Clinical indications for radiographic evaluation of blunt renal trauma

The evaluation of patients with blunt renal trauma has become controversial. We tested the hypothesis that renal contusion can be diagnosed clinically and that these patients do not require radiographic evaluation. To evaluate the association of microhematuria without shock and with renal contusion, we reviewed the medical records of 831 patients with hematuria following blunt renal trauma. Microscopic hematuria without shock was noted in 160 of 241 patients without and 334 of 590 with associated injuries. Of the former 160 patients 159 had renal contusion and 1 had a renal laceration, while of the latter 334 patients 329 had renal contusion, 3 had renal laceration, 1 had renal rupture and 1 had a pedicle injury. Most patients with microscopic hematuria and no shock after blunt renal trauma had a renal contusion, especially those with no associated injury. All of the patients with renal contusions experienced no complications from nonoperative management. However, avoiding a radiographic evaluation in patients with blunt renal trauma plus microhematuria and no shock would miss a few cases of severe renal injury.     

Radiological treatment of renal artery occlusion after blunt abdominal trauma in a pediatric patient: is it never too late?

A 15-year-old boy was severely injured in a motor vehicle accident. A blunt abdominal trauma resulted in multiple lesions requiring urgent surgical treatment. Seven days after the trauma, renal Doppler sonography showed absence of arterial signal in the left kidney hilum. Selective renal angiography was performed, showing localized aneurysmatic dilatation in the principal branch of the left renal artery with interruption of renal parenchyma blood flow. Stent graft placement resulted in the resumption of a normal perfusion. After long-term follow-up, symmetric renal function has been demonstrated. Our results confirmed the efficacy of endovascular treatment in the management of pediatric patients with renal artery occlusion after blunt abdominal trauma. The outcome appeared excellent even after a prolonged period of renal ischemia.     

Expectant management of blunt renal trauma

Summary Forty-two patients with blunt renal injuries were treated between 1984 and 1994 at our institution. Twenty-nine patients revealed a contusion (grade I injury), 10 showed lacerations (grade II), 1 a severe fracture (grade III), and 2 presented pedicle injuries (grade IV). All 10 patients with incomplete renal injuries (grade II) were treated conservatively, i. e. without primary surgery. One of these 10 patients required surgical intervention 3 months after the trauma due to a urinary obstruction. Two of the ten patients with grade II injuries suffered late complications, namely a contracted kidney in one case and hypertension in the other. This means that of 10 patients with conservatively treated grade II renal trauma, a loss of the function of the affected kidney occurred in only one. In 9 patients complete function of the kidney could be preserved. In conclusion, conservative management of incomplete blunt renal injuries is an effective treatment option with few complications.      

Type of blunt renal injury rather than associated extravasation should determine treatment

The significance of extravasation of dye during excretion urography in blunt renal injuries has been controversial, with some believing that extravasation, even if copious, is largely innocuous and characterized by spontaneous resolution, and others believing extravasation is an indication for surgical correction of the underlying blunt renal injury. Thirty-two patients with extravasation diagnosed on excretion urography after blunt external trauma were evaluated. Immediate surgical management of the renal injury was performed in 18 patients who had a contusion in 1, laceration in 13, rupture in 3, and pedicle injury in 1, and averaged 2.0 associated injuries per patient. Conservative management of the renal injury was performed in 14 patients who averaged 1.1 associated injuries per patient. Ten of the 14 patients had a large renal laceration splitting the kidney or disrupting a pole with extravasation and none settled to normal. The data showed that extravasation with a small laceration resolved spontaneously while extravasation with a major disruption of the kidney did not settle to normal.     

