Injuries related to all-terrain vehicular accidents: a closer look at head and neck trauma

Pediatric head and neck trauma in the United States: Trends, risk factors and outcomes using the National Trauma Data Bank

Introduction

Pediatric head and neck (HN) trauma is an important contributor to pediatric morbidity, resulting in significant downstream consequences. Few studies provide epidemiological predictors of pediatric HN trauma on a national scale. The present study aims to identify risk factors of HN injury and mortality in the pediatric population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted for patients (age <18 years) using the US National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB 2007-2019). Demographic, injury, and physiologic outcome data were analyzed. HN injury was defined as a head or neck Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) >0. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of mortality following HN trauma.

Results

Of the 1.42 million pediatric patients analyzed, 44.05% had HN injury. In patients aged 0-4, the most common mechanism was falls (47.67% in this age group) while in ages 14-17, motor vehicle/transport accidents (MVTs) were the most common mechanism (56.06%). Controlling for demographics, comorbidities, and injury severity, HN injury was associated with increased odds of mortality (OR 2.404, 95% CI 1.530-3.778). HN injury mortality was strongly predicted by firearm exposure (OR 11.28, 95% CI 6.074-20.95), age <4 (OR 1.179, 95% CI 1.071-1.299), and self-insured status (OR 1.977, 95% CI 1.811-2.157).

Conclusion

NTDB data demonstrate that the percentage of pediatric patients with HN trauma has decreased over the past 12 years although is associated with increased odds of mortality. Age and insurance status predicted mortality from HN trauma, with falls and MVTs being the most common mechanisms of injury. These data have implications for future public health efforts in this patient population.

Level of Evidence

3.

The characteristics of all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related deaths: A forensic autopsy data-based study

Using forensic autopsy-based data from a regional medical examiner office in the midwestern U.S. with a mixed small urban-rural population, we describe the characteristics of all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related deaths occurring between 2000 and 2018. During this period, there were 25 ATV-related deaths. There was a strong male predominance with 22 male and 3 female decedents. The average age at death was 35 years, with a range from 10 to 82 years, and a bimodal age distribution with one peak at 10-19 years old, and a second peak at 60-69 years old. The most common cause of death was blunt trauma (n = 22), with the remainder being torso compression (n = 1), drowning (n = 1) and hypothermia (n = 1). Of the 22 blunt trauma deaths, 15 were due to head trauma. The most common mechanism of accident was roll-over (n = 11), followed by striking a stationary object (n = 6). Of the stationary objects struck, the most common was cable wire fencing accounting for 3 of the 6. A survival period following discovery of the body was present in 11 of the 25 deaths. Postmortem toxicology was positive for ethanol in 7 deaths and tramadol in 1 death.

Fatal road traffic accidents and their relationship with head injuries: An epidemiological survey of five years

In depth studies of fatal vehicular accidents provide valuable data for implementing effective emergency services to reduce the trauma related mortality and strengthening legal measures in peak hours of fatal accidents. We aimed to study, pattern of injuries especially fatal traumatic brain injuries occurring in vehicular accidents. Postmortem reports and clinical records of victims of road traffic accident autopsied during the period of 2001–2005 at Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, were analyzed retrospectively. Out of total 7008 medico legal autopsies conducted during the study period, 2472 (35.27 %) were of vehicular accidents. The male/female ratio was 7.49:1. Commonest age group affected was between 21-40 years involving 1341 (54.24%) cases. Pre-hospital mortality was in 985 (39.84 %) cases. Fatal traumatic brain injuries were seen in 1699 (68.73%) cases. Skull fractures were found in 1183 (69.63%) cases of head injury; most common bone fractured was temporal bone (n=559, 47.25%). The commonest variety of intracranial hemorrhage was subdural hemorrhage (n=1514, 89.11%). The craniotomy was done in 297 (17.48%) cases; maximum mortality (41.07%) was seen within 4–ays. Most commonly injured abdominal organ was liver (n=532, 21.52%). No significant difference was evident in incidence of fatal vehicular accident on weekends and weekdays. However November month took maximum toll of deaths (n=273, 11.04%) of total vehicular accident fatalities in five year duration. 53.20% of fatal accident occurred between 6 PM and 6 AM. The results of study emphasize the need to improve the pre hospital care with provision of trauma services at site and to establish neurosurgical facilities with trauma registry.

