clinical signs correlated with appropriate cranial computed tomography scan indications and changes in the therapeutic approach in pediatric minor head trauma scenarios. 2) To estimate the radiation exposure of computed tomography scans with low dose protocols in the context of trauma and the additional associated risk. METHODS: Investigators reviewed the medical records of all children with minor head trauma, which was defined as a Glasgow coma scale ≥13 at the time of admission to the emergency room, who underwent computed tomography scans during the years of 2013 and 2014. A change in the therapeutic approach was defined as a neurosurgical intervention performed within 30 days, hospitalization, >12 hours of observation, or neuro-specialist evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 1006 children evaluated, 101 showed some abnormality on head computed tomography scans, including 49 who were hospitalized, 16 who remained under observation and 36 who were dismissed. No patient underwent neurosurgery. No statistically significant relationship was observed between patient age, time between trauma and admission, or signs/symptoms related to trauma and abnormal imaging results. A statistically significant relationship between abnormal image results and a fall higher than 1.0 meter was observed (p=0.044). The mean effective dose was 2.0 mSv (0.1 to 6.8 mSv), corresponding to an estimated additional cancer risk of 0.05%. CONCLUSION: A computed tomography scan after minor head injury in pediatric patients did not show clinically relevant abnormalities that could lead to neurosurgical indications. Patients who fell more than 1.0 m were more likely to have changes in imaging tests, although these changes did not require neurosurgical intervention; therefore, the use of computed tomography scans may be questioned in this group. The results support the trend of more careful indications for cranial computed tomography scans for children with minor head trauma.

Abusive Head Trauma: Epidemiological Aspects and Diagnosis / Trauma Craniano por abuso: aspectos epidemiológicos e diagnostico

Objective Abusive head trauma (AHT) is defined as a severe, non-accidental traumatic brain injury. Early recognition and treatment are instrumental in limiting the immediate complications and long-term disabilities. The goal of this study was to describe our experience with traumatic head injuries in children younger than 2 years of age. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 195 children aged under 2 years with suspected AHTwho presented with a head injury without witnessed accidental trauma, between January 2008 and June 2013. Results AHT was considered in 145 children. Familial problems (ρ » 0.008), cutaneous hematoma/bruising (ρ < 0.001), retinal hemorrhages (ρ < 0.001), and bone fractures (ρ » 0.04), were significantly more frequent in the AHT group. Conclusions The association between the subdural hematoma and retinal hemorrhage, resulting from an unwitnessed and incoherent history of trauma, is a strong argument for AHT, particularly when associated lesions and socioeconomic risk factors are evident.

Objetivo O traumatismo craniano por abuso (AHT) é definido como uma grave lesão cerebral traumática não acidental. O reconhecimento e tratamento precoce são fundamentais para limitar as complicações imediatas e sequelas tardias. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a nossa experiência em crianças menores de 2 anos de idade, vítimas de trauma craniano. Métodos Foram revisados os prontuários de 195 crianças com idade inferior a 2 anos com suspeita de AHT, sem trauma acidental testemunhado e com diagnostico de hematoma subdural, entre janeiro de 2008 e junho de 2013. Resultados AHT foi considerado em 145 crianças. Problemas socioeconômicos familiares (ρ » 0,008), hematomas e lesões cutâneas (ρ <0,001), hemorragias retinianas (ρ <0,001), e fraturas em ossos longos (ρ » 0,04), foram significativamente mais frequentes no grupo de crianças com suspeita de AHT. Conclusões A associação entre hematomas subdurais e hemorragia retiniana, resultante de uma história incoerente de trauma sem testemunhas, é um forte argumento para a AHT, particularmente quando lesões cutâneas e fatores de risco socioeconômicos forem identificados.

Bilateral central retinal arterial obstruction following head trauma: A very rare case report.

A 30-year-old patient presented at our outpatient department with complaints of severe loss of vision in both eyes following a head injury six days back. He also had a fracture at left side of the mandible and a few bruises over the left cheek. External ocular examination revealed subconjuctival hemorrhage in the left eye and bilateral sluggishly reacting pupils. Fundus examination showed white- out retina and a cherry red spot at the macula in both eyes. A clinical diagnosis of bilateral central retinal arterial obstruction (CRAO) was made which was later confirmed by fundus fluorescence angiography. Bilateral CRAO is a rare disease usually found in patients with cardiac embolic diseases, giant cell arteritis or systemic vascular inflammations. Our case is the second reported case in English literature of bilateral CRAO following head trauma.

Correlation of CT scan with postmortem findings of acute head trauma cases at SMS Hospital, Jaipur.