The Incidence of Myocardial Contusion in 160 Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma Diagnostic Criteria and Outcome

The incidence of myocardial contusion after blunt chest trauma has been reported in 8.2 to 75% of trauma patients. We performed this study to report on the incidence of myocardial contusion in order to determine the frequency and to describe the type of complications in these patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis over a period of 4 years. There were 160 patients with a blunt chest trauma which were admitted to our hospital. Myocardial contusion occurred in 27 of our patients with blunt chest trauma (16.9%). In all these patients typical ECG-changes could be found during hospitalization (100%). The incidence of further pathological findings in the 27 patients was 30% for the auscultation, 37% for cardiac enzymes (MB-fraction), and 41% for the echocardiography. Cardiac complications like arrhythmias, cardiac failure and tamponade occurred in 20 patients (74%). Early diagnosis of myocardial contusion in patients with blunt chest trauma is important to prevent and to treat possible complications. ECG-controls have the highest sensitivity to detect a myocardial contusion, whereas cardiac enzymes and echocardiograms seem to be poor markers of blunt myocardial injury.     

The Incidence of Myocardial Contusion in 160 Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma

The incidence of myocardial contusion after blunt chest trauma has been reported in 8.2 to 75% of trauma patients. We performed this study to report on the incidence of myocardial contusion in order to determine the frequency and to describe the type of complications in these patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis over a period of 4 years. There were 160 patients with a blunt chest trauma which were admitted to our hospital. Myocardial contusion occurred in 27 of our patients with blunt chest trauma (16.9%). In all these patients typical ECG-changes could be found during hospitalization (100%). The incidence of further pathological findings in the 27 patients was 30% for the auscultation, 37% for cardiac enzymes (MB-fraction), and 41% for the echocardiography. Cardiac complications like arrhythmias, cardiac failure and tamponade occurred in 20 patients (74%). Early diagnosis of myocardial contusion in patients with blunt chest trauma is important to prevent and to treat possible complications. ECG-controls have the highest sensitivity to detect a myocardial contusion, whereas cardiac enzymes and echocardiograms seem to be poor markers of blunt myocardial injury.     

A comparative study of intravenous urograms and radionuclide renal scans in diagnosis of renal trauma

We analyzed 31 patients who underwent intravenous urograms (IVU) and radionuclide renal scans (RNRS) in the investigation of blunt abdominal trauma, and compared the IVU to the RNRS in the definition of blunt renal injuries, and their correlation with patients' symptoms and signs. Thirteen patients had abnormal IVU and 12 had abnormal RNRS (42% of the 31 patients). In 8 patients findings on IVU correlated with those on RNRS (62%), and in 5 patients findings were different (38%). Only 2 patients (6.5%) had significant differences which may have influenced further treatment. Only 1 patient required operative management. Follow-up IVUs were performed on 6 of the 13 patients who had abnormal radiologic studies. The radionuclide renal scan was shown to be as accurate as the intravenous urogram in defining renal trauma. Patients who undergo liver-spleen scans for investigation of blunt abdominal trauma, and who may have renal trauma, may well undergo RNRS at the same time and obviate the need for an IVU, without any diagnostic compromise.     

Efficacy of Radiographic Imaging in Pediatric Blunt Renal Trauma

Purpose

We sought to determine whether radiographic imaging can effectively detect significant renal injuries in children with blunt trauma who do not have significant hematuria.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the records of 180 children who presented to our hospital for suspected renal trauma between 1977 and 1995. Results of excretory urography or abdominal computerized tomography were correlated with urinalysis findings and clinical outcome.

Results

Of 147 patients with microscopic hematuria after blunt trauma 77 underwent imaging. Only 1 patient had a significant renal injury (grade 2 or greater) and 76 had normal findings or renal contusions only, including 11 with microscopic hematuria and shock. Of the 74 patients who did not undergo imaging a clinical diagnosis of renal contusion was made and followup was available for 57 (77 percent). All patients healed without adverse sequelae. Of 33 patients with gross hematuria significant renal injuries were found in 9, including 3 who required immediate surgical repair of a major renal laceration or vascular injury. Combining our results with those of other reported series revealed significant renal injuries in only 11 of 548 children (2 percent) with less than 50 red blood cells per high power field on presenting urinalysis after blunt abdominal trauma. These patients were likely to have multiple associated injuries.

