• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.204-207
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• 2014

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) encompasses all forms of mesenteric ischemia with patent mesenteric arteries. NOMI is commonly caused by decreased cardiac output resulting in hypoperfusion of peripheral mesenteric arteries. We report a case of NOMI secondary to hemorrhagic shock and rhabdomyolysis due to trauma. A 42-year-old man presented to our trauma center following a pedestrian trauma. On arrival, he was drowsy and in a state of hemorrhagic shock. He was found to have multiple fractures, both lung contusion and urethral rupture. An initial physical examination and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed no evidence of intra-abdominal injury. High doses of catecholamine were administered for initial 3 days due to unstable vital sign. On day 25 of hospitalization, follow-up abdominal CT scan demonstrated that short segment of small bowel loop was dilated and bowel wall was not enhanced. During exploratory laparotomy, necrosis of the terminal ileum with intact mesentery was detected and ileocecectomy was performed. His postoperative course was uneventful and is under rehabilitation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.192-195
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• 2014

The perforation of a cardiac chamber by a fractured rib after blunt trauma is a rare event. Here, we report the case of patient who was referred for multiple rib fractures after a fall from a height. The patient was found to have a penetrating cardiac injury which was detected on a computed tomography chest scan. Computed tomography is a useful screening tool for victims of blunt chest trauma. Once cardiac perforation has been confirmed or is highly suspected, it is important to preserve the patient's vital signs until reaching the operating room by minimally manuplating the chest wall and permitting hypotension, which also prevents exsanguinating hemorrhage. For the same reasons, early cardiac tamponade may also improve the patient's survival.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.211-214
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• 2014

A 34-year-old woman experienced a sudden cardiac arrest after complaining of abdominal pain. The cause of that serious event was a hidden hemorrhagic shock. On computed tomography of her pelvic area, we found that her left common iliac artery had been ruptured. No bone fractures were observed. Her angiography showed neither atherosclerosis nor an aneurysm of the artery. Because spontaneous ruptures of the common iliac artery are rare, we suspected, based on her husband's statement, that a hidden blunt trauma to the artery had occurred via an endo-vaginal route due to dildo masturbation. Unfortunately, she died without recovery, in spite of our having controlled the bleeding by using an angiographic endovascular stent-graft.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.208-210
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• 2014

Rupture of the spleen is relatively common, both immediately and in a delayed fashion following significant blunt abdominal trauma. However, atraumatic splenic rupture rarely occurs. Multiple underlying pathologies have been associated with splenic rupture without trauma, including hematological, neoplastic, inflammatory and infectious conditions. In our case, a 21-year-old male without prior medical history visited the hospital with left upper quadrant abdominal pain that had started one day earlier. He had no history of trauma. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan found a collection of perisplenic fluid, accompanying a splenic rupture. Due to the patient's stable vital signs and lack of clinical progression of hemorrhage, he underwent conservative treatment. The patient was discharged at day 14 without complication. Rupture of a normal spleen without a history of trauma is not often reported, and it has long been a subject of debate. Ruptures of normal spleen almost always follow some kind of trauma, such as a car accidents or a fall from significant heights. Here, we report a case of spontaneous rupture of a normal spleen in the absence of other medical pathologies or triggering factors.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.115-125
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• 2014

Purpose: Stable vital signs (SVSs) are thought to be the most important criteria for successful non-operative management (NOM) of blunt spleen injury (BSI). However, a consistent definition of SVSs has been lacking. We wanted to evaluate the diversity of the definitions of SVSs by using a nationwide survey. Methods: A questionnaire regarding the definition of SVSs was sent to the trauma surgeons working at the Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine at a level-I trauma center between October 2011 and November 2011. Data were compared using analyses of the variance, t-tests, ${\chi}^2$ tests and logistic regressions. Results: Among 201 surgeons, 198 responded (98.2%). Of these 198 responses, 45 were incomplete, so only 153 (76.1%) were analyzed. In defining the SVSs, significant diversity existed on the subjects of type of blood pressure (BP), cut-off value for hypotension, technique for measuring BP, duration of hypotension, whether or not to use the heart rate (HR) as a determinant, cut-off value of hypotension when the patient had a comorbidity or when the patient was a child. Of the 153 surgeons whose responses were analyzed, 91.5% replied that they were confused when defining SVSs. Conclusion: Confusion exists regarding how to define SVSs. Most surveyed surgeons felt that a need existed to clarify both the definition of SVSs and the use of SVSs to determine hemodynamic stability for NOM.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.58-62
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• 2013

