• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.87-90
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• 2015

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of ultrasound-guided lower extremity nerve block in trauma patients. Methods: From July 2013 to April 2014, 17 patients with multiple trauma had lower extremity nerve block for immediate management of open wound in the lower extremity. We evaluated the patient satisfaction of the anesthesia and any complications related to the block. Results: During the lower extremity nerve block, incomplete nerve block occurred in one patient. This is the second case, the reason for this was the lack of technique. There was no anesthetic complications. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided lower extremity nerve block in trauma patients is an effective anesthesia technique in the immediate management of open wound in lower extremities.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.215-218
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• 2015

Traumatic iliac vessel injuries constitute approximately 25% of all abdominal vascular injuries. Hospital mortality has been reported at 25~60% and is a result of uncontrolled hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock caused by extensive blood loss. We report the case of a 25-year-old female patient who experienced an external iliac artery injury caused by abdominal minimal stab wound. Traumatic iliac vessel injuries are life-threatening complication of abdominal or pelvic injuries and prompt diagnosis and accurate treatment are important.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.206-210
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• 2015

Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema is a rare complication mainly resulting from dental procedures. The majority of cases are self-limiting and benign in clinical nature. However, although entry sites may be quite small and superficial, it can result in potential respiratory difficulties, such as pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. We present the first case in which facial subcutaneous emphysema developed in a 6-year-old boy following use of a fish cake skewer while eating.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.195-197
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• 2015

Artifacts can seriously degrade the quality of computed tomography (CT) images, sometimes to the point of making them diagnostically unusable. Here, we report an unusual CT artifact that could have resulted in the misdiagnosis of a hyperdense hemorrhagic lesion in a 55-year-old man. The author recommend that when hemorrhagic lesion in posterior fossa is suggested on CT, the physician should carefully consider all patient-related clinical data prior to considering surgical intervention or a biopsy. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help in preventing the misdiagnosis as hemorrhage of CT scan.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.198-201
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• 2015

Neck trauma is a relatively uncommon but can be a life-threatening injury. Several guidelines for neck trauma is established to recommend a proper management such as no clamping of bleeding vessels, no probing of wounds, Trendelenberg position for preventing venous air embolism. Here, we present a regretful case of 49-year-old man with neck trauma presenting undesired bleeding after probing of wound, and then discuss about treatment guildeline for neck trauma with a review.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2016

Traffic accidents involving agricultural machinery have been decreasing, but mortality is still high due to a lack of safety devices such as seat belts. Furthermore, secondary damage, such as abdominal impalement injury caused by loaded materials, is more likely to occur, and this type of injury leads to a poor prognosis. Impalement with pipes is often more fatal than other penetrating injuries because the diameter of the pipe is usually larger in size than other loaded materials. We report a case of a 72-year-old man with secondary abdominal impalement injury caused by a scaffolding pipe following a traffic accident.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.168-170
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• 2011

Blunt cardiac rupture is uncommon and is associated with significant mortality. Patients with blunt cardiac rupture usually have combined injury and do not always show signs of cardiac tamponade, which delays the diagnosis of cardiac rupture and increases mortality. We report a case of cardiac rupture diagnosed and treated by using only thoracic exploration based on clinical impression, with radiologic studies, including even echocardiography, showing negative results.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 2011

Mechanical ventilation is usually the treatment of choice for severe respiratory failure associated with trauma. However, in case of severe hypoxia, mechanical ventilation may not be sufficient for gas exchange in lungs. Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) undergo difficulties in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is the ideal therapeutic option for those patients with severe traumatic injuries. ECMO allows lungs to reserve their functions and decreases further lung injuries while increasing survival rate at the same time. We report two cases of patients with traumatic ARDS and Multiple Organ Failure including compromised heart function. The preservation of lung function was successful using ECMO therapy.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.32-35
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• 2012

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms in the head and neck region are very rare. Particularyly, pseudoaneurysms of the internal maxillary artery are known to be very rare. The authors report a 20-year old male who was diagnosed as having a pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery. The cause was assumed to be a mandible ramus fracture. When he visited our emergency room, we did not consider a pseudoaneurysm because of his other life-threatening conditions. Fortunately, he re-visited our hosipital before the aneurysm ruptured. He was diagnosed with angiography and was treated by using embolization with glue. The rupture of the pseudoaneurysm could have caused a life-threatening hemorrhage.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2012

Pencils are common instruments for children to use and play with. This report describes an unusual penetrating orbitocranial injury in a 5-year-old girl who was struck in her facewith a pencil. She was holding it at a desk, and her friend pushed her back. The pencil penetrated the left lower eyelid and went deep into the right frontal lobe through the base of the skull. It was removed at the emergency room, after which brain CT was performed to detect the development of an intracranial hematoma. No complications occurred after conservative management with antibiotics and an antiepileptic drug. Pencils can be hazardous to children, and a penetrating head injury with a pencil may be managed without cranial surgery.