Refining the role of cervical spine immobilization and stabilization in pediatric non-accidental trauma, a retrospective series of 1008 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Prompt detection of traumatic cervical spine injury is important as delayed or missed diagnosis can have disastrous consequences. Given the understood mechanism of non-accidental trauma (NAT), it is reasonable to suspect that cervical spine injury can occur. Current management of young children being evaluated for NAT includes placement of a rigid collar until clinical clearance or an MRI can be obtained. Currently, there exists a lack of robust data to guide cervical bracing. Anecdotally, our group has not observed a single patient with a diagnosis of NAT who required operative stabilization for cervical spine instability. This study will be the largest series to date and aims to systematically investigate this observation to determine the likelihood that children with a diagnosis of NAT harbor cervical spine instability related to their injuries. METHODS: Patient data from the Children's Hospital Colorado Trauma Registry diagnosed with non-burn-only NAT were reviewed retrospectively. Children less than 4 years of age pulled from the registry from January 1, 2005, to March 31, 2021, were included. Demographic, admission/discharge, imaging, and clinic management data were collected for each patient and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 1008 patients included in the cohort. The age at presentation ranged from 5 days to 4 years (mean 10.4 months). No patient had X-ray or CT findings concerning for cervical instability. Three patients had MRI findings concerning for cervical instability. Two of these underwent external bracing, and the third died from unrelated injuries during their hospitalization. Only four patients were discharged in a cervical collar, and all were ultimately cleared from bracing. No patient underwent a spinal stabilization procedure. CONCLUSIONS: While the mechanism of injury in many NAT cases would seem to make significant cervical spine injury possible, this single-center retrospective review of a large experience indicates that such injury is exceedingly rare. Further study is merited to understand the underlying pathophysiology. However, it is reasonable to consider cervical collar clearance in the setting of normal radiographs and a reassuring neurological exam. Furthermore, if concerns exist regarding cervical spine instability on MRI, an initial trial of conservative management is warranted.

Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage After Evacuation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH), possibly due to reperfusion, after evacuation of a cranial chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a known phenomenon. However, it is sparingly reported and not well understood. METHODS: An illustrative case series is presented. A literature review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines to identify all previously reported cases. RESULTS: A total of 48 cases were analyzed. Males were 85.4% of the population, and the mean age was 67.5 years. Pre-existing head trauma and hypertension were the most common comorbidities. Headache was a presenting symptom in 60.4% of cases. Midline shift was explicitly stated in 54.2% of cases. Initial burr hole alone was performed 75.0% of the time, whereas craniotomy alone was performed in 16.7% of cases. Any initial craniotomy patients were associated with a modified Rankin Scale score of 5 (P = 0.03). The IPH was located in the cerebral hemisphere in 62.5% of cases and more likely to occur ipsilateral to a unilateral cSDH (P = 0.02). The IPH occurred a mean 1.9 days after surgery, and 50.0% occurred within 24 hours of initial intervention. The median modified Rankin Scale at discharge was 2. The mortality rate was 25%. Lastly, a multifactorial reperfusion pathophysiology was proposed. CONCLUSION: IPH after cSDH evacuation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition, regulating blood pressure, controlling the amount and rate of extra-axial fluid drained, and a meticulous surgical technique are critical to optimize the care of patients with cSDH and reduce the rate of postoperative IPH.

Duplication of Vertebral Pedicles Associated with a Thoracic Burst Fracture Resulting in Spinal Cord Compression: A Case Report.

Vertebral body fractures are well-known sources of axial back pain with the potential to cause neurological deficits. Duplication of a component of the vertebral column is a rare phenomenon; however, vertebral pedicle duplication is an unreported phenomenon, and has not been reported in association with a vertebral burst fracture and kyphotic deformity. We present a unique case of vertebral pedicle duplication in association with a T11 vertebral burst fracture in a 72-year-old female. In addition to her risk factors, it is the belief of the authors that the anatomic anomaly increased the segmental kyphosis at the level of the T11 vertebral body, thereby increasing the axial load on that segment, and increasing the risk for fracture.

Pectus excavatum repair after sternotomy: the Chest Wall International Group experience with substernal Nuss bars.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with pectus excavatum (PE) after prior sternotomy for cardiac surgery present unique challenges for repair of PE. Open repairs have been recommended because of concerns about sternal adhesions and cardiac injury. We report a multi-institutional experience with repair utilizing substernal Nuss bars in this patient population. METHODS: Surgeons from the Chest Wall International Group were queried for experience and retrospective data on PE repair using sub-sternal Nuss bars in patients with a history of median sternotomy for cardiac surgery (November 2000 to August 2015). A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Data for 75 patients were available from 14 centres. The median age at PE repair was 9.5 years (interquartile range 10.9), and the median Haller index was 3.9 (interquartile range 1.43); 56% of the patients were men. The median time to PE repair was 6.4 years (interquartile range 7.886) after prior cardiac surgery. Twelve patients (16%) required resternotomy before support bar placement: 7 pre-emptively and 5 emergently. Sternal elevation before bar placement was used in 34 patients (45%) and thoracoscopy in 67 patients (89%). Standby with cardiopulmonary bypass was available at 9 centres (64%). Inadvertent cardiac injury occurred in 5 cases (7%) without mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Over a broad range of institutions, substernal Nuss bars were used in PE repair for patients with a history of sternotomy for cardiac surgery. Several technique modifications were reported and may have facilitated repair. Cardiac injury occurred in 7% of cases, and appropriate resources should be available in the event of complications. Prophylactic resternotomy was reported at a minority of centres.