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Duncan AJ, Ahmeti M. Pediatric C-spine Clearance by CT: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Cureus 2024; 16:e67832. [PMID: 39323696 PMCID: PMC11423953 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.67832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric cervical spinal injury (CSI) remains a significant concern following blunt trauma, with mortality rates as high as 48%. Current protocols involve cervical immobilization and clearance through multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans, followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or clinical examination. However, prolonged collar use poses risks, necessitating timely clearance. This study assessed the efficacy of MDCT in pediatric CSI clearance. METHODS A retrospective cohort study, spanning January 2019 to January 2023, included pediatric patients under 18 undergoing cervical CT scans. RESULTS MDCT sensitivity was evaluated, with 13.8% positive scans, detecting clinically significant injuries. MRI identified no additional injuries, affirming MDCT reliability. The average clearance time was 24.9 hours, impacting hospitalization durations. Mortality unrelated to CSI was excluded. CONCLUSION These results align with recent studies advocating cervical collar removal based on negative MDCT, emphasizing its potential to decrease the time that patients remain in C-collars and expedite hospital courses, including therapy and discharge. The study encourages consideration of MDCT-based protocols for timely pediatric CSI clearance, promoting patient care efficiency and informed medical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Duncan
- General Surgery, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, USA
| | - Mentor Ahmeti
- Department of Surgery, Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, USA
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Weiss HK, Anderson RCE. Challenges and Insights: Cervical Spine Injuries in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:809. [PMID: 39062258 PMCID: PMC11276542 DOI: 10.3390/children11070809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Cervical spine injuries (CSIs) in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) pose unique diagnostic and management challenges. Current studies on the intricate overlap between pediatric TBI and CSI are limited. This paper explores the existing literature as well as the epidemiology, mechanisms of injury, diagnostic criteria, treatment strategies, and outcomes associated with CSI in pediatric TBI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K. Weiss
- Department of Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
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3
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Easter JS, Rose E. Advances in pediatric emergency from 2023. Am J Emerg Med 2024; 80:77-86. [PMID: 38518545 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Most children receive emergency care by general emergency physicians and not in designated children's hospitals. There are unique considerations in the care of children that differ from the care of adults. Many management principles can be extrapolated from adult studies, but the unique pathophysiology of pediatric disease requires specialized attention and management updates. This article highlights ten impactful articles from the year 2023 whose findings can improve the care of children in the Emergency Department (ED). These studies address pediatric resuscitation, traumatic arrest, septic shock, airway management, nailbed injuries, bronchiolitis, infant fever, cervical spine injuries, and cancer risk from radiation (Table 1). The findings in these articles have the potential to impact the evaluation and management of children (Table 2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S Easter
- Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Emily Rose
- Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Tavender E, Eapen N, Wang J, Rausa VC, Babl FE, Phillips N. Triage tools for detecting cervical spine injury in paediatric trauma patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 3:CD011686. [PMID: 38517085 PMCID: PMC10958760 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011686.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paediatric cervical spine injury (CSI) after blunt trauma is rare but can have severe consequences. Clinical decision rules (CDRs) have been developed to guide clinical decision-making, minimise unnecessary tests and associated risks, whilst detecting all significant CSIs. Several validated CDRs are used to guide imaging decision-making in adults following blunt trauma and clinical criteria have been proposed as possible paediatric-specific CDRs. Little information is known about their accuracy. OBJECTIVES To assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of CDRs or sets of clinical criteria, alone or in comparison with each other, for the evaluation of CSI following blunt trauma in children. SEARCH METHODS For this update, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and six other databases from 1 January 2015 to 13 December 2022. As we expanded the index test eligibility for this review update, we searched the excluded studies from the previous version of the review for eligibility. We contacted field experts to identify ongoing studies and studies potentially missed by the search. There were no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA We included cross-sectional or cohort designs (retrospective and prospective) and randomised controlled trials that compared the diagnostic accuracy of any CDR or clinical criteria compared with a reference standard for the evaluation of paediatric CSI following blunt trauma. We included studies evaluating one CDR or comparing two or more CDRs (directly and indirectly). We considered X-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine, and clinical clearance/follow-up as adequate reference standards. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts for relevance, and carried out eligibility, data extraction and quality assessment. A third review author arbitrated. We extracted data on study design, participant characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, index test, target condition, reference standard and data (diagnostic two-by-two tables) and calculated and plotted sensitivity and specificity on forest plots for visual examination of variation in test accuracy. We assessed methodological quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Version 2 tool. We graded the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS We included five studies with 21,379 enrolled participants, published between 2001 and 2021. Prevalence of CSI ranged from 0.5% to 1.85%. Seven CDRs were evaluated. Three studies reported on direct comparisons of CDRs. One study (973 participants) directly compared the accuracy of three index tests with the sensitivities of NEXUS, Canadian C-Spine Rule and the PECARN retrospective criteria being 1.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 1.00), 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00), respectively. The specificities were 0.56 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.59), 0.52 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.55) and 0.32 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.35), respectively (moderate-certainty evidence). One study (4091 participants) compared the accuracy of the PECARN retrospective criteria with the Leonard de novo model; the sensitivities were 0.91 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.96) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.83 to 0.97), respectively. The specificities were 0.46 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.47) and 0.50 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.52) (moderate- and low-certainty evidence, respectively). One study (270 participants) compared the accuracy of two NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) head injury guidelines; the sensitivity of the CG56 guideline was 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) compared to 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) with the CG176 guideline. The specificities were 0.46 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.52) and 0.07 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.11), respectively (very low-certainty evidence). Two additional studies were indirect comparison studies. One study (3065 participants) tested the accuracy of the NEXUS criteria; the sensitivity was 1.00 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.00) and specificity was 0.20 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.21) (low-certainty evidence). One retrospective study (12,537 participants) evaluated the PEDSPINE criteria and found a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.99) and specificity of 0.70 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.72) (very low-certainty evidence). We did not pool data within the broader CDR categories or investigate heterogeneity due to the small quantity of data and the clinical heterogeneity of studies. Two studies were at high risk of bias. We identified two studies that are awaiting classification pending further information and two ongoing studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence to determine the diagnostic test accuracy of CDRs to detect CSIs in children following blunt trauma, particularly for children under eight years of age. Although most studies had a high sensitivity, this was often achieved at the expense of low specificity and should be interpreted with caution due to a small number of CSIs and wide CIs. Well-designed, large studies are required to evaluate the accuracy of CDRs for the cervical spine clearance in children following blunt trauma, ideally in direct comparison with each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Tavender
- Emergency Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Departments of Paediatrics and Critical Care, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nitaa Eapen
- Emergency Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Junfeng Wang
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Vanessa C Rausa
- Emergency Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Franz E Babl
- Emergency Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Departments of Paediatrics and Critical Care, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Emergency Department, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natalie Phillips
- Emergency Department, Queensland Children's Hospital, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Biomechanics and Spine Research Group, Centre for Children's Health Research, School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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Luckhurst CM, Wiberg HM, Brown RL, Bruch SW, Chandler NM, Danielson PD, Draus JM, Fallat ME, Gaines BA, Haynes JH, Inaba K, Islam S, Kaminski SS, Kang HS, Madabhushi VV, Murray J, Nance ML, Qureshi FG, Rubsam J, Stylianos S, Bertsimas DJ, Masiakos PT. Pediatric Cervical Spine Injury Following Blunt Trauma in Children Younger Than 3 Years: The PEDSPINE II Study. JAMA Surg 2023; 158:1126-1132. [PMID: 37703025 PMCID: PMC10500431 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.4213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Importance There is variability in practice and imaging usage to diagnose cervical spine injury (CSI) following blunt trauma in pediatric patients. Objective To develop a prediction model to guide imaging usage and to identify trends in imaging and to evaluate the PEDSPINE model. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included pediatric patients (<3 years years) following blunt trauma between January 2007 and July 2017. Of 22 centers in PEDSPINE, 15 centers, comprising level 1 and 2 stand-alone pediatric hospitals, level 1 and 2 pediatric hospitals within an adult hospital, and level 1 adult hospitals, were included. Patients who died prior to obtaining cervical spine imaging were excluded. Descriptive analysis was performed to describe the population, use of imaging, and injury patterns. PEDSPINE model validation was performed. A new algorithm was derived using clinical criteria and formulation of a multiclass classification problem. Analysis took place from January to October 2022. Exposure Blunt trauma. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome was CSI. The primary and secondary objectives were predetermined. Results The current study, PEDSPINE II, included 9389 patients, of which 128 (1.36%) had CSI, twice the rate in PEDSPINE (0.66%). The mean (SD) age was 1.3 (0.9) years; and 70 patients (54.7%) were male. Overall, 7113 children (80%) underwent cervical spine imaging, compared with 7882 (63%) in PEDSPINE. Several candidate models were fitted for the multiclass classification problem. After comparative analysis, the multinomial regression model was chosen with one-vs-rest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.903 (95% CI, 0.836-0.943) and was able to discriminate between bony and ligamentous injury. PEDSPINE and PEDSPINE II models' ability to identify CSI were compared. In predicting the presence of any injury, PEDSPINE II obtained a one-vs-rest AUC of 0.885 (95% CI, 0.804-0.934), outperforming the PEDSPINE score (AUC, 0.845; 95% CI, 0.769-0.915). Conclusion and Relevance This study found wide clinical variability in the evaluation of pediatric trauma patients with increased use of cervical spine imaging. This has implications of increased cost, increased radiation exposure, and a potential for overdiagnosis. This prediction tool could help to decrease the use of imaging, aid in clinical decision-making, and decrease hospital resource use and cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey M. Luckhurst
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | | | - Rebeccah L. Brown
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Steven W. Bruch
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Nicole M. Chandler
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St Petersburg, Florida
| | - Paul D. Danielson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St Petersburg, Florida
| | - John M. Draus
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, Lexington
| | - Mary E. Fallat
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at Norton Children’s Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Barbara A. Gaines
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeffrey H. Haynes
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University Health, Richmond
| | - Kenji Inaba
- Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care at University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles
| | - Saleem Islam
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at University of Florida Health, Gainesville
| | - Stephen S. Kaminski
- Department of Surgery at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, California
| | - Hae Sung Kang
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health, Richmond
| | | | - Jason Murray
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Tyler, Tyler
| | - Michael L. Nance
