[Osteogenesis imperfecta. The effect of intramedullary nails in long tubular bones]. / Osteogenesis imperfecta. Effekt af marvsøm i lange rørknogler.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to describe the clinical, radiological, and functional results of intramedullary nailing of deformities in the lower extremities of children with osteogenesis imperfecta after the use of multiple osteotomies and non-telescoping rods (rush pins). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight children with osteogenesis imperfecta, who consecutively underwent surgery during 1991-1994, were entered in the study. RESULTS: Sixteen operations were performed on eight children: 12 on the femur and four on the tibia. Like others, we found a high complication rate, 50%. Radiological correction of angular deformities was good. The functional outcome was satisfactory and the patients were satisfied. CONCLUSION: Correction and stabilisation of deformities in the lower extremities in children with osteogenesis imperfecta with the use of non-telescoping rods is an acceptable method of decreasing fractures and allowing most formerly non-ambulatory children to walk. Furthermore, the cosmetics were improved.

[Intrathoracic lipoma]. / Intratorakalt lipom.

A case of intrathoracic lipoma is presented. The radiographic signs of fatty tumours of the thorax are nonspecific. CT is helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of this rare benign tumour. CT shows the exact location of the tumour and its characteristics. An attenuation coefficient of -140 to -70 HU is characteristic for the tumour and, if the tumor is asymptomatic, conservative management with careful follow-up is justified.

[Injection of high viscosity liquids. Acute or delayed excision?]. / Injektion af højviskøse vaesker. Akut eller sen excision?

Two cases of self-inflicted injection of paraffin and silicone in the male chest to modify chest contour are reported. Both cases were followed by subsequent inflammation and necrosis. Clinical course, therapy and consequences are discussed. The correlations between silicone breast implants and connective tissue disease and breast cancer are discussed.

[Effect of pneumatic compression in connection with ergotherapeutic treatment of Colles' fracture. A clinical controlled trial]. / Effekten af trykbandagebehandling i forbindelse med ergoterapeutisk behandling af Colles-fraktur. En klinisk kontrolleret undersøgelse.

We followed forty women with functional deficits in the wrist and hand after sustaining a Colles' fracture. The women participated in occupational therapy three times a week for three weeks. At the initial evaluation, after three weeks, and at a three month evaluation, we measured the following: range of joint movement, grip strength, hand volume (oedema), pain and ADL. There was significant improvement in most of the parameters measured after three weeks of occupational therapy, with a less significant improvement from three weeks to three months. Seventeen of the forty women received twenty minutes of intermittent pneumatic compression before occupational therapy. These patients showed significant improvement in wrist extension, compared with the control group of twenty-three patients. Occupational therapy is recommended for patients showing a functional deficit after Colles' fracture. Intermittent pneumatic compression is recommended as a supplement to occupational therapy.

Split skin grafting of defects from fasciotomy after compartment syndrome.

Proper treatment of compartment syndrome is fasciotomy. Secondary skin defects often complicate the course and require skin-grafting procedures. The present investigation is a retrospective study based on 17 fasciotomies. Their courses are reported, and the possibility of primary skin excision with the purpose of delayed grafting is demonstrated. This procedure would probably reduce the number of hospital days and the number of surgical procedures.

[Injuries due to fireworks]. / Skader ved anvendelse af fyrvaerkeri.

This investigation is a review of the injuries due to fireworks seen in five casualty departments in Denmark over a period of four years. These casualty departments have a total catchment population of 675,000 (13% of the population of Denmark). The review is based on data from the Danish section of EHLASS-project. (Europea Home and Leisure Accident surveillance system). During the period of observation, 358 injuries due to fireworks were observed. 60% of the injuries occurred in persons under the age of 18 years. In 51%, the mechanism of the injury consisted of direct heat while 33% of the patients were hit by flying fireworks and 10% had small foreign bodies in the eye. The regions most frequently injured were the hands/fingers (40%) or the eyes (24%). 6% of the patients required admission to hospital. The estimated number of injuries due to fireworks in Denmark is 690 annually. The majority of injuries due to fireworks were due to incorrect use of fireworks of absence of protective measures.

[Violence towards personnel of emergency departments]. / Vold mod skadestuepersonale.

During the period 1.7.1988-31.12.1988, 49 episodes of violence occurred in the Casualty Department of Hvidovre Hospital. This corresponds to one every 3.3 days. In three cases, the violence resulted in injury to the staff treating the patient. The authors found a marked preponderance (82%) of young men in the group of violent patients. Alcohol was a probable potentiating factor for the violence as approximately half of the patients were drunk. The authors did not consider that the waiting time was of any significance. Prophylactic measures are suggested.

[Scalding among children caused by electric kettles. An increasing problem]. / Skoldninger hos børn forårsaget af el-kedler. Et stigende problem.

The object of this work is briefly to draw attention to a new type of accident as the cause of scalding in children. The increasing use of electric kettles has resulted in an increased number of scalding accidents caused by these kettles. Within a period of six months, eight children under the age of five years were treated in the Department for Burns, Hvidovre Hospital on account of overturned electric kettles, a form of accident which had not previously been observed in this department. All of the children had pulled the cable. Seven out of eight children were admitted to hospital and transplantations proved necessary in three children.

[Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Ad difficult diagnosis]. / Malignt peritonealt mesoteliom. En vanskelig diagnose.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and lethal tumor. Two cases are reported and the clinical appearance and the diagnostic possibilities are discussed and commented upon.

[Burns caused by electric surgical instruments]. / Forbraendinger ved anvendelse af el-kirurgi.

Employment of electric surgical instruments involves a potential risk of burning at the neutral electrode. These are frequently third degree burns. Skin grafting may shorten the course of the illness. The importance of good contact over the entire neutral electrode plate is emphasized.