Conclusions

Significant renal injuries are unlikely in pediatric patients with blunt renal trauma but no gross or substantial microscopic hematuria. Shock does not appear to be a clinically useful indicator.     

Traumatic rupture of a horseshoe kidney

One-third to one-half of all patients with horseshoe kidney are asymptomatic and the condition is found incidentally. This congenital renal anomaly has shown as a predisponent condition for renal injury in blunt abdominal trauma, but often the degree of injury has a nonoperative therapy. Horseshoe kidney rupture is an exceptional pathology that require a complete diagnostic study to make an adequate management when surgical therapy is indicated. We present a fifteen-year-old male with previously unsuspected horseshoe kidney that suffered an atypical right upper-pole and mesorrenal kidney rupture after low-velocity-impact blunt abdominal trauma. A correct presurgical diagnose let a deferred surgical approach with right lower pole and horseshoe renal isthmus preservation. The trauma conditions, an excesive clinic manifestation, a clinical investigation about known congenital simultaneous anomallies and typical radiological signs, can suggest this infrequent patology. Computed tomography provides the best radiological information.     

A case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis probably derived from a renal injury

A 56-year-old women was admitted for examination of glycosuria. She had had a blunt trauma onto the left abdomen 2 years ago that could have caused renal injury. Incidentally a left renal mass was detected by ultrasonography as a low echogenic mass. CT scan revealed a 2.5 X 2.5 cm mass with lower density than the kidney. IVP and renal angiography showed no abnormal findings. Under the diagnosis of renal tumor, left nephrectomy was performed. A 2 X 2 cm butter-yellow tumor, was seen in the renal parenchyma including the renal capsule of the upper and lateral part of the kidney. The renal pelvis was normal and there were no suppurative lesions in the kidney. Histopathological diagnosis was xanthogranuloma of the kidney partly containing a subcapsular hematoma. The previous blunt trauma, presence of hematoma and no evidence of suppurative lesions suggested that the etiology of xanthogranuloma in this case was related to renal injury.     

胰腺钝性损伤急诊CT诊断与外科治疗

【摘要】〓目的〓探讨胰腺损伤的诊断及外科治疗。方法〓回顾分析经临床诊疗和手术证实为钝性胰腺损伤(13例)患者CT表现和治疗结果。结果〓13例患者中,胰腺挫伤4例,挫裂伤9例,其中胰腺横断伤1例;均伴有胰周被膜、肾前筋膜增厚,胰腺周围脂肪间隙模糊及积液;2例伴假囊肿形成。合并伤包括脾挫裂伤5例,肝挫裂伤6例,肾挫裂伤3例。12例痊愈,1例死亡,3例术后6月假性囊肿形成。结论〓腹部CT检查对胰腺损伤的早期诊断及治疗具有非常重要的价值。     

Are diagnostic peritoneal lavage or focused abdominal sonography for trauma safe screening investigations for hemodynamically stable patients after blunt abdominal trauma? A review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Assessment of patients in the emergency department who sustain blunt abdominal trauma represents a significant diagnostic challenge. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used as the principal investigation for these patients. A sensitive screening test could safely reduce the use of CT. OBJECTIVES: To appraise the evidence supporting the use of diagnostic peritoneal lavage and focused abdominal sonography for trauma as screening tests in the emergency department to reduce the use of CT in the initial assessment of patients sustaining blunt abdominal trauma. METHODS: A search of high-quality evidence resources was performed, followed by a hand search of the bibliographies of all relevant articles. RESULTS: Altogether, 55 articles were found during the initial search, of which 23 were relevant. An additional 11 were found by hand searching. Six relevant original research articles were found. CONCLUSION: Screening diagnostic peritoneal lavage and selective CT is a safe diagnostic strategy for the investigation of blunt abdominal trauma. Further research is needed to determine the role of focused abdominal sonography for trauma scanning in diagnostic protocols.     

