• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2005

Purpose: Recently, The new Injury Severity Score (NISS) has become a more accurate predictor of mortality than the traditional Injury Severity Score (ISS) in the trauma population. Trauma Score Injury Severity Score (TRISS) method, regarded as the gold standard for mortality prediction in trauma patients, still contains the ISS as an essential factor within its formula. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a simple modification of the TRISS by replacing the ISS with the NISS would improve the prediction of in-hospital mortality in a trauma population with blunt head and neck trauma. Objects and Methods: The study population consisted of 641 patients from a regional emergency medical center in Kyoungsangnam-do. Demographic data, clinical information, the final diagnosis, and the outcome for each patient were collected in a retrospective manner. the ISS, NISS, TRISS, and modified TRISS were calculated for each patients. The discrimination and the calibration of the ISS, NISS, modified TRISS and conventional TRISS models were compared using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, areas under the ROC curve (AUC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics. Results: The AUC of the ISS, NISS, modified TRISS, and conventional TRISS were 0.885, 0.941, 0.971, and 0.918 respectively. Statistical differences were found between the ISS and the NISS (p=0.008) and between the modified TRISS and the conventional TRISS (p=0.009). Hosmer-Lemeshow chi square values were 13.2, 2.3, 50.1, and 13.8, respectively; only the conventional TRISS failed to achieve the level of and an excellent calibration model (p<0.001). Conclusion: The modified TRISS is a more accurate predictor of in-hospital mortality than the conventional TRISS in a trauma population of blunt head and neck trauma.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2005

Backgrounds: To evaluate the effectiveness of conservative treatment in osteoporotic thoraco-lumbar compression fractures and to identify the factors influencing the progression of compression. Materials and Methods: From January 2003 to October 2004, Patients who were admitted to our hospital for osteoporotic thoraco-lumbar compression fractures were reviewed retrospectively with follow-up more than 12 months (ave. 14.6 months). With simple x-ray lateral view, we evaluate wedge compression ratio (WCR) and kyphotic angle (KA) at initial and final follow-up. We separate the patients into two groups baesed on the amount of progression of vertebral compression and evaluate a relation with BMD, vertebral fracture level, initial WCR, initial KA. All datas were statistically analyzed. Results: An average of T-score was -3.5 and the changes of KA between initial and final follow-up were average $3.5^{\circ}$. Compression of anterior column were progressed to 8.5%. The changes between initial and final WCR in Group I (N=24) was 17.8%, and Group II (N=18) was 3.3%. T-score in group I was -3.4 and group II was -3.8 (p=0.228). vertebral fracture level were 10 T12, 12 L1, 2 L2 in group I; 6 T12, 6 L1, 6 L2 in group II (p=0.156). Initail WCR was 0.74 in group I, 0.63 in group II, and there was statistical difference between two groups(p=0002). Initial kyphotic angle was $13.9^{\circ}$in group I, $16.2^{\circ}$in group II repectively (p=0.392). Conclusion: The conservative treatment with short-term bed rest and early embulation is effective and valuable method to patients who have osteoporotic thoraco-lumbar compression fractures. There was no statistical difference between two groups according to BMD, vertebral fracture level, KA. But in comparison with initail WCR between two groups, there was statistical difference. That means, in the case of small initial compression of anterior column, the progression of compression was bigger than else. In these patients, more strict use of appropriate brace and careful follow-up should be needed.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of classic heat stroke in Korea and to identify factors of prognosis for heat stroke by comparing a survival group with a non-survival group. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 27 patients with heat stroke who visited the Emergency Department of Kyungpook National University Hospital from March 2001 to February 2005. First, we divided the patients into two groups, the classic heat stroke group and the exertional heat stroke group, and compared them. Second, we compared the survival group with the non-survival group. Age, sex, cause, place where patients were found, underlying diseases, cooling time, performance of endotracheal intubation, initial Glasgow Coma Scale, initial vital sign, and laboratory findings were reviewed. Results: Five of 27 patients in heat stroke died. The classic heat stroke group had 20 patients. They were old and had more patients in the bathroom than the exertional heat stroke group had. The non-survival group showed lower blood pressure, lower initial GCS score, and higher respiratory rate than the survival group. In laboratory findings, the non-survival group also showed lower$HCO_3-$ level, lower albumin level, lower glucose level, more prolonged PT, and higher CK-MB level than the survival group. Delay in recognition of heat stroke and cooling were poor prognostic factors in heat stroke. Conclusion: The classic heat stroke group had patients who were old and found in the bathroom. Early recognition and treatment of heat stroke is important to reduce mortality. Cooling time, initial GCS score, mean arterial pressure, resipratory rate, $HCO_3-$, PT, CK-MB, and albumin seem to be meaningful when forming a prognosis for heat stroke patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.188-191
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• 2006

