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The spleen is the most frequently injured organ following blunt abdominal trauma.
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Understanding the anatomic and physiologic changes that occur with pregnancy enhance the management of the pregnant trauma patient, potentially improving outcomes for both the mother and fetus. The best approach to fetal preservation is careful attention to resuscitation of the mother.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important public health problem. It has the potential for long-term complications with persistent morbidity, and also can result in missed school and workdays.
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Physicians need to understand the pathophysiology, preventative strategies, and acute management of patients with altitude sickness. This article presents an overview of the spectrum of altitude illness, diagnosis, and current management strategies, as well as preventative strategies.
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Prompt, accurate assessment of the severity of injury and early initiation of appropriate critical care — including adequate oxygenation, ventilation and correction of hypotension — is of crucial importance in preventing deaths in children with severe trauma. This article reviews the critical aspects of airway assessment and management in the pediatric trauma patient.
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The first part of this series reviews cervical spine immobilization, patient selection for imaging and clinical decision rules for cervical spine radiography. This two-part article is critical for any physician who manages patients with potential cervical spine trauma.
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Eye injuries present a significant challenge to emergency personnel. Patient stress and coexisting periorbital findings can complicate any evaluation, and many of the signs of serious injury may be quite subtle. Because the majority of eye injuries present between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. when ophthalmology consultation is not available immediately in most hospitals, a tremendous burden is placed on the emergency health care provider to identify and manage potential vision-threatening disorders. The following is a review of ocular trauma with a focus on clinical findings, their implications, and management.
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The authors present a thorough review of the anatomy, critical features of the physical examination, and indications for further diagnostic testing in a patient who has sustained a traumatic knee injury.
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Although cervical spine injury is uncommon, the implications of a missed injury are profound and may result in many serious complications for the patient and the physician. This issue presents the physician with a thorough discussion of the imaging alternatives available and facilitates clinical decision-making for diagnostic imaging. The author also provides a comprehensive discussion of the evaluation of a patient with a potential ligamentous injury to the cervical spine.
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The topic of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is extensive, and the majority of information is very familiar to the practicing emergency department physician. The author discusses two areas of controversy patient selection for imaging and an update on management strategies for children with TBI.