Imaging in blunt cardiac injury: Computed tomographic findings in cardiac contusion and associated injuries

BackgroundBlunt cardiac injury (BCI) may manifest as cardiac contusion or, more rarely, as pericardial or myocardial rupture. Computed tomography (CT) is performed in the vast majority of blunt trauma patients, but the imaging features of cardiac contusion are not well described.PurposeTo evaluate CT findings and associated injuries in patients with clinically diagnosed BCI.Materials and methodsWe identified 42 patients with blunt cardiac injury from our institution's electronic medical record. Clinical parameters, echocardiography results, and laboratory tests were recorded. Two blinded reviewers analyzed chest CTs performed in these patients for myocardial hypoenhancement and associated injuries.ResultsCT findings of severe thoracic trauma are commonly present in patients with severe BCI; 82% of patients with ECG, cardiac enzyme, and echocardiographic evidence of BCI had abnormalities of the heart or pericardium on CT; 73% had anterior rib fractures, and 64% had pulmonary contusions. Sternal fractures were only seen in 36% of such patients. However, myocardial hypoenhancement on CT is poorly sensitive for those patients with cardiac contusion: 0% of right ventricular contusions and 22% of left ventricular contusions seen on echocardiography were identified on CT.ConclusionCT signs of severe thoracic trauma are frequently present in patients with severe BCI and should be regarded as indirect evidence of potential BCI. Direct CT findings of myocardial contusion, i.e. myocardial hypoenhancement, are poorly sensitive and should not be used as a screening tool. However, some left ventricular contusions can be seen on CT, and these patients could undergo echocardiography or cardiac MRI to evaluate for wall motion abnormalities.     

Blunt renal trauma-blessing in disguise?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify pathologic lesions of the kidney found incidentally during the workup of a blunt renal trauma. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of 103 patients ages 0 to 18 years with blunt renal injuries admitted to a level 1 pediatric trauma center between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1999 was performed. All patients underwent ultrasonography and Doppler of their renal vessels. Additional investigations with computed tomography (CT) scan, cystography, or nuclear medicine functional studies were performed as indicated. Results: Coexisting urogenital lesions were identified in 13 of 103 (12.6%) patients reviewed, and 7 (54%) required surgical treatment. The majority of the patients (9 of 13, 69%) suffered minimal trauma. All patients presented with gross hematuria as their main symptom. Stenosis of the uretero-pelvic junction was the most frequent diagnosis (n = 7): 3 patients required uretero-pyeloplasty, and 3 required nephrectomy. Two heterogeneous renal masses were discovered in which the diagnosis of a malignant process could not be eliminated; elective resection and open biopsy were performed. The diagnoses of multicystic kidney and solitary cyst with complex hematoma, respectively, were confirmed on pathology. Grade III ureterovesical reflux with pyelonephritis (n = 1), polycystic kidney (n = 1), extrarenal pelvis without obstruction (n = 1), and horseshoe kidney (n = 1) were the other lesions discovered. Conclusions: Pathologic lesions of the urinary tract are uncommon; however, they may complicate an otherwise negligible renal trauma. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to blunt renal trauma must be modified in these cases. A high index of suspicion must be maintained when a patient presents with gross hematuria with a minimal force blunt abdominal trauma.     

Management of sonography in blunt abdominal trauma

A standardized management of sonography in blunt abdominal trauma has replaced peritoneal lavage in our department. The sonographic evaluation is performed simultaneously with additional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the emergency room. The primary goal is the exclusion of intraabdominal bleeding. The management and the results of the diagnostic procedure are presented with reference to a consecutive series of 314 patients with blunt abdominal trauma or polytrauma. In 71 patients, laparotomy was performed because the sonographic findings were felt to indicate it. Only in two cases was the sonographic assessment incorrect (false-positive). Frequent sonographic and clinical controls are required especially when sonography cannot totally exclude intraabdominal bleeding during the initial assessment. If any discrepancies between negative or uncertain sonographic and suspect clinical findings remain, further high-tech diagnostic methods or exploratory laparotomy become necessary.     

