Visceral injury without hemoperitoneum: A limitation of screening abdominal sonography for trauma

Abdominal sonography for the detection of hemoperitoneum has become increasingly popular as a screening test for visceral injury after blunt trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, severity, and clinical significance (outcome) of abdominal organ injuries that occur without hemoperitoneum on the initial evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma patients.During a 12-month period, 3392 blunt trauma patients were admitted to our center. Sonographic studies were performed as an initial screening evaluation to determine the presence of hemoperitoneum in 772 (22.7%) of these patients. Abdominal visceral injuries were verified by computed tomography (CT) or surgery in 196 (5.8%) of all blunt trauma admissions. Sonography, CT, and operative findings were reviewed to determine the presence or absence of hemoperitoneum in patients with abdominal injury. Patients with abdominal visceral injury without hemoperitoneum were further analyzed to identify the type of injury and the management required.A total of 246 abdominal injuries were identified in 196 patients. Fifty (26%) patients with abdominal visceral injuries diagnosed by admission CT scan had no evidence of hemoperitoneum. Admission sonography performed in 15 (30%) of these 50 patients also showed no evidence of hemoperitoneum. Visceral injuries detected by CT in the patients without hemoperitoneum included 22 of 100 splenic injuries (22%), 18 of 91 hepatic injuries (20%), 12 of 26 renal injuries (46%), and 1 of 9 mesenteric injuries (11%). Surgery was required to manage injuries in 10 of these patients.Up to 26% of blunt trauma patients with abdominal visceral injuries do not have associated hemoperitoneum identified on admission abdominal CT or sonography. Dependence on hemoperitoneum as the sole criterion of abdominal visceral injury after blunt trauma will result in falsely negative examinations and will miss potentially significant injuries.     

Computed tomography of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma

Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging method of choice in the evaluation of hemodynamically stable children after blunt abdominal trauma. Evaluation with CT will show whether intraperitoneal fluid or blood is present and whether the liver, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas are intact. Although the principal role of CT after blunt abdominal trauma is the assessment of solid viscus injury, an unintended consequence of the increased utilization of CT in this setting is that an increased number of children with hollow viscus injury are being evaluated. CT can reliably depict injury to these hollow viscera, although the diagnosis of such injury is not as straightforward as with solid viscus injury. This essay reviews indications for CT, technique for the performance of CT, and CT findings associated with hollow and solid viscus injury and posttraumatic shock.     

The role of follow-up imaging in paediatric blunt abdominal trauma

AIM: To assess the role of follow-up imaging in paediatric blunt abdominal trauma. METHOD: All children who underwent CT scanning of their abdomen at our institution following acute blunt injury between January 1997 and December 2000 were included in the study. Case notes where researched for details regarding mechanism of injury, initial clinical presentation, acute management, complications and follow-up until discharge. Reports of imaging investigations were retrieved from the RIS database. RESULTS: In the study period 75 children underwent CT scanning of their abdomen as a primary investigation for acute blunt abdominal trauma. Of these, 12 were normal, 52 showed evidence of intra-abdominal organ injury and 11 showed findings other than abdominal organ injury. Of the 52 children that sustained intra-abdominal organ injury, 48 (92 percent) were treated conservatively. 4 (8 percent) underwent emergency surgery, 3 for bowel injury and 1 for renal trauma. Of the 48 that were treated conservatively, 9 had a complicated clinical course with 7 showing complications on follow-up imaging. The remaining 39 children had an uneventful clinical course with follow-up imaging by CT or US in 34. None showed complications that required a change in management. CONCLUSION: In our series, follow-up imaging did not contribute to further management in children with an uncomplicated clinical course following blunt abdominal trauma.     