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Faisal G. Qureshi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jeanne Rubsam
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, New York
| | - Steven Stylianos
- Division of Pediatric Surgery at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, New York
| | | | - Peter T. Masiakos
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
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Russell KW, Iantorno SE, Iyer RR, Brockmeyer DL, Smith KM, Polukoff NE, Larsen KE, Barnes KL, Bell TM, Fenton SJ, Inaba K, Swendiman RA. Pediatric cervical spine clearance: A 10-year evaluation of multidetector computed tomography at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2023; 95:354-360. [PMID: 37072884 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000003929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Efficient and accurate evaluation of the pediatric cervical spine (c-spine) for both injury identification and posttraumatic clearance remains a challenge. We aimed to determine the sensitivity of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for identification of cervical spine injuries (CSIs) in pediatric blunt trauma patients. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a level 1 pediatric trauma center from 2012 to 2021. All pediatric trauma patients age younger than 18 years who underwent c-spine imaging (plain radiograph, MDCT, and/or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) were included. All patients with abnormal MRIs but normal MDCTs were reviewed by a pediatric spine surgeon to assess specific injury characteristics. RESULTS A total of 4,477 patients underwent c-spine imaging, and 60 (1.3%) were diagnosed with a clinically significant CSI that required surgery or a halo. These patients were older, more likely to be intubated, have a Glasgow Coma Scale score of <14, and more likely to be transferred in from a referring hospital. One patient with a fracture on radiography and neurologic symptoms got an MRI and no MDCT before operative repair. All other patients who underwent surgery including halo placement for a clinically significant CSI had their injury diagnosed by MDCT, representing a sensitivity of 100%. There were 17 patients with abnormal MRIs and normal MDCTs; none underwent surgery or halo placement. Imaging from these patients was reviewed by a pediatric spine surgeon, and no unstable injuries were identified. CONCLUSION Multidetector computed tomography appears to have 100% sensitivity for detecting clinically significant CSIs in pediatric trauma patients, regardless of age or mental status. Forthcoming prospective data will be useful to confirm these results and inform recommendations for whether pediatric c-spine clearance can be safely performed based on the results of a normal MDCT alone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic Tests or Criteria; Level IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie W Russell
- From the Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (K.W.R., S.E.I., K.M.S., N.E.P., K.E.L., T.M.B., S.J.F., R.A.S.) and Department of Neurosurgery (R.R.I., D.L.B.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT (K.L.B.); and Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery (K.I.), University of Southern California, Los Angles, CA
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Samples DC, Staulcup S, Hovis G, Gustin P, Meier M, Mirsky D, Hankinson TC. Refining the role of cervical spine immobilization and stabilization in pediatric non-accidental trauma, a retrospective series of 1008 patients. Childs Nerv Syst 2022; 38:2357-2364. [PMID: 36380050 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-022-05751-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prompt detection of traumatic cervical spine injury is important as delayed or missed diagnosis can have disastrous consequences. Given the understood mechanism of non-accidental trauma (NAT), it is reasonable to suspect that cervical spine injury can occur. Current management of young children being evaluated for NAT includes placement of a rigid collar until clinical clearance or an MRI can be obtained. Currently, there exists a lack of robust data to guide cervical bracing. Anecdotally, our group has not observed a single patient with a diagnosis of NAT who required operative stabilization for cervical spine instability. This study will be the largest series to date and aims to systematically investigate this observation to determine the likelihood that children with a diagnosis of NAT harbor cervical spine instability related to their injuries. METHODS Patient data from the Children's Hospital Colorado Trauma Registry diagnosed with non-burn-only NAT were reviewed retrospectively. Children less than 4 years of age pulled from the registry from January 1, 2005, to March 31, 2021, were included. Demographic, admission/discharge, imaging, and clinic management data were collected for each patient and analyzed. RESULTS There were 1008 patients included in the cohort. The age at presentation ranged from 5 days to 4 years (mean 10.4 months). No patient had X-ray or CT findings concerning for cervical instability. Three patients had MRI findings concerning for cervical instability. Two of these underwent external bracing, and the third died from unrelated injuries during their hospitalization. Only four patients were discharged in a cervical collar, and all were ultimately cleared from bracing. No patient underwent a spinal stabilization procedure. CONCLUSIONS While the mechanism of injury in many NAT cases would seem to make significant cervical spine injury possible, this single-center retrospective review of a large experience indicates that such injury is exceedingly rare. Further study is merited to understand the underlying pathophysiology. However, it is reasonable to consider cervical collar clearance in the setting of normal radiographs and a reassuring neurological exam. Furthermore, if concerns exist regarding cervical spine instability on MRI, an initial trial of conservative management is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek C Samples
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus College of Medicine, Aurora, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Susan Staulcup
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Gabrielle Hovis
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Paul Gustin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, IL, USA
| | - Maxene Meier
- Research Outcomes in Children's Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - David Mirsky
- Department of Pediatric Radiology and Imaging, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Todd C Hankinson
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus College of Medicine, Aurora, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
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Hoffman SE, Hauser BM, Zaki MM, Gupta S, Chua M, Bernstock JD, Khawaja AM, Smith TR, Zaidi HA. Spinal level and cord involvement in the prediction of sepsis development after vertebral fracture repair for traumatic spinal injury. J Neurosurg Spine 2022; 37:292-298. [PMID: 35120317 PMCID: PMC9349473 DOI: 10.3171/2021.12.spine21423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite understanding the associated adverse outcomes, identifying hospitalized patients at risk for sepsis is challenging. The authors aimed to characterize the epidemiology and clinical risk of sepsis in patients who underwent vertebral fracture repair for traumatic spinal injury (TSI). METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of adults undergoing vertebral fracture repair during initial hospitalization after TSI who were registered in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2011 to 2014. RESULTS Of the 29,050 eligible patients undergoing vertebral fracture repair, 317 developed sepsis during initial hospitalization. Of these patients, most presented after a motor vehicle accident (63%) or fall (28%). Patients in whom sepsis developed had greater odds of being male (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-1.9), having diabetes mellitus (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.11-2.1), and being obese (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.5). Additionally, they had greater odds of presenting with moderate (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8-4.2) or severe (aOR 3.9, 95% CI 2.9-5.2) Glasgow Coma Scale scores and of having concomitant abdominal injuries (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5-2.5) but not cranial, thoracic, or lower-extremity injuries. Interestingly, cervical spine injury was significantly associated with developing sepsis (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8), but thoracic and lumbar spine injuries were not. Spinal cord injury (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5-2.5) was also associated with sepsis regardless of level. Patients with sepsis were hospitalized approximately 16 days longer. They had greater odds of being discharged to rehabilitative care or home with rehabilitative care (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.8-3.2) and greater odds of death or discharge to hospice (OR 6.0, 95% CI 4.4-8.1). CONCLUSIONS Among patients undergoing vertebral fracture repair, those with cervical spine fractures, spinal cord injuries, preexisting comorbidities, and severe concomitant injuries are at highest risk for developing postoperative sepsis and experiencing adverse hospital disposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E. Hoffman
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Blake M. Hauser
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Mark M. Zaki
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Saksham Gupta
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Melissa Chua
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Joshua D. Bernstock
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Ayaz M. Khawaja
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Timothy R. Smith
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Hasan A. Zaidi
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
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Zeng J, Jiang H, Zhuo Y, Xu Y, Deng Z. A case report on a child with fracture and dislocation of the upper cervical spine accompanied by spinal cord injury. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e29717. [PMID: 35905208 PMCID: PMC9333534 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000029717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE This study describes an 8-year-old boy with a C2 fracture and dislocation with a left C2-C3 articular process interlocking and spinal cord injury who underwent open reduction and internal fixation using the posterior cervical approach and achieved satisfactory results. PATIENT CONCERNS An 8-year-old boy underwent an emergency transfer from a previous hospital after a car accident. DIAGNOSES Axial fracture and dislocation with spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association grade C), traumatic shock, brain contusion, intracranial hemorrhage, mandibular fracture, pulmonary contusion and hemorrhage, left vertebral artery stenosis, and multiple fractures throughout the body. Radiological examination revealed a fracture of the lower edge of the C2 vertebral body, fourth-degree anterior spondylolisthesis of the C2 vertebral body, interlocking of the left C2-C3 articular processes, widening of the C2-C3 vertebral space, and occlusion of the V1 and 2 segments of the left vertebral artery. INTERVENTIONS The boy was immediately intubated and transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit for rescue treatment. However, the reduction was unsuccessful with 2 weeks of cranial traction. Thus, an open reduction was performed under general anesthesia. One month after the surgery, the boy was discharged from the hospital on foot after rehabilitation treatment. OUTCOMES The boy was discharged from the hospital 1 month after surgery. At the 8-month follow-up, a radiological examination showed that the corrected C2 vertebral body fracture and dislocation were satisfactorily reduced, and the spinal cord was adequately decompressed. The internal fixation position was also good, and the spinal sequence had recovered well. In summary, except for the muscle strength of the right upper limb, which was slightly worse, the other clinical symptoms were significantly improved. LESSONS In treating cervical fracture and dislocation with unilateral facet lock, the posterior open reduction of pedicle screw and lateral mass screw internal fixation achieved satisfactory results. Consequently, treating complex cervical spine injuries in children requires an accurate diagnosis and careful treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Zeng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingquan Zhuo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongkang Xu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Deng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of China
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Hauser BM, McNulty J, Zaki MM, Gupta S, Cote DJ, Bernstock JD, Lu Y, Chi JH, Groff MW, Khawaja AM, Smith TR, Zaidi HA. Predictors of thoracic and lumbar spine injuries in patients with TBI: A nationwide analysis. Injury 2022; 53:1087-1093. [PMID: 34625238 PMCID: PMC8863622 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2021.09.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cervical spine injury screening is common practice for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. However, risk factors for concomitant thoracolumbar trauma remain unknown. We characterized epidemiology and clinical risk for concomitant thoracolumbar trauma in TBI. METHODS We conducted a multi-center, retrospective cohort analysis of TBI patients in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2011-2014 using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Out of 768,718 TBIs, 46,654 (6.1%) and 42,810 (5.6%) patients were diagnosed with thoracic and lumbar spine fractures, respectively. Only 11% of thoracic and 7% of lumbar spine fracture patients had an accompanying spinal cord injury at any level. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accident (67% of thoracic and 71% and lumbar fractures). Predictors for both thoracic and lumbar fractures included moderate (thoracic: OR 1.26, 95%CI 1.21-1.31; lumbar: OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.08-1.18) and severe Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (OR 1.71, 95%CI 1.67-1.75; OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.13-1.20) compared to mild; epidural hematoma (OR 1.36, 95%CI 1.28-1.44; OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.04-1.19); lower extremity injury (OR 1.38, 95%CI 1.35-1.41; OR 2.50, 95%CI 2.45-2.55); upper extremity injury (OR 2.19, 95%CI 2.14-2.23; OR 1.15, 95%CI 1.13-1.18); smoking (OR 1.09, 95%CI 1.06-1.12; OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.09-1.15); and obesity (OR 1.39, 95%CI 1.34-1.45; OR 1.29, 95%CI 1.24-1.35). Thoracic injuries (OR 4.45; 95% CI 4.35-4.55) predicted lumbar fractures, while abdominal injuries (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.97-2.07) predicted thoracic fractures. CONCLUSIONS We identified GCS, smoking, upper and lower extremity injuries, and obesity as common risk factors for thoracic and lumbar spinal fractures in TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake M. Hauser