All-terrain vehicle-related maxillofacial trauma in the pediatric population

PURPOSE

Nearly 40% of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crash-related fatalities involve pediatric patients, with many of these patients dying from head and neck injuries. West Virginia is in a unique position to examine these injuries because of its high rate of ATV use. This study examines craniofacial ATV-related trauma in children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a single-center, retrospective, descriptive study of 26 children presenting with a craniofacial injury(ies) resulting from an ATV crash from January 2001 to December 2004.

RESULTS

Twenty-six children (65% boys) with a mean age of 13.1 years presented with craniofacial injuries during the study period. Two patients were helmeted. Mortality was 3.8% (n = 1, head injury related, postinjury day 3). Patients were most often drivers of the ATV (65%), although girls were more likely to be passengers (P = .03). Facial contusions, lacerations, and abrasions were highly prevalent (62%, 69%, 65%, respectively), as were fractures of the facial bones and skull (77%). Thirty-five percent sustained closed head injuries, which were significantly associated with mandible fractures (odds ratio 12.8%; 95% CI, 1.15-143). Mean length of hospital stay was 4.6 +/- 5 days, and 36% required an ICU stay (mean, 5.1 +/- 3 days). Twenty-four percent required ventilator support (mean, 107 +/- 43 hours; range, 48 to 168 hours). Operative intervention was required in 72% of patients (n = 18).

CONCLUSION

Maxillofacial injury patterns from ATV-related crashes in children suggest a high percentage of significant facial injuries and closed head injuries. As new ATV legislation that addresses operator use is enacted, a decrease in the number and severity of craniofacial injuries may be seen.

Frequency of maxillofacial injuries in all-terrain vehicle collisions

PURPOSE

We sought to evaluate the frequency and distribution of maxillofacial injuries associated with all-terrain vehicle (ATV) collisions and to compare this with patients involved in motorcycle accidents over the same 5-year period at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Patients and methods The records of all patients involved in ATV collisions who were admitted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Trauma Center from January 1998 to January 2003 were reviewed. Age, gender, mechanism of injury, length of stay, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, maxillofacial injuries, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and maxillofacial Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score were the factors considered for the study. These variables were also analyzed for patients involved in motorcycle collisions who sustained maxillofacial trauma.

RESULTS

There were a total of 72 ATV collisions; 23 patients (32%) sustained maxillofacial injuries. The mean age was 31, and there were 59 males (82%) and 13 females (18%). The most common mechanism of injury was an ATV rollover. The warmer seasons and weekend days had the highest frequency of ATV trauma. Of the 23 patients who sustained maxillofacial injuries, the average maxillofacial AIS score was 2. The length of stay and GCS score were 8 days and 12, respectively, compared to 5 days and 15 in the nonmaxillofacial injury group. The most common maxillofacial fracture seen was a zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture (n = 8), followed by mandibular fractures (n = 6), and orbital floor blowout fractures (n = 5). Eighty-three percent of patients with maxillofacial injuries required an operative intervention during their hospitalization. The distribution of maxillofacial fractures in the ATV group was similar to that of an equivalent motorcycle group, but the frequency for the ATV group was higher (32% versus 8%). The length of stay for the motorcycle group was 11 days versus 8 days for the ATV group. The GCS scores, maxillofacial AIS scores, and ISS were similar between the 2 groups (12, 2, and 18, respectively). In patients who sustained maxillofacial fractures, neurologic injuries were the most frequent concomitant injury in the ATV group, whereas orthopedic injuries occurred more often in the motorcycle group.

CONCLUSIONS

Maxillofacial injuries are common findings in ATV collisions. ATV patients with maxillofacial fractures have more neurologic impairment at admission and longer hospitalizations than patients sustaining motorcycle injuries. There needs to be an increase in the public health effort to educate individuals about the dangers of ATVs and to provide proper safety guidelines before the purchase of a vehicle.

Epiglottic laryngoplasty for repair of blunt laryngopharyngeal trauma

Two unique cases of blunt laryngopharyngeal trauma are presented in which identical injuries were sustained to the supraglottic larynx and hypopharynx. Examination of the patients included the use of magnetic resonance imaging to help define the extent of injury. A successful outcome was achieved in each instance by employing the reconstructive technique of epiglottic laryngoplasty to repair the mucosal defects.