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Front Surg 2022 9;9:845494. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Department for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.

Introduction: Management of traumatic rib fractures is subject of controversial discussions. Rib fractures are common, especially after traffic accidents and falls. There is no consensus on whether and how many rib fractures need reconstruction. Read More

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2022 22;35(4):524-525. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Department of Surgery, Crozer-Keystone Health System, Upland, Pennsylvania.

The proper treatment for tension pneumothorax is rapid needle decompression. This procedure is frequently performed in the field for trauma patients who have clinical symptoms of pneumothorax. The procedure itself has a high rate of failure due to improper placement, operator inexperience, or chest wall thickness. Read More

Pediatr Radiol 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

University of Sheffield and Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.

Background: Postmortem computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging have been gradually introduced to forensic pathology centres over the past two decades, with varying results in comparison to autopsy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of postmortem CT in determining a cause of death in children who died of unnatural causes.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective recruitment of 30 children (< 18 years) who underwent postmortem CT and a forensic autopsy. Read More

J Forensic Sci 2022 Jun 17. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.

Fat embolism syndrome is a life-threatening condition in which fatty substances enter the circulation and cause respiratory distress and neurological symptoms. It can occur following trauma and severe fat embolism occurring soon after trauma is known as fulminant fat embolism syndrome. Although fat staining of the lungs is helpful for diagnosing fat embolism syndrome at autopsy, clinical and other information is needed to determine the relationship between cause of death and the syndrome. Read More

S Afr Fam Pract (2004) 2022 May 24;64(1):e1-e5. Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha.

Background:  This study describes the profile, mechanism and pattern of injuries, and highlights important gaps in clinicians' consultations with patients who experienced interpersonal violence (IPV) in the predominantly black South African township of Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.

Methods:  This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cecilia Makiwane Regional Hospital, Mdantsane. Medical records of patients who received emergency care for trauma between 01 December 2017 and 31 March 2018 were reviewed. Read More

Acad Forensic Pathol 2022 Mar 15;12(1):15-22. Epub 2021 Dec 15.

Introduction: Violence with physical assault is a common cause of morbidity and mortality prevalent but not limited to underdeveloped countries. The opinion of the forensic expert is often indispensable in such cases to determine the penalties. This study was planned to describe the pattern of presentation of the victims and evaluate the strengths and limitations in formulating a scientific medicolegal opinion based on the findings of the victim. Read More

BMC Emerg Med 2022 Jun 11;22(1):106. Epub 2022 Jun 11.

Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.

Background: Clinically occult cervical spine (CS) injuries are well described in blunt trauma, however delay in identifying these injuries and clearing the CS can result in morbidity. Our study examines the ground level fall (GLF) population to analyze whether computed tomography (CT) alone can rule out unstable injury in this group with lower force mechanism.

Methods: This is a single center, retrospective cohort study. Read More

Mil Med 2022 Jun 7. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA 30905, USA.

Introduction: Pectoralis major tendon tears are an injury pattern often treated in military populations. Although the majority of pectoralis major tendon tears occur during eccentric loading as in bench press weightlifting, military service members may also experience this injury from a blunt injury and traction force produced by static line entanglement during airborne operations. Although these injuries rarely occur in isolation, associated injury patterns have not been investigated previously. Read More

Pediatr Emerg Care 2022 Jun;38(6):290-298

Associate Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.

Abstract: Trauma remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children and youth 1 to 19 years old in the United States. Providing timely care with a systematic approach is essential for emergently addressing life-threatening injuries and ongoing assessment. The primary survey is focused on identifying and managing life-threatening injuries. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2022 May 20;15(5). Epub 2022 May 20.

Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.