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - John McNulty
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Mark M. Zaki
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Saksham Gupta
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - David J. Cote
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Joshua D. Bernstock
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Yi Lu
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - John H. Chi
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Michael W. Groff
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Ayaz M. Khawaja
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Timothy R. Smith
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Hasan A. Zaidi
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
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Habermehl N, Minich NM, Malay S, Mahran A, Kim G. Pediatric Thoracolumbar Spinal Injuries in United States Trauma Centers. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:e876-e880. [PMID: 33848099 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Injuries are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children ages 1 to 18 years. There are limited studies about pediatric thoracolumbar (TL) spinal injuries; the purpose of this study was to characterize TL spinal injuries among pediatric patients evaluated in US trauma centers. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of the National Trauma Data Bank. Patients aged 1 to 18 years with a thoracic or lumbar spinal injury sustained by blunt trauma during calendar years 2011 through 2016 were included. Cervical spinal injuries, death before arrival, or penetrating trauma were excluded. The data was abstracted, and missing data was addressed by imputations. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regressions. RESULTS A total of 20,062 patients were included in the study. Thoracolumbar spinal injuries were more commonly sustained by 16- to 17-year-olds (45.7%), boys (56.6%), and White (74.8%). The injuries were often from a motor vehicle collision (MVC) (55.2%) and resulted in a bone injury (82.3%). Mechanism of injury and age were significant in predicting injury type. A fall was more likely than MVC to result in disc injury (odds ratio [OR], 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.33), strain injury (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.34), or cord injury (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12-1.45). Younger children were more likely than adolescents to present with disc injury (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.75-4.45), cord injury (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.18-1.81), or strain injury (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.09-1.72). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the largest pediatric TL spinal study. Clinicians should consider TL spinal injuries when adolescents present after an MVC, and specifically, TL spinal cord injuries when young children present after a fall. Additionally, pediatric TL spinal injury prevention should highlight motor vehicle and fall safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Habermehl
- From the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital
| | - Nori Mercuri Minich
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Sindhoosha Malay
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Amr Mahran
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
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12
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Edwards MJ, Jenkel T, Weller B, Weber A, Zhu K, Parikh R, Ata A, Danziger C. Computed Tomography Scan Utilization in Pediatric Trauma: Impact on Length of Stay and Incidence of False Positive Findings. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:e1478-e1481. [PMID: 32205803 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Computerized tomography (CT) scans are the mainstay of diagnostic imaging in blunt trauma. Particularly in pediatric trauma, utilization of CT scans has increased exponentially in recent years. Concerns regarding radiation exposure to this vulnerable population have resulted in increased scrutiny of practice. What is not known is if liberal imaging practices decrease length of stay by eliminating the need for clinical observation, and the impact of false-positive rates from liberal use of CT scanning on clinical outcomes. METHODS Medical records from a nonaccredited pediatric trauma center with a practice of liberal imaging were reviewed over a 2-year period. Total CT scans obtained were recorded, in addition to length of stay, age, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Rates of clinically significant imaging findings were recorded, as were false positive findings and complications of imaging. RESULTS Out of 735 children, 58% underwent CT scanning, and if scanned, received an average of 2.4 studies. Clinically significant findings were documented in 20% of head CTs, 2% of cervical spine CTs, 3.5% of chest CTs, 24% of facial CTs, and 14.7% of abdominal CTs. False-positive findings were found in 1.5% of head CTs, 1.2% of cervical spine CTs, 2.4% of chest CTs, and 2.5% of abdominal CTs. Liberal CT scanning was not associated with decreased length of stay. In contrast, obtaining CT scans on more than 4 body regions was independently predictive of longer length of stay, independent of ISS. CONCLUSIONS False-positive rates of CT scans for trauma were low in this cohort. However, when scanning the cervical spine or the chest, for every 2 clinically significant findings obtained, there was at least one false positive result, calling into question the practice of liberal imaging of these regions. Liberal utilization of CT scan did not allow for more rapid discharge home, and for more than 4 CTs was independently associated with longer hospital stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary J Edwards
- From the Department of Surgery, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
| | | | | | - Alexis Weber
- From the Department of Surgery, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
| | | | | | - Ashar Ata
- From the Department of Surgery, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
| | - Carrie Danziger
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
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13
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Haq I, Jayappa S, Desai SK, Ramakrishnaiah R, Choudhary AK. Spinal ligamentous injury in abusive head trauma: a pictorial review. Pediatr Radiol 2021; 51:971-979. [PMID: 33999239 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-020-04922-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence of spine injury in abusive head trauma (AHT). Historically, spine injury was considered rare in AHT because of a lack of attributable clinical symptoms or signs and a lack of advanced imaging. Increased use of MRI in AHT has been instrumental in helping identify evidence of ligamentous injuries of the spine. These findings can be difficult to identify on autopsy because of the size and location of the ligaments. Because spinal injury in AHT mostly involves ligamentous and soft tissues and only rarely involves bony fractures, more than 90% of the injury findings are missed on CT or radiography of the spine. Investigation of these findings and the injury patterns should lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of spinal injury. In this pictorial review, we describe the various manifestations of spinal ligamentous injury in AHT, as seen on MRI, in children younger than 48 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqbal Haq
- Department of Radiology,University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS),, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
| | - Sateesh Jayappa
- Department of Radiology,University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS),, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Shivang K Desai
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Raghu Ramakrishnaiah
- Department of Radiology,University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS),, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Arabinda K Choudhary
- Department of Radiology,University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS),, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 556, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
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14
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Tomaszewski R, Sesia SB, Studer D, Rutz E, Mayr JM. Conservative treatment and outcome of upper cervical spine fractures in young children: A STROBE-compliant case series. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25334. [PMID: 33787631 PMCID: PMC8021376 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical spine (C-spine) fractures in young children are very rare, and little information on treatment modalities and functional, radiographic, and patient-reported outcome exists. In this 2-center, retrospective case series, we assessed subjective and functional mid-term outcomes in children aged ≤5 years whose C-spine fractures were treated nonoperatively.Between 2000 and 2018, 6 children (median age at injury: 23.5 months; range: 16-31 months) with C1 or C2 injuries were treated with Minerva cast/brace or soft collar brace at 1 of the 2 study centers. Two patients suffered C1 fractures, and 4 patients had lysis of the odontoid synchondrosis. Overall, 3 children had sustained polytrauma. One child died due to the consequences of massive head injury.For the primary outcome parameter, we recorded subjective symptoms such as pain and functional restrictions due to the sequelae of C-spine injuries at follow-up.Based on medical records, we also assessed the causes of injury, diagnostic procedures, treatments and complications, and time to fracture consolidation.Median follow-up of the 5 surviving children was 51 months (range: 36-160 months). At the latest follow-up, 4 of 5 children did not complain of any pain. One child who sustained an open head injury in combination with a subluxation of the odontoid and undisplaced fracture of the massa lateralis reported occasional headache. All patients experienced complete fracture healing and normal range of motion of the cervical spine.Median duration of cast/brace treatment was 8.5 weeks. Fracture healing was confirmed by computed tomography in all patients.All C-spine injuries were managed with either Minerva cast/Halo brace or soft collar brace without complications.In our retrospective case series, nonoperative treatment of atlas fractures and dislocations or subluxations of the odontoid in young children using Minerva casts or prefabricated Halo braces resulted in good subjective and functional outcomes at mid-term. We observed no complications of conservative treatment of C1 and C2 injuries in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard Tomaszewski
- Department of Pediatric Traumatology and Orthopedics, Upper Silesian Children's Health Centre
- University of Silesia, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Katowice, Poland
| | - Sergio B. Sesia
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern
| | - Daniel Studer
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erich Rutz
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Johannes M. Mayr
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Switzerland
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15
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Stephan SR, Andras LM, Skaggs DL, Illingworth KD. C1-C2 Distraction Ligamentous Injury Treated with Halo-Vest Application: A Case Report. JBJS Case Connect 2021; 11:01709767-202103000-00052. [PMID: 33729184 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.20.00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
CASE There is a paucity of literature regarding pediatric upper cervical spine traumatic instability, atlanto-occipital dislocations, and fractures, with no clear treatment algorithm. We present a 12-year-old girl with significant posterior C1-C2 distraction and resultant ligamentous injury after a motor vehicle collision who was treated with a halo vest for 3 months. At 8-month follow-up, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated complete ligamentous healing without instability on dynamic radiographs, and at 18-month follow-up, the patient made a full recovery. CONCLUSION In some pediatric patients with isolated posterior ligamentous injury, as long as anatomic alignment can be achieved with halo-vest application, a fusion may be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Stephan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lindsay M Andras
- Children's Orthopaedic Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - David L Skaggs
- Children's Orthopaedic Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kenneth D Illingworth
- Children's Orthopaedic Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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16
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Kim W, Ahn N, Ata A, Adamo MA, Entezami P, Edwards M. Pediatric cervical spine injury in the United States: Defining the burden of injury, need for operative intervention, and disparities in imaging across trauma centers. J Pediatr Surg 2021; 56:293-296. [PMID: 32561174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric cervical spine injury (PCSI) in children is rare. Incidence of PCSI requiring intervention is not known, and imaging practices for screening in United States trauma centers are not well described. METHODS The 2016 NTDB was queried for patients younger than 15 years with PCSI. Incidence of PCSI, operative interventions, and imaging rates were analyzed by age and ACS accreditation status. RESULTS Of 84,554 children, 873 (1.03%) had PCSI. Patients <4 years were less likely to have PCSI (0.68% vs. 1.1%, RR 0.59, p < 0.001). 165 children (0.20%) required an intervention for PCSI. 12.8% of all children were screened for PCSI with imaging, 9.3% with CT, and 3.2% with plain X-rays. In spite of similar injury and intervention rates, stand-alone pediatric trauma centers were less likely than others to image patients without PCSI (11% vs. 13% p < 0.001), less likely to utilize CT scan (5.8% vs. 10.6% p < 0.001) and more likely to utilize plain films (5.2% vs. 2.4% p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Despite exceedingly low rates of PSCI requiring intervention (0.2%), imaging rates for screening are significant. Stand-alone pediatric trauma centers outperform others in limiting unnecessary imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woihwan Kim
- Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
| | - Nicholas Ahn
- Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
| | - Ashar Ata
- Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
| | - Matthew A Adamo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
| | - Pouya Entezami
- Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
| | - Mary Edwards
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY.
