Crush extremity fractures associated with the 2008 Sichuan earthquake: anatomic sites, numbers and statuses evaluated with digital radiography and multidetector computed tomography

Objective

To investigate features of crush extremity fractures associated with massive earthquake on digital radiography (DR) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Materials and methods

Six hundred and twenty-three consecutive patients with clinically confirmed crush extremity fractures arising from the 2008 Sichuan earthquake were enrolled into our study. Six hundred and eleven patients with suggested extremity fractures underwent DR, and 12 patients with possible knee fractures underwent MDCT. Image data were retrospectively reviewed, with the focus on anatomic sites, numbers, and status of the fractures.

Results

Extremity fractures occurred in lower extremities in 428 patients, upper extremities in 151, and both lower and upper extremities in 44. Lower extremity fractures were more common than upper extremity fractures (P?<?0.05), and the commonly involved bones were the tibia and fibula in 141 patients, femur in 102, tibia in 52, and fibula in 40. According to the numbers of bones involved, multiple bone fractures occurred in 336 patients and included lower extremity fractures in 231, upper extremity fractures in 61, and both lower and upper fractures in 44. Multiple fractures in lower extremities were seen more often than in upper extremities (P?<?0.05). As for status of the extremity fractures, comminuted fractures occurred in 324 patients and included lower extremity fractures in 248, upper extremity fractures in 51, and both lower and upper extremity fractures in 25. Comminuted fractures were more common in lower extremities than in upper extremities (P?<?0.05).

Conclusion

Multiple and comminuted fractures, predominantly in the lower extremities, could be considered as features of crush extremity fractures associated with the massive Sichuan earthquake.     

Significance of prevertebral soft tissue measurement in cervical spine injuries

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of prevertebral soft tissue swelling in cervical spine injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 107 consecutive patients with suspected injuries of the cervical vertebrae were reviewed retrospectively to identify the presence of prevertebral soft tissue swelling and to investigate the association of prevertebral soft tissue swelling with the types and degrees of cervical spine injuries. RESULTS: Prevertebral soft tissue swelling occurred in 47 (43.9%) patients. Of the 47 patients, 38 were found with bony injury and nine were without. The statistic difference was significant (P < 0.05). No correlation was demonstrated between soft tissue swelling and either the injured level of the cervical vertebrae or the degree of the spinal cord injury (P > 0.05). Anterior element injuries in the cervical vertebrae had widening of the prevertebral soft tissue more than posterior element injuries (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of prevertebral soft tissue swelling for cervical spine injuries is significant, but the absence of this sign does not mean that further image evaluation can be spared.     

Frequency and importance of transverse process fractures in the lumbar vertebrae at helical abdominal CT in patients with trauma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency and importance of transverse process fractures of lumbar vertebrae identified at helical computed tomography (CT) in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Helical abdominal CT scans in 536 consecutive patients with a history of blunt abdominal trauma were prospectively evaluated for transverse process fractures of the lumbar spine. The number and level of fractures were categorized and correlated to the retrospective and initial interpretations of the radiographs obtained at original trauma examination. Number and type of associated abdominal injuries were recorded. RESULTS: CT scans showed transverse process fractures in 39 (7.3%) patients. Seventy-nine fractures were identified (single fractures in 12 patients, multiple fractures in 27). Fractures were right-sided in 13 patients, left-sided in 24, and bilateral in two. Transverse process fractures of the L3 vertebra were most common (n = 25). Fractures were not reported in 20 (61%) of 33 initial radiographic assessments. Even at retrospective review, only 30 (57%) of 53 fractures were correctly identified. Transverse process fractures were associated with abdominal injuries in 20 (51%) patients; this association was statistically significant (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Initial conventional radiography is relatively insensitive in the detection of transverse process fractures of the lumbar spine. There is a statistically significant association between transverse process fractures and abdominal injury.     