Small bowel rupture after blunt trauma: Computed tomographic signs and their sensitivity

The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristic computed tomographic (CT) signs of small bowel perforation after blunt abdominal trauma and to evaluate their sensitivity. Nineteen preoperative CT scans were obtained from 16 patients with surgically proven small bowel rupture secondary to blunt abdominal trauma. Only the CT findings described in the original CT reports were used. Eleven of 19 CT scans (58 %) had findings that were unequivocal for bowel rupture (i.e., extraluminal air and/or extravasation of oral contrast medium). Seven CT scans (37 %) had findings that were suggestive of severe small bowel injury (i.e., focal small bowel wall thickening and/or free peritoneal fluid without other accompanying organ injuries). In all, 95 % of cases of small bowel rupture had either pathognomonic or suggestive CT findings. One CT scan did not demonstrate small bowel wall thickening, although a hemoperitoneum was present. CT is a sensitive method for suggesting severe small bowel injury and rupture secondary to blunt abdominal trauma.     

急诊床旁超声在腹部脏器闭合性损伤诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨急诊床旁超声检查对腹部闭合性损伤的诊断应用价值.方法 应用便携式超声仪对184例外伤患者行急诊床旁超声检查,观察腹部脏器声像图有无异常改变,并重视观察腹腔内有无游离液体及气体.结果 超声诊断总符合率91.8%(169/184),其中单脏器损伤156例,符合率95.5%(149/156),多脏器损伤28例,符合率71.4%(20/28),漏诊21例,误诊3例,漏、误诊率13%(24/184).手术治疗119例;保守治疗65例,经CT、MRI检查及临床保守治疗证实.结论 急诊床旁超声检查对腹部闭合性损伤的诊断符合率高,为临床提供迅速、可靠的诊断信息.     

Multidetector CT evaluation of abdominal trauma

CT is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate blunt abdominal trauma. With the advent of multidetector CT (MDCT), scanning times have progressively decreased while image resolution has increased owing to thinner collimation and reduced partial volume and motion artifacts. MDCT also allows high quality two-dimensional and three-dimensional multiplanar reformatted images to be obtained, which aid in the diagnosis of the complex multisystem injuries seen in the trauma patient. This article describes the authors' current imaging protocol with 16-detector MDCT, the spectrum of CT findings seen in patients with blunt abdominal injuries, and the role MDCT has in guiding injury management.     

急诊床旁超声在腹部脏器闭合性损伤诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨急诊床旁超声检查对腹部闭合性损伤的诊断应用价值.方法 应用便携式超声仪对184例外伤患者行急诊床旁超声检查,观察腹部脏器声像图有无异常改变,并重视观察腹腔内有无游离液体及气体.结果 超声诊断总符合率91.8%(169/184),其中单脏器损伤156例,符合率95.5%(149/156),多脏器损伤28例,符合率71.4%(20/28),漏诊21例,误诊3例,漏、误诊率13%(24/184).手术治疗119例;保守治疗65例,经CT、MRI检查及临床保守治疗证实.结论 急诊床旁超声检查对腹部闭合性损伤的诊断符合率高,为临床提供迅速、可靠的诊断信息.     

急诊床旁超声在腹部脏器闭合性损伤诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨急诊床旁超声检查对腹部闭合性损伤的诊断应用价值.方法 应用便携式超声仪对184例外伤患者行急诊床旁超声检查,观察腹部脏器声像图有无异常改变,并重视观察腹腔内有无游离液体及气体.结果 超声诊断总符合率91.8%(169/184),其中单脏器损伤156例,符合率95.5%(149/156),多脏器损伤28例,符合率71.4%(20/28),漏诊21例,误诊3例,漏、误诊率13%(24/184).手术治疗119例;保守治疗65例,经CT、MRI检查及临床保守治疗证实.结论 急诊床旁超声检查对腹部闭合性损伤的诊断符合率高,为临床提供迅速、可靠的诊断信息.     

