Abstracts
Aging (Bruise)
Aging
Paediatricians are often requested to give an opinion on the age of a non-accidental bruise.
In forensic textbooks, the colour changes which a bruise undergoes with time are not based on research in children. The purpose of this study was to document the sequence of colour changes in photographs taken following accidental bruising in children.
Red colouration was seen in 15 out of 37 bruises which were less than one week old. Yellow colouration was seen in 10 out of 42 bruises over one day old. Aging of bruises from photographs was much less precise than textbooks imply.
Stephenson T & Bialas Y: Estimation of the age of bruising. Arch Dis Child, 1996 Jan, 74:1, 53-5.
Brain Tissue
Brain Tissue
The EAA release from contused "brain" tissue and its effect on "extracellular" EAA levels in brain areas surrounding the "contusion" were investigated with microdialysis technique in the rat. A significant increase in extracellular EAA levels was observed in the contused brain tissue.
"Excitatory "amino acid" release from contused brain tissue into surrounding brain areas." Tanaka, H.; Katayama, T.; Tsubokawa, T. Acta. Neurochir. Supp. Wien. 1994; 60: 524-7.
Cervical Spine
Cervical Spine
18 patients with unilaterally locked facet "joints" confirmed by CT were seen between 1986 and 1991. 5 patients presented with vertical split fractures of an inferior articular process by impaction of the superior process of the subjacent vertebra. One patient presented with cerebral contusion. Recent cases were treated surgically: "fracture" reduction and interbody fusion using plates. Long-term fractures were treated conservatively, and ankylosis of the facet joints eventually provided adequate stability. If radicular or spinal symptoms are absent, this special variant of locked facet joints can successfully be treated conservatively leaving the rotary displacement uncorrected.
"Vertical facet splitting: a special variant of rotary dislocations of the cervical spine." Sim, E. J. Neurosurg. 1995 Feb; 82(2): 239-43.
Contusion Injury Model
Contusion Injury Model
A "muscle" contusion injury model was studied in rats for contractile function, histology, and passive failure. Contusion injury produced a significant deficit in contractile function that continually diminished with gross histologic evidence of degeneration, regeneration, and normalization at the injured muscle site.
"A muscle contusion injury model. Biomechanics, physiology and histology."
Crisco, J.J.; Heinen, G.T.; Connell, M.D.; Panjabi, M.M.
Am. J. Sports. Med. 1994 Sep-Oct; 22(5): 702-10.
Extracranial Vertebral Artery
Extracranial Vertebral Artery
The autopsy findings from routine neuropathological investigations of the cervical spine after any history of trauma emphasized the vulnerability of the extracranial vertebral arteries. In 21 cases with trauma to the head and neck, normal autopsy procedures did not succeed in revealing an obvious cause of death. Traumatic "lesions" of the "spinal cord" such as contusion or neurorrhexis were seen in 10 cases. 6 case reports with traumatic vertebral artery (VA) lesions after severe or minor extracranial trauma are presented.
"Traumatic lesions of the extracrainal vertebral artery - a note-worthy potentially lethal injury." Potsch, L. & Bohl, J. Int. J. Legal. Med. 1994; 107(2): 99-107.
Sciatic Neuropathy
Sciatic Neuropathy
Of 92 consecutive patients referred for EMG evaluation of "sciatic" neuropathy, 73 were included in the study. The etiology in 4.2% was a contusion. A good but incomplete recovery occurs over 2 to 3 years in most patients with sciatic neuropathy, particularly in those without severe motor axonal loss.
"Sciatic neuropathy: clinical and prognostic features in 73 patients." Yuen, E.C.; Olney, R.K.; So, Y.T. Neurology. 1994 Sep; 44(9): 1669-74.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
To establish the extent and severity of domestic violence experienced by women attending the accident and emergency department of a large teaching hospital in Newcastle (Australia).
Bruising, fractures and cuts were the most common forms of injury, with the most common locations being the head, face and chest. Weapons, such as guns and knives, were used in 20 per cent of the incidents.
A considerable number of the women (68 per cent) did not seek help at the time of their injuries. As a substantial proportion of women have experienced domestic violence in their lives, accident and emergency workers should receive training in recognising and assisting victims of domestic violence.
Bates L et al., Domestic violence experienced by women attending an accident and emergency department. Aust J Public Health, 1995 Jun, 19:3, 293-9.
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