Tricuspid regurgitation after blunt chest trauma is rarely seen in the emergency department. A 19-year-old patient visited our emergency department with chest discomfort after collision with his brother while skiing. Recently, Skiing as a winter sports has become popular with the Korean people, so there is an increasing tendency for patients with diverse traumas associated with ski accidents to visit the emergency department. From simple abrasions or contusions to deadly injuries with unstable vital signs, we are seeing many kind of injuries in the emergency department. We present the case report of a patient with tricuspid regurgitation after a blunt chest trauma during the skiing.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the incidence, type of injury, medical consequences, mortality, and prognostic factors associated with stab wounds in patients who visited Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 40 patients with abdominal stab wounds who visited Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004. Results: 1) The most prevalent age group was patients in their the twenties to fourties (77.5% of all patients), and average age of the patients was 39.3 years. The male-to-female ratio was 2.07:1. 2) The external site of stab wounds was most commonly the periumbilcal area of the abdomen (14 cases, 33.3%). 3) The most commonly injured organs were the liver and the stomach (10 cases each, 16.9%). 4) Operations were performed on all 40 patients, with 9 (22.5%) negative operation findings. 5) Death occurred in 5 cases (12.5%). 6) The trauma indices of the death group were TRISS 51.9%, RTS 3.6 points, and APACHE II 23.0 points. 7) The average transfusion amount of the death group was 13.8 pints Conclusion: These data suggest that the transfusion amount and the trauma index of abdominal stab injuries may be statistically significant factors for predicting mortality.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.201-205
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• 2006

Tension viscerothorax (gastrothorax) is rare life-threatening disease which is caused by air trapped in viscera. A distended viscera in the hemi-thorax shifts the mediastinal structures and causes extra-cardiac obstructive shock. A defective diaphragm is caused by abdominal trauma or a congenital anomaly. Traumatic diaphragmatic injury can be missed until herniation develops several years after blunt trauma. In our case, a 10-year old boy developed hemodynamic compromise in the emergency department. Three years earlier, he had suffered blunt abdominal trauma during a pedestrian traffic accident, but there was no evidence of diaphragmatic injury at that time. He was successfully resuscitated by gastric decompression and an emergent thoracic operation. The operation finding revealed a traumatic diaphragmatic injury. Tension viscerothorax is a rare, but catastrophic, condition, so we suggest that addition of tension viscerothorax to the Advanced Trauma and Life Support (ATLS) guidelines may be helpful.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.258-266
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• 2018

Objective : The diagnosis of insufficiency fractures of the sacrum in an elder population increases annually. Fractures show very different morphology. We aimed to classify sacral insufficiency fractures according to the position of cortical break and possible need for intervention. Methods : Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2014, all patients with a proven fracture of the sacrum following a low-energy or an even unnoticed trauma were prospectively registered : 117 females and 13 males. All patients had a computer tomography of the pelvic ring, two patients had a magnetic resonance imaging additionally : localization and involvement of the fracture lines into the sacroiliac joint, neural foramina or the spinal canal were identified. Results : Patients were aged between 46 and 98 years (mean, 79.8 years). Seventy-seven patients had an unilateral fracture of the sacral ala, 41 bilateral ala fractures and 12 patients showed a fracture of the sacral corpus : a total of 171 fractures were analyzed. The first group A included fractures of the sacral ala which were assessed to have no or less mechanical importance (n=53) : fractures with no cortical disruption ("bone bruise") (A1; n=2), cortical deformation of the anterior cortical bone (A2; n=4), and fracture of the anterolateral rim of ala (A3; n=47). Complete fractures of the sacral ala (B; n=106) : parallel to the sacroiliac joint (B1; n=63), into the sacroiliac joint (B2; n=19), and involvement of the sacral foramina respectively the spinal canal (B3; n=24). Central fractures involving the sacral corpus (C; n=12) : fracture limited to the corpus or finishing into one ala (C1; n=3), unidirectional including the neural foramina or the spinal canal or both (C2; n=2), and horizontal fractures of the corpus with bilateral sagittal completion (C3; n=8). Sixty-eight fractures proceeded into the sacroiliac joint, 34 fractures showed an injury of foramina or canal. Conclusion : The new classification allowes the differentiation of fractures of less mechanical importance and a risk assessment for possible polymethyl methacrylate leaks during sacroplasty in the direction of the neurological structures. In addition, identification of instable fractures in need for laminectomy and surgical stabilization is possible.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.161-166
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• 2016