A stablehand in his 20s presented with increasing dyspnoea on exertion and chest pain months after being kicked directly in the chest by a horse. Further investigations revealed severe isolated, primary tricuspid regurgitation due to partial avulsion of the anterior leaflet. Open surgical repair was successfully performed from which he recovered uneventfully with resolution of his symptoms and minimal residual tricuspid regurgitation. Read More

Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022 May 18;58:102090. Epub 2022 May 18.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia. Electronic address:

Background: Explosion fatalities are the severest type of violent crimes. These involve the use of explosive devices in terrorist like activities in confined spaces in civilian or military settings, with mass number of people present all around. A stark dearth of literature for the forensic interpretation of such catastrophes is astonishing. Read More

EJVES Vasc Forum 2022 30;55:59. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Division of Vascular Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Mil Med 2022 May 11. Epub 2022 May 11.

Joint Trauma System, Defense Health Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.

Background: Military operations provide a unified action and strategic approach to achieve national goals and objectives. Mortality reviews from military operations can guide injury prevention and casualty care efforts.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all U. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2022 May 6;22(1):208. Epub 2022 May 6.

Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 61000, Sichuan, China.

Background: Paediatric traumatic cataracts are an important but preventable cause of acquired blindness. Understanding the epidemiology of paediatric traumatic cataracts is a prerequisite for prevention. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of paediatric traumatic cataracts in southwest China. Read More

Am Surg 2022 May 3:31348221095157. Epub 2022 May 3.

Department of Surgery, 70274University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA.

Int J Legal Med 2022 Jul 30;136(4):1133-1148. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Department of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

To investigate the differences between pre- and post-fire fractures, 30 human forearm bones were subjected to either blunt-force impact, burning, or both. Bones, covered in soft tissue and wrapped in clothing, were burned in a reconstructed house fire. The burning context and dynamics led to differential burning, that was equal amongst the three groups. Read More

Int J Legal Med 2022 Apr 29. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, 65 Kavanagh St, Southbank, VIC, 3006, Australia.

The accurate interpretation of a blunt force head injury relies on an understanding of the case circumstances (extrinsic variables) and anatomical details of the individual (intrinsic variables). Whilst it is often possible to account for many of these variables, the intrinsic variable of neurocranial thickness is difficult to account for as data for what constitutes 'normal' thickness is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of age, sex and ancestry on neurocranial thickness, and develop reference ranges for average neurocranial thickness in the context of those biological variables. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2022 04 27;8(1):46. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Introduction: Cervical spondylosis can predispose patients to central canal stenosis. In this setting, myelopathy through further flattening of the cord from extrinsic compression can be precipitated by relatively minor traumas. Arterial dissection is similarly considered a result of high velocity or momentum during trauma, commonly associated with fractures, cervical hyperflexion, or direct blunt force to the neck. Read More

Am Surg 2022 Jul 24;88(7):1568-1569. Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Department of Surgery, 3933Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, FL, USA.

"Pedestrian struck by train" represents one of the highest magnitude blunt force traumas. Despite the severity of injuries, these patients can have good outcomes. A 25-year-old male presented after being struck by a train. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2022 Apr 15;22(1):171. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

Eye Hospital and School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China.

Background: To investigate the efficacy and safety of reversed scleral tunnel technique for repairing iridodialysis after blunt force trauma.

Methods: A total of 51 eyes of 51 patients with iridodialysis undergoing surgery were included in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (the reversed scleral tunnel technique) and group B (the control group). Read More

J Hum Evol 2022 05 31;166:103180. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Georgian National Museum, Purtseladze Str 3, Tbilisi, 0105, Georgia; Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University 1, Tchavtchavadze Avenue, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia.

Five well-preserved individuals from Dmanisi represent a paleodeme attributed to early Homo. Here we provide a case study of the D2280 adult cranium, which presents four oval-shaped lesions on the frontal, left parietal, and occipital bones. Several conditions are considered as possibly contributing to this pathology, including trauma, cysts, metastatic cancer, and infectious disease. Read More

Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2022 Mar 29. Epub 2022 Mar 29.

District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Washington, DC.