Renal artery intimal flaps after blunt trauma: indications for nonoperative therapy

After sustaining blunt abdominal trauma, two patients were found to have intimal flaps in extrahilar renal arteries without thrombosis. These renal artery injuries were observed without surgical repair because of severe concomitant multiple organ trauma. Continued patency of the renal arteries was confirmed by sequential renal scans or arteriograms. To decrease the risk of morbidity and death after blunt renovascular trauma, a patent artery with an intimal flap may be observed. Mandatory urgent repair is reserved for patients with bilateral renal injuries or for patients with a solitary kidney. Should symptomatic renal infarction or hypertension develop, delayed renal artery repair or nephrectomy is indicated.     

Blunt renal trauma in children with previously undiagnosed pre-existing renal lesions and guidelines for effective initial management of kidney injury

OBJECTIVES: To record pre-existing renal lesions (PERL) found incidentally during evaluation for blunt renal trauma in children, determine their importance, suggest guidelines for the effective initial management of children with significant renal trauma and to evaluate the role of temporary percutaneous nephrostomy tube drainage (TPND) in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 338 children who were hospitalized with blunt abdominal trauma between 1992 and 2000. Thirty-one patients had significant renal injury, 17 before 1997 (reviewed retrospectively) and the others reviewed and followed prospectively. RESULTS: Eleven of the 31 children had a PERL, which had been undiagnosed before the injury. The mean (range) follow-up was 52 (15-104) months. There were 22 boys and nine girls (mean age 9.1 years, range 2-13). The mean age was lower in patients with a PERL than in children with isolated renal injury. The most common cause of blunt renal injuries was a fall (45%) followed by motor vehicle accidents. Renal stones were present in five children, pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction in four, megaureter in one and a renal cyst in one. The mean injury severity scores were 12 in the children with a PERL and 14 in patients without. TPND was used in seven (22%) children; four were associated with a PERL. The mean grade of injury score for the kidney was higher in patients with a PERL and in children who underwent TPND than in patients who previously had a normal kidney and in children who did not undergo TPND. Early surgical intervention was required in three children; all were associated with a PERL. Of the 13 children who underwent surgery 11 had previous disease. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of PERL is high (36%) in children with blunt renal trauma. PERL can predispose minor trauma to cause kidney injury even with no evidence of hydronephrosis. When a minor trauma results in renal injury, it is important to seek a PERL. In selected patients, TPND may decrease the length of hospital stay and improve the outcome of the injured kidney, thereby decreasing the need for further surgery in those with isolated renal injury; however, it appears not to decrease the need for later operations in children with a PERL.     

Radiologic Evaluation of Pediatric Blunt Renal Trauma in Patients with Microscopic Hematuria

As a result of the rapid increase in medical costs, the efficacy of diagnostic imaging is under examination, and efforts have been made to identify patients who may safely be spared radiographic imaging. We reviewed the records of children who presented to our institution with suspected blunt renal injuries to determine if radiographic evaluation is necessary in children with microscopic hematuria and blunt renal trauma. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1200 children (ages less than 18 years) who sustained blunt abdominal trauma and who presented to our level I pediatric trauma center between 1995 and 1997. Urinalysis was performed in 299 patients (25%). Urinalysis results were correlated with findings on abdominal computed tomography (CT). All patients had more than three red blood cells per high power field (RBC/ hpf) or gross hematuria. Renal injuries were graded according to the injury scale defined by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Sixty-five patients had microscopic hematuria. Thirty-five (54%) were evaluated with an abdominal CT scan. Three patients sustained significant renal injuries (grade II-V), and 32 patients had normal findings or renal contusions. Therefore only 3 of 65 patients (4.6%) sustained a significant renal injury. All three patients had other associated major organ injuries. Of the three patients with gross hematuria evaluated with abdominal CT, one (33%) sustained a significant renal injury and had no associated injuries. The degree of hematuria did not correlate with the grade of renal injury. Pediatric patients with blunt trauma, microscopic hematuria, and no associated injuries do not require radiologic evaluation, as significant renal injuries are unlikely. However, children who present with associated injuries and microscopic hematuria after blunt trauma may have significant renal injuries and should undergo radiologic evaluation.     

