Clinical Analysis of Lower Cervical Spine-Injuried Patients

The authors analyzed 32 cases with lower cervical spine injuries according to their etiologies, the findings of cervical spine X-ray and computed tomography, initial neurological grading scales and time of operation. The results are summarized as follow: 1) Lower cervical spine injuries occurred in 32 of the 49 cervical spine injuried patients. 2) The important factors affecting on outcome were the initial neurological state(p=0.038) and the degree of spinal canal narrowing on cervical computed tomogram(p=0.046). 3) The degree of prevertebral soft tissue swelling and displacement of vertebral body on initial cervical spine X-ray did not significantly affect on outcome(p=0.052). 4) The most suitable operative time for lower cervical spine injuries was 10-20 days after injuries, and the mortality was 9.3%.

Clinical Analysis of Bilateral Traumatic Intracranial Hematomas

The authors analyzed 38 cases with bilateral traumatic intracranial hematoma accroding to teir etiology, impact site, brain computerized tomographic findings, initial Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) and follow-up Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS). 1) Bilateral traumatic intracranial hematoma occurred in 38 of the 1358 head injured patients, for an incidence of 2.8%. 2) The important factors affecting on patients' outcome were initial GCS(P>0.001) and effacement of the midline CSF space such as 3rd ventricle, basal and quadrigeminal cistern on initial brain CT scan(P<0.0001). 3) The degree of midline shift on initial brain CT scan did not significantly affect on patients' outcome(p=0.0887). 4) The patients' outcome of bilateral hematoma was good(63%), bad(37%) and the mortality was 15.7%.