Does MRI of the Thoracolumbar Spine Change Management in Blunt Trauma Patients with Stable Thoracolumbar Spinal Injuries Without Neurologic Deficits?

Background

In blunt trauma patients with computed tomography (CT) findings of stable thoracolumbar (TL) spinal injury without neurologic deficits, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies are commonly obtained, though the impact on overall management remains unclear. The indication for MRI in patients with TL injury without neurologic deficits continues to remain unclear. Here, we evaluate the role of MRI on clinical management of patients presenting with this diagnosis.

Methods

After IRB approval, all registry patients from December 2005 to December 2015 with all blunt TL injuries without defects were extracted. General demographics, injury parameters, hospital and ICU length of stay (ILOS/HLOS), CT/MRI findings, and intervention were collected. Impact of variant ISS in the four groups was corrected by dividing HLOS and ILOS by ISS. The Student’s t test was conducted for statistical analysis.

Results

Of 613 patients, 236 met the inclusion criteria with average age of 52 ± 23 y, ISS (7 ± 4), HLOS (5 ± 3 days), and ILOS (1 ± 2 days). One hundred and thirty-three patients underwent MRI, and 103 patients underwent CT only. Patients who underwent MRI were no more likely to attain intervention (p < 0.06) but had longer length of stay relative to ISS (p < 0.006).

Conclusions

MRI did not affect rate of intervention though increased HLOS accounting for ISS. CT findings of stability were concordant with MRI findings. Our results suggest that MRI may not affect intervention decisions in blunt trauma patients with CT findings of stable thoracolumbar spinal injury without neurological deficits.

     

Factors influencing the length of emergency room stay and hospital stay in nonfatal bicycle accidents: A retrospective analysis

Purpose: Lengthy hospitalization places a burden on patients and healthcare resources. However, the factors affecting the length of hospital stay (LHoS) and length of emergency room stay (LERS) in non-fatal bicycle accidents are currently unclear. We investigated these factors to inform efforts to minimize hospitalization. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from non-fatal injured bicyclists admitted to the Emergency and Critical Care Center at Kyoto Medical Center between January 2012 and December 2016. We measured LHoS, LERS, mechanism of injury, head injury prevalence, polytrauma, operations performed, injury severity score (ISS), abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score, maximum AIS score, and trauma and injury severity score probability of survival. We conducted multiple regression analysis to determine predictors of LHoS and LERS. Results: Within the study period, 82 victims met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included. Mean age was (46.0 ± 24.7) years. Overall mean LHoS was (16.8 ± 25.2) days, mean LERS was (10.6 ± 14.7) days, median ISS was 9 (interquartile range (IQR): 3-16), median maximum AIS was 3 (IQR: 1-4), and median trauma and injury severity score probability of survival was 98.0% (IQR: 95.5%-99.6%). Age, maximum AIS, ISS, and prevalence of surgery were significantly greater in long LHoS and LERS group compared with short LHoS and LERS group (p < 0.05). Performance of surgery independently explained LHoS (p = 0.0003) and ISS independently explained LERS (p = 0.0009). Conclusion: Surgery was associated with long hospital stays and ISS was associated with long emergency room stays. To improve the quality life of the bicyclists, preventive measures for reducing injury severity or avoiding injuries needing operation are required.     

Kostenanalyse von Schockraumpatienten im DRG-System

Background

Since the implementation of the diagnosis-related system there has been a continuous lack of finances in the treatment of multiple injured patients. The current investigation summarizes consecutive patients from a level I trauma centre and tests the hypothesis that an injury severity score (ISS) based reimbursement would be an improvement in the cost-effectiveness of this patient population.

Methods

The study is based on multiple injured patients admitted to the emergency department in 2009. The ISS, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and cost data were recorded for every patient and two subgroups were formed: group I ISS?Results A total of 442 patients with an average age of 40.5?±?9.1 years (ISS 12) were included. The average amount of coverage during an average length of stay of 13.15?±?6.3 was ?2,752 € per patient. Patients in group I (n?=?296, ISS 6.3) showed a value of ?1,163 € with an average length of stay of 8?±?4.6 days. In group II (n?=?146, ISS 23.6) the average amount of coverage was ?5,973 € during an average hospital stay of 23?±?8.7 days.

Conclusion

Improvements have been made with the recent adjustment of the reimbursement within the last year. Nevertheless, several factors identified in this study require additional adjustment: the ISS, the requirement of blood transfusion and the presence of additional chest trauma should be weighted in the calculation of reimbursement.     

Predicting mortality, hospital length of stay and need for surgery in pediatrictrauma patients

Purpose: Pediatric trauma is one of the major health problems around the world which threats the life of children. The survival of injured children depends upon appropriate care, accurate triage and effective emergent surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the predictive values of injury severity score (ISS), new injury severity score (NISS) and revised trauma score (RTS) on children''s mortality, hospitalization and need for surgery. Methods: In this study, records of trauma patients under 15 years old transported from a trauma scene to emergency department of Poursina hospital from 2010 to 2011 were included. Statistical analysis was applied to determine the ISS, NISS and RTS ability in predicting the outcomes of interest. Results: There were 588 records in hospital registry system. The mean age of the patients was (7.3 ± 3.8) years, and 62.1% (n = 365) of patients were male. RTS was the more ability score to predict mortality with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99e1). In the hospital length of stay (LOS), ISS was best predictor for both the hospital LOS with AUC of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.67e0.76) and need for surgical surgery with AUC of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.90e0.98). Conclusion: RTS as a physiological scoring system has a higher predicting AUC value in predicting mortality. The anatomic scoring systems of ISS and NISS have good performance in predicting of hospital LOS and need for surgery outcomes.     