A cerebral fat embolism is an uncommon but serious complication of long bone fracture. It can be fatal, and early detection is not easy. Neurologic symptoms are variable, and the clinical diagnosis is difficult. The pathogenesis remains controversial, and several theories have been proposed. Magnetic resonance imaging can detect a cerebral fat embolism with a higher sensitivity than cerebral computed tomography. We report a case of a posttraumatic cerebral fat embolism without pulmonary involvement and review the existing literature.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.286-290
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• 2013

Purpose: To report the postoperative Clinical and Radiological outcomes following distal femoral fractures in elderly patients compared with young patients. Methods: From March, 1996 to March, 2012, 83 patients who received surgical treatment for fractures of the distal femur were enrolled in this retrospective study. Ages more than 65 was named group A. Group A was 49 cases and mean age is 72.5 year(65~91year). Group B was 49 cases and mean age is 45.7 year(16~61 year). Surgical methods are retrograde IM nail, locking compression plate, cannulated screw and postoperative rehabilitation is no difference between two groups. Clinical results were evaluated using Neer scores, radiographic results and the presence of clinical complications. Results: The mean union period was 18.4(12-40) weeks in group A and 17(10-24) weeks in group B. Neer functional scores are no significant statistical difference between two groups. There are 5 cases metal breakage in group A and 1case in group B. There are 3 cases nonunion in group A and 1 case in group B. Conclusion: In the case of fractures of the distal femur in elderly patients, locking plate using minimally invasive percutaneous periosteal osteosynthesis (MIPPO) technique may be one of the most effective methods and preoperative bone stock evaluation in important.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.297-299
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• 2013

Traumatic asphyxia, also called 'Perthes syndrome', is characterized by subconjunctival hemorrhage, cervicofacialpetechiae and cyanosis resulting from venous hypertension caused by an abrupt, severe, compressive force to the thoracoabdominal region. A 37-year-old male patient who was transferred to the emergency room due to chest trauma by overturning of a forkcrane. His head, neck, and shoulders showed severe ecchymosis, and his upper chest was cyanotic. There was bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage and bilateral ear bleeding without tympanic rupture. Perthes syndrome is a rare condition and we treated a patient with typical and atypical symptoms; thus we report this case of Perthes syndrome.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2018

Fractures at the thoracolumbar region are commonly followed after major traumatic injuries, and up to 20% of these fractures are known to be burst fractures. Making surgical decisions for these patients are of great interest however there is no golden standard so far. Since the introduction of Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity (TLICS) score in 2007, it has been widely used as a referential guideline for making surgical decisions in thoracolumbar fractures. However, there is still limitations in this system. In this clinical case report, we introduce a L1 burst fracture after motor vehicle injury, who was successfully treated conservatively even while she was graded as a TLICS 5 injury. A case report is presented as well as discussion on the limitations of this grading system.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.79-83
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• 2014

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that provides movement and feeling to the shoulder, arm and hand. The majority of acute brachial plexus injuries occur when the plexus is stretched violently or torn. This happens as result of the shoulder being pressed down forcefully while the head is pushed up and away from that shoulder. Such injuries frequently result from automobile or motor-cycle accidents or from falls and usually affect one side. Nerve injuries vary in severity from a mild stretching of the nerve to a tearing of the nerve root away from the spinal cord. We experienced a 50-year-old woman with weakness in both upper extremities after an attempted hanging. A consecutive workup revealed bilateral brachial plexus injuries. Six months after the incident, she had fully recovered. This is a very rare case of bilateral brachial plexus injuries after an attempted hanging.