1/20. An unusual case of corneal perforation secondary to Pseudomonas keratitis complicating a patient's surgical/trauma intensive care unit stay.We report a case of corneal perforation secondary to bacterial keratitis caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa in a trauma patient in our intensive care unit. A 43-year-old man was involved in a motorcycle crash and suffered multiple injuries necessitating a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Subsequently P. aeruginosa was cultured from his sputum, blood, and open abdomen. He developed a bacterial keratitis in his right eye, which also grew P. aeruginosa. This infection rapidly progressed to corneal perforation requiring a Gunderson conjunctival flap and lateral tarsorrhaphy in addition to aggressive antibiotic treatment. At the time of discharge from the hospital the patient had the return of vision to light only in his right eye. corneal perforation is an unusual event in the ICU. Prevention or early detection of bacterial keratitis with aggressive antibiotic treatment is needed to prevent such complications. Pseudomonas is one of the more virulent organisms that can infect the cornea and early identification is paramount for a good outcome. Management of this complicated case is discussed and the limited amount of literature on nosocomial bacterial keratitis in the ICU is reviewed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/20. Nonocclusive ischemic colitis in a 12-year-old girl: value of unenhanced spiral computed tomography.A 12-year-old girl was hit by a car and arrived in the emergency room in hemorrhagic shock. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed traumatic rupture of the liver and large amounts of intraperitoneal hemorrhage. Unenhanced computed tomography showed a hyperdense thickening of the wall of the descending colon. This finding was consistent with a nonocclusive ischemic colitis, which was confirmed some days later by endoscopy, at a time when the patient had already developed Gram-negative bacteremia. We discuss the pathogenesis of nonocclusive ischemic colitis, computed tomography findings, and the value of unenhanced computed tomography.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/20. Salvage surgery.Salvage surgery is an essential method in the armamentarium of the surgeon caring for the severely injured patient. The patient in unstable condition with multiple abdominal injuries is a challenge, even to the most experienced trauma surgeon. The first priority should be to control major vascular injuries and other sources of bleeding that are immediately life-threatening. Often after massive blood loss, the deadly triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy is present. Additional time in the operating room often worsens these physiologic parameters and patient outcome. Once surgically correctable bleeding has been addressed, such patients are best served by cessation of the operation, packing of the abdomen, and transfer to the intensive care unit. Resuscitative steps should then be taken. Once the physiologic derangement has been corrected, the patient can undergo definitive operative procedures.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/20. Compartment syndrome in multiple uninjured extremities: a case report.Compartment syndrome is a common problem in trauma patients. It can occur within any space bound by a dense fascial layer, such as the extremities or abdomen. It exists when increased tissue pressure within the limited anatomic space compromises perfusion. Failure to decompress the compartment leads to a self-perpetuating ischemia-edema process and resultant irreversible tissue damage. In the extremities, it typically arises from a vascular injury in that same extremity. Herein is reported a case of the unexpected development of compartment syndrome in multiple uninjured extremities in a trauma patient with hypotension requiring systemic vasopressors.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/20. Simultaneous surgical treatment of chronic post-traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, diaphragmatic hernia and giant emphysema bulla.Thoraco-abdominal blunt trauma can lead to multiple injuries of several organs. We report a case of a patient in whom, 10 years after a trauma, a chest X-ray showed visceral herniation into the left thorax. Angio computed tomographic scan (CTS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed these lesions and also showed a saccular thoracic aortic aneurysm. During the surgical procedure a giant post-traumatic emphysema bulla of the left lower pulmonary lobe was discovered and repaired. In the presence of diaphragmatic injuries, CTS and MRI are mandatory for excluding other organ involvement, and during the surgical procedure, careful inspection of left thorax and abdomen should always be done to repair other possible injuries not seen before.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/20. Ureteropelvic junction disruption following blunt abdominal trauma.We report here on a case of avulsion of the ureteropelvic junction in a 7-year-old boy who was injured in a car accident. Severe brain trauma took precedence over signs and symptoms of blunt abdominal trauma, but 24 hours after the accident, progressive distension of the abdomen required further evaluation. Ultrasound examination and a computed tomography scan revealed disruption of the ureteropelvic junction. Simple primary anastomosis was performed. We discuss the characteristics of this unusual injury and include a review of the literature.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/20. A novel approach to the treatment of gunshot injuries to the sacrum.Two patients (a 17-year-old male and a 19-year-old female) sustained single gunshot wounds to the abdomen. Given the nature of their wounds and presumed peritoneal penetration they were taken urgently to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy. Both patients sustained multiple intra-abdominal injuries including gastric and small and large bowel perforations. Given the extensive nature of these injuries both patients required bowel resections. Upon further exploration they were both noted to have significant bleeding from the bony aspect of their sacrum. A surgical hemostat (CoStasis; Cohesion Technologies, Inc., Palo Alto, CA) (4.5-9.0 cm3) was directly applied to the injured area of the sacrum in both cases after standard surgical hemostatic techniques were unsuccessful. After application no further attempts of hemostatic control by standard methods were attempted. In both cases the sacral bleeding ceased without any further surgical intervention. Postoperatively neither patient rebled from the sacral injuries. Penetrating injuries to the sacrum can be life threatening and difficult to control with standard surgical hemostatic techniques. CoStasis, a new surgical hemostat, was effective in obtaining immediate and definitive hemostatic control. Future prospective trials on the use of CoStasis in trauma patients are warranted.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/20. mediastinitis complicating a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a case report.BACKGROUND: Since its introduction in the early 1980s, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy has become the most popular method for performing a gastrostomy for long-term enteral feeding. It has been associated, however, with a lot of minor and major complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of mediastinitis with concominant sepsis caused by a masked esophageal perforation after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in a multi-traumatized, brain-injured patient is presented. Ten - fourteen days after the procedure, the patient became febrile and gradually septic with tenderness of the sternum and upper abdomen. Computerized tomography of the thorax revealed mediastinitis. An urgent left thoracotomy and laparotomy were performed for drainage of the mediastinum, removal of the gastrostomy and insertion of a jejunostomy tube. The patient improved soon after the surgery. He was successfully weaned off the ventilator and was discharged from the intensive care Unit. CONCLUSION: Perforating mediastinitis is a rare but potentially lethal complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. When diagnosed and properly treated it may have a favourable outcome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/20. Injuries during a massive tug-of-war game."Tug-of-war" may cause a variety of sports injuries, which has rarely been reported previously. This report described an uncommon case of a previously fit 64-year-old male who presented with abrupt onset of loss of consciousness after falling down in a game of massive tug of war including 1,500 participants as the rope snapped apart. Computed tomography (CT) scan of his abdomen revealed liver and spleen rupture. spinal cord injury due to traumatic herniation of intervertebral disc at C5-6 level and bilateral brachial plexus injury were also noted after exploratory laparotomy with primary repair of liver and spleen. He then received diskectomy over C5-6 and C6-7 and neurolysis for the right brachial plexus. Multiple neurological complications including paraplegia, severe neuralgia over bilateral C5 dermatome and spasticity over bilateral lower extremities developed. After two-year comprehensive rehabilitation programs, the patient recovered to ambulate with assistive device, and resumed partially dependent daily living activities.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/20. Hepatic duct confluence injury in blunt abdominal trauma: case report and synopsis on management.Injuries of the extra hepatic biliary tree following blunt trauma to the abdomen are rare. We present here a case of injury to the confluence of the hepatic ducts and a brief synopsis on diagnosis and management of blunt injury to the extrahepatic biliary system.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = abdomen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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