Seatbelts and road traffic collision injuries

Modification of seatbelts and their legislation played an important role in reducing morbidity and mortality of occupants in road traffic collisions. We aimed to review seatbelt development, its mechanism of action and its effects. Seatbelts reduce injury by preventing the occupant from hitting the interior parts of the vehicle or being ejected from the car. We have made a linear regression correlation between the overall seatbelt compliance and road traffic death rates in 46 high income countries to study the relationship between seatbelt use and mortality. There was a very highly significant negative correlation between the seatbelt compliance and road traffic death rates (R = - 0.77, F = 65.5, p < 0.00001). Seatbelt-related injuries include spinal, abdominal or pelvic injuries. The presence of a seatbelt sign must raise the suspicion of an intra-abdominal injury. These injuries can be reduced if seatbelts were applied correctly. Although seatbelts were recognized as an important safety measure, it still remains underused in many countries. Enforcement of seatbelt usage by law is mandatory so as to reduce the toll of death of road traffic collisions

Unusual case of life threatening subcutaneous hemorrhage in a blunt trauma patient

AbstractIntroductionHemorrhage is the most common cause of shock in injured patients. Bleeding into the subcutaneous plane is underestimated cause of hypovolemic shock.Presentation of caseUnrestrained male driver involved in a rollover car crash. On examination, his pulse rate was 144bpm, blood pressure 80/30mmHg, and GCS was 7/15. His right pupil was dilated but reactive. Back examination revealed severe contusion with friction burns and lacerations. A Focused Assessment Sonography for Trauma (FAST) was performed. No free intraperitoneal fluid was detected. CT scan of the brain has shown right temporo-parietal subdural hematoma and extensive hematoma in the deep subcutaneous soft tissues of the back. Decompressive cranicotomy and evacuation of the subdural hematoma was performed. On the 4th postoperative day, three liters of dark brown altered blood was drained from the subcutaneous plane.DiscussionThe patient developed severe hypovolemic shock and our aim was to identify and control the source of bleeding during the resuscitation. The source of bleeding was not obvious. Severe shearing force in blunt trauma causes separation between the loose subcutaneous tissues and the underlying relatively immobile deep fascia. This is known as post-traumatic closed degloving injury. To our knowledge this is the first reported case in the English Literature with severe subcutaneous hemorrhage in blunt trauma patients without any previous medical disease.ConclusionBleeding into the subcutaneous plane in closed degloving injury can cause severe hypovolemic shock. It is important for the clinicians managing trauma patients to be aware this serious injury

Seatbelt syndrome associated with an isolated rectal injury: case report

Seatbelt syndrome is defined as a seatbelt sign associated with a lumbar spine fracture and a bowel perforation. An isolated rectal perforation due to seatbelt syndrome is extremely rare. There is only one case reported in the Danish literature and non in the English literature. A 48-year old front seat restrained passenger was involved in a head-on collision. He had lower abdominal pain and back pain. Seatbelt mark was seen across the lower abdomen. Initial trauma CT scan was normal except for a burst fracture of L5 vertebra which was operated on by internal fixation on the same day. The patient continued to have abdominal pain. A repeated abdominal CT scan on the third day has shown free intraperitoneal air. Laparotomy has revealed a perforation of the proximal part of the rectum below the recto sigmoid junction. Hartmann's procedure was performed. The abdomen was left open. Gradual closure of the abdominal fascia over a period of two weeks was performed. Postoperatively, the patient had temporary urinary retention due to quada equina injury which resolved 10 months after surgery. The presence of a seatbelt sign and a lumbar fracture should raise the possibility of a bowel injury

Geriatric fall-related injuries.

