Traumatic Elbow Arthrotomy Pediatric Case Report: The Saline Load Test is a Reliable Method of Detection
| Autor: | Jacob Carl, Eric J. Wall, Tyler D Kupchick |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
Arthrotomy
medicine.medical_specialty Debridement business.industry medicine.medical_treatment Elbow Case Report Emergency department medicine.disease Dog bite Surgery medicine.anatomical_structure Forearm Orthopedic surgery Traumatic arthrotomy medicine Septic arthritis business computed tomography scan saline load test |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
| ISSN: | 2321-3817 2250-0685 |
| Popis: | Introduction Lacerations and open elbow injuries are common emergency department visits which necessitate an orthopedic surgery evaluation for a traumatic elbow arthrotomy (TEA). A delay in this diagnosis can lead to septic arthritis, requiring more invasive surgical procedures, prolonged antibiotics, and possible long-term sequelae. To date, there is scarce literature on TEA. The purpose of this case report is to better educate the orthopedic community on a reliable method of detection for a TEA, including pediatric patients. Case report Case 1 - Twelve-year-old boy sustained a traumatic dog bite to the right elbow by a large stray dog. Evaluation in the emergency department revealed five 1 centimeter or smaller lacerations over the lateral elbow and another 1 cm laceration to the volar and proximal forearm. A saline load test (SLT) was performed from a posterior approach and was positive after 20cc of normal saline was injected into the joint. An arthroscopic irrigation and debridement were performed as definitive treatment. He was discharged with Augmentin BID for 7 days. Follow-up appointments at 1 and 4 weeks post-operatively revealed no signs of infection.Case 2 - Seven-year-old boy who was in a bicycle accident and sustained a large laceration over the posterior elbow. Evaluation in the emergency department revealed an approximately 15 by 4 cm laceration over the posterior elbow. A SLT was positive after 30cc's was injected from the anterolateral approach. He underwent arthroscopic irrigation and debridement as definitive treatment and was discharged home with Cephalexin BID for 7 days. Follow-up appointments at 1 and 4 weeks post-operatively showed no signs of infection. Conclusion Performing a SLT is a reliable method of detection to evaluate for a TEA. Our case report demonstrated confirmation of TEA in two pediatric patients based on positive SLT. We were able to treat these injuries appropriately with early surgical intervention and prophylactic antibiotics. Our early diagnosis and time-sensitive management prevented septic arthritis based on the patient's short-term follow-up examinations. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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