Correlation of rib fracture patterns with abdominal solid organ injury: A retrospective observational cohort study / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Rib fractures are one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality and are associated with abdominal solid organ injury (ASOI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of ASOI with the number, location, and involved segments of rib fracture(s) in blunt chest trauma.@*METHODS@#This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with blunt chest trauma over the age of 15 years, who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of rib fractures from July 2015 to September 2020. After ethic committee approval, a retrospective chart review was designed and patients with a diagnosis of rib fractures were selected. Patients who had chest and abdominopelvic CT scan were included in the study and additional data including age, gender, injury severity score, trauma mechanism, number and sides of the fractured ribs (left/right/bilateral), rib fracture segments (upper, middle, lower zone) and results of chest and abdominal spiral CT scan were recorded. The correlation between ASOI and the sides, segments and number of rib fracture(s) was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient.@*RESULTS@#Altogether 1056 patients with rib fracture(s) were included. The mean age was (42.76 ± 13.35) years and 85.4% were male. The most common mechanism of trauma was car accident (34.6%). Most fractures occurred in the middle rib zone (60.44%) and the most commonly involved ribs were the 6th and 7th ones (15.7% and 16.4%, respectively). Concurrent abdominal injuries were observed in 103 patients (34.91%) and were significantly associated with middle zone rib fractures.@*CONCLUSION@#There is a significant relationship between middle zone rib fractures and ASOI. Intra-abdominal injuries are not restricted to fractures of the lower ribs and thus should always be kept in mind during management of blunt trauma patients with rib fractures.

Practical Use of Bone Scan in Patients with an Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture

Rib fractures are one of main causes of chest or flank pain when related to an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). The authors investigated the incidence and risk factors of rib fracture in 284 patients with OVCF using bone scans and evaluated the feasibility as to whether bone scans could be utilized as a useful screening tool. Hot uptake lesions on ribs were found in 122 cases (43.0%). The factors analyzed were age, sex, number and locations of fractured vertebrae, BMD, and compression rates as determined using initial radiography. However, no statistical significances were found. In 16 cases (5.6%), there were concurrent multiple fractures of both the thoracic and lumbar spines not detected by single site MRI. Sixty cases (21.1%) of OVCF with the a compression rate of less than 15% could not be identified definitely by initial plain radiography, but were confirmed by bone scans. It is concluded that a bone scan has outstanding ability for the screening of rib fractures associated with OVCF. Non-adjacent multiple fractures in both thoracic and lumbar spines and fractures not identified definitely by plain radiography were detected on bone scans, which provided a means for determining management strategies and predicting prognosis.

Practical Use of Bone Scan in Patients with an Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture

Rib fractures are one of main causes of chest or flank pain when related to an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). The authors investigated the incidence and risk factors of rib fracture in 284 patients with OVCF using bone scans and evaluated the feasibility as to whether bone scans could be utilized as a useful screening tool. Hot uptake lesions on ribs were found in 122 cases (43.0%). The factors analyzed were age, sex, number and locations of fractured vertebrae, BMD, and compression rates as determined using initial radiography. However, no statistical significances were found. In 16 cases (5.6%), there were concurrent multiple fractures of both the thoracic and lumbar spines not detected by single site MRI. Sixty cases (21.1%) of OVCF with the a compression rate of less than 15% could not be identified definitely by initial plain radiography, but were confirmed by bone scans. It is concluded that a bone scan has outstanding ability for the screening of rib fractures associated with OVCF. Non-adjacent multiple fractures in both thoracic and lumbar spines and fractures not identified definitely by plain radiography were detected on bone scans, which provided a means for determining management strategies and predicting prognosis.

An analysis of 214 cases of rib fractures

INTRODUCTION: Rib fractures are the most common type of injury associated with trauma to the thorax. In this study, we investigated whether morbidity and mortality rates increased in correlation with the number of fractured ribs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 214 patients with rib fractures who applied or were referred to our clinic between January 2007 and December 2008 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were allocated into three groups according to the number of fractures: 1) patients with an isolated rib fracture (RF1) (n = 50, 23.4 percent), 2) patients with two rib fractures (RF2) (n = 53, 24.8 percent), and 3) patients with more than two rib fractures (RF3) (n = 111, 51.9 percent). The patients were evaluated and compared according to the number of rib fractures, mean age, associated chest injuries (hemothorax, pneumothorax, and/or pulmonary contusion), and co-existing injuries to other systems. FINDINGS: The mean age of the patients was 51.5 years. The distribution of associated chest injuries was 30 percent in group RF1, 24.6 percent in group RF2, and 75.6 percent in group RF3 (p<0.05). Co-existing injuries to other systems were 24 percent in group RF1, 23.2 percent in group RF2, and 52.6 percent in group RF3 (p<0.05). Two patients (4 percent) in group RF1, 2 patients (3.8 percent) in group RF2, and 5 patients (4.5 percent) in group RF3 (total n = 9; 4.2 percent) died. CONCLUSION: Patients with any number of rib fractures should be carefully screened for co-existing injuries in other body systems and hospitalized to receive proper treatment.