Abstract: Dark skin may obscure injuries. This is reflected in the illustrations in textbooks, which generally depict blunt force injuries in victims with light skin tones. We explored whether forensic pathologists can reliably recognize blunt force injuries in dark-toned skin by comparing the average number of contusions and abrasions of motor vehicle accident victims with dark- and light-toned skin. Read More

J Biomech Eng 2022 Sep;144(9)

Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.

Ballistic shields are used by military and police members in dangerous situations to protect the user against threats such as gunfire. When struck, the shield material deforms to absorb the incoming kinetic energy of the projectile. If the rapid back-face deformation contacts the arm, it can potentially impart a large force, leading to injury risk, termed behind armor blunt trauma (BABT). Read More

Int J Appl Basic Med Res 2022 Jan-Mar;12(1):47-50. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

In forensic medicine, firearm-related fatalities are regular. The range and velocity of the bullet, the characteristics of the wounds, and the probability of recovery are vital components of forensic analyses. While examining gunshot wounds to the skull, focus on the critical difference between bullet entry and exit points and the distance between the muzzle and the bullet entrance is vital. Read More

Ann Plast Surg 2022 03;88(1s Suppl 1):S50-S55

From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Background: Managing complex knee trauma involving both vascular and osseous injuries is challenging, yet the available guidelines for efficient popliteal artery injury management after high-velocity blunt knee trauma remain conflicting and inconsistent. In this study, the authors aim to identify the risk factors associated with delayed limb amputation and ischemic muscular sequela postrevascularization. Furthermore, we propose a treatment algorithm to improve the limb salvage rate. Read More

J Craniofac Surg 2021 Aug 17. Epub 2021 Aug 17.

Department of Ophthalmology, Taikang Tongji (Wuhan) Hospital.

Purpose: To evaluate the ciliary body mechanical load during low speed impact using finite element method to explain the mechanism of the cause of angle recession and cyclodialysis cleft.

Methods: Optical coherence tomography images were obtained to assess the patient's ciliary body angle recession. A finite element eye model was established based on Virginia Tech eye model with the consideration of dynamic impact of a projectile striking an eye. Read More

Int J Legal Med 2022 Jul 25;136(4):1177-1180. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

LABANOF, Laboratorio Di Antropologia E Odontologia Forense, Sezione Di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Università Di Milano, Milan, Italy.

A correct assessment on the position, path, and direction of fracture lines is crucial when the sequence of different injuries on the skull has to be ascertained. In this context, the so-called Puppe's rule on intersecting fracture lines has always been considered a cornerstone of such an investigation. However, there is one factor that has never been previously considered: how do fracture lines behave when they reach the edges of an old and remodeled hole from a previous craniotomy? Two peculiar cases are presented of subjects undergoing cranial fractures due to blunt force trauma (case 1) and gunshot (case 2). Read More

J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2022 May 24;32(3):334-340. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Department of Emergency and Critical Care, The Animal Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic utility of traditional diagnostic tests (ie, radiographs and focused assessment using sonography for trauma [FAST] scans) to whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) for characterizing injuries in polytrauma patients. A secondary objective was to compare costs of traditional diagnostic tests to WBCT.

Design: Prospective, observational study. Read More

Front Robot AI 2021 3;8:667818. Epub 2022 Feb 3.

Robotic Systems, Fraunhofer IFF, Magdeburg, Germany.

Collaborative robots (cobots) provide a wide range of opportunities to improve the ergonomics and efficiency of manual work stations. ISO/TS 15066 defines power and force limiting (PFL) as one of four safeguarding modes for these robots. PFL specifies biomechanical limits for hazardous impacts and pinching contacts that a cobot must not exceed to protect humans from serious injuries. Read More

Clin Med Insights Case Rep 2022 11;15:11795476211052416. Epub 2022 Feb 11.

Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS, USA.

Scrotal trauma is a rare incident but when it occurs it is typically among 6 to 12 years old boys. It is most commonly unilateral secondary to compression of the scrotal contents against the pubic bone. The majority of trauma to the scrotal region is blunt impact but serious injuries are rare despite the vulnerable position of the testicles. Read More