• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.303-304
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• 2013

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but potentially life-threatening disorder caused by the release of injured skeletal muscle components into the circulation. The authors report a case of severe head injury, in which a hyperosmolar state and continuous seizure complicated by severe rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure evolved during the course of treatment resulted in a fatal outcome despite intensive supportive treatment. Our bitter experience suggests that rhabdomyolysis should be born in mind in patients with severe head injury who may develop hyperosmolar state and continuous seizure.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.159-167
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of trauma inpatients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) symptoms diagnosed using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in Korea. Methods: In total, 7,634 patients admitted to the emergency department of Gachon University Gil Medical Center, a tertiary hospital, and hospitalized between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 were registered for this study. Of these patients, 278 patients who underwent CTA were enrolled in our study. Results: VTE was found in 120 of the 7,634 patients (1.57%), and the positive diagnosis rate of the 278 patients who underwent CTA was 43.2% (120 of 278). The incidence of VTE was statistically significantly higher among those with severe head and neck injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 3-5) than among those with nonsevere head and neck injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 0-2; P=0.038). In a subgroup analysis, the severe and nonsevere head and neck injury groups showed statistically significant differences in known independent risk factors for VTE. In logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio of severe head and neck injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 3-5) for VTE was 1.891 (95% confidence interval, 1.043-3.430). Conclusions: Trauma patients with severe head and neck injuries are more susceptible to VTE than those with nonsevere head and neck injuries. Thus, physicians must consider CTA as a priority for the diagnosis of VTE in trauma patients with severe head and neck injuries who show VTE-associated symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.196-202
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• 2000

Objective : This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the initial neurosurgical or psychosocial factors and the psychosocial outcome. Patients and Methods : We analyzed 123 head-injured patients who were referred to the department of psychiatry for the evaluation of psychosocial function. We analyzed initial neurosurgical variables such as Glasgow Coma scale(GCS) score, skull fracture, CT finding, and psychosocial outcomes with regards to psychosis, personality change, depression, anxiety and IQ on Intelligence Scale. Results : Patients with mild head injury(GCS score 13-15, N＝94, 76.4%) had better recovery rate on Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS), less personality change than those with moderate or severe head injury. However, depression, anxiety and intelligence were not significantly different between two groups. The skull fracture(N＝37, 30.1%) did not influence on the psychosocial outcome with reference to personality change, depression, anxiety and intelligence. The patients with abnormal CT findings(N＝64, 52%) had lower recovery rate on GOS, more frequent tendency in psychosis, personality change and severe depression, less frequent in anxiety and mild depression, than patients with normal CT finding. However, levels of intelligence were not different between two groups. The patients with industrial accidents(IA) had lower educational level, milder head injury, more delay for the psychiatric evaluation (longer treatment period) than those with motor vehicular accidents(MVA). The psychosocial outcome with reference to personality change, depression, anxiety, intelligence were not different between two groups. Conclusion : These findings indicate that the more severe initial trauma, the poorer psychosocial outcome. However, it was frequently observed that patients with mild head injury suffered from mild anxiety and depression. Therefore mild head injury appeared to be more complicated by psychosocial stressors. The patients with IA, despite the fact that initial head injury was mild, required longer treatment period than MVA.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 2006

Objective : Despite the recent progress that has been made in intracerebral monitoring, it is still difficult to quantify the exact extent of primary brain damage after severe head injury. In this work, we investigate the role of S-100B protein as a serum marker of brain damage after severe head injury. Methods : 21 patients with severe head injury [GCS score <9] were selected for this prospective study. A venous blood sample was taken as soon as possible after head injury and the serum concentration of S-100B protein was measured daily for five consecutive days. The serum level of S-100B protein was compared with the patients' outcome. The outcome was measured twice, at hospital discharge and after 6 months of follow-up using the Glasgow Outcome Scale[GOS]. Results : Those patients who died within two weeks [after head injury] had a significantly higher serum S-100B value than those who survived [median, 9.64ug/L versus 2.91ug/L]. Seven [78%] of the nine patients who died had a maximum S-100B value of 2ug/L or higher, while three [25%] of the twelve surviving patients showed a maximum S-100B protein value of more than 2ug/L [P<005]. Conclusion : These results indicate that S-100B protein appears to be the most reliable index for estimating the extent of brain damage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2001

Object : The rapid and early oxygen delivery to brain tissue was a common therapeutic method in the treatment of severe head injury patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increased fraction of inspired oxygen in early stage of severe head injury. Methods : The parameters of research were CSF(cerebral spinal fluid) oxygen pressure($PcsfO_2$), lactate, pH, temperature, and CSF carbon dioxide pressure($PcsfCO_2$). We selected 28 patients with head trauma whose the Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) score was less than 8 point at admission. All patients were mechanically ventilated and monitored with the commercial ICP monitoring device. Each of parameters was compared as increased fraction of inspired oxygen. In experimental cohort of 14 patients, the mean $PcsfO_2$ level was increased to $314.93{\pm}259.15mmHg$ by raising the $FiO_2$ from 40% to 100% for nine hours(p<0.05). And the mean CSF lactate level was decreased to $2.96{\pm}1.98mmol/L$ on 100% $FiO_2$ as compared with $5.98{\pm}3.25mmol/L$ on 40% $FiO_2$ in control group(p<0.05). The only above two parameters were showed statistically meaningful outcome. Conclusions : Although this study was performed in small cohort and short period, these results supports that increased inspired oxygen therapy in severe head injuried patients was recommended as a modality of treatment in future through the continuous survey.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.108-114
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• 2014