汶川特大地震伤员影像表现初步总结

目的 分析汶川特大地震中伤员的损伤类型和影像表现.方法 回顾分析自2008年5月13日至5月19日间在绵阳市中心医院放射科检查的1013例地震伤员的影像资料,包括x线平片854例(约2900处检查部位)和CT检查259例(约300处检查部位).结果 733例伤员可见影像表现异常,总阳性率约为72.4%,其中单区域损伤为527例(52.0%),多区域损伤为206例(20.3%).按发生率高低排列,依次为下肢骨折、脱位288例(28.4%)、胸部损伤151例(14.9%)、上肢骨折、脱位136例(13.4%)、脊柱骨折133例(13.1%)、骨盆骨折和(或)脱位114例(11.3%)、颅脑损伤88例(8.7%)、颌面骨折25例(2.5%)及腹部损伤8例(0.1%).在胸部损伤中,肋骨骨折136例,肺部损伤59例,胸骨骨折3例.脊柱骨折中,累及颈椎12例、胸椎43例、腰椎93例、骶尾椎12例.颅脑损伤中,颅骨骨折41例,脑内异常72例.腹部损伤则包括4例小肠梗阻、3例肾挫伤和1例腹壁血肿.结论 地震可造成全身多区域损伤,尤以下肢骨折脱位最为多见.     

德阳地区地震致骨伤伤情及处理分析

目的 探讨地震骨伤的伤情及处理方法.方法 分析"5.12汶川大地震"后收入德阳二院的伤者986例(男性601例,女性385例),分析其骨伤特点.结果 986例入院伤者中获得完整检诊资料的骨伤患者974例,其中合并骨折的多发伤563例(占57.8%),挤压综合征47例(占4.85%),软组织损伤363例(占37.3%),四肢骨折389例(占39.9%),脊柱骨折244例(占25.1%),骨盆骨折102例(占10.4%),其他部位骨折195例(占20.0%).结论 本次地震伤中,以骨伤患者最多,且以合并骨折的多发伤为主.但一线救援处理措施存在不足,需加强基层一线医务人员的相关理论培训.     

The importance of soft tissues in certain skeletal traumatic lesions

Soft tissue aspects of skeletal trauma are discussed according to two categories: (1) those injuries in which the significance of the soft tissue in the pathophysiology of the skeletal lesion is indicated by the characteristics of the skeletal injury (such as extension teardrop fracture, little leaguer's elbow, "baseball fracture," and Bennett's fracture); and (2) those injuries in which the associated soft tissue injury, or complication, may be reasonably inferred by the location and nature of the skeletal injury (such as major facial fractures, posterior sternoclavicular dislocations, fractures of the lower rib and lumbar transverse processes, and pelvic disruptions).     

Value of quantitative assessment using Multidetector CT in predicting ligamentous and meniscal injuries in acute tibial plateau fractures

Purpose

To assess the ability of MDCT to predict ligamentous and meniscal injuries in acute tibial plateau fractures compared to MR images.

