Incidence, severity, and patterns of intrathoracic and intra-abdominal injuries in motorcycle crashes.
BACKGROUND
Although severe head injuries have been reduced with helmet use, little has been done to address the severity of trauma to organs of the trunk in motorcycle crashes. We detail the frequency, severity, and pattern of intrathoracic and intra-abdominal injuries that may be helpful in the recognition and medical treatment of such injuries.


METHODS
Diagnostic and treatment information from emergency room, hospital, and coroner records from a cohort of motorcyclists injured from 1991 to 1992 were obtained from 28 hospitals and 11 coroners in California.


RESULTS
Multiple intrathoracic and intra-abdominal injuries were common, and the number and bilaterality of rib fractures were strongly associated with chances of injuries to the thoracic and abdominal organs.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with severe injury in one anatomic region of the trunk are very likely to have severe injuries in the same or other anatomic regions. These patients are best treated in trauma centers, where rapid diagnosis and treatment are possible.
Kraus
Jess F
JF
Southern California Injury Prevention Research Center, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-2884, USA. jkraus@ucla.edu
Peek-Asa
Corinne
C
Cryer
H Gill
HG
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D016015:Logistic Models; D009049:Motorcycles; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology