Severe traumatic brain injury from unmotorized scooter

Turbans vs. Helmets: A Systematic Narrative Review of the Literature on Head Injuries and Impact Loci of Cranial Trauma in Several Recreational Outdoor Sports

When in public, faith-based mandates require practising Sikh men to wear a turban which may not be covered by hats or caps. This makes it impossible for practising Sikhs to wear helmets and other protective headwear, mandatory in many countries and facilities for engagement in recreational pursuits (e.g., skiing) and on adventure outdoor recreation camps mandatorily run for school groups. The result is often social exclusion and ostracisation in the case of school children. Despite studies into the efficacy of protective helmets in some recreational outdoor activity settings, virtually nothing is known about the protective potential of turbans. This paper systematically reviews the extant literature on head injuries in several recreational outdoor activities and sports sectors (aerial, water, winter, wheeled and animal-based sports) and finds that the extant literature is of limited value when trying to understand the spatial distribution of trauma on the cranial surface. As the data do not permit to make inferences on the protective potential of turbans, future systematic, evidence-based epidemiological studies derived from hospital admissions and forensic examinations are required. Failure to do so perpetuates social exclusion and discrimination of religious grounds without an evidentiary basis for defensible public health measures.

Unpowered Scooter Injury in Children at a Korea Level I Trauma Center

Purpose: Unpowered scooters for recreation and transportation are popular among children. However, to date, there have been no studies on scooter-related injuries in Korea. This study aimed to assess the frequency and injury pattern with unpowered scooters and to propose prevention strategies. Methods: Medical records of children aged <16 years with unpowered scooter-related injuries who visited the emergency department (ED) from 2007 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 109 children were included. The majority (78.9%) of injuries occurred during the last 3 years of the study. The mean age was 5.2 years, and 88% of children were <8 years of age. Most injuries (80.7%) occurred from a fall off a scooter. A total of 65.1% (n = 71) of injuries were to the head and face, followed by upper limb, lower limb, and torso injuries. Eight patients had an intracranial injury and skull fracture. Twenty children had limb fractures, and the most common site of fracture was the elbow. None of the patients wore any protective gear. Conclusions: Unpowered scooter-related injuries are on the increase and represent a serious problem among younger children. The head and face, where serious injuries can occur, are the most vulnerable. Public and parental awareness and education regarding protective gear and safety guidelines are essential to prevent injuries.

Push scooter-related injuries in adults: an underestimated threat? Two decades analysed by an emergency department in the capital of Switzerland

Background

The number of people conducting cycling and skating sports in Switzerland is rising; likewise, we notice an increase in patients visiting our emergency department for adults due to push scooter accidents. In 2001, our emergency department published the first article worldwide on push scooter-related injuries. Nearly two decades later, we want to review the interim period-collect data, compare it with other studies and evaluate the current impact of push scooter accidents in our adult patient population.

Objective

To investigate data on the incidence, severity, treatment and approximate costs of push scooter-related injuries in adults who presented to our emergency department from 2000 to 2017.

Materials and methods

For this descriptive retrospective study, data were collected in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Inselspital (University Hospital), Berne, Switzerland, from October 2000 to September 2017. We used two clinical reporting systems during that period: Qualicare from 2000 to April 2012 and Ecare from May 2012 to 2017.

Results

165 patients were included, aged 16-80 years. The accidents were mainly classified as unspecified falls in 139 cases (84.24%). 21 patients (12.73%) were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, while the remaining 144 (87.27%) were not. The most common injuries suffered were fractures in 73 patients (44.24%). 92 patients (55.76%) sustained an impact to the head. The most common treatment was surgery in the operating theatre (59 patients, 35.76%). The mean total cost per case was SFr7566.65 (emergency room visit, hospital stay and outpatient controls for the initial case).

Conclusion

The incidence of push scooter-related injuries in adults in our patient population is small but rising. Nevertheless, the resulting injuries are potentially life-threatening and can lead to persistent medical impairment.

Micro-scooter induced dental trauma: a case report

There has been a remarkable increase in the popularity of micro-scooters over the past few years. This has brought with it an astonishing rise in the number of associated injuries. Highlighted here is a case report which outlines the dental injuries associated with the use of a micro-scooter.

