Incidence of deep-vein thrombosis in patients with fractures of the ankle treated in a plaster cast.

Stable fractures of the ankle can be successfully treated non-operatively by a below-knee plaster cast. In some centres, patients with this injury are routinely administered low-molecular-weight heparin, to reduce the risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). We have assessed the incidence of DVT in 100 patients in the absence of any thromboprophylaxis.

Transcatheter coil embolotherapy: a safe and effective option for major colonic haemorrhage.

Background: The management of major colonic bleeding is problematic. A proportion of patients require emergency surgery which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Percutaneous embolotherapy, previously considered a high risk procedure in the colon, may provide an alternative treatment in this group of patients.

Traumatic disruption of the thoracic aorta: a rational approach to imaging.

An imaging strategy is crucial in patients who have sustained a traumatic disruption of the thoracic aorta. Of those who reach hospital alive, 70-90 per cent will survive if diagnosed early and treated appropriately. The clinician has many imaging techniques to choose from, but they vary considerably in their degree of accuracy and performance time.