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17
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Alas H, Pierce KE, Brown A, Bortz C, Naessig S, Ahmad W, Moses MJ, O'Connell B, Maglaras C, Diebo BG, Paulino CB, Buckland AJ, Passias PG. Sports-related Cervical Spine Fracture and Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of Nationwide Pediatric Trends. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2021; 46:22-28. [PMID: 32991512 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000003718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE Assess trends in sports-related cervical spine trauma using a pediatric inpatient database. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Injuries sustained from sports participation may include cervical spine trauma such as fractures and spinal cord injury (SCI). Large database studies analyzing sports-related cervical trauma in the pediatric population are currently lacking. METHODS The Kid Inpatient Database was queried for patients with external causes of injury secondary to sports-related activities from 2003 to 2012. Patients were further grouped for cervical spine injury (CSI) type, including C1-4 and C5-7 fracture with/without spinal cord injury (SCI), dislocation, and SCI without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA). Patients were grouped by age into children (4-9), pre-adolescents (Pre, 10-13), and adolescents (14-17). Kruskall-Wallis tests with post-hoc Mann-Whitney U's identified differences in CSI type across age groups and sport type. Logistic regression found predictors of TBI and specific cervical injuries. RESULTS A total of 38,539 patients were identified (12.76 years, 24.5% F). Adolescents had the highest rate of sports injuries per year (P < 0.001). Adolescents had the highest rate of any type of CSI, including C1-4 and C5-7 fracture with and without SCI, dislocation, and SCIWORA (all P < 0.001). Adolescence increased odds for C1-4 fracture w/o SCI 3.18×, C1-4 fx w/ SCI by 7.57×, C5-7 fx w/o SCI 4.11×, C5-7 w/SCI 3.63×, cervical dislocation 1.7×, and cervical SCIWORA 2.75×, all P < 0.05. Football injuries rose from 5.83% in 2009 to 9.14% in 2012 (P < 0.001), and were associated with more SCIWORA (1.6% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.012), and football injuries increased odds of SCI by 1.56×. Concurrent TBI was highest in adolescents at 58.4% (pre: 26.6%, child: 4.9%, P < 0.001), and SCIWORA was a significant predictor for concurrent TBI across all sports (odds ratio: 2.35 [1.77-3.11], P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Adolescent athletes had the highest rates of upper/lower cervical fracture, dislocation, and SCIWORA. Adolescence and SCIWORA were significant predictors of concurrent TBI across sports. The increased prevalence of CSI with age sheds light on the growing concern for youth sports played at a competitive level, and supports recently updated regulations aimed at decreasing youth athletic injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haddy Alas
- Division of Spinal Surgery/Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY Spine Institute, New York, NY
| | - Katherine E Pierce
- Division of Spinal Surgery/Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY Spine Institute, New York, NY
| | - Avery Brown
- Division of Spinal Surgery/Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY Spine Institute, New York, NY
| | - Cole Bortz
- Division of Spinal Surgery/Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY Spine Institute, New York, NY
| | - Sara Naessig
- Division of Spinal Surgery/Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY Spine Institute, New York, NY
| | - Waleed Ahmad
- Division of Spinal Surgery/Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY Spine Institute, New York, NY
| | - Michael J Moses
- Department of Orthopaedics, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Brooke O'Connell
- Department of Orthopaedics, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Constance Maglaras
- Department of Orthopaedics, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Bassel G Diebo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, SUNY Downstate, New York, NY
| | - Carl B Paulino
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, SUNY Downstate, New York, NY
| | - Aaron J Buckland
- Department of Orthopaedics, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY
| | - Peter G Passias
- Division of Spinal Surgery/Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY Spine Institute, New York, NY
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18
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Utilization of CT imaging in minor pediatric head, thoracic, and abdominal trauma in the United States. J Pediatr Surg 2020; 55:1766-1772. [PMID: 32029235 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liberal use of CT scanning in children with blunt trauma risks unnecessary radiation exposure and cost. Recent literature questions the utility of whole-body CT in stable children without clinical evidence of significant injury, but this is often done based on injury mechanism. The purpose of this study is to quantify the utilization of CT scans of the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis based on injury severity in these body regions and to assess the impact of American College of Surgeons (ACS) pediatric trauma center designation on CT utilization in children with minor or no injuries. METHODS We queried the National Trauma Databank for 2014, 2015, and 2016 to identify all patients 14 years and younger. Using Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score as a proxy for injury severity, we analyzed the number of head, thoracic, and abdominal CT scans done for patients at low levels of injury severity (AIS 0-2) in each of these body regions and according to trauma center level designation (ACS I, II, III, standalone pediatric I or II, and non ACS accredited). RESULTS Of 257,661 children who were entered into the database for any reason, overall CT utilization was 20% for head, 5% for the chest and 9% for the abdomen and pelvis. Children with no injuries or minimal injury to the head were scanned 7% and 46% of the time, respectively, for the chest 3% and 13% and for the abdomen 6% and 30%. For all body regions and all levels of injury severity, level 1 stand-alone pediatric centers displayed significantly lower CT utilization rates than others. CONCLUSION CT scan rates for children with minimal or no injuries to the head, chest, abdomen and pelvis are significant. Level 1 stand-alone pediatric trauma centers are least likely to perform these studies. Widespread education and acceptance of clinical guidelines for imaging in stable patients throughout trauma systems could alleviate this disparity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III retrospective comparative study.
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19
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A Standardized Protocol for Cervical Spine Evaluation in Children Reduces Imaging Utilization: A Pilot Study of the Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance Working Group Protocol. J Pediatr Orthop 2020; 40:e780-e784. [PMID: 32604349 DOI: 10.1097/bpo.0000000000001619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical spine injuries (CSI) have the potential to cause severe morbidity in children. Multiple imaging studies are used during evaluation of CSIs but come at a cost, both financially and in radiation exposure. To reduce resource utilization and radiation exposure, we implemented the Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance Working Group (PCSCWG) standardized protocol (SP) for evaluating CSIs in children. METHODS Children below 18 years old presenting with concern for CSI at a level 1 pediatric trauma center were reviewed before (July 2015 to May 2016) and after (November 2017 to June 2018) protocol implementation. Demographics, injuries, and imaging utilization were extracted. The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients cleared with clinical exam, and the proportion undergoing x-ray, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance image. The secondary outcome was the estimated difference in imaging charges based on the annual reduction in radiographic studies. RESULTS During the study 359 children were evaluated for CSIs (248 pre-SP, 111 post-SP). Patients were similar with respect to age, injury severity score, and mechanism of injury. Protocol adherence was 87.4%. The prevalence of CSI was similar in the preprotocol and postprotocol cohorts (2.8% vs. 1.8%, P=0.567). Children treated after protocol implementation were significantly more likely to be cleared by clinical exam (15.3% vs. 43.2%, P<0.001). Significantly fewer children had x-rays (70.2% vs. 55.0%, P=0.005) and computed tomography scans (14.5% vs. 5.4%, P=0.013) in the postprotocol period. There was no difference in the utilization of magnetic resonance image (6.9% vs. 7.2%, P=0.904) or the proportion of children discharged with a cervical collar (10.1% vs. 12.6%, P=0.476). No patients in either group were found to have a previously undiagnosed injury at follow-up. The reduction in radiographic studies translates to an estimated annual reduction in imaging charges of $396,476. CONCLUSIONS The PCSCWG protocol for evaluating CSIs reduced the number of radiographic studies performed and estimated imaging charges while reliably identifying CSIs.
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Abstract
Comprehensive programs for children who sustain traumatic spinal cord injury should incorporate optimizing hand and upper extremity function along with the other traditional pillars of rehabilitation. Children's smaller anatomy, open growth plates, and future skeletal growth, combined with the age-related psychosocial impact of these injuries, require protocols suited to these age-related issues. There is a role for surgical reconstruction, as is the case for adults with traumatic tetraplegia, and surgical outcomes are equally beneficial and long lasting. Strict adherence to surgical indications, and surgical strategies and protocols that incorporate their age-related challenges, are the keys to successful management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Peljovich
- The Hand & Upper Extremity Center of Georgia, Suite 1020, 980 Johnsons Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30342, USA; Hand & Upper Extremity Program, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA; Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program, Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA; Hand & Upper Extremity Program, Shepherd Center.