Thoracic Injuries in earthquake-related versus non-earthquake-related trauma patients: differentiation via Multi-detector Computed Tomography

PURPOSE: Massive earthquakes are harmful to humankind. This study of a historical cohort aimed to investigate the difference between earthquake-related crush thoracic traumas and thoracic traumas unrelated to earthquakes using a multi-detector Computed Tomography (CT). METHODS: We retrospectively compared an earthquake-exposed cohort of 215 thoracic trauma crush victims of the Sichuan earthquake to a cohort of 215 non-earthquake-related thoracic trauma patients, focusing on the lesions and coexisting injuries to the thoracic cage and the pulmonary parenchyma and pleura using a multi-detector CT. RESULTS: The incidence of rib fracture was elevated in the earthquake-exposed cohort (143 vs. 66 patients in the non-earthquake-exposed cohort, Risk Ratio (RR) = 2.2; p<0.001). Among these patients, those with more than 3 fractured ribs (106/143 vs. 41/66 patients, RR=1.2; p<0.05) or flail chest (45/143 vs. 11/66 patients, RR=1.9; p<0.05) were more frequently seen in the earthquake cohort. Earthquake-related crush injuries more frequently resulted in bilateral rib fractures (66/143 vs. 18/66 patients, RR= 1.7; p<0.01). Additionally, the incidence of non-rib fracture was higher in the earthquake cohort (85 vs. 60 patients, RR= 1.4; p<0.01). Pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries were more frequently seen in earthquake-related crush injuries (117 vs. 80 patients, RR=1.5 for parenchymal and 146 vs. 74 patients, RR = 2.0 for pleural injuries; p<0.001). Non-rib fractures, pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries had significant positive correlation with rib fractures in these two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic crush traumas resulting from the earthquake were life threatening with a high incidence of bony thoracic fractures. The ribs were frequently involved in bilateral and severe types of fractures, which were accompanied by non-rib fractures, pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries.

Hernia diafragmática traumática / Diaphragmatic traumatic hernia

Introducción: las hernias diafragmáticas traumáticas comúnmente ocurren posteriores a trauma penetrante cerrado. Debido a las lesiones coexistentes y a la naturaleza silenciosa de las lesiones diafragmáticas, el diagnóstico fácilmente se omite. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características clínicas de pacientes consecutivos con hernias diafragmáticas traumáticas tratadas quirúrgicamente en nuestra institución. Material y métodos: cohorte prospectiva de pacientes tratados durante un periodo de seis años. Evaluamos edad, sexo, tipo de mecanismo del trauma, tipo de hernia, método diagnóstico, órganos herniados, lesiones asociadas, tiempo de evolución, morbilidad y mortalidad. Los resultados se describen como frecuencias y medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión. Se empleó χ2 y prueba exacta de Fisher para explorar asociación y riesgo. Resultados: se incluyeron 23 pacientes, 19 fueron hombres (82.6 %) y cuatro mujeres (17.4 %). En nueve pacientes (39.1 %) fueron diagnosticadas hernias diafragmáticas agudas y en 14, hernias crónicas (60.9 %). En 18 (78.3 %) el diagnóstico se hizo mediante radiografía de tórax y la mayoría correspondió a hernias crónicas. La historia médica de trauma toracoabdominal cerrado estuvo presente en 95.7 %, en la mayoría relacionado con accidentes vehiculares. Las principales lesiones asociadas fueron trauma encefálico, fracturas costales y contusión pulmonar. La morbilidad se observó en seis pacientes, todos con hernias crónicas. No hubo mortalidad. Conclusiones: la hernia diafragmática traumática es una entidad clínica poco frecuente y constituye un verdadero desafío debido a las dificultades para el rápido y correcto diagnóstico. En etapa crónica hay mayor riesgo para complicaciones tardías como estrangulamiento y necrosis de vísceras.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias commonly occur after blunt and penetrating trauma. Due to coexisting injuries and the silent nature of the diaphragmatic injuries, the diagnosis is easily missed. We undertook this study to describe the clinical characteristics of consecutive patients with traumatic diaphragmatic hernias treated surgically at our institution. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort of patients treated during a 6-year period. We assessed variables such as age, gender, type of mechanism of trauma, type of hernia, methods of diagnosis, herniated organs and associated lesions, time of evolution, morbidity and mortality. Results are described as frequencies, dispersion and central tendency measures. Chi(2) and Fisher's exact tests were used to explore association and risks. RESULTS: Twenty three patients were included, 19 men (82.6%) and 4 women (17.4%). Acute DTH were diagnosed in nine patients (39.1%) and 14 cases presented as chronic DTH (60.9%). In 18 cases (78.3%) the diagnosis was made by chest x-ray and most corresponded to chronic hernias. Medical history of blunt thoracoabominal trauma was present in 95.7% of the cases, most related to car accidents. The principal associated lesions were head injuries, rib fractures and lung contusion. morbidity was observed in six patients, all with chronic hernias. there was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: DTH is a rare clinical entity and constitutes a true challenge due to difficulties for a rapid and correct diagnosis. In the chronic stage there is an increased risk for late complications such as visceral strangulation and necrosis.

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.