CT imaging signs of surgically proven bowel trauma

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and interobserver agreement of individual CT findings as well as the bowel injury prediction score (BIPS) in surgically proven bowel injury after blunt abdominal trauma. This HIPAA-compliant retrospective study was IRB approved and consent was waived. All patients 14 years or older who sustained surgically proven bowel injury after blunt abdominal trauma between 1/1/2004 and 6/30/2015 were included. Admission trauma MDCT scans were independently interpreted by two abdominal fellowship-trained radiologists who recorded the following CT findings: intraperitoneal fluid, mesenteric hematoma/fat stranding, bowel wall thickening/hematoma, active intravenous contrast extravasation, free intraperitoneal air, bowel wall discontinuity, and focal bowel hypoenhancement. Subsequently, the electronic medical records of the included patients, admission abdominal physical exam results, admission white blood cell count, and findings at exploratory laparotomy of the included patients were recorded. Thirty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence and interobserver agreement of the CT findings were as follows: intraperitoneal fluid 93.9 %, kappa?=?0.784 (good); mesenteric hematoma/fat stranding 84.8 %, kappa?=?0.718 (good); bowel wall thickening/hematoma 42.4 %, kappa?=?0.491 (moderate); active IV contrast extravasation 36.3 %, kappa?=?1.00 (perfect); free intraperitoneal air 21.2 %, kappa?=?0.904 (very good), bowel wall discontinuity 6.1 %, kappa?=?1.00 (perfect); and focal bowel hypoenhancement 6.1 %, kappa?=?0.468 (moderate). An absence of the specified CT findings was encountered in 9.1 % with surgically proven bowel injuries (kappa?=?1.00, perfect). In our study, 9/16 patients or 56.3 % had a bowel injury prediction score (BIPS) of 2 or more as defined by McNutt et al. (J Trauma Acute Care Surg 78(1):105–111, 2014). The presence of intraperitoneal fluid and mesenteric hematoma/fat stranding are the most common CT findings in bowel injuries proven at laparotomy. A small percentage of patients have no abnormal CT findings. This grading system did not prove to be useful in our study likely due to our inherently small patient population; however, the use of BIPS deserves further investigation as it may help in identifying blunt bowel and mesenteric injury patients with often subtle or nonspecific CT findings.     

交通事故致肢体严重挤压伤的临床诊治分析

目的 研究交通事故所致肢体挤压伤的临床特点及治疗方法.方法 利用创伤数据库采集分析我院自2003年1月～2008年1月收治的交通伤病人诊治信息,统计分析其中挤压伤的发生特点、临床特点、救治方法与结果等.结果 5年共收治交通伤2845例,肢体挤压伤82例,其中青壮年77例,占93.90%;发生部位分别为:小腿39例(47...     

Digital radiography of crush thoracic trauma in the Sichuan earthquake

AIM:To investigate the features of crush thoracic trauma in Sichuan earthquake victims using chest digital radiography(CDR).METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed 772 CDR of 417 females and 355 males who had suffered crush thoracic trauma in the Sichuan earthquake.Patient age ranged from 0.5 to 103 years.CDR was performed between May 12,2008 and June 7,2008.We looked for injury to the thoracic cage,pulmonary parenchyma and the pleura.obtained in 349 patients,the remaining 423 patients underwent only AP CDR.Thoracic cage fractures,pulmonary contusion and pleural injuries were noted in 331(42.9%;95% CI:39.4%-46.4%),67 and 135 patients,respectively.Of the 256 patients with rib fractures,the mean number of fractured ribs per patient was 3.Rib fractures were mostly distributed from the 3rd through to the 8th ribs and the vast majority involved posterior and lateral locations along the rib.Rib fractures had a significant positive association with non-rib thoracic fractures,pulmonary contusion and pleural injuries(P < 0.001).The number of rib fractures and pulmonary contusions were significant factors associated with patient death.CONCLUSION:Earthquake-related crush thoracic trauma has the potential for multiple fractures.The high number of fractured ribs and pulmonary contusions were significant factors which needed appropriate medical treatment.     

后方医院救治61例地震伤员分析

目的探讨后方医院诊治地震伤员时应掌握的要点。方法对2008年5月由灾区前线医院转送重庆急救中心救治的61例汶川地震伤员的病例资料进行回顾性分析。结果 26例(42.6%)早期漏诊颅脑、胸和腹部损伤,在转入1小时～4天内补充诊断;2例延迟性血气胸和2例腹内脏器延迟性破裂及时发现和处理。11例下肢严重挤压伤和挤压综合征避免了截肢;6例伤口采样培养有梭状芽胞杆菌生长但未发生气性坏疽。除2例遗留截瘫外,其余全部治愈。结论地震伤员的后方医院处理,重点为对初期抢救中的漏诊和治疗不足及时发现和补救;警惕胸腹脏器损伤的延迟性破裂;肢体挤压伤注意防治挤压综合征和气性坏疽,彻底切除坏死肌肉组织可最大限度地避免截肢。     

颌面骨骨折时间窗动态影像分析

目的探讨颌面骨骨折随时间变化的影像特征,为临床判断病人受伤程度、受伤时间提供依据。方法回顾性分析2016年1月—2017年3月间在河北医科大学第三医院进行CT检查,且受伤时间及受伤原因明确的500例颌面骨骨折病人,男369例,女131例。平均年龄(40.24±18.71)岁。按CT扫描距受伤时间间隔分为6组:超早期(3 d)、早期(4~7 d)、中早期(8~14 d)、中期(15~21 d)、中晚期(22 d~2个月)、晚期(2个月)。采用卡方检验对不同受伤时间组的骨折征象进行比较分析。结果统计额骨骨折共42例,均为高能量暴力骨折,均伴多发伤。骨折线1周内清晰、锐利,2~3周后骨折边缘部分吸收圆钝、硬化,2个月以上仍常见骨折线。伤后1~2周内均存在明显的软组织肿胀和鼻旁窦窦腔积液。骨折涉及额窦和/或其他含气窦壁时,伤后3 d内邻近软组织和/或颅内可见积气。12例(28.6%)伴颅内血肿,5例(10%)出现硬膜下积液。蛛网膜下腔出血吸收多在1周内,硬膜外血肿吸收在3周以上。观察期间除伴随的硬膜外血肿、硬膜下血肿和硬膜下积液征象,其他征象的动态变化差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察眶内壁骨折40例,早期骨折线锐利,均伴有筛窦积液,2~3周后骨折处出现平滑的凹陷征象,筛窦积液吸收。观察期间,除内直肌增粗变化无统计学意义,其余征象变化均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察鼻骨骨折50例,早期骨折线锐利,伴邻近软组织肿胀,1周后肿胀逐渐消失,3周后常可见光滑的骨折边缘。鼻骨骨折伴随的软组织肿胀及骨折边缘随时间的变化具有统计学意义(P0.05)。2个月以上组观察可见长期存在的鼻骨骨折线。结论认识颌面骨骨折动态变化的规律,有助于临床判断骨折程度和骨折时间。     

热带气旋灾难后伤病发生情况Meta分析

 目的 了解热带气旋(tropical cyclone, TC)灾难后伤病发生特点及其构成特点。方法 运用Meta分析方法,检索PubMed、Web of Science、中国知网等数据库中有关热带气旋后伤病发生情况的文献,使用Rev Man 5.3软件对热带气旋后伤病构成比进行合并,检验异质性并选择相应的效应模型,同时依据热带气旋发生时间进行亚组分析。结果 纳入文献25篇,Meta分析结果显示,热带气旋造成的伤病中,开放性损伤(42%)是最常见的伤病类型,其次为软组织损伤(33%)、骨折(32%)、烧伤(3%)、挤压伤(2%)、淹溺伤(1%)、神经损伤(1%)等。致伤原因中坠落(24%)为主要原因,再次为切割(23%)、击打/砸(17%)、动物(昆虫)咬伤(9%)。与2010年前发生的热带气旋伤相比,2010年后热带气旋伤病中软组织损伤和骨折占比增长显著,热带气旋致伤原因中坠落与击打/砸的比重较前增加。结论 热带气旋发生后,开放性损伤为最主要的损伤类别,坠落是最主要的致伤原因,各种损伤类别和致伤因素的占比在不同发生时段有所差异。     

MDCT diagnosis of penetrating diaphragm injury

The purpose of the study was to determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of multidetector CT (MDCT) in detection of diaphragmatic injury following penetrating trauma. Chest and abdominal CT examinations performed preoperatively in 136 patients after penetrating trauma to the torso with injury trajectory in close proximity to the diaphragm were reviewed by radiologists unaware of surgical findings. Signs associated with diaphragmatic injuries in penetrating trauma were noted. These signs were correlated with surgical diagnoses, and their sensitivity and specificity in assisting the diagnosis were calculated. CT confirmed diaphragmatic injury in 41 of 47 injuries (sensitivity, 87.2%), and an intact diaphragm in 71 of 98 patients (specificity, 72.4%). The overall accuracy of MDCT was 77%. The most accurate sign helping the diagnosis was contiguous injury on either side of the diaphragm in single-entry penetrating trauma (sensitivity, 88%; specificity, 82%). Thus MDCT has high sensitivity and good specificity in detecting penetrating diaphragmatic injuries.     