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21
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Gupta S, Hauser BM, Zaki MM, Xu E, Cote DJ, Lu Y, Chi JH, Groff M, Khawaja AM, Harris MB, Smith TR, Zaidi HA. Morbidity after traumatic spinal injury in pediatric and adolescent sports-related trauma. J Neurosurg Spine 2020; 32:642-648. [PMID: 31881536 PMCID: PMC7383358 DOI: 10.3171/2019.10.spine19712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sports injuries present a considerable risk of debilitating spinal injury. Here, the authors sought to profile the epidemiology and clinical risk of traumatic spinal injuries (TSIs) in pediatric sports injuries. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of pediatric patients who had experienced a sports-related TSI, including spinal fractures and spinal cord injuries, encoded in the National Trauma Data Bank in the period from 2011 to 2014. RESULTS Included in the analysis were 1723 cases of pediatric sports-related TSI, which represented 3.7% of all pediatric sports-related trauma. The majority of patients with TSI were male (81%), and the median age was 15 years (IQR 13-16 years). TSIs arose most often from cycling accidents (47%) and contact sports (28%). The most frequently fractured regions were the thoracic (30%) and cervical (27%) spine. Among patients with spinal cord involvement (SCI), the cervical spine was involved in 60% of cases.The average length of stay for TSIs was 2 days (IQR 1-5 days), and 32% of the patients required ICU-level care. Relative to other sports-related trauma, TSIs without SCI were associated with an increased adjusted mean length of stay by 1.8 days (95% CI 1.6-2.0 days), as well as the need for ICU-level care (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.9). Also relative to other sports-related trauma, TSIs with SCI had an increased length of stay by 2.1 days (95% CI 1.8-2.6 days) and the need for ICU-level care (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 2.6-4.8).TSIs without SCI were associated with discharge to or with rehabilitative services (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-2.0), as were TSIs with SCI (aOR 4.0, 95% CI 3.2-4.9), both relative to other sports-related trauma. Among the patients with TSIs, predictors of the need for rehabilitation at discharge were having a laminectomy or fusion, concomitant lower-extremity injury, head injury, and thoracic injury. Although TSIs affected 4% of the study cohort, these injuries were present in 8% of patients discharged to or with rehabilitation services and in 17% of those who died in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS Traumatic sports-related spinal injuries cause significant morbidity in the pediatric population, especially if the spinal cord is involved. The majority of TSI cases arose from cycling and contact sports accidents, underscoring the need for improving education and safety in these activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saksham Gupta
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Blake M. Hauser
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Mark M Zaki
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Edward Xu
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
| | - David J. Cote
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Yi Lu
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
| | - John H. Chi
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Michael Groff
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Ayaz M. Khawaja
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Mitchel B. Harris
- Department of Orthopedics/Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Timothy R. Smith
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
| | - Hasan A. Zaidi
- Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery/Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Boston/MA/USA
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Barnes BC, Kamat PP, McCracken CM, Santore MT, Mallory MD, Simon HK, Sulton CD. Radiologic Imaging in Trauma Patients with Cervical Spine Immobilization at a Pediatric Trauma Center. J Emerg Med 2019; 57:429-436. [PMID: 31591076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2019.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric trauma patients with cervical spine (CS) immobilization using a cervical collar often require procedural sedation (PS) for radiologic imaging. The limited ability to perform airway maneuvers while CS immobilized with a cervical collar is a concern for emergency department (ED) staff providing PS. OBJECTIVE To describe the use of PS and analgesia for radiologic imaging acquisition in pediatric trauma patients with CS immobilization. METHODS Retrospective medical record review of all trauma patients with CS immobilization at a high-volume pediatric trauma center was performed. Patient demographics, imaging modality, PS success, sedative and analgesia medications, and adverse events were analyzed. Patients intubated prior to arrival to the ED were excluded. RESULTS A total of 1417 patients with 1898 imaging encounters met our inclusion criteria. A total of 398 patients required more than one radiographic imaging procedure. The median age was 8 years (range 3.8-12.75 years). Computed tomography of the head was used in 974 of the 1898 patients (51.3%). A total of 956 of the 1898 patients (50.4%) required sedatives or analgesics for their radiographic imaging, with 875 (91.5%) requiring a single sedative or analgesic agent, and 81 (8.5%) requiring more than one medication. Airway obstruction was the most common adverse event, occurring in 5 of 956 patients (0.3%). All imaging procedures were successfully completed. CONCLUSION Only 50% of CS immobilized, nonintubated patients required a single sedative or analgesic medication for their radiologic imaging. Procedural success was high, with few adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandi C Barnes
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Pradip P Kamat
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Courtney M McCracken
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Matthew T Santore
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Pediatric Trauma, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michael D Mallory
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine Associates, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Harold K Simon
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Carmen Denease Sulton
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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23
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The utility of magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric trauma patients suspected of having cervical spine injuries. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2019; 87:1328-1335. [DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000002487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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24
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Hopper SM, McKenna S, Williams A, Phillips N, Babl FE. Clinical clearance and imaging for possible cervical spine injury in children in the emergency department: A retrospective cohort study. Emerg Med Australas 2019; 32:93-99. [PMID: 31317676 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES While cervical spine injuries (CSIs) are rare in the paediatric population, presentations to EDs with possible neck injuries are common. Based on a lack of Australian data we set out to determine how many possible injuries are clinically cleared, what imaging is used on the remainder and the incidence and characteristics of confirmed paediatric CSIs. METHODS We undertook a retrospective electronic medical record review of children <18 years with potential CSIs at a large tertiary paediatric trauma centre in Victoria, Australia over a 12 month period (annual census 87 000). For possible injuries we extracted key epidemiologic, imaging and short-term outcome data. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 617 patients with potential neck injuries were seen in the ED (617/87 000, 0.7%). The median age was 11 years. The most common mechanisms of injury were falls (41%), motor vehicle injuries (28%) and sports-related injuries (24%). Four hundred and fourteen of 617 (67%) underwent neck imaging (345/414, 83% plain radiograph; 100/414, 24% computed tomography; 7/414, 1.6% magnetic resonance imaging). Twenty-three of 617 (4.1%) had radiologically documented CSIs. Two required operative interventions for their neck injuries. CONCLUSION While two-thirds of children with potential CSIs undergo radiological evaluation, actual injuries are rare (<4%). These data suggest that there is a potential for improved targeting of cervical spine imaging for trauma. The development of a clinical decision tool may help reduce neck radiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy M Hopper
- Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stewart McKenna
- Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda Williams
- Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie Phillips
- Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Franz E Babl
- Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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25
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Poorman GW, Segreto FA, Beaubrun BM, Jalai CM, Horn SR, Bortz CA, Diebo BG, Vira S, Bono OJ, DE LA Garza-Ramos R, Moon JY, Wang C, Hirsch BP, Tishelman JC, Zhou PL, Gerling M, Passias PG. Traumatic Fracture of the Pediatric Cervical Spine: Etiology, Epidemiology, Concurrent Injuries, and an Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes Using the Kids' Inpatient Database. Int J Spine Surg 2019; 13:68-78. [PMID: 30805288 DOI: 10.14444/6009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The study aimed to characterize trends in incidence, etiology, fracture types, surgical procedures, complications, and concurrent injuries associated with traumatic pediatric cervical fracture using a nationwide database. Methods The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) was queried. Trauma cases from 2003 to 2012 were identified, and cervical fracture patients were isolated. Demographics, etiologies, fracture levels, procedures, complications, and concurrent injuries were assessed. The t-tests elucidated significance for continuous variables, and χ2 for categoric values. Logistic regressions identified predictors of spinal cord injury (SCI), surgery, any complication, and mortality. Level of significance was P < .05. Results A total of 11 196 fracture patients were isolated (age, 16.63 years; male, 65.7%; white, 65.4%; adolescent, 55.4%). Incidence significantly increased since 2003 (2003 vs 2012, 2.39% vs 3.12%, respectively), as did Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; 2003 vs 2012, 0.2012 vs 0.4408, respectively). Most common etiology was motor vehicle accidents (50.5%). Infants and children frequently fractured at C2 (closed: 43.1%, 32.9%); adolescents and young adults frequently fractured at C7 (closed: 23.9%, 26.5%). Upper cervical SCI was less common (5.8%) than lower cervical SCI (10.9%). Lower cervical unspecified-SCI, anterior cord syndrome, and other specified SCIs significantly decreased since 2003. Complications were common (acute respiratory distress syndrome, 7.8%; anemia, 6.7%; shock, 3.0%; and mortality, 4.2%), with bowel complications, cauda equina, anemia, and shock rates significantly increasing since 2003. Concurrent injuries were common (15.2% ribs; 14.4% skull; 7.1% pelvis) and have significantly increased since 2003. Predictors of SCI included sports injury and CCI. Predictors of surgery included falls, sports injuries, CCI, length of stay, and SCI. CCI, SCIs, and concurrent injuries were predictors of any complication and mortality, all (P < .001). Conclusions Since 2003, incidence, complications, concurrent injuries, and fusions have increased. CCI, SCI, falls, and sports injuries were significant predictors of surgical intervention. Decreased mortality and SCI rates may indicate improving emergency medical services and management guidelines. Level of Evidence III. Clinical Relevance Clinicians should be aware of increased case complexity in the onset of added perioperative complications and concurrent injuries. Cervical fractures resultant of sports injuries should be scrutinized for concurrent SCIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory W Poorman
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Frank A Segreto
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Bryan M Beaubrun
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Cyrus M Jalai
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Samantha R Horn
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Cole A Bortz
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Bassel G Diebo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Shaleen Vira
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Olivia J Bono
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - John Y Moon
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Charles Wang
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Brandon P Hirsch
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jared C Tishelman
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Peter L Zhou
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Michael Gerling
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Peter G Passias
- Division of Spinal Surgery, Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
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26
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Herman MJ, Brown KO, Sponseller PD, Phillips JH, Petrucelli PM, Parikh DJ, Mody KS, Leonard JC, Moront M, Brockmeyer DL, Anderson RCE, Alder AC, Anderson JT, Bernstein RM, Booth TN, Braga BP, Cahill PJ, Joglar JM, Martus JE, Nesiama JAO, Pahys JM, Rathjen KE, Riccio AI, Schulz JF, Stans AA, Shah MI, Warner WC, Yaszay B. Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance: A Consensus Statement and Algorithm from the Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance Working Group. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2019; 101:e1. [PMID: 30601421 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.18.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Herman
- Orthopedic Center for Children, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kristin O Brown
- Orthopedic Center for Children, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Paul D Sponseller
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Philip M Petrucelli
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery (P.M.P.), Drexel University College of Medicine (D.J.P., and K.S.M.), Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Darshan J Parikh
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery (P.M.P.), Drexel University College of Medicine (D.J.P., and K.S.M.), Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kush S Mody
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery (P.M.P.), Drexel University College of Medicine (D.J.P., and K.S.M.), Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Julie C Leonard
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Matthew Moront
- Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware
| | - Douglas L Brockmeyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Utah, Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Richard C E Anderson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, New York, NY