Purpose: Alcohol ingestion is a significant risk factor for injuries. However, the influence of high blood alcohol concentration about the severe traumatic injury is controversial. The aim of study was to analyze the injury severity, prognosis in severe traumatic patients according to alcohol ingestion. Methods: This study was performed retrospectively with severe traumatic patients (Injury Severity $Score{\geq}16$) who visited the emergency department at Pusan National University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2013. Results: In total 98 severe traumatic patients, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) positive group (BAC>30 mg/dl) is 42 (42.90%) patients and BAC negative group ($BAC{\leq}30mg/dl$) is 56 (57.10% )patients. Head and neck injury is significantly high in BAC positive group (35 patients, 83.3%) compared to BAC negative group (33 patients, 58.9%). Comparison of injury severity, outcome and mortality is not significantly different between two groups. Conclusion: In severe traumatic patients, head and neck injury occurred high in BAC positive group. Alcohol ingestion did not influence injury severity, outcome in severe traumatic patients. However, effort to decreasing injury related to alcohol ingestion and prospective multi-center study is needed.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2020

Purpose: The present study will identify risk factors for aspiration in severe trauma patients by comparing patients who showed a sign of aspiration lung disease on chest computed tomography (CT) and those who did not. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the Korean Trauma Data Bank between January 2014 and December 2019 in a single regional trauma center. The inclusion criteria were patients aged ≥18 years with chest CT, and who had an Injury Severity Score ≥16. Patients with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)-chest score ≥1 and lack of medical records were excluded. General characteristics and patient status were analyzed. Results: 425 patients were included in the final analysis. There were 48 patients showing aspiration on CT (11.2%) and 377 patients showing no aspiration (88.7%). Aspiration group showed more endotracheal intubation in the ER (p=0.000) and a significantly higher proportion of severe Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (p=0.000) patients than the non-aspiration group. In AIS as well, the median AIS head score was higher in the aspiration group (p=0.046). Median oxygen saturation was significantly lower in the aspiration group (p=0.002). In a logistic regression analysis, relative to the GCS mild group, the moderate group showed an odds ratio (OR) for aspiration of 2.976 (CI, 1.024-8.647), and the severe group showed an OR of 5.073 (CI, 2.442-10.539). Conclusions: Poor mental state and head injury increase the risk of aspiration. To confirm for aspiration, it would be useful to perform chest CT for severe trauma patients with a head injury.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.261-264
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• 2023

Pancreatic trauma occurs in 0.2% of patients with blunt trauma and 5% of severe abdominal injuries, which are associated with high mortality rates (up to 60%). Traumatic pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has significant morbidity and appreciable mortality owing to complicating factors, associated injuries, and shock. The initial reconstruction in patients with severe pancreatic injuries aggravates their status by causing hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acidosis, which increase the risk for early mortality. A staging operation in which PD follows damage control surgery is a good option for hemodynamically unstable patients. We report the case of a patient who was treated by staging PD for an injured pancreatic head.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2022

Complete cricotracheal separation, which is the most severe type of laryngeal trauma, is an uncommonly seen injury that clinicians have limited experience in managing. However, it is potentially fatal. Due to limited exposure to this condition, mismanagement can occur, which may further aggravate the patient's condition. The most crucial part of managing this injury is to establish a secure airway. Tracheostomy under local anesthesia is the preferred method of airway stabilization, in order to avoid further injuries to the airway caused by endotracheal intubation. Here, we discuss the management of complete cricotracheal separation based on a case experienced in the east coast region of Malaysia, where this type of injury is rarely encountered.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2009

Purpose: Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) were referred from other hospitals for further management. In addition, patients routinely underwent computed tomography examinations of the head (HCT) in the referral hospitals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the utility of routine HCT scans according to the severity of TBI. Methods: Patients with TBI referred to our hospital between December 2005 and July 2008 were included in this study. We investigated HCT findings, indications for repeat HCT examinations (routine versus a neurological change), and neurosurgical interventions. The head injury severity was divided into three categories according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, including mild, moderate, and severe TBI. The use of neurosurgical interventions between patients who underwent routine HCT scans and patients who underwent HCT scans for a neurological change were compared according to the severity of TBI. Results: A total of 81 patients met the entry criteria for this study. Among these patients, 67%(n=54) of the patients underwent HCT scans on a routine basis, whereas 33%(n=27) of the patients underwent HCT scans for a neurological change. A total of 21 patients showed signs of a worsening condition on the HCT scans. Neurosurgical intervention was required for 23(28.4%) patients. For patients who underwent routine HCT examinations, no patient with mild TBI underwent a neurosurgical intervention. However, one patient with moderate TBI and three(13%) patients with severe TBI underwent neurosurgical interventions. The kappa index, the level of agreement for HCT indications of intervention and referral reasons for intervention, was 0.65 for high hierarchy hospitals and 0.06 for low hierarchy hospitals. Conclusion: Routine serial HCT examinations in the referred hospitals would be useful for patients with severe head injury and for patients from low hierarchy hospitals where no emergency physicians or neurosurgeons are available.