Zeitintervalle während und nach Schockraumversorgung

Background

The prognosis of severely injured patients depends on a rapid diagnosis and early initiation of therapeutic procedures.

Material and methods

To that end a total of 6,927 prospectively documented severely injured patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16 from the Trauma Registry of the German Trauma Society (DGU, 2002–2007) were analyzed with respect to time intervals during emergency trauma treatment.

Results

In cases of indicated emergency surgery the average ±time in the emergency department was 42±34 min, in cases of early surgery 75±41 min and in cases of transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) 83±43 min, respectively. The time from the last diagnostic procedure until the end of emergency treatment was 12 min (emergency surgery), 26 min (early surgery) and 32 min (ICU), respectively. Level I (78 min) and level II (72 min) trauma centres showed similar mean times in the emergency department while level III trauma centres had a mean time of 86 min. According to this analysis no general correlation between shorter duration of emergency trauma care and reduced mortality could be observed.

Conclusion

The duration of time intervals depends on injury severity, treatment after completion of emergency trauma care and the level of the trauma centre. Time management in emergency trauma care can potentially be optimized after completion of the last diagnostic procedure in the emergency room.     

Persistent hyperglycemia is predictive of outcome in critically ill trauma patients

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to determine whether persistent hyperglycemia was predictive of outcome in critically ill trauma patients. METHODS: Prospective data were collected daily on 942 consecutive trauma patients admitted to the ICU over a 2-year period. Patients were stratified by serum glucose level from day 1 to day 7 (low = 0-139 mg/dL, medium = 140-219 mg/dL, and high >220 mg/dL) age, gender, and ISS. Patients were further stratified by pattern of glucose control (all low, all moderate, all high, improving, worsening, highly variable (HV). Outcome was measured by ventilator days, infection, hospital (HLOS) and ICU (ILOS) length of stay and mortality. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine level of significance. RESULTS: 71% were victims of blunt trauma. The majority (74%) were male with a mean ISS of 21.3 +/- 15. 41% of patients acquired an infection. Patients with medium, high, worsening, and highly variable hyperglycemia were found to have increased ILOS, HLOS, ventilator days, infection rate and mortality by univariate analysis (p < 0.01). When controlling for age, ISS, and glucose pattern, patients with high, worsening and HV hyperglycemia were most predictive of increased ventilator days, ILOS, HLOS, infection and mortality. (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Trauma patients with persistent hyperglycemia have a significantly greater degree of morbidity and mortality. A prospective randomized controlled study instituting aggressive hyperglycemic control is warranted.     

Validität von Einweisungsdiagnosen als Prozesssteuerungskriterium

Background

Primary care physicians and specialists often refer patients to the emergency department with a specific diagnosis and request for admission. Such an external diagnosis frequently influences the initial evaluation in the emergency department. The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of such external diagnoses and to assess the consequences of incorrect diagnoses on length of stay and number of specialty consultations in the emergency department.

Material and methods

This was a prospective observational study over the course of 3 months in the emergency department of a tertiary care center. External admission diagnoses made by primary care physicians and specialists were categorized as “accurate”, “partially accurate” and “inaccurate”. A special analysis of the external admission diagnosed was performed for patients admitted directly to an intermediary care unit and intensive care unit or patients who were transferred directly from the emergency department to the operating room.

Results

Data for 784 patients were analyzed. Patients were on average 63.1?±?19.5 years old (minimum–maximum 18–97 years, median 68 years) and 54?% were male. After emergency department evaluation and treatment 57.8?% of external diagnoses were categorized as accurate, 23.6?% as partially accurate and 18.6?% as inaccurate. Patients with partially accurate and inaccurate diagnoses had a 3 and 6.5 times higher rate of specialty consultations in the emergency department, respectively, when compared with patients with an accurate diagnosis (number of specialty consultations n?=?0: 77.3?% vs. 54.1?% vs. 92.9?%, p?<?0.05; n?=?1: 20.0?% vs. 40.4?% vs. 6.2?%, p?<?0.05; n?=?2: 2.7?% vs. 5.5?% vs. 0.9?%, p?<?0.05, respectively. Patients with an accurate diagnosis had a shorter total length of stay than patients with a partially accurate or inaccurate diagnosis [mean?±?SD (min–max; median): 192?±?108 min (10–707 min; 181 min) vs. 246?±?126 min (27–1,026 min; 214 min) vs. 258?±?138 min (22–700 min; 232 min), p?<?0.001], respectively. Out of 85 patients admitted directly to an intermediary care unit, intensive care unit and patients who were transferred directly from the emergency department to the operating room the diagnosis was accurate, partially accurate and inaccurate in 56.5?%, 24.7?% and 18.8?%, respectively.