| | - Adam C Alder
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (A.C.A.), Departments of Radiology (T.N.B., and J.M.J.) and Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics (B.P.B.), and Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics (J.-A.O.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - John T Anderson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Children's Mercy and University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Robert M Bernstein
- Department of Orthopedics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Timothy N Booth
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (A.C.A.), Departments of Radiology (T.N.B., and J.M.J.) and Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics (B.P.B.), and Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics (J.-A.O.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Bruno P Braga
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (A.C.A.), Departments of Radiology (T.N.B., and J.M.J.) and Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics (B.P.B.), and Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics (J.-A.O.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Patrick J Cahill
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeanne M Joglar
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (A.C.A.), Departments of Radiology (T.N.B., and J.M.J.) and Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics (B.P.B.), and Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics (J.-A.O.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jeffrey E Martus
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jo-Ann O Nesiama
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (A.C.A.), Departments of Radiology (T.N.B., and J.M.J.) and Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics (B.P.B.), and Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics (J.-A.O.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Joshua M Pahys
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Karl E Rathjen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, Texas
| | - Anthony I Riccio
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jacob F Schulz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York
| | - Anthony A Stans
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Manish I Shah
- Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - William C Warner
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Tennessee - Campbell Clinic and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Burt Yaszay
- Department of Orthopedics, Rady Children's Hospital and University of California-San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, California
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27
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Mallory A, Stammen J, Zhu M. Cervical and thoracic spine injury in pediatric motor vehicle crash passengers. TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2019; 20:84-92. [PMID: 30715907 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2018.1529412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Motor vehicle occupants aged 8 to 12 years are in transition, in terms of both restraint use (booster seat or vehicle belt) and anatomical development. Rear-seated occupants in this age group are more likely to be inappropriately restrained than other age groups, increasing their vulnerability to spinal injury. The skeletal anatomy of an 8- to 12-year-old child is also in developmental transition, resulting in spinal injury patterns that are unique to this age group. The objective of this study is to identify the upper spine injuries commonly experienced in the 8- to 12-year-old age group so that anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) representing this size of occupant can be optimized to predict the risk of these injuries. METHODS Motor vehicle crash cases from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) were analyzed to characterize the location and nature of cervical and thoracic spine injuries in 8- to 12-year-old crash occupants compared to younger (age 0-7) and older age groups (age 13-19, 20-39). RESULTS Spinal injuries in this trauma center data set tended to occur at more inferior vertebral levels with older age, with patients in the 8- to 12-year-old group diagnosed with thoracic injury more frequently than cervical injury, in contrast to younger occupants, for whom the proportion of cases with cervical injury outnumbered the proportion of cases with thoracic injury. With the cervical spine, a higher proportion of 8- to 12-year-olds had upper spine injury than adults, but a substantially lower proportion of 8- to 12-year-olds had upper spine injury than younger children. In terms of injury type, the 8- to 12-year-old group's injury patterns were more similar to those of teens and adults, with a higher relative proportion of fracture than younger children, who were particularly vulnerable to dislocation and soft tissue injuries. However, unlike for adults and teens, catastrophic atlanto-occipital dislocations were still more common than any other type of dislocation for 8- to 12-year-olds and vertebral body fractures were particularly frequent in this age group. CONCLUSIONS Spinal injury location in the cervical and thoracic spine moved downward with age in this trauma center data set. This shift in injury pattern supports the need for measurement of thoracic and lower cervical spine loading in ATDs representing the 8- to 12-year-old age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Mallory
- a Technical Services, Transportation Research Center Inc. , East Liberty , Ohio
- b Ohio State University
| | - Jason Stammen
- c Vehicle Research and Test Center, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , East Liberty , Ohio
| | - Motao Zhu
- d Nationwide Children's Center for Injury Research and Policy , Columbus , Ohio
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28
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Fatal atlantoaxial dislocation due to an odontoid synchondrosis fracture in a child with chromosome 9 abnormality: A case report. J Forensic Leg Med 2018; 61:92-96. [PMID: 30528850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A 5-year-old boy with a chromosome-9 abnormality and multiple external and visceral malformations was found in cardiopulmonary arrest during a regular visit to the hospital; he did not respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and died. An odontoid process fracture and calcification and fibrosis of the muscles around the superior cervical vertebra were observed during the autopsy. Postmortem computed tomography revealed an anterior dislocation of the atlas; odontoid synchondrosis fracture; and delayed, incomplete bony fusion of the odontoid process relative to his age. The cause of his death was a superior spinal cord injury. The tissue surrounding the upper cervical spine presented with myositis ossificans, suggesting a prior injury. He experienced a minor traffic accident 3 months before his death. It was concluded that the odontoid synchondrosis fracture occurred during the accident based on the incomplete bony fusion and atlantoaxial instability, which were consistent with the findings of myositis ossificans. Delayed fatal dislocation may then have occurred under the influence of a minor external force. Odontoid process abnormalities and atlantoaxial instability are common in patients with trisomy 21 and other congenital diseases; however, the condition's association with chromosome-9 abnormalities has not been reported. In children with various chromosomal abnormalities, periodic assessment of instability and morphology of the cervical spine, and a lowered examination threshold for the children at risk, could prove useful in the prevention injuries leading to fatality, and provide additional information to rule out abuse.
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29
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to ascertain potential factors associated with cervical spine injuries in children injured during sports and recreational activities. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter retrospective case-control study involving children younger than 16 years who presented to emergency departments after blunt trauma and underwent cervical spine radiography. Cases had cervical spine injury from sports or recreational activities (n = 179). Comparison groups sustained (1) cervical spine injury from other mechanisms (n = 361) or (2) other injuries from sports and recreational activities but were free of cervical spine injury (n = 180). RESULTS For children with sport and recreational activity-related cervical spine injuries, common injury patterns were subaxial (49%) and fractures (56%). These children were at increased odds of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormalities compared with children with cervical spine injuries from other mechanisms (25% vs 6%). Children with sport and recreational activity-related trauma had increased odds of cervical spine injury if they had focal neurologic findings (odds ratio [OR], 5.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.5-9.4), had complaints of neck pain (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.9-5.0), were injured diving (OR, 43.5; 95% CI, 5.9-321.3), or sustained axial loading impacts (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.5). Football (22%), diving (20%), and bicycle crashes (11%) were the leading activities associated with cervical spine injury. CONCLUSIONS In children injured during sports and recreational activities, focal neurologic findings, neck pain, axial loading impacts, and the possibility of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality should guide the diagnostic evaluation for potential cervical spine injuries. Certain activities have a considerable frequency of cervical spine injury, which may benefit from activity-specific preventive measures.
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30
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Piatt J, Imperato N. Epidemiology of spinal injury in childhood and adolescence in the United States: 1997-2012. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2018; 21:441-448. [PMID: 29451452 DOI: 10.3171/2017.10.peds17530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There has been no successful study of trends in population-based incidences of pediatric spinal injury in the United States. The goal of the current study was to develop robust data to correct this deficiency in contemporary trauma epidemiology. METHODS Discharges coded for spinal injury were extracted from the Kids' Inpatient Database for 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012 for patients younger than 18 years. Childhood was defined as ages 0 through 14 years and adolescence as ages 15, 16, and 17 years. Denominator population data were taken from the website of the US Census. Annual incidences were estimated for hospitalization for spinal injury, spinal cord injury (SCI), and hospital death with spinal injury. Mechanistic and anatomical patterns of injury were studied. RESULTS The annual population-based incidences of hospitalization for spinal injury, SCI, and death with spinal injury trended downward from 1997 to 2012 for children and adolescents in the United States. Rates of SCI and death fell faster than overall hospitalization rates, suggesting lower thresholds for admission or greater diagnostic sensitivity to minor injuries over time. The incidence of hospitalization for spinal injury was roughly 8 times greater for adolescents than for children, and the incidence of SCI was roughly 6 times greater. Motor vehicle crash predominated among mechanisms for both children and adolescents, but penetrating injuries and sport injuries were more commonly associated with SCI. Lumbosacral injuries predominated in both children and adolescents, but injuries of the cervical spine were more commonly associated with SCI. CONCLUSIONS Further research is needed to identify the cause or causes of the observed decline in injury rates. Epidemiological data can inform and support prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Piatt
- 1Division of Neurosurgery, Nemours Neuroscience Center, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware.,2Departments of Neurological Surgery and Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Nicholas Imperato
- 3Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
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Cervical spine evaluation and clearance in the intoxicated patient: A prospective Western Trauma Association Multi-Institutional Trial and Survey. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2017; 83:1032-1040. [PMID: 28723840 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000001650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intoxication often prevents clinical clearance of the cervical spine (Csp) after trauma leading to prolonged immobilization even with a normal computed tomography (CT) scan. We evaluated the accuracy of CT at detecting clinically significant Csp injury, and surveyed participants on related opinions and practice. METHODS A prospective multicenter study (2013-2015) at 17 centers. All adult blunt trauma patients underwent structured clinical examination and imaging including a Csp CT, with follow-up thru discharge. alcohol- and drug-intoxicated patients (TOX+) were identified by serum and/or urine testing. Primary outcomes included the incidence and type of Csp injuries, the accuracy of CT scan, and the impact of TOX+ on the time to Csp clearance. A 36-item survey querying local protocols, practices, and opinions in the TOX+ population was administered. RESULTS Ten thousand one hundred ninety-one patients were prospectively enrolled and underwent CT Csp during the initial trauma evaluation. The majority were men (67%), had vehicular trauma or falls (83%), with mean age of 48 years, and mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 11. The overall incidence of Csp injury was 10.6%. TOX+ comprised 30% of the cohort (19% EtOH only, 6% drug only, and 5% both). TOX+ were significantly younger (41 years vs. 51 years; p < 0.01) but with similar mean Injury Severity Score (11) and Glasgow Coma Scale score (13). The TOX+ cohort had a lower incidence of Csp injury versus nonintoxicated (8.4% vs. 11.5%; p < 0.01). In the TOX+ group, CT had a sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 99.5%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.5% for all Csp injuries. For clinically significant injuries, the NPV was 99.9%, and there were no unstable Csp injuries missed by CT (NPV, 100%). When CT Csp was negative, TOX+ led to longer immobilization versus sober patients (mean, 8 hours vs. 2 hours; p < 0.01), and prolonged immobilization (>12 hrs) in 25%. The survey showed marked variations in protocols, definitions, and Csp clearance practices among participating centers, although 100% indicated willingness to change practice based on these data. CONCLUSION For intoxicated patients undergoing Csp imaging, CT scan was highly accurate and reliable for identifying clinically significant spine injuries, and had a 100% NPV for identifying unstable injuries. CT-based clearance in TOX+ patients appears safe and may avoid unnecessary prolonged immobilization. There was wide disparity in practices, definitions, and opinions among the participating centers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic tests or criteria, level II.