Pelvic crush fractures in survivors of the Sichuan earthquake evaluated by digital radiography and multidetector computed tomography

Objective  

To investigate the profile of pelvic crush fractures in earthquake victims on digital radiography (DR) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).     

Role of multidetector-row CT in assessing the source of arterial haemorrhage in patients with pelvic vascular trauma. Comparison with angiography

Purpose

We investigated the role of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in identifying active bleeding and its source in polytrauma patients with pelvic vascular injuries with or without associated fractures of the pelvis.

Materials and methods

From January 2003 to December 2007, 28 patients (19 men and nine women, age range 16–80 years) with acute symptoms from blunt pelvic trauma and a drop in haematocrit underwent MDCT and angiography. Conventional radiography of the pelvis was performed in all patients at the time of admission to the emergency department. MDCT was performed with a four-row unit in 15 patients and a 16-row unit in the remaining 13 patients. The study included whole-body CT to identify craniocerebral, vertebral, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic injuries. CT was performed before and after rapid infusion (4–5 ml/s) of intravenous contrast material (120 ml) using a power injector. A triphasic contrast-enhanced study was performed in all patients. MDCT images were transferred to a workstation to assess pelvic fracture, site of haematoma and active extravasation of contrast material, visibility of possible vascular injuries and associated traumatic lesions. At angiography, an abdominal and pelvic aortogram was obtained in all cases before selective catheterisation of the internal iliac arteries and superselective catheterisation of their branches for embolisation purposes. Results related to identifying the source of bleeding at MDCT were compared with sites of bleeding or vascular injury identified by selective pelvic angiography. The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of MDCT were determined.

Results

MDCT allowed us to identify pelvic bleeding in 21/28 patients (75%), with most cases being detected in the delayed contrast-enhanced phase (13/21 cases, 61.9%). Injured arteries were identified on MDCT in 12/21 cases (57%): the obturator artery (n=9), internal iliac artery (n=6), internal pudendal artery (n=6) and superior gluteal artery (n=5) were most frequently injured. In 8/21 patients (28.6%), more than one artery was injured. Among the 12 patients in whom MDCT showed the presence of pelvic haemorrhage, there was agreement between MDCT and angiography in ten cases. Angiography confirmed the site of bleeding detected on MDCT and identified a second arterial haemorrhage in one patient. There was no agreement between MDCT and angiography in the last patient. MDCT showed a sensitivity of 42.85% and a PPV of 100% in identifying the injured arteries.

Conclusions

Arterial haemorrhage is one of the most serious problems associated with pelvic fracture, and it remains the leading cause of death attributable to such fractures. MDCT provides diagnostic information regarding the presence of small pelvic fractures and, thanks to the contrast-enhanced angiographic technique, it is capable of identifying pelvic bleeding, with the demonstration in some cases of it source. The presence of contrast material extravasation is an indicator of injury to a specific artery passing through the region of the pelvis where the extravasation is noted on MDCT. Urgent angiography and subsequent transcatheter embolisation are the most effective methods for controlling ongoing arterial bleeding in pelvic injuries.     