Conclusions

Admission diagnoses made by primary care physicians and specialists who subsequently refer patients to the emergency department are subject to certain inaccuracies. Inaccurate admission diagnoses are associated with an increased length of stay and a considerably higher rate of specialty consultation in the emergency department. Standardized operating procedures, treatment algorithms and triage systems are important to identify such incorrect diagnoses so that these patients can undergo appropriate diagnostic investigation and treatment.     

Outcome and management of blunt liver injuries in multiple trauma patients

Background: In Germany, abdominal trauma in multiple- trauma patients can be observed in about 25–35% of all cases. Due to major bleeding complications, the initial treatment of blunt abdominal trauma in multiple-trauma patients has high priority. The aim of this study was to discuss management, treatment and outcome of blunt liver injury in multiple-trauma patients treated in our department. Methods: The clinical records of 1192 multiple-trauma patients [injury severity score (ISS) 3–18] treated at the Surgical Department of the University Clinic of Essen from January 1975 to February 1998 were reviewed. Seventy-five patients with an ISS above 18 operated on due to a blunt liver injury could be included. The mean age was 29.82±1.80 years (60 males and 15 females). The degree of injury in this group was high (ISS 37.12±1.06). Results: Twenty-three of the 75 (30.6%) patients died during their hospital stay. Deceased patients were older (27±2 years versus 37±4 years; P<0.01) and had a higher ISS (ISS=34.5±1 versus 43.2±2; P<0.01). In nine cases, death was strongly related to liver injury. Operational blood loss was higher in the group of multiply injured patients with liver injury and in those patients who did not survive (P<0.05). An increased mortality could be seen in this selected patient group when compared with our large collective of multiply injured patients. The age of the patients, the ISS and operative blood loss were the significant factors that influenced the operative mortality after blunt hepatic injuries in our study. Received: 28 October 1998 Accepted: 22 April 1999     

Prevalence of delayed hemothorax in blunt thoracic trauma

Delayed hemothorax (DHTX) is rarely seen. On an 8-year retrospective analysis of blunt thoracic trauma (BTT), hemothorax (HTX) was diagnosed in 167 patients: 18 children, 113 adults, and 36 elderly. No statistical differences were seen in any age groups regarding Injury Severity Score (mean ISS, 30.54), critical care length of stay (CLOS, 9.0), and hospital LOS (HLOS, 11.21). Mortality rate was 18 per cent in adults and 28 per cent in elderly (P value < 0.0001). HTX was acute in 160 and delayed in 7 patients. Two-thirds of HTX patients were males and 75 per cent had rib fractures. All of our DHTX patients were males (5 adults and 2 elderly) and had rib fractures. Acute HTX was seen in younger patients (43.3 vs 56.1 years, P value 0.46), with higher ISS (31.44 vs 14.43, P value < 0.001), CLOS (7.19 vs 3.0 days, P value 0.511) and HLOS (11.9 vs 11.6, P value 0.468). Mortality was 22.5 per cent in AHTX and none in DHTX. Eighty-six per cent of DHTX and 49 per cent of AHTX patients went home on discharge. DHTX was rare (5%) in the current report with lower ISS, HLOS, and no mortality. Patients with rib fractures should be watched for development of DHTX as timely diagnosis and treatment is essential for favorable outcome.     

Severe Trauma in Estonia: 256 consecutive cases analysed and the impact on outcomes comparing two regions

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate epidemiology of severe injuries in Estonia while comparing outcomes at regional trauma facilities.

Methods

After the ethics review board approval, all consecutive trauma admissions with Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15 to North Estonia Medical Center/Tallinn Children’s Hospital (NEMC + TCH) and Tartu University Hospital (TUH) were identified between 1/1/2013 and 31/12/2013. Data collection included demographics, admission data, injury severity variables, interventions, and in-hospital outcomes. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were complications per Clavien–Dindo and hospital length of stay (HLOS). Logistic regression analysis was used to compare adjusted mortality between the two regional hospitals.

Results

A total of 256 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean ISS for the cohort was 23.6 ± 7.8, 13.3 % were hypotensive on admission, and 44.1 % had a Glasgow Coma Scale < 9. Overall rate of complications was 40.2 % that did not differ between the facilities. The mean HLOS at the NEMC + TCH and the TUH were 20.1 ± 25.1 and 10.5 ± 11.2 days (p < 0.001), respectively. Overall mortality was 20.7 % (n = 53). Mortality was 25.4 and 14.9 % for the NEMC + TCH and the TUH, respectively (p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis resulted in comparable mortality at the regional trauma facilities (adj. OR 1.38; 95 % CI 0.66–2.92; p value 0.39).

Conclusions

The annual incidence of injuries with ISS > 15 was 256 cases with overall mortality at 20.7 % in Estonia. We observed comparable adjusted outcomes at the major regional trauma facilities. This study contains benchmarking data on severely injured patients in Estonia providing potential for future trauma care evaluation and regional outcome comparisons.