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Cassar-Pullicino VN, Leone A. Imaging in paediatric spinal injury. TRAUMA-ENGLAND 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/1460408617725781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Paediatric spinal injury is rare and exhibits many unique features. Attending clinicians and radiologists often lack knowledge, expertise and experience in dealing with a potential injury to the paediatric spine. Within the paediatric age range itself there are different age-dependent mechanisms that can injure the paediatric spine. Moreover, the anatomical features and degree of osseous maturity of the developing paediatric spine determine the biomechanical characteristics which promote unique patterns of spinal injury in each paediatric age group. Methods An expert illustrated narrative review of the literature. Results Multiple factors make the imaging interpretation of the injured paediatric spine challenging. Each imaging modality has strengths and weaknesses in depicting spinal anatomy which vary with the type of spinal injury and age of the paediatric patient. Conclusions Attending doctors need to be familiar with the imaging appearances of the normal paediatric spine, its normal variants as well as the imaging features characteristics of paediatric spinal injury seen on radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Leone
- Institute of Radiology, School of Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Oh A, Sawvel M, Heaner D, Bhatia A, Reisner A, Tubbs RS, Chern JJ. Changes in use of cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging for pediatric patients with nonaccidental trauma. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2017; 20:271-277. [PMID: 28665242 DOI: 10.3171/2017.2.peds16644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Past studies have suggested correlations between abusive head trauma and concurrent cervical spine (c-spine) injury. Accordingly, c-spine MRI (cMRI) has been increasingly used in radiographic assessments. This study aimed to determine trends in cMRI use and treatment, and outcomes related to c-spine injury in children with nonaccidental trauma (NAT). METHODS A total of 503 patients with NAT who were treated between 2009 and 2014 at a single pediatric health care system were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Additional data on selected clinical events were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. In 2012, a clinical pathway on cMRI usage for patients with NAT was implemented. The present study compared cMRI use and clinical outcomes between the prepathway (2009-2011) and postpathway (2012-2014) periods. RESULTS There were 249 patients in the prepathway and 254 in the postpathway groups. Incidences of cranial injury and Injury Severity Scores were not significantly different between the 2 groups. More patients underwent cMRI in the years after clinical pathway implementation than before (2.8% vs 33.1%, p < 0.0001). There was also a significant increase in cervical collar usage from 16.5% to 27.6% (p = 0.004), and more patients were discharged home with cervical collar immobilization. Surgical stabilization occurred in a single case in the postpathway group. CONCLUSIONS Heightened awareness of potential c-spine injury in this population increased the use of cMRI and cervical collar immobilization over a 6-year period. However, severe c-spine injury remains rare, and increased use of cMRI might not affect outcomes markedly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Sawvel
- Pediatric Neurosurgery Associates, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
| | - David Heaner
- Pediatric Neurosurgery Associates, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
| | - Amina Bhatia
- Pediatric Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta; and.,Children's Physician Group, Pediatric Surgery, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia; and
| | - Andrew Reisner
- Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine.,Pediatric Neurosurgery Associates, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
| | - R Shane Tubbs
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Joshua J Chern
- Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine.,Pediatric Neurosurgery Associates, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
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Affiliation(s)
- Cormac O Maher
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Re: Radiological assessment of paediatric cervical spine injury in blunt trauma: the potential impact of new NICE guideline on the use of CT. Clin Radiol 2017; 72:262-263. [DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2016.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 10/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Bansal KR, Chandanwale AS. Spinal Cord Injury without Radiological Abnormality in an 8 Months Old Female Child: A Case Report. J Orthop Case Rep 2016; 6:8-10. [PMID: 27299114 PMCID: PMC4845423 DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Spinal cord injury in children frequently occurs without fracture or dislocation. SCIWORA is a syndrome occurring when the spinal cord sustains neural damage during a traumatic event without positive radiographic findings. The incidence of SCIWORA was found to be 8% to 32% in various studies with very few cases documented in children below the age of 1 year. We report such a case of spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality in an 8 months old female child. Case Report: An 8 months old female child was brought to the emergency room after a history of fall from the bed four days back. External spine examination revealed no abnormality. She had no upper or lower limb movements, both active and withdrawal movements with painful tactile stimuli, power was grade 0; are flexic; abdominal cremasteric and anal reflexes were absent, bladder was palpable and urine could be expressed on manual pressure. MRI of cervical spine with screening of whole spine: suggestive of non hemorrhagic cord edema at C4 level, with suspicious tear of anterior longitudinal ligament at that level. The child was immobilized in pediatric cervical collar and treatment was initiated with corticosteroids and the dose adjusted as per age of the patient. A paediatric physiotherapist started with physical therapy after four days of commencement of treatment. Conclusion: In present times with wide spread use of MRI, the definition of SCIWORA is slowly turning towards spinal cord injury without neuroimaging abnormality [4]. Traumatic spinal cord infarction is a special type of SCIWORA which presents with normal radiology with delayed neurological deterioration [1]. Corticosteroid usage has been useful in cases of SCIWORA as proved by NASCISII Trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal R Bansal
- Department of Orthopaedics, B J Govt Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra. India
| | - Ajay S Chandanwale
- Department of Orthopaedics, B J Govt Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra. India
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Successful delayed non-operative management of C2 neurosynchondrosis fractures in a pediatric patient: a case report and review of management strategies and considerations for treatment. Childs Nerv Syst 2016; 32:163-8. [PMID: 26231564 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-015-2821-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Upper cervical synchondrosis fractures are the most common types of cervical fractures in the pediatric population less than 7 years of age (Blauth et al (Eur Spine J 5:63-70, 1996); Connolly et al (Pediatr Radiol 25(Suppl1):S129-133, 1995); Mandabach et al (Pediatr Neurosurg 19(5):225-232, 1993); Schippers et al (Acta Neurochir 138:524-530, 1990)) The vast majority occur through the dentocentral or basilar synchondrosis. We present the second reported case in recent literature of a unilateral neurosynchondrosis fracture. The patient, a 4-year-old male, was initially managed conservatively with a rigid cervical collar for a period of 3 months. Despite multiple counseling sessions with family, the patient remained poorly compliant with cervical immobilization. After 3 months, imaging demonstrated partial fusion with persistent anterolisthesis of C2 on C3. The decision was made to place the child in external halo fixation as an attempt to achieve fusion prior to committing to internal surgical fixation and the associated sequelae. Immobilization with a hard cervical collar is often first line treatment. In the case of failed fusion, debate exists regarding surgical fixation in children. Occipito-atlanto-axial fusion leads to permanent loss of a significant degree of flexion, extension, and rotatory movement. The pediatric population has a strong propensity to fuse; however, compliance is often a barrier to conservative treatment due to age-related behavioral practices. We demonstrate that even with initial failed fusion and progression of deformity while in a cervical collar, conservative management with external halo fixation can potentially obviate the need for internal fixation.
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Doud AN, Weaver AA, Talton JW, Barnard RT, Petty J, Stitzel JD. Evaluation of developmental metrics for utilization in a pediatric advanced automatic crash notification algorithm. TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2015; 17:65-72. [PMID: 26042575 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2015.1051223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Appropriate treatment at designated trauma centers (TCs) improves outcomes among injured children after motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) has shown promise in improving triage to appropriate TCs. Pediatric-specific AACN algorithms have not yet been created. To create such an algorithm, it will be necessary to include some metric of development (age, height, or weight) as a covariate in the injury risk algorithm. This study sought to determine which marker of development should serve as a covariate in such an algorithm and to quantify injury risk at different levels of this metric. METHODS A retrospective review of occupants age < 19 years within the MVC data set NASS-CDS 2000-2011 was performed. R(2) values of logistic regression models using age, height, or weight to predict 18 key injury types were compared to determine which metric should be used as a covariate in a pediatric AACN algorithm. Clinical judgment, literature review, and chi-square analysis were used to create groupings of the chosen metric that would discriminate injury patterns. Adjusted odds of particular injury types at the different levels of this metric were calculated from logistic regression while controlling for gender, vehicle velocity change (delta V), belted status (optimal, suboptimal, or unrestrained), and crash mode (rollover, rear, frontal, near-side, or far-side). RESULTS NASS-CDS analysis produced 11,541 occupants age < 19 years with nonmissing data. Age, height, and weight were correlated with one another and with injury patterns. Age demonstrated the best predictive power in injury patterns and was categorized into bins of 0-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-18 years. Age was a significant predictor of all 18 injury types evaluated even when controlling for all other confounders and when controlling for age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI) classifications. Adjusted odds of key injury types with respect to these age categorizations revealed that younger children were at increased odds of sustaining Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2+ and 3+ head injuries and AIS 3+ spinal injuries, whereas older children were at increased odds of sustaining thoracic fractures, AIS 3+ abdominal injuries, and AIS 2+ upper and lower extremity injuries. CONCLUSIONS The injury patterns observed across developmental metrics in this study mirror those previously described among children with blunt trauma. This study identifies age as the metric best suited for use in a pediatric AACN algorithm and utilizes 12 years of data to provide quantifiable risks of particular injuries at different levels of this metric. This risk quantification will have important predictive purposes in a pediatric-specific AACN algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N Doud
- a Wake Forest School of Medicine , Department of General Surgery , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
- b Wake Forest School of Medicine, Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
| | - Ashley A Weaver
- c Wake Forest School of Medicine , Department of Biomedical Engineering , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
| | - Jennifer W Talton
- d Wake Forest School of Medicine, Division of Public Health Sciences , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
| | - Ryan T Barnard
- d Wake Forest School of Medicine, Division of Public Health Sciences , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
| | - John Petty
- a Wake Forest School of Medicine , Department of General Surgery , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
- b Wake Forest School of Medicine, Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
| | - Joel D Stitzel
- b Wake Forest School of Medicine, Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
- c Wake Forest School of Medicine , Department of Biomedical Engineering , Winston-Salem , North Carolina
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Absence of clinical findings reliably excludes unstable cervical spine injuries in children 5 years or younger. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2015; 78:943-8. [DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000000603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study, in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI), to describe cervical spine imaging practice, to assess for recent changes in imaging practice, and to determine whether cervical spine computed tomography (CT) is being used in children at low risk for cervical spine injury. METHODS The setting was children's hospitals participating in the Pediatric Health Information System database, from January 2001 to June 2011. Participants were children (younger than 18 y) with TBI who were evaluated in the emergency department, admitted to the hospital, and received a head CT scan on the day of admission. The primary outcome measures were cervical spine imaging studies. This study was exempted from institutional review board assessment. RESULTS A total of 30,112 children met study criteria. Overall, 52% (15,687/30,112) received cervical spine imaging. The use of cervical spine radiographs alone decreased between 2001 (47%) and 2011 (23%), with an annual decrease of 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1%-3.3%), and was largely replaced by an increased use of CT, with or without radiographs (8.6% in 2001 and 19.5% in 2011, with an annual increase of 0.9%; 95% CI, 0.1%-1.8%). A total of 2545 children received cervical spine CT despite being discharged alive from the hospital in less than 72 hours, and 1655 of those had a low-risk mechanism of injury. CONCLUSIONS The adoption of CT clearance of the cervical spine in adults seems to have influenced the care of children with TBI, despite concerns about radiation exposure.