Blunt injuries of the gastrointestinal tract

This study represents our experience with severe blunt gastrointestinal injury in 29 polytrauma and 3 solitary trauma patients. The primary diagnosis was missed in intestinal perforation (4x) and mesenteric disrupture (1x). In 2 other patients contusion of the gastrointestinal wall led to postprimary perforation. The average mortality was 21.8%; only 2 patients died from abdominal sepsis. Blunt gastrointestinal trauma differs from penetrating injury as far as the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are concerned. In some cases, explorative laparotomy alone leads to early diagnosis. For sufficient management, the blunt contusion/compression aspects must be taken into account.     

Evaluation of incidence, clinical significance, and prognostic value of circulating cardiac troponin I and T elevation in hemodynamically stable patients with suspected myocardial contusion after blunt chest trauma

BACKGROUND: The frequency and prognostic influence of myocardial injury in patients with blunt chest trauma is controversial. We investigated the value of cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) and cardiac troponin T (cTn-T), highly specific markers of myocardial injury, to determine whether their measurement would improve the ability to detect myocardial contusion in stable patients with blunt chest trauma in comparison with conventional markers and whether they were associated with significantly worse late clinical outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Over an 18-month period, myocardial contusion was diagnosed in 26 of 94 patients (27.6%) with acute blunt chest trauma (motor vehicle crash; 81%), because of echocardiographic abnormalities (n = 12), electrocardiographic abnormalities (n = 29), or both. Patients with myocardial contusion had a significantly higher Injury Severity Score at the time of admission (p = 0.001) and a significantly longer hospital stay (p = 0.0008). All patients survived admission to hospital and were hemodynamically stable. None of the patients died or had severe in-hospital cardiac complications. The percentage of patients with elevated CK, (CK-MB/total CK) ratio, or CK-MB mass concentration was not significantly different between patients with or without myocardial contusion. However, there were significant differences between the two groups when we applied the commonly used threshold levels of CK-MB activity and myoglobin. The percentage of patients with elevated circulating cTn-I and cTn-T (> or = 0.1 microg/L) was significantly higher in patients with myocardial contusion (23% vs. 3%; p = 0.01 and 12% vs. 0%; p = 0.03, respectively). Complete changes in cTn-I and cTn-T correlated well (r = 0.91, p = 0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of cTn-I and cTn-T in predicting a myocardial contusion in blunt trauma patients were 23%, 97%, and 77%, 75%, and 12%, 100%, and 74%, 100%, respectively. Clinical follow-up was available in 83 patients (88%) (mean, 16 +/- 7.5 months). There were no deaths in either group directly attributed to cardiac complications. None of the patients had any long-term cardiac complications or myocardial failure related to blunt chest trauma. CONCLUSION: Although improved specificity of cTn-I and cTn-T compared with conventional markers, it should be emphasized that the main problem with cTn-I and cTn-T is low sensitivity as well as low predictive values in diagnosing myocardial contusion. cTn-I and cTn-T measurement is currently not an improved method in diagnosing blunt cardiac injury in hemodynamically stable patients. Moreover, there was no association of postmyocardial contusion cell injury and late outcome in these patients when cTn-I and cTn-T and other conventional markers were considered.