scholarly journals Epidemiological study of cervical spine injury in a tertiary care center in South India

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 2895
Author(s):  
Prasanth Asher ◽  
Jijo Joseph Joseph ◽  
Varun Singh Pendro ◽  
Anilkumar Peethambaran ◽  
Rajmohan Bhanu Prabhakar

Background: Cervical spine injuries, according to severity can leave victims with long standing neck pain or varying degrees of weaknesses. The purpose of this study is to determine the epidemiological pattern of cervical spine injury in our hospital so that comparison may be made with other institutions and guidance regarding management may be formulated for the betterment of patients.Methods: This cross-sectional longitudinal study was conducted in Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram and included all patients admitted with clinical or radiological evidence of cervical spine injury, over a period of three months.  Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio demographic data and details regarding mechanism of injury. Data was analyzed using SPSS.Results: Out of 452 patients enrolled, 69.7% were males and 30.3% were females. Patients were the most commonly between 30-60 years of age (52.4%). Majority (56.1%) had hospital stays lasting less than 10 days. Most common mechanism of injury was road traffic accidents (46.6%). Neck pain was the most common symptom and cervical spine straightening was the most common radiological abnormality. The severity of injuries was more severe in patients who were not restrained by seat belt or using a helmet.Conclusion: Road traffic accidents are the most common cause for cervical spine injuries and majority of patients required only symptomatic care.

2020 ◽  
pp. 194338752094018
Author(s):  
Manju Roby Philip ◽  
C. S. Soumithran

Study design: A retrospective data analysis of maxillofacial trauma patients with combined cervical spine injuries. Objective: This study is based on investigating the importance of timely diagnosis of patients who suffer with cervical spine injuries along with maxillofacial trauma by estimating the prevalence of neurologic deficits and its relation with etiology. Methods: A database of 4460 patients suffering from maxillofacial injuries and admitted in specialized environment surgery of Government Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala was taken under consideration. The prevalence and types of neurologic deficits and its relation with etiology were assessed in patients with combined facial and cervical spine injuries. Results: Of 4460 patients, 48 were having cervical spine injury along with facial damage with the prevalence of 0.01%. Neurologic deficits were seen highest with etiology of road traffic accidents followed by falls from height. Most of the accidents occurred in bike riders and helmets were absent. Conclusions: It was concluded that most of the accidents engage bike riders and drivers, due to unethical and unsafe driving. There was no significant correlation found between facial and cervical spine injuries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (02/03) ◽  
pp. 113-116
Author(s):  
Chinmaya Dash ◽  
Ayusman Satapathy ◽  
Sumit Bansal ◽  
Rabi Narayan Sahu

Abstract Background The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar was established as an Institution of National Importance through the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Amendment) Ordinance passed on July 16, 2012. It is estimated that road traffic accidents lead to economic loss to the tune of approximately 3% of gross domestic product. Centers of excellence for neurotrauma are the need of the hour, and the Indian Government is focusing on preventive and curative aspects of road traffic accidents to a great extent in the recent years. In this article, we would like to highlight the resources (manpower, infrastructure, etc.) available for neurotrauma, challenges ahead, and vision for the future. Trauma Audit A retrospective analysis of all the admitted patients of traumatic brain injury (TBI) was performed from November 2018 to October 2019. A total of 149 patients were admitted during this period. Of the 149 admitted patients, 88 had mild TBI, 39 had moderate TBI, and 22 had severe TBI. The mortality was highest in patients with severe TBI, with 45.45% mortality. A total of 29 patients with traumatic spine injury were admitted during this period. Of the 29 patients, 10 had cervical spine injury, 10 had dorsal spine injury, and 9 had lumbar spine injury. Of all these patients, two patients with cervical spine injury died of refractory shock. Perceived Limitations and Challenges Lack of dedicated round-the-clock emergency operating rooms (ORs) for neurosurgical procedures, adequate number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, various gadgets in the ICU for neurocritical care, lack of rehabilitation facilities/center, lack of various OR gadgets, and lack of manpower, especially trained nursing staff, are the limitations perceived by us. Vision for the Future A trauma block has been approved, and work on it has begun. This shall greatly help in upgrading facilities for neurotrauma at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. Conclusion Facilities for neurotrauma at AIIMS Bhubaneswar are gradually being upgraded. With a core team, the services are improving gradually. However, the institution is in its early years, and a lot more needs to be done in terms of manpower, gadgets, and infrastructure to further improve neurotrauma care at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. This article may help in formulating guidelines for strengthening neurotrauma facilities in AIIMS, Bhubaneswar and all the new AIIMS established in India.


CJEM ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 131-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik P. Van Zyl ◽  
James Bilbey ◽  
Alan Vukusic ◽  
Todd Ring ◽  
Jennifer Oakes ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: Emergency physicians are expected to rule out clinically important cervical spine injuries using clinical skills and imaging. Our objective was to determine whether emergency physicians could accurately rule out clinically important cervical spine injuries using computed tomographic (CT) imaging of the cervical spine. Method: Fifteen emergency physicians were enrolled to interpret a sample of 50 cervical spine CT scans in a nonclinical setting. The sample contained a 30% incidence of cervical spine injury. After a 2-hour review session, the participants interpreted the CT scans and categorized them into either a suspected cervical spine injury or no cervical spine injury. Participants were asked to specify the location and type of injury. The gold standard interpretation was the combined opinion of two staff radiologists. Results: Emergency physicians correctly identified 182 of the 210 abnormal cases with cervical spine injury. The sensitivity of emergency physicians was 87% (95% confidence interval [CI] 82–91), and the specificity was 76% (95% CI 74–77). The negative likelihood ratio was 0.18 (95% CI 0.12–0.25). Conclusion: Experienced emergency physicians successfully identified a large proportion of cervical spine injuries on CT; however, they were not sufficiently sensitive to accurately exclude clinically important injuries. Emergency physicians should rely on a radiologist review of cervical spine CT scans prior to discontinuing cervical spine precautions.


1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-28
Author(s):  
Jeffrey R. Avner

Although rare in pediatrics, cervical spine injuries still are associated with serious morbidity, disability, and mortality. Many of these injuries are exacerbated by inadequate neck immobilization or improper manipulation. Thus, the physician should be aware of which children are at risk for cervical spine injury and how to assess these patients properly. To find clinical markers that identify children who actually have cervical spine injuries, Rachesky et al reviewed 2133 cervical spine radiographs obtained in pediatric patients during a 7-year period. Of these children, 25 (1.2%) had abnormalities confirmed on radiographs. The incidence of injury increased with age; only four of the children who had cervical spine injuries were less than 8 years old.


2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 773-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian W. Ong ◽  
Aurelio Rodriguez ◽  
Robert Kelly ◽  
Vicente Cortes ◽  
Jack Protetch ◽  
...  

There are differing recommendations in the literature regarding cervical spine imaging in alert, asymptomatic geriatric patients. Previous studies also have not used computed tomography routinely. Given that cervical radiographs may miss up to 60 per cent of fractures, the incidence of cervical spine injuries in this population and its implications for clinical management are unclear. We conducted a retrospective study of blunt trauma patients 65 years and older who were alert, asymptomatic, hemodynamically stable, and had normal neurologic examinations. For inclusion, patients were required to have undergone computed tomography and plain radiographs. The presence and anatomic location of potentially distracting injuries or pain were recorded. Two hundred seventy-four patients were included, with a mean age of 76 ± 10 years. The main mechanisms of injury were falls (51%) and motor vehicle crashes (41%). Nine of 274 (3%) patients had cervical spine injuries. The presence of potentially distracting injuries above the clavicles was associated with cervical injury when compared with patients with distracting injuries in other anatomic locations or no distracting injuries (8/115 vs 1/159, P = 0.03). There was no association of cervical spine injury with age greater or less than 75 years or with mechanism of injury. The overall incidence of cervical spine injury in the alert, asymptomatic geriatric population is low. The risk is increased with a potentially distracting injury above the clavicles. Patients with distracting injuries in other anatomic locations or no distracting injuries may not need routine cervical imaging.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ákos Bicsák ◽  
Robert Sarge ◽  
Oliver Müller ◽  
Stefan Hassfeld ◽  
Lars Bonitz

Abstract Concomitant maxillofacial and cervical spine injuries occur in 0.8%-12% of the cases. We examined the relation of injury localization and the probability of cervical spine fracture.A retrospective study was conducted on patients that have been treated at Dortmund General Hospital for injuries both to the maxillofacial region and to the cervical spine between January 1st, 2007 and December 31th, 2017. Descriptive statistical methods were used to describe the correlation of cervical spine injuries with gender, age as well as maxillofacial injury localization.7708 patients were hospitalized with maxillofacial injury, among them 173 were identified with cervical spine injury. The average ages for both genders lie remarkably above the average of all maxillofacial trauma patients (36.2 y.o. in male and 50.9 y.o. in female). In the group of men, most injuries were found between the ages of 50 and 65. Whereas most injuries among women occurred after the age of 80. The relative ratio of cervical spine injuries (CSI) varies between 1.1% and 5.26% of the maxillofacial injuries (MFI), being highest in the soft tissue injury group, patients with forehead fractures (3.12%) and patients with panfacial fractures (2.52%). Further, nasal, Le Fort I and II, zygomatic complex and mandibular condyle fractures are often associated with CSI. Fractures next to the Frankfurt horizontal plane represent 87.7% of all MFI with concomitant CSI. Patients in critical age groups with a high-energy injury are more likely to suffer both, MFI and CSI injuries. Our findings help to avoid missing the diagnosis of cervical spine injury in maxillofacial trauma patients.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (172) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Agrawal