Nonoperative management of hepatic trauma

In an attempt to determine whether selective, nonoperative management of hepatic trauma might be efficacious, a retrospective review of liver injuries was undertaken. Of the 48 patients with liver injuries identified, there were 34 men and 14 women with an average age of 28.5 years. Mechanism of injury consisted of blunt trauma in 23 patients, stab wounds in 14 patients, and 11 patients had gunshot wounds. There were 12 grade I injuries, 15 grade II injuries, 17 grade III injuries, 2 grade IV injuries, and 1 grade V injury. Diagnosis of liver trauma was made at the time of exploratory laparotomy in 15 patients and suggested by abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan in 18 patients; the remaining 15 patients had a positive peritoneal lavage which led to exploratory laparotomy. Following blunt trauma, 14 patients, all of whom underwent diagnostic abdominal CT scans which confirmed hepatic injury, had nonoperative treatment. All patients who received nonoperative management maintained stable vital signs and only five required transfusion. None of the patients who were treated nonoperatively developed complications or required delayed laparotomy. There were no deaths in this group. Of the 34 patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy, 19 required either no treatment or minor hepatorrhaphy. However, 17 of 25 patients with penetrating wounds had associated abdominal injuries which required operative treatment. Based on the information obtained in this review, it is recommended that stable patients with isolated hepatic injuries, secondary to blunt trauma confirmed by CT scan, may be managed nonoperatively. Due to the high frequency of associated injuries found in patients with penetrating trauma, nonoperative therapy is not advised.     

Abdominal sonography in examination of children with blunt abdominal trauma

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate abdominal sonography for the detection of fluid and organ injury in children with blunt abdominal trauma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive children with blunt abdominal trauma requiring abdominal CT were prospectively examined with sonography. Sonograms and CTs were independently evaluated by two radiologists for fluid and organ injury; CT examinations were considered abnormal if either was identified. Differences in CT interpretation were settled by a third observer. Using CT as the truth standard, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of sonography for both observers. Agreement of the sonographic interpretations was evaluated using kappa statistic. RESULTS: In 33.3% of patients, CT revealed fluid, organ injury, or both. The sensitivity and specificity of sonography when detection of fluid was the sole parameter evaluated was 58.8% and 79.4%, respectively, for observer 1 and 47.1% and 79.4%, respectively, for observer 2. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of sonography when detection of both fluid and organ injury was evaluated was 64.7% and 79.4%, respectively, for observer 1 and 70.6% and 70.6%, respectively, for observer 2. The negative predictive value of sonography was 79.4% and 75.0% with evaluation limited to detection of fluid and 81.8% and 82.8% with evaluation of fluid and organ abnormality for observers 1 and 2 , respectively. Agreement was excellent for sonographic identification of fluid (kappa = 0.82) but poor for detection of organ injury (kappa = 0.34). CONCLUSION: The low sensitivity and negative predictive value of sonography when assessing for either fluid alone or fluid and organ injury suggest that a normal screening sonography alone in the setting of blunt abdominal trauma fails to confidently exclude the presence of an intraabdominal injury.     

Imaging of bilateral ureteropelvic junction laceration from blunt trauma

Bilateral ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) injury from blunt abdominal trauma is rare, with only seven previously reported cases, all of which were complete avulsions. Early and delayed computed tomography (CT) for visualization of the nephrographic and excretory renal phases, respectively, is essential to distinguish parenchymal from collecting system injury. Once UPJ injury is detected by CT, differentiation between laceration and avulsion is mandatory since laceration is treated nonoperatively, whereas avulsion requires surgical repair. In addition to CT, intravenous pyelography (IVP) or retrograde pyelography may be required for full characterization of the injury. Retrograde pyelography may permit better opacification of the ureters than IVP, enabling the urologist to determine whether stent placement is necessary. We report the first case of bilateral UPJ laceration secondary to blunt abdominal trauma and the imaging studies necessary to make the diagnosis.     

腹部闭合性创伤的急诊CT评价

目的：探讨急诊CT扫描在腹部闭合性创伤中的应用价值。方法：收集整理经手术或临床证实的腹部闭合性创伤65例急诊CT检查的影像资料,进行回顾性分析,所有病例均行CT平扫。结果：腹部闭合性创伤的急诊CT扫描主要表现为混杂高密度影像,多伴腹腔出血。本组65例腹部闭合性创伤中,肝脏损伤15例、脾26例、肾13例,肠系膜与肠管损伤2例,膀胱破裂2例,复合性实质性脏器损伤7例。其中51例伴腹腔出血,22例合并肋骨骨折。结论：急症CT扫描对诊断腹部闭合性创伤具有很大的价值,能明确腹部脏器损伤的部位、程度及复合性脏器损伤等信息,以指导临床医师制定有效的治疗方案。     

Pediatric blunt abdominal trauma: periportal tracking at CT.