Epidemiological information is of great importance in the allocation of resources for the treatment and in formulating policy designed to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality of head injuries. In our country much epidemiological data regarding head injuries are not available, hard to find or inaccurate. The reasons for this are several there is no centrally run health care system in the country and head injury cases are managed by a wide variety of Government, Municipal and Private hospitals. The National Health Statistics compiled in the vital statistics in our country give incomplete information regarding head injuries while it is possible to determine mortality from cancer or heart diseases or number of other illness from vital statistics but same is not true for head injuries. Accidental deaths are catalogued as to etiology (for example, death from falls, motor vehicle etc.) and there is no information available as to the part of the body injured. The present study is an attempt to analyse epidemiological aspects of acute head trauma and evaluate the correlation of finding by various diagnostic modalities.

Outcome of head trauma.

Objective. To investigate the outcome of head trauma and its related factors in Iranian children. Methods. In a nonrandomized cross-sectional study 380 patients younger than 18-yr-old admitted to the surgery ward of Ali- E-Bne-Abitaleb Hospital, Rafsanjan due to head trauma were included. In all of them, skull X-ray and brain CT scan were performed under the supervision of the neurologist and neurosurgeon according to special indications. Patients were followed till discharge from the hospital or death. At the time of discharge, the patients were evaluated by pediatrician. Demographic information and imaging findings were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results. Male to female ratio was 3:1 Most cases were in the age range of 7-12 year. Seventy two percent and 11% of patients’ admission was due to motor accidents and falling, respectively. Eighty two percent of patients were discharged with complete recovery; also 12% of skull-radiographs and 17% of brain CT scans were abnormal. Conclusion. Head trauma had more prevalence and mortality in male than female. Also in the present study, motor accidents as an etiology of head trauma was more frequent than the western countries, which demands special precautions to decrease this problem.

Fracture of the temporal bone: A tomographic v/s autopsy study.

The present study was conducted in the Dep’t. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, SMS Medical College Jaipur (Raj), in the period from 15 Dec. 2001 to 4 April 2002. With the aim to find out the correlation of X-ray (Skull), CT scan (Head), Surgical intervention findings with the autopsy findings in the cases of acute Head trauma. Total of 140 cases of acute head trauma were selected irrespective of age, sex, religion caste etc. who had been admitted in Neurosurgery dep’t. And X-ray, CT scan head and /or surgical intervention had been done, subsequently died & autopsy was performed. X- ray skull gave batter information on fracture of skull than CT Scan, particularly when the fracture is located on the vault or base of skull and is of linear variety [1]. 27 cases of fracture of the temporal bone were specially studied, out of these 140 cases. All these cases had the features of triad, indicating of fracture of petrous part of temporal bone i.e. CSF Otorrhoea 14(51.1%), 7th nerve palsy 9(33.3%), serve middle ear bleeding 18(66.6%) & conducting hearing loss 5(85%). The plain X-ray demonstrated the fracture of temporal bone in 21 cases (79%) and the CT Scan demonstrated their in 24 cases (88%) Longitudinal fractures are common in 18 cases (66%) and procedure of choice for their demonstration is lateral tomography, Transverse fracture alone was uncommon (2 cases) and can only be demonstrated in anterior posterior tomographic projections and is usually associated with occipital fractures. CT Scan Examination give better information in detection of fracture of temporal bone as well as the type of fracture [2] which is essential for planning the surgical intervention or treating the patient conservatively in order to avoid the complications like, persistent CSF otorrhoea, posterior meningitis or even death.

Fracture of the temporal bone: A tomographic v/s autopsy study.

The present study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, SMS Medical College Jaipur (Raj), in the period from December 15, 2001 to April 4, 2002. With the aim to find out the correlation of X-ray (Skull), CT scan (Head), surgical intervention findings with the autopsy findings in the cases of acute Head trauma. Total of 140 cases of acute head trauma were selected irrespective of age, sex, religion caste etc. who had been admitted in Neurosurgery dep’t. And X-ray, CT scan head and /or surgical intervention had been done, subsequently died & autopsy was performed. X- ray skull gave batter information on fracture of skull than CT Scan, particularly when the fracture is located on the vault or base of skull and is of linear variety. [1] Twenty seven cases of fracture of the temporal bone were specially studied, out of these 140 cases. All these cases had the features of triad, indicating of fracture of petrous part of temporal bone i.e. CSF Otorrhoea 14(51.1%), 7th nerve palsy 9(33.3%), serve middle ear bleeding 18(66.6%) & conducting hearing loss 5(85%). The plain X-ray demonstrated the fracture of temporal bone in 21 cases (79%) and the CT Scan demonstrated their in 24 cases (88%) Longitudinal fractures are common in 18 cases (66%) and procedure of choice for their demonstration is lateral tomography, Transverse fracture alone was uncommon (2 cases) and can only be demonstrated in anterior posterior tomographic projections and is usually associated with occipital fractures. CT Scan Examination give better information in detection of fracture of temporal bone as well as the type of fracture [2] which is essential for planning the surgical intervention or treating the patient conservatively in order to avoid the complications like, persistent CSF otorrhoea, posterior meningitis or even death.

