Traumatic asphyxia in the young: report of two cases and literature review

Abstract

Background Traumatic asphyxia, also called masque ecchymotique, Ollivier’s syndrome, and Perthes syndrome, is a rare but serious form of chest trauma described for the first time by Ollivier in 1837. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with two cases of traumatic asphyxia and discuss their management in view of the relevant literature. Results During a 6-year period, the author treated 2 cases of traumatic (crush) asphyxia in a local teaching hospital. The two patients were males, aged 20 and 30 years and were crushed beneath their vehicles. The presenting symptoms and signs were irritability, dyspnea, cervicofacial cyanosis, petechiae, and sub-conjunctival hemorrhages. The second patient suffered multiple rib fractures, hemopneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, vertebral fracture, and paraplegia. Negative surgical exploration for suspected cardiac tamponade was performed in the first case, while the second was managed conservatively. The first patient survived whereas the second succumbed because of the associated injuries. Conclusions Due to its widespread lesions, traumatic asphyxia should be looked upon as a systemic syndrome. Timely accurate diagnosis and supportive treatment save the majority of patients with traumatic asphyxia. In this rare syndrome, death may result from asphyxia secondary to thoracic compression or from the associated injuries.

Effect of individualized narrative nursing mode on recovery of elderly patients with fracture complicated with cerebrovascular accident

“…Their objective perspective helps them construct a new story that alleviates the pain by focusing on it objectively. [23] Narrative nursing is now more and more concerned with clinical nursing practice and carrying out by nursing professionals. "Disease narrative" can be carried out in a variety of ways through various intervention measures.…”