MRI of cervical spine injuries complicating ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study characteristic MRI findings in cervical spine fractures complicating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Technical issues related to MRI are also addressed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of 6,774 consecutive cervical spine multidetector CT (MDCT) scans obtained during 6.2 years revealed 33 ankylosed spines studied for suspected acute cervical spine injury complicating AS. Of these, 20 patients also underwent MRI. RESULTS: On MRI, of these 20 patients, 19 had a total of 29 cervical and upper thoracic spine fractures. Of 20 transverse fractures traversing both anterior and posterior columns, 7 were transdiskal and exhibited less bone marrow edema than did those traversing vertebral bodies. One Jefferson's, 1 atlas posterior arch (Jefferson's on MDCT), 2 odontoid process, and 5 non-contiguous spinous process fractures were detectable. MRI showed 2 fractures that were undetected by MDCT, and conversely, MDCT detected 6 fractures not seen on MRI; 16 patients had spinal cord findings ranging from impingement and contusion to complete transection. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging can visualize unstable fractures of the cervical and upper thoracic spine. Paravertebral hemorrhages and any ligamentous injuries should alert radiologists to seek transverse fractures. Multiple fractures are common and often complicated by spinal cord injuries. Diagnostic images can be obtained with a flexible multipurpose coil if the use of standard spine array coil is impossible due to a rigid collar or excessive kyphosis.     

Imaging of abdominal and pelvic injuries from the Boston Marathon bombing

The aim of this study is to describe the imaging findings of abdominal and pelvic injuries in victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. A retrospective review of 87 patients following the Boston Marathon bombing was performed to evaluate for abdominal and pelvic injuries on plain radiography or CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis. Imaging exams were evaluated for shrapnel, soft tissue injury, visceral damage, vascular disruption, and fractures. The injuries were classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary blast injuries. Eleven of the 87 patients had positive findings in the abdomen or pelvis (M:F?=?7:4, average age 34.6 years). There were 22 ball bearings, two nails, one screw, and two irregular metal fragments in the 11 patients with secondary blast (shrapnel) injuries. There was no peritoneal penetration or visceral injury seen in any of the patients. One patient had multiple transverse process fractures, representing tertiary blast injury. All but one patient had superficial penetrating abdominal or pelvic injuries secondary to shrapnel. There were no cases of bowel or solid visceral organ injuries due to the lack of peritoneal violation from the relatively low-powered explosions. Absence of peritoneal penetration by shrapnel indicates no need for laparotomy following low-powered explosions.     

汶川地震937名伤员流行病学特征

目的 探讨汶川地震伤员的流行病学特征. 方法 对937名汶川地震伤员的性别和年龄构成、致伤原因、损伤部位、并发症及漏诊率等进行分析. 结果 地震伤员男女性别比为1:1.12.致伤原因以砸伤和摔伤为主,损伤部位以颅脑、胸部、足踝、胫腓骨、脊柱和髋部多见.地震直接导致的损伤漏诊率达15.5%,以头、胸部损伤漏诊为主. 结论 地震伤员以砸伤和摔伤为卡要致伤因素,以下肢骨折为多,容易确诊头、胸部闭合伤.     

49例严重肢体挤压伤院前院内一体化救治

目的探讨严重肢体挤压伤的院前院内一体化救治方法和效果。方法回顾性分析2008年5月~2015年7月收治的严重肢体挤压伤患者49例的院前院内一体化救治的临床资料,男性44例,女性5例;年龄19~82岁,平均43.7岁。地震伤5例、道路交通伤20例、工矿事故伤17例、其他7例。受伤肢体:肩背上肢8例、骨盆及下肢41例。合并骨盆及肢体骨折脱位32例(闭合伤20例,开放伤12例),多发伤44例。结果院前救援时间35min~49h,现场救援建立静脉通道并输液19例,止血带使用31例。全部病例在解压后行心电监测,救援现场行小腿筋膜室切开1例,膝关节离断1例。院内救治包括清创后负压封闭引流14例,筋膜室切开减压后负压封闭引流17例,负压引流有效率96.8%(30/31),使用负压引流组无截肢者;发生挤压综合征28例(57.1%),其中合并高钾血症11例,肾功能衰竭8例;使用呼吸机辅助治疗8例,连续性肾替代治疗8例。治愈31例;好转13例;未愈5例,包括截肢3例(6.1%),死亡1例(2.0%),死因为高钾血症致心肺复苏失败。结论重视止血带和心电监测在严重肢体挤压伤院前救援中的应用,实施负压封闭引流技术可减少严重肢体挤压伤的截肢率。