ABSTRACT
The authors treated 51 patients suffering from basilar skull fractures between January 1995 and June 1997 following a newly initiated protocol. The effectiveness of recognizing these fractures increased to twice and a half after applying a complex (neurologic, otolaryngologic, ophthalmologic, X-ray and cranial CT) diagnostic examination. CT scans were performed at the slightest suspicion of basilar skull fracture since they provide far more information than the native skull X-ray. A close coherence was observed concerning clinical symptoms, potential complications and the manifested fractures, which helped to draw an exact therapeutical strategy and to prevent potential complications. The authors found X-ray gave satisfactory information only about fractures starting on the vault. In the studied period CT proved the basilar skull fracture in 40 (78%) cases out of the total 51. X-ray did it in only 4 (8%) cases and raised the suspicion of the vault fracture spreading to the cranial floor in 20 (39%) cases. CT did not prove the clinically supposed basilar skull fractures in only 11 (22%) cases compared to 27 (53%) by X-ray. After having consultation with radiologists examination methods were always determined by the clinical picture and the available technical conditions (helical technique, multiplan or 3D-reconstruction).
Subject(s)
Skull Base/injuries , Skull Fractures/diagnostic imaging , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Skull Base/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedSubject(s)
Splenic Rupture/surgery , Accidents, Traffic , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Methods , Spleen/injuries , Spleen/surgery , Splenectomy/methods , Splenic Rupture/etiologyABSTRACT
A new injury caused by seatbelts in the legs of automobile passengers in stationary cars not involved in accidents is described. The authors have treated 11 such injuries since 1974 in Hungary. Prevention of this injury by educating passengers to replace seatbelts before leaving their cars is recommended.