Periportal zones of decreased attenuation at computed tomography (CT) have been described in a variety of disorders. In the setting of blunt abdominal trauma, the zones have been attributed to dissection of blood along the portal tracts. Because of the observation of isolated periportal tracking (PPT) in children after blunt trauma, the authors retrospectively reviewed CT scans of the abdomen obtained in 114 children to determine the frequency of PPT, liver injury, and peritoneal fluid. PPT was present in 22% of patients (25 of 114); it was associated with liver injury in 10 and was the only liver abnormality in 15. Pathologic correlation was available in two patients: In one it revealed marked periportal lymphedema and in the other, PPT of blood. This study indicates that both hemorrhage and lymphatic edema may be represented as PPT in children after blunt abdominal injury.     

MRI for the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma: a case report

Blunt abdominal trauma is a leading cause of trauma related mortality. Currently, the gold standard in the radiographic evaluation of intra-abdominal injury is computed tomography (CT) with iodinated contrast material. However, in the setting of renal failure or a previous anaphylactic reaction to contrast material, radiographic evaluation of the trauma patient may prove difficult. Without contrast material, the sensitivity of CT in the diagnosis of solid organ injury is diminished. We present a case report and literature review of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.     

Focused abdominal US in patients with trauma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of focused abdominal ultrasonography (US) in detecting abdominal injuries that require in-hospital patient treatment in the setting of blunt abdominal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand ninety patients with blunt abdominal trauma were assessed with focused abdominal US within 30 minutes of arrival at the hospital. Focused abdominal US results were positive if intra- or retroperitoneal fluid was detected. Patients with negative US results and no other major injuries were observed in the emergency department for 12 hours before discharge. Patients who deteriorated clinically after negative initial US underwent repeat US and/or emergency abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT). Patients with positive or indeterminate US results underwent emergency abdominopelvic CT. RESULTS: Nine hundred seventy-four (89%) patients had negative focused abdominal US results; eight of these underwent CT. Sixty-six (6%) had positive US results. Four (0.4%) had false-negative and 19 (1.7%) had false-positive US results. Twenty-seven (2.5%) had indeterminate US results; of these, five (18.5%) had positive CT results. One hundred twenty-four (11.4%) required emergency CT. After indeterminate cases were excluded, focused abdominal US had 94% sensitivity, 98% specificity, 78% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and 95% accuracy. CONCLUSION: Focused abdominal US has a high negative predictive value for major abdominal injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.     

Penetrating trauma to the abdominal aorta: CT demonstration of active bleeding

Contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography (CT) is the imaging study of choice for evaluating the abdomen in hemodynamically stable patients following blunt trauma. Surviving victims of penetrating trauma, in contrast, are often hemodynamically unstable and may require urgent celiotomy with or without diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) or ultrasonography. Abdominal CT is not routinely performed in this patient population, but may be done if the patient with penetrating abdominal trauma is stable on admission or becomes so with resuscitation. CT in this context can address questions regarding the location and extent of injury and help decide appropriate management. We present a case of a stabilized blunt and penetrating trauma patient with negative DPL and active retroperitoneal aortic extravasation demonstrated by CT. To our knowledge, penetrating injury to the aorta with active bleeding has not been previously seen on CT.     

增强CT对腹部实质脏器损伤的诊断价值

目的：探讨增强CT扫描检查对腹部实质脏器损伤的诊断价值。方法：回顾性分析63例经手术、血管造影及CT随访证为腹部钝性损伤病人的平扫及增强CT表现征象,并比较分析各种征象的作用。结果：本组63例中,11例（2例脾损伤,3例肝损伤,6例肾损伤）平扫换明显异常,增强CT扫描呈明显的低工改变;11例器官内或周围斑点状造影剂外渗,提示为活动性出血;29例增强 CT扫描后清楚显示裂伤部位,结论：增强CT检查对肝肾损伤的诊断明显优于平扫,还可以判断有无活动性出血等情况,对损伤程度的判断和治疗方案的制定较平扫更有价值。     