Purpose: Bleeding is the primary cause of death after severe pelvic fracture. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the mainstay of treatment for arterial bleeding. This study aimed to determine the frequency of bleeding by angiography of blush-positive pelvic fractures on computed tomography (CT) images. The bleeding arteries that were involved were investigated by pelvic angiography. Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 83 pelvic fracture patients who were treated in the intensive care unit of the author's trauma center between January 01, 2013 and April 30, 2015. Results: Overall mortality was 9 of 83 patients (10.8%). Blush was observed in 37 patients; blush-positive patients had significantly higher mortality (24.3%) than blush-negative patients (0%). Twenty-four of the 83 patients (28.9%) underwent pelvic angiography. Bleeding was showed in 22 of 24 patients in pelvic angiography. TAE was successfully performed in 21 (95.5%) of the bleeding 22 patients. Angiography was performed in 23 of 37 blush-positive patients, and arterial bleeding was identified in 21 (91.3%). A total 33 bleeding arteries were identified in 22 angiography-positive patients. The most frequent origin of bleeding was internal iliac artery (69.7%) followed by the external iliac artery (18.2%) and lumbar arteries (12.1%). Conclusion: The vascular blush observed in CT scans indicates sites of ongoing bleeding in pelvic angiography. TAE is an excellent therapeutic option for arterial bleeding and has a high success rate with few complications.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.105-115
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• 2016

Purpose: While all midshaft clavicle fractures have traditionally been treated with conservative measures, recent operative treatment of displaced, communited midshaft clavicle fractures has become more common. Though a recent increase in operative treatment for midshaft clavicle fractures, we have done the operative methods in limited cases. The aim of this study is to present indications, operative techniques and outcomes of the experienced cases that have applied to this limited group over the previous 10 years. Methods: This study consists of a retrospective review of radiological and clinical data from January of 2005 to July of 2015. Operative criteria for midshaft clavicle fractures having considerable risk of bone healing process were 4 groups - a floating shoulder, an open fracture, an associated neurovascular injury, and a nonunion case after previous treatment. Results: The study consisted of 18 patients who had operative treatment for midshaft clavicle fractures in adults. The most common surgical indication was a floating shoulder (10 cases, 55.6%), followed by nonunion (5 cases, 27.8%), an associated neurovascular injury (4 cases, 22.2%), and open fracture (3 cases, 16.7%). All cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation in anterosuperior position with reconstruction plate or locking compression plate. Bone union was achieved in all cases except 1 case which was done bone resection due to infected nonunion. Mean bone union period was 19.5 weeks. There were no postoperative complications, but still sequelae in 4 cases of brachial plexus injury. Conclusion: We have conducted an open reduction and internal fixation by anterosuperior position for midshaft clavicle fractures in very limited surgical indications for last 10 years. Our treatment strategy for midshaft clavicle fractures showed favorable radiological results and low postoperative complications.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.99-104
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• 2016

Purpose: There are many patients visited to ED in an alcohol intoxicated state. For these patients, it is difficult to predict by only clinical examination whether he/she would have brain lesion. The purpose of this study is to research whether it is possible to predict brain lesion by only clinical examination findings, with comparing patients with/without actual brain lesions. Methods: A retrospective study was performed at a university hospital for the period 11 months with the medical records. As for the inclusion group, head trauma patients with objectively proved drunk, judging by their blood ethanol concentration, and performed the brain CT were selected. In terms of medical record, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), the presence of neurologic abnormalities, the presence of lesion on brain CT of the patients, were examined. From laboratory results, blood ethanol concentration, platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and glucose concentration were identified. Results: For this study, there were total 80 patients of inclusion group. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of GCS score and neurological examination abnormalities, between the group with brain lesion and the group without brain lesion on brain CT. Conclusion: Alcohol intoxicated patient with head trauma visits the ED, it is not possible to distinguish or determine whether brain lesion exists or not by only clinical findings. In order to check the lesion existence, the image examination, therefore, should be considered and performed.