Unpowered scooter injuries reported to the consumer product safety commission: 1995–2001

There has been a marked increase in the use of unpowered scooters over the past few years. Along with this, there has been an increase in injuries related to their use. The objective of this study was to review the unpowered scooter-related injury reports compiled by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and to describe the scope and type of injuries sustained. A consecutive case series of injuries sustained by individuals using unpowered scooters between January 1995 and June 2001 was compiled by the CPSC and was made available for review. Data collected included general demographics, date and type of injury, a brief description of the event, treatment, and outcomes. Data are reported using descriptive statistics. During the study period, 469 unique cases of unpowered scooter-related injuries were compiled by the CPSC and reviewed for the present analysis. The median age of those injured was 10 years (range, 1-70 y) with 63% male. Of those injured, 24 (5.1 %) required hospitalization. The most frequent injuries were lacerations (26%), fractures (22%), and contusions (16%). Of interest; 15 deaths were reported. A broad spectrum of injuries was reported to the CPSC related to the use of unpowered scooters. Although most injuries were relatively minor, there were 15 deaths reported. Although most injuries occurred in older children and young adolescents, the very young and adults were not immune from injuries. The risk of injury from unpowered scooters and the need for safety awareness should be stressed to all individuals including the very young and adults.

Injuries in children associated with the use of nonmotorized scooters

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Since 2000, a substantial increase in injuries related to nonmotorized scooters (kickboards) has been observed among children. The authors conducted a population-based prospective study to characterize these injuries in comparison with skateboard-related injuries during the same period.

METHODS

All children (age <16 years) presenting with a scooter-related injury between July and October 2000 in Graz (Austria) and all children presenting with a scooter- or skateboard-related injury between June and September 2001 in Helsinki, Finland were interviewed at the time of seeking medical attention.

RESULTS

One hundred thirteen patients with scooter injuries and 72 patients with skateboard injuries were recorded. The 4-month calculated incidence in children less than 16 years of age was 0.72 per 1,000 for scooter injuries and 0.68 per 1,000 for skateboard injuries. The scooter injuries accounted for 1.9% and the skateboard injuries for 2.6% of all pediatric traumas within the respective catchment areas. The majority of the patients in both groups were boys. The patients with scooter injuries were younger than the patients with skateboard injuries (mean age 10.2 +/- 2.7 v 12.5 +/- 2.4 years; P <.001). Most of the scooter-related accidents were claimed to be caused by the wheels of the scooter getting caught by uneven ground, whereas most skateboard accidents occurred during attempted trick maneuvers. Protective gear was seldom used. More than half of the scooter-related injuries were minor bruises, wounds, or contusions. One third of the patients sustained a fracture, usually involving the upper extremity distal to the elbow. The only life-threatening injury was a ruptured spleen in a skateboarder. The injury pattern of scooter and skateboard injuries was similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Public awareness of the potential dangers related to scooter riding should be increased and the use of protective gear encouraged.

Unpowered scooter injuries in children

AIM

An increasing number of scooter-related injuries is being seen in emergency department. This study was initiated to establish the demographic profile and injury characteristics of the children involved, to examine the circumstances and to suggest preventive measures.

METHODS

During this descriptive cohort study, data from year 2000 were collected from all children below 16 y of age who were seen in the emergency department of a Swiss hospital following an accident with an unpowered scooter. Between January and September, information regarding age, gender, injury sustained and medical management was reviewed. From October to December, data were collected prospectively. A questionnaire was sent (January-September) or handed out personally (October-December) to the patients, to gather information on the circumstances surrounding the injury and the use of safety equipment.

RESULTS

Thirty-six children (15M, 21F) were included in the study. The mean age was 8.8 y (range 3.0-15.8 y). The most common injuries involved the face (including six children with dental injuries) (44%) and the head (19%). Thirteen children (36%) (6M, 7F) sustained a fracture. The majority of injuries resulted from falls forward or to the side, caused by a loss of control or collision with an obstacle. Only one patient used any safety equipment.

CONCLUSION

Accidents with unpowered scooters can produce severe injuries in children. Although the majority of patients sustained minor injuries (e.g. lacerations, contusions), more serious injuries can occur. The head and face were the most vulnerable. The use of protective gear, especially helmets, may reduce the number and severity of injuries. Parents, doctors and healthcare workers should be aware of the causes and prevention of injuries caused by this rapidly growing recreational activity in childhood.