Computed tomography findings in patients with mild head trauma

To determine the frequency of computed tomography [CT] findings in patients with mild head trauma. In this cross-sectional study conducted between September 2005 and April 2006, 708 patients with mild head trauma as defined by a Glasgow Coma Score [GCS] of 13-15, were underwent standard clinical examination and cranial CT. The mean +/- SD age of our patients was 26.8 +/- 19.03 years [range: 1 month to 89 years]. 489 [68.9%] patients were male and 219 [30.8%] were female. GSC was 13 in 1%, 14 in 4.6% and 15 in 94.4% of patients. The most common mechanism of trauma was car accident and falling down, each of which happened for 132 patients [18.6%].The most common findings on CT were subgaleal hematomas in 213[30%] and intracranial lesions were seen in 41 patients[5.8%] ;among them 37 were male. Among intracranial lesions, the most common finding was epidural hematoma in 18 patients followed by hemorrhagic contusion in 13 patients. Intracranial lesions were observed in 28.6% of patients with GCS of 13; in 15.2% with GCS of 14 and in 5.1% with GCS of 15 [P=0.002]. Many of patients with GCS equal to 15 after head trauma have considerable intracranial lesions and minor focal neurologic signs revealed by careful physical examination could be a good marker of these lesions

Cortical blindness after motorcycle accident: a case report.

A 47 year-old Thai man presented with acute bilateral blindness after suffering head trauma in a motorcycle accident. No neurological deficit was found. The visual acuity was light perception with poor light projection on both eyes. Other ocular examinations were normal except ecchymosis on both lower eyelids and mild subconjunctival hemorrhage on the left eye. Emergency computerized tomography showed normal appearance of optic nerves, optic canals and multiple contusional intracerebral hemorrhages at both occipital lobes. This case demonstrated a rare condition of permanent cortical blindness without other neurological deficits resulting from a head trauma.

use of head CT scanning in mild head injury

To determine the number of brain CT scans carried out in patients with mild head injury [MHI] during 13 months of trauma registry, and to investigate means of reducing the rate of unnecessary scans. During a trauma registry [from August 23, 1999 to September 21, 2000] in 6 general Hospitals [Imam Hussein, Moayer, Sina, Hafteteer, Imam Khomeini and Shariatti] in Tehran, Iran, 1209 cases with Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score >13 underwent brain CT scan. To be included in the study, patients must have sustained their injury within one week prior to presentation to Emergency Rooms, and were hospitalized for more than 24 hours. The attending physicians formally reported all brain CT scan findings. For 1209 patients, there were the following characteristics: mean age was 29.4 years; the main cause of injury was traffic accidents [60.1%], followed by falls [28.5%], fights [7.2%], and other reasons [4.2%]. Seventy-seven cases [6.4%] had a GCS score of 13, 212 [17.5%] had a score of 14, and 920 [76%] had a score of 15. A total of 481 abnormalities on CT scan were reported for 405 patients [33.5%] with positive report of brain CT scan, while 804 cases [66.5%] did not report abnormalities. The most common intracranial lesion was epidural hemorrhage with 146 cases [30.3%]. The rate of negative reporting of brain CT scan in patients who had GCS score of 15 was 72.2%. Patients who have GCS score of 13 or 14 on admission should be considered to have a moderate rather than a mild head injury. For reduction of unnecessary brain CT scan performance in MHI patients, we must define the appropriate criteria

Child abuse: radiographic findings at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To describe radiographic findings in physically abused children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The physically abused children diagnosed in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from 1998 to 2002 were retrospectively reviewed of medical records and radiographic imaging. RESULT: Eighteen of 30 physically abused children had positive radiographic findings and 15 of 18 were related to head injury. Subdural hematomas and skull fractures were the two most common findings found in 11 cases and 9 cases respectively. Seven of 11 cases of head injury had retinal hemorrhage. Fractures other than the skull were detected in 6 patients, located at the long bones, ribs and spines. The abused children with positive radiographic findings were more commonly found in younger infants and mucocutaneous lesions might be absent. CONCLUSION: Inflicted head injury was the most common radiographic findings in the present series. Shaking-impact mechanism was likely to play a significant role in this group of patients.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in the neurologic intensive care unit.

Transcranial doppler ultrasonography (TCD) is a noninvasive monitoring tool which allows imaging of blood flow velocities in intracranial blood vessels. It is safe, portable, easy to perform and provides accurate information regarding underlying physiology which may help to guide therapy in critically ill neurologic patients. It has significantly contributed to the management of vasospasm related to subarachnoid hemorrhage in the neurologic intensive care unit. TCD is also helpful in the early diagnosis of a variety of complications that can occur in patients with head injury such as vasospasm, elevated intracranial pressure and disordered cerebral autoregulation. Careful performance of the test and experienced interpretation can identify TCD waveforms indicative of cerebral circulatory arrest, an ancillary finding used for the diagnosis of brain death. TCD is likely to play a larger role in evaluation of the patient in the future because of its safety, portability and ability to define moment-to-moment changes in cerebral blood flow velocities and cerebral blood flow.