The clinical impact of CT for blunt abdominal trauma

The use of computed tomography (CT) has had a tremendous impact on the evaluation and management of blunt abdominal trauma. It is noninvasive, easy to perform, and has been shown to be highly sensitive (100%), specific (96.8%), and accurate (97.6%). The use of CT has helped decrease the total number of laparotomies performed for abdominal trauma at this institution (231 in 1975-1976, 74 in 1983) as well as the number of negative and nontherapeutic laparotomies. The use of other diagnostic tests such as radionuclide scans and angiography in blunt abdominal trauma has been virtually replaced by CT. Of the 41 peritoneal lavages performed in 1983, 39 were in patients who were in the operating room for treatment of other extraabdominal injuries (i.e., closed head injury, severe extremity trauma).     

Hemoperitoneum as the sole indicator of abdominal visceral injuries: a potential limitation of screening abdominal US for trauma.

PURPOSE: To determine, at screening ultrasonography, the prevalence, severity, and clinical outcome of clinically important abdominal visceral injuries, without associated hemoperitoneum, that result from blunt abdominal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was performed at admission in 466 patients with visceral injury. A retrospective review was performed of findings from surgery and contrast material-enhanced spiral and conventional CT performed to verify abdominal visceral injuries in 467 (4%) of 11,188 patients with blunt trauma. These patients were admitted to a level 1 trauma center over 33 months to determine the presence of hemoperitoneum and to identify the grade of injury. Medical records of patients with abdominal visceral injury without hemoperitoneum were reviewed for the management required and for results of focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST). RESULTS: A total of 575 abdominal visceral injuries were identified at CT and/or surgery. Findings of CT at admission (n = 156) and of surgery (n = 1) revealed no evidence of hemoperitoneum in 157 (34%) patients with abdominal visceral injury; 26 (17%) of whom also had negative FAST studies. Abdominal visceral injuries diagnosed in patients without hemoperitoneum included 57 (27%) of 210 splenic injuries, 71 (34%) of 206 hepatic injuries, 30 (48%) of 63 renal injuries, four (11%) of 35 mesenteric injuries, and two (29%) of seven pancreatic injuries. Surgical and/or angiographic intervention was required in 26 (17%) patients without hemoperitoneum. CONCLUSION: Reliance on the presence of hemoperitoneum as the sole indicator of abdominal visceral injury limits the value of FAST as a screening diagnostic modality for patients who sustain blunt abdominal trauma.     

Blunt abdominal trauma: utility of 5-minute delayed CT with a reduced radiation dose

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the utility of 5-minute delayed computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis by using a reduced radiation dose in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board consent was obtained, and written informed consent was waived. The study was HIPAA compliant. A total of 662 patients (497 men, 165 women; mean age, 40.5 years; range, 18-94 years) were identified who were evaluated with CT after blunt abdominal trauma during a 1-year period. Delayed CT scans were acquired 5 minutes after intravenous contrast material injection by using a decreased tube current of 100 mAs. Injury was identified in 106 patients. Two radiologists blinded to initial CT scan interpretation reviewed these cases to determine the quality and utility of delayed scans. Disagreement was settled by consensus. Delayed scans were considered useful when they aided in (a) characterizing initial CT findings, (b) identifying findings not present at initial CT, (c) excluding injury suggested at initial CT, and (d) increasing reader confidence with regard to initial CT findings. RESULTS: All delayed scans were diagnostic. Delayed scans were useful in 27% (12 of 44) of patients with solid organ injury, 5.9% (one of 17) of patients with bowel or mesenteric injury, 4.5% (one of 22) of patients with pelvic fractures, and in none of the patients with free fluid only. Overall, delayed CT was useful in 2.1% (14 of 662) of all patients (95% confidence interval: 1.0, 3.2) referred for evaluation following blunt abdominal trauma. Utility increased to 13.2% (14 of 106) (95% confidence interval: 6.8, 19.7) in the group of patients with injury or suspected of having injury after initial CT. CONCLUSION: If delayed CT scans are acquired when patients with blunt abdominal trauma are evaluated, selective, rather than routine, acquisition is recommended and a reduced radiation dose seems adequate.