Crush injury

Last updated
Crush injury
Specialty Emergency medicine

A crush injury is injury by an object that causes compression of the body. [1] [2] This form of injury is rare in normal civilian practice, but common following a natural disaster. [3] Other causes include industrial accidents, road traffic collisions, building collapse, accidents involving heavy plant, disaster relief or terrorist incidents. [4]

Contents

Presentation

Complications

Pathophysiology

Crush syndrome is a systemic result of skeletal muscle injury and breakdown and subsequent release of cell contents. [4] The severity of crush syndrome is dependent on the duration and magnitude of the crush injury as well as the bulk of muscle affected. It can result from both short-duration, high-magnitude injuries (such as being crushed by a building) or from low-magnitude, long-duration injuries such as coma or drug-induced immobility. [4]

Treatment

Early fluid resuscitation reduces the risk of kidney failure, reduces the severity of hyperkalaemia and may improve outcomes in isolated crush injury. [4]

For casualties with isolated crush injury who are haemodynamically stable, large-volume crystalloid fluid resuscitation reduces the severity of and reduces the risk of acute kidney injury. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shock (circulatory)</span> Medical condition of insufficient blood flow

Shock is the state of insufficient blood flow to the tissues of the body as a result of problems with the circulatory system. Initial symptoms of shock may include weakness, fast heart rate, fast breathing, sweating, anxiety, and increased thirst. This may be followed by confusion, unconsciousness, or cardiac arrest, as complications worsen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compartment syndrome</span> Condition in which increased pressure results in insufficient blood supply

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhabdomyolysis</span> Human disease (condition) in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly. Symptoms may include muscle pains, weakness, vomiting, and confusion. There may be tea-colored urine or an irregular heartbeat. Some of the muscle breakdown products, such as the protein myoglobin, are harmful to the kidneys and can cause acute kidney injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidney failure</span> Disease where the kidneys fail to adequately filter waste products from the blood

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Fluid replacement or fluid resuscitation is the medical practice of replenishing bodily fluid lost through sweating, bleeding, fluid shifts or other pathologic processes. Fluids can be replaced with oral rehydration therapy (drinking), intravenous therapy, rectally such as with a Murphy drip, or by hypodermoclysis, the direct injection of fluid into the subcutaneous tissue. Fluids administered by the oral and hypodermic routes are absorbed more slowly than those given intravenously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyperkalemia</span> Medical condition with excess potassium

Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium (K+) in the blood. Normal potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L (3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L) with levels above 5.5 mmol/L defined as hyperkalemia. Typically hyperkalemia does not cause symptoms. Occasionally when severe it can cause palpitations, muscle pain, muscle weakness, or numbness. Hyperkalemia can cause an abnormal heart rhythm which can result in cardiac arrest and death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electrolyte imbalance</span> Medical condition

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crush syndrome</span> Medical condition

Crush syndrome is a medical condition characterized by major shock and kidney failure after a crushing injury to skeletal muscle. Crush injury is compression of the arms, legs, or other parts of the body that causes muscle swelling and/or neurological disturbances in the affected areas of the body, while crush syndrome is localized crush injury with systemic manifestations. Cases occur commonly in catastrophes such as earthquakes, to individuals that have been trapped under fallen or moving masonry.

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Myoglobinuria is the presence of myoglobin in the urine, which usually results from rhabdomyolysis or muscle injury. Myoglobin is present in muscle cells as a reserve of oxygen.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypoalbuminemia</span> Medical condition

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Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of a transurethral resection of the prostate procedure. It occurs as a consequence of the absorption of the fluids used to irrigate the bladder during the operation into the prostatic venous sinuses. Symptoms and signs are varied and unpredictable, and result from fluid overload and disturbed electrolyte balance and hyponatremia. Treatment is largely supportive and relies on removal of the underlying cause, and organ and physiological support. Pre-operative prevention strategies are extremely important.

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References

  1. crush injury, Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010
  2. Ron Walls; John J. Ratey; Robert I. Simon (2009). Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Expert Consult Premium Edition - Enhanced Online Features and Print (Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts & Clinical Practice (2 vol.)). St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 2482–3. ISBN   978-0-323-05472-0.
  3. N.A. Jagodzinski; C. Weerasinghe; K. Porter (July 2011). "Crush injuries and crush syndrome—A review". Injury Extra. 42 (9): 154–5. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2011.06.368 .
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greaves, I; Porter, K; Smith, JE (August 2003). "Consensus Statement On The Early Management Of Crush Injury And Prevention Of Crush Syndrome" (PDF). Faculty of Prehospital Care, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. 149 (4): 255–259. doi:10.1016/S1479-666X(03)80073-2. PMID   15015795.
  5. 1 2 Bartels S; VanRooyen M (2012). "Medical Complications Associated With Earthquakes". The Lancet. 379 (9817): 748–57. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60887-8. PMID   22056246. S2CID   37486772.

Further reading