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Evaluating the multiply injured patient radiographically
1Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.
The Orthopedic Clinics of North America
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Missed injuries in multiply injured patients are common. Recognizing common injury combinations, or clinical dyads, and using a prudent radiographic survey can help prevent overlooking critical trauma.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Obvious injuries in multiply injured patients can overshadow less apparent lesions, leading to missed diagnoses.
- A high incidence of overlooked injuries necessitates a proactive approach to identify associated trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight frequently co-occurring injuries, termed 'clinical dyads,' to prevent their oversight.
- To outline a prudent radiographic examination strategy for multiply injured patients.
Main Methods:
- Identification and enumeration of common injury associations ('clinical dyads').
- Development of a recommended radiographic survey protocol for trauma patients.
- Emphasis on using radiography as an extension of the physical examination.
Main Results:
- Knowledge of clinical dyads can aid in preventing the oversight of associated injuries.
- A proposed radiographic survey provides essential information without hindering patient care.
- The survey serves as a starting point, potentially guiding more complex imaging studies.
Conclusions:
- Awareness of clinical dyads is crucial for comprehensive trauma assessment.
- A judicious radiographic approach is vital for managing multiply injured patients.
- Systematic evaluation, including radiographic surveys, improves diagnostic accuracy in trauma.