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Hannon M, Mannix R, Dorney K, Mooney D, Hennelly K. Pediatric Cervical Spine Injury Evaluation After Blunt Trauma: A Clinical Decision Analysis. Ann Emerg Med 2015; 65:239-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Choudhary AK, Ishak R, Zacharia TT, Dias MS. Imaging of spinal injury in abusive head trauma: a retrospective study. Pediatr Radiol 2014; 44:1130-40. [PMID: 24687620 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-014-2959-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal imaging has been a neglected part of abusive head trauma (AHT) imaging. As most of the radiographs and CT spine are negative in AHT in infants, the cervical spine is assumed to be normal. There is increasing evidence in the role of injury to brainstem and cervical cord in the pathogenesis of AHT. In addition, in courts of law, there is fierce debate about AHT, its mimics and other disparate nontraumatic diagnoses explaining the neuroradiological and skeletal findings. However, this discussion ignores the evidence and significance of spinal injury. We sought to study the cervical spine in an AHT cohort to understand the true prevalence of spinal injuries in AHT and contrast it with cohorts of accidental and nontraumatic groups to give the clinicians a robust diagnostic tool in evaluating AHT. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to compare the relative incidence of spinal ligamentous and soft-tissue abnormalities on spinal MRI among three groups of children ages <48 months: 1) those with AHT, 2) those with accidental trauma, and 3) those with nontraumatic conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS This comparative study included 183 children who underwent spine MRI: 67 with AHT, 46 with accidental trauma and a clinical suspicion of spinal injury, and 70 with nontraumatic conditions. Clinical and radiographic findings were collected in all cases and were analyzed retrospectively to identify MRI evidence of traumatic spinal injuries. The incidence of spinal injuries among the three groups was compared. The incidence of spinal ligamentous injuries was calculated for those with and without radiographic evidence of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. All comparisons were performed using Fisher exact test with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS Cervical spine ligamentous injuries (predominantly the nuchal, atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial ligaments) were present in 78% of the AHT group, 46% of the accidental trauma group and 1% of the nontraumatic group; all of these differences were statistically significant. Among the AHT group, ligamentous injuries were statistically correlated with evidence of brain ischemia. CONCLUSION Injury to the cervical spinal posterior ligamentous complex is common in AHT and even more prevalent than in clinically symptomatic traumatic cases. The high correlation between the radiographic findings of occipitocervical ligamentous injuries and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is consistent with an interpretation that transient upper occipitocervical spinal cord injury in AHT leads to disordered breathing and results in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. We recommend imaging the entire spine in AHT to properly identify and classify these injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arabinda K Choudhary
- Department of Radiology, Nemours A.I. DuPont Children Hospital, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA,
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Abstract
Care of the ill and injured child requires knowledge of unique pediatric anatomic and physiologic differences. Subtleties in presentation and pathophysiologic differences impact management. This article discusses pediatric resuscitation, the presentation and management of common childhood illness, pediatric trauma, and common procedures required in the critically ill child.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Pediatric cervical spine injuries (CSIs) are rare and differ from adult CSIs. Our objective was to describe CSIs in a large, representative cohort of children. METHODS We conducted a 5-year retrospective review of children <16 years old with CSIs at 17 Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network hospitals. Investigators reviewed imaging reports and consultations to assign CSI type. We described cohort characteristics using means and frequencies and used Fisher's exact test to compare differences between 3 age groups: <2 years, 2 to 7 years, and 8 to 15 years. We used logistic regression to explore the relationship between injury level and age and mechanism of injury and between neurologic outcome and cord involvement, injury level, age, and comorbid injuries. RESULTS A total of 540 children with CSIs were included in the study. CSI level was associated with both age and mechanism of injury. For children <2 and 2 to 7 years old, motor vehicle crash (MVC) was the most common injury mechanism (56%, 37%). Children in these age groups more commonly injured the axial (occiput-C2) region (74%, 78%). In children 8 to 15 years old, sports accounted for as many injuries as MVCs (23%, 23%), and 53% of injuries were subaxial (C3-7). CSIs often necessitated surgical intervention (axial, 39%; subaxial, 30%) and often resulted in neurologic deficits (21%) and death (7%). Neurologic outcome was associated with cord involvement, injury level, age, and comorbid injuries. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a high degree of variability of CSI patterns, treatments and outcomes in children. The rarity, variation, and morbidity of pediatric CSIs make prompt recognition and treatment critical.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David M. Jaffe
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis Children’s Hospital, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Nathan Kuppermann
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California; and
| | - Cody S. Olsen
- The Data Coordinating Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Julie C. Leonard
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis Children’s Hospital, St Louis, Missouri;,Address correspondence to Julie C. Leonard, MD, MPH, One Children’s Place, Campus Box 8116, St Louis, MO 63110. E-mail:
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Zonfrillo MR, Locey CM, Scarfone SR, Arbogast KB. Motor vehicle crash-related injury causation scenarios for spinal injuries in restrained children and adolescents. TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2014; 15 Suppl 1:S49-55. [PMID: 25307398 PMCID: PMC4841261 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2014.934959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related spinal injuries result in significant morbidity and mortality in children. The objective was to identify MVC-related injury causation scenarios for spinal injuries in restrained children. METHODS This was a case series of occupants in MVCs from the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) data set. Occupants aged 0-17 years old with at least one Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2+ severity spinal injury in vehicles model year 1990+ that did not experience a rollover were included. Unrestrained occupants, those not using the shoulder portion of the belt restraint, and those with child restraint gross misuse were excluded. Occupants with preexisting comorbidities contributing to spinal injury and occupants with limited injury information were also excluded. A multidisciplinary team retrospectively reviewed each case to determine injury causation scenarios (ICSs). Crash conditions, occupant and restraint characteristics, and injuries were qualitatively summarized. RESULTS Fifty-nine cases met the study inclusion criteria and 17 were excluded. The 42 occupants included sustained 97 distinct AIS 2+ spinal injuries (27 cervical, 22 thoracic, and 48 lumbar; 80 AIS-2, 15 AIS-3, 1 AIS-5, and 1 AIS-6), with fracture as the most common injury type (80%). Spinal-injured occupants were most frequently in passenger cars (64%), and crash direction was most often frontal (62%). Mean delta-V was 51.3 km/h±19.4 km/h. The average occupant age was 12.4±5.3 years old, and 48% were 16- to 17-year-olds. Thirty-six percent were right front passengers and 26% were drivers. Most occupants were lap and shoulder belt restrained (88%). Non-spinal AIS 2+ injuries included those of the lower extremity and pelvis (n=56), head (n=43), abdomen (n=39), and thorax (n=36). Spinal injury causation was typically due to flexion or lateral bending over the lap and or shoulder belt or child restraint harness, compression by occupant's own seat back, or axial loading through the seat pan. Nearly all injuries in children<12 years occurred by flexion over a restraint, whereas teenage passengers had flexion, direct contact, and other ICS mechanisms. All of the occupants with frontal flexion mechanism had injuries to the lumbar spine, and most (78%) had associated hollow or solid organ abdominal injuries. CONCLUSIONS Restrained children in nonrollover MVCs with spinal injuries in the CIREN database are most frequently in high-speed frontal crashes, of teenage age, and have vertebral fractures. There are age-specific mechanism patterns that should be further explored. Because even moderate spinal trauma can result in measurable morbidity, future efforts should focus on mitigating these injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Zonfrillo
- a Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania
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Diagnosis of cervical spine injuries in children: a systematic review. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2013; 39:653-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s00068-013-0295-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Cervical spine injuries and collar complications in severely injured paediatric trauma patients. Spinal Cord 2013; 51:360-4. [PMID: 23459123 DOI: 10.1038/sc.2013.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN A retrospective registry review. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of cervical spine (CS) injuries and collar complications in severely injured paediatric trauma patients. SETTING Regional Trauma Centre, Children's Hospital. METHODS A retrospective review of 365 paediatric severe trauma patients (0-17 years), defined as an Injury Severity Score (ISS)≥12, admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). RESULTS Clinically significant CS injuries occurred in 5% (n=18/365) of trauma patients, in 9% (n=13/149) of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and in 11% (n=6/56) of in-hospital trauma deaths. CS injuries were suspected before imaging in 33% (n=6/18) of patients based on either motor/sensory impairment or shock. CS injuries were deemed unstable in 61% (n=11/18) of patients. Patients with CS injuries had higher ISS, and longer PICU and hospital stays (P<0.05). CS collar complications occurred in 10% of patients, mainly identified by day 6 and consisting of either erythema or ulcers. Patients with CS collar complications were older and more likely to have TBI, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, longer PICU and hospital stays, and increased days to CS clearance (P<0.05). Three CS X-rays, together with flexion/extension views, were used most frequently for CS clearance. CONCLUSION CS injuries were prevalent in severely injured paediatric trauma patients, particularly in those with TBI and in nonsurvivors. CS collar complications were associated with a lower GCS and longer CS clearance times. Attention to CS collar management protocols and earlier CS clearance with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in obtunded patients might reduce CS collar complications.
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Kowalenko T, Burgess B, Szpunar SM, Irvin-Babcock CB. Alcohol and trauma--in every age group. Am J Emerg Med 2013; 31:705-9. [PMID: 23380101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2012.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Revised: 12/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose was to determine the proportion of alcohol-positive (AlcPos) trauma patients in different age groups and any association with mortality using the National Trauma Data Bank. METHODS Several variables were extracted from the National Trauma Data Bank (version 6.2) using MS Access 2007: age, alcohol presence, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and discharge status (alive vs dead). Age groups for logistic regression were arbitrarily defined as follows: 0 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 39, 40 to 64, and older than 64 years. RESULTS Approximately 47% of all trauma survivors were tested for alcohol (621,174 of a total of 1,311,137), and 28% of those were AlcPos (176,107/621,174). The proportion of AlcPos patients gradually increased to maximum at 22 years, when 46% (6797/14,732) tested were AlcPos. The proportion AlcPos gradually declined to 35% by age 50 years, then to 15% (2516/16,244) by age 66 to 70 years. The ISSs were significantly higher in AlcPos patients in all age groups (P < .01). Mortality rates were higher in AlcPos children (up to age 20 years) and in adults older than 40 years. The AlcPos patients who were 21 to 39 years old had lower mortality compared with alcohol-negative patients. Logistic regression analysis (controlling for ISSs) revealed that being AlcPos did not play a role in mortality until age 21 to 39 years (AlcPos lower mortality) and in age 40 to 64 years and older than 65 years (AlcPos higher mortality). CONCLUSIONS Trauma patients of all ages may be AlcPos. Being AlcPos is a marker for greater injury in all age groups. After controlling for ISSs, trauma patients 40 years and older who were AlcPos have increased mortality. This study suggests a role for alcohol testing in all age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Kowalenko
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Abbo O, Mouttalib S, L'Kaissi M, Sauvat F, Accadbled F, Harper L. Delayed diagnosis of neurological bladder following spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality. Pediatr Neurosurg 2013; 49:183-5. [PMID: 24685670 DOI: 10.1159/000360402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injuries are a well-known cause of neurological bladder and a well-known complication of high-velocity trauma. They can, however, be difficult to diagnose in young children, in whom the absence of initial neurological symptoms and normality of the radiological workup can be falsely reassuring. Management of associated injuries can further delay diagnosis. We present 2 cases of spinal cord injuries without radiological abnormality revealed by delayed bladder retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Abbo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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