Background: Falls are the leading cause of geriatric injury. Objectives: We aimed to study the anatomical distribution, severity, and outcome of geriatric fall-related injuries in order to give recommendations regarding their prevention. Methods: All injured patients with an age 65 60 years who were admitted to Al-Ain Hospital or died in the Emergency Department due to falls were prospectively studied over a four year period. Results: We studied 92 patients. Fifty six of them (60.9%) were females. The mean (standard deviation) of age was 72.2 (9.6) years. Seventy three (89%) of all incidents occurred at home. Eighty three patients (90.2%) fell on the same level. The median (range) ISS was 4 (1-16) and the median GCS (range) was 15 (12-15). The lower limb was the most common injured body region (63%). There were no statistical significant differences between males and females regarding age, ISS, and hospital stay (p = 0.85, p = 0.57, and p = 0.35 respectively). Conclusion: The majority of geriatric fall-related injuries were due to fall from the same level at home. Assessment of risk factors for falls including home hazards is essential for prevention of geriatric fall-related injuries

LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENESIN RAW MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS;OCCURRENCE AND TRIALS FOR THEREDUCTION OF THEIR RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS.

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular pathogen responsible for severe infection in animals and humans. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Listeriamonocytogenes in 200 samples of raw milk and dairy products marketed in Egypt, with detection the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates for different antimicrobial agents. The synergistic effects of three plant extracts in combination with the used antimicrobials to control resistant L. monocytogenes isolates were assessed, with evaluation of relationship between the antibacterial activity and composition of plant extracts. A total of 5 (2.5%) L. monocytogenes isolates were identified (3 isolates from raw milk and two isolates from kariesh cheese and ice cream, one each). The isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and sulphadimidine, while for amoxicillin and oxytetracycline, were resistant. The higher antimicrobial effects of basil and cinnamon extracts were detected, in addition, low concentrations of them were enough to show synergistic effect with the amoxicillin and oxytetracycline to control resistant isolates, these might be attributable to their chemical compositions. In conclusion, there is need for effectively pasteurized raw milk consumption or usage in the production of dairy products. In addition, the chemical composition of these plant extracts might help in its use to control resistant isolates with appropriate antibiotics without the need for increasing the used dosage doses

Actinomycosis of the Gallbladder: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Actinomycosis of the gallbladder is very rare. Herein, we report the case of a 50-year-old man who presented with acute right hypochondrial pain, fever and rigors associated with positive Murphy's sign. Ultrasound showed that the gallbladder had multiple stones and an oedematous thick wall. The preoperative diagnosis was acute cholecystitis. The patient responded to conservative treatment with antibiotics. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed 6 weeks later but was converted to open surgery because of dense adhesions to the duodenum and sealed duodenal perforation. Microscopic examination of the gallbladder showed moderate to severe inflammation with formation of microabscesses and numerous colonies of actinomycetes. We also review the literature on this rare disease. Although surgery is essential, prolonged postoperative antibiotic is required

Stromal Sarcoma of the Breast: A Case Report

We report a case of a 36-year-old lady who presented with a huge fungating tumour that involved the entire right breast. The tumour was diagnosed histologically as undifferentiated primary stromal tumour of the breast with axillary lymph node metastasis. We review the literature of this rare malignant tumour. Stromal sarcomas of the breast lack epithelial participation, and diagnosis of these tumours can be difficult. Genome-wide expression profiling is currently used to determine the cell of origin of most sarcomas. Surgery offers the best therapeutic option. Adjuvant radiotherapy is not very beneficial, while chemotherapy has, to date, no established role in the management of this disease. The prognosis is dismal for patients with lymph node involvement. The size of the tumour has a lesser bearing on outcome

A rare case of an adult traumatic bicycle handlebar hernia: A case report and review of the literature

The term handlebar hernia had been applied to describe the traumatic hernia that result from a handlebar-like blunt objects. The force of the blunt trauma is insufficient to breach the elastic skin, yet, it can cause abdominal wall musculature disruption. Serious intraabdominal injuries can result which may be evident at the time of trauma or may be delayed. Many physicians may misinterpret the irreducible hernia as a hematoma or soft tissues contusion following the trauma.Computed tomography (CT) scan remains the gold standard diagnostic tool for evaluation of those patients. Nevertheless, accurate diagnosis can only be made by repeated, careful physical examination.Herein, we present a rare case of true traumatic bicycle handlebar hernia in an adult lady. She is the first reported case in the literature to be treated conservatively. We also reviewed the literature on true traumatic bicycle handlebar hernia in adult patients. Keywords: Adult, Bicycling, Herni