Cervical spine injury is relatively rare, occurring in only 2% to 3% of patients with blunt traumawho undergo imaging studies. However, timely and accurate recognition of cervical spine injuryis essential for the optimal management of patients with blunt trauma as subsequent morbidity includesprolonged immobilization. Evaluation of cervical spine injuries should begin in the emergencydepartment and involves a combination of pediatric, trauma, orthopedic, and neurosurgeons fordefinitive management. Knowing which patients are at highest risk for injuries will undoubtedlyinfluence decisions on how aggressively to pursue a potential cervical spine injury and can be achievedby establishing a multidisciplinary team approach that provides cervical spine immobilization,assessment, and clearance. Implementation of such guidelines will decrease time for cervical spineclearance and incidence of missed injuries. In this article different aspects of cervical spine injuriesand cervical spine clearance protocols are reviewed.Key words: cervical, injury, trauma, spine, vertebrae


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (02/03) ◽  
pp. 100-105
Author(s):  
Deepak Kumar Singh ◽  
Anuj Chhabra ◽  
Rakesh Kumar ◽  
Faran Ahmad ◽  
Kuldeep Yadav ◽  
...  

Abstract Back Ground/Objective Cervical spine injuries are considered to be a major trauma and classified in various types. They are associated with various neurologic deficits and mortality rates. They account for 50 to 75% of all spine injuries. Various studies are associated with outcome of spinal cord injuries. Our aim was to analyze outcome of upper and lower cervical spine injuries. Study Design It was a retrospective study in all traumatic cervical spine injuries in all age groups at our center during the past 3 years. Method All cases operated in the past 3 years at our center were taken up for study. Initial hospital records were reviewed. Patients will be divided into two groups on the basis of anatomic level upper (C1 and C2) and lower (C3 or below) cervical spine. Outcomes were analyzed on criteria of demography, mechanism of injury, preoperative neurologic status, involvement of respiratory system, and time of surgery following injury. Result tatically significant test was applied for analysis of outcome of cervical spine injury based on aforementioned criteria. Conclusion In this study, survival rates of patients with upper and lower cervical spine injuries were calculated on the basis of mechanism of injury, preoperative neurologic status, respiratory involvement, and time of surgery following injury. Operative treatment of lower cervical injury was better associated with an improved outcome than upper cervical spine injuries. Further prospective study is required for better assessment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. 043-045
Author(s):  
Sushilkumar Shinde ◽  
Rajesh Sharma ◽  
S. Bhaskar ◽  
Ajay Chaudhary

AbstractRoad traffic accidents are a major cause of head injury. Direct head-on collision, hit by vehicle, and overturning of vehicle are some of the modes of road traffic accidents leading to head injury. A dupatta is an accessory worn by many females in the Indian subcontinent. It is wrapped around the neck like a scarf. It can get entangled in the vehicle leading to skidding of vehicle and consequent traumatic injury. There are many reported cases of cervical spine injury by this mechanism. However, this can also result in head injury due to direct impact. In this article we report two cases of head injury caused by entanglement of dupatta in the tire of a two-wheeler vehicle. In both cases the dupatta got entangled in the tire of vehicle leading to skidding of bike and then leading to head injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ákos Bicsák ◽  
Robert Sarge ◽  
Oliver Müller ◽  
Stefan Hassfeld ◽  
Lars Bonitz

AbstractConcomitant maxillofacial and cervical spine injuries occur in 0.8–12% of the cases. We examined the relation of injury localization and the probability of cervical spine fracture. A retrospective study was conducted on patients that have been treated at Dortmund General Hospital for injuries both to the maxillofacial region and to the cervical spine between January 1st, 2007 and December 31th, 2017. Descriptive statistical methods were used to describe the correlation of cervical spine injuries with gender, age as well as maxillofacial injury localization. 7708 patients were hospitalized with maxillofacial injury, among them 173 were identified with cervical spine injury. The average ages for both genders lie remarkably above the average of all maxillofacial trauma patients (36.2 y.o. in male and 50.9 y.o. in female). In the group of men, most injuries were found between the ages of 50 and 65. Whereas most injuries among women occurred after the age of 80. The relative ratio of cervical spine injuries (CSI) varies between 1.1 and 5.26% of the maxillofacial injuries (MFI), being highest in the soft tissue injury group, patients with forehead fractures (3.12%) and patients with panfacial fractures (2.52%). Further, nasal, Le Fort I and II, zygomatic complex and mandibular condyle fractures are often associated with CSI. Fractures next to the Frankfurt horizontal plane represent 87.7% of all MFI with concomitant CSI. Patients in critical age groups with a high-energy injury are more likely to suffer both, MFI and CSI injuries. Our findings help to avoid missing the diagnosis of cervical spine injury in maxillofacial trauma patients.


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