Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma—A Literature Review
Background: Polytrauma is understood as significant injuries, occurring at the same time, to two or more anatomical regions (the ISS regions) or organ systems, with at least one of the injuries considered as posing a threat to life. Trauma is the main cause of unexpected demise in individuals below...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/6/1019 |
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| author | Vuyolwethu C. Ntola Timothy C. Hardcastle |
| author_facet | Vuyolwethu C. Ntola Timothy C. Hardcastle |
| author_sort | Vuyolwethu C. Ntola |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Polytrauma is understood as significant injuries, occurring at the same time, to two or more anatomical regions (the ISS regions) or organ systems, with at least one of the injuries considered as posing a threat to life. Trauma is the main cause of unexpected demise in individuals below the age of 44 years and represents a huge burden on society. Vascular injury is highly morbid; it can lead to rapid exsanguination and death, posing a threat to both life and the limb. Independent predictors of outcome include mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and time from injury to definitive care. The mechanisms of vascular injury in the setting of polytrauma are either blunt, penetrating or a combination of the two. Methods: Comprehensive literature review of current diagnostic approaches to traumatic vascular injury in the context of polytrauma. The factors influencing the diagnostic approach are highlighted. The focus is the epidemiology of vascular injury and diagnostic approaches to it in the context of polytrauma. Results: Traumatic vascular injuries are associated with limb loss or even death. They are characterised by multiple injuries, the dilemma of the diagnostic approach, timing of intervention and higher risk of limb loss or death. The systematic approach in terms of clinical diagnosis and imaging is crucial in order save life and preserve the limb. The various diagnostic tools to individualise the investigation are discussed. Conclusion: This paper highlights the significance of timely and appropriate use of diagnostic tools for traumatic vascular trauma to save life and to preserve the limb. The associated injury also plays a crucial role in deciding the imaging modalities. At times, more than one investigation may be required. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:41:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0324ac0a00e949f4a2e2307694737d0d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:41:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj.art-0324ac0a00e949f4a2e2307694737d0d2023-11-17T10:33:14ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182023-03-01136101910.3390/diagnostics13061019Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma—A Literature ReviewVuyolwethu C. Ntola0Timothy C. Hardcastle1Department of Surgical Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4058, South AfricaDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4058, South AfricaBackground: Polytrauma is understood as significant injuries, occurring at the same time, to two or more anatomical regions (the ISS regions) or organ systems, with at least one of the injuries considered as posing a threat to life. Trauma is the main cause of unexpected demise in individuals below the age of 44 years and represents a huge burden on society. Vascular injury is highly morbid; it can lead to rapid exsanguination and death, posing a threat to both life and the limb. Independent predictors of outcome include mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and time from injury to definitive care. The mechanisms of vascular injury in the setting of polytrauma are either blunt, penetrating or a combination of the two. Methods: Comprehensive literature review of current diagnostic approaches to traumatic vascular injury in the context of polytrauma. The factors influencing the diagnostic approach are highlighted. The focus is the epidemiology of vascular injury and diagnostic approaches to it in the context of polytrauma. Results: Traumatic vascular injuries are associated with limb loss or even death. They are characterised by multiple injuries, the dilemma of the diagnostic approach, timing of intervention and higher risk of limb loss or death. The systematic approach in terms of clinical diagnosis and imaging is crucial in order save life and preserve the limb. The various diagnostic tools to individualise the investigation are discussed. Conclusion: This paper highlights the significance of timely and appropriate use of diagnostic tools for traumatic vascular trauma to save life and to preserve the limb. The associated injury also plays a crucial role in deciding the imaging modalities. At times, more than one investigation may be required.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/6/1019diagnostic approachpolytraumavascular injurylimb loss |
| spellingShingle | Vuyolwethu C. Ntola Timothy C. Hardcastle Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma—A Literature Review Diagnostics diagnostic approach polytrauma vascular injury limb loss |
| title | Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma—A Literature Review |
| title_full | Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma—A Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma—A Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma—A Literature Review |
| title_short | Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma—A Literature Review |
| title_sort | diagnostic approaches to vascular injury in polytrauma a literature review |
| topic | diagnostic approach polytrauma vascular injury limb loss |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/6/1019 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vuyolwethucntola diagnosticapproachestovascularinjuryinpolytraumaaliteraturereview AT timothychardcastle diagnosticapproachestovascularinjuryinpolytraumaaliteraturereview |