A comparison between scintigraphy and computed abdominal tomography in blunt liver and spleen injuries in children

Fifty consecutive paediatric patients with objective clinical signs of blunt abdominal trauma underwent both computed abdominal tomography (CT) and liver-spleen scintigraphy (LSS). All were managed non-operatively with no morbidity or mortality. Five splenic and 13 liver injuries were visualised on CT while LSS revealed 9 splenic and 29 liver injuries. Where injury to either organ was detected by both modalities, there was good correlation anatomically and also as to the extent of injury. LSS demonstrated injuries not shown on CT, which appeared to detect only more extensive injuries. We conclude that scintigraphy may be the more sensitive and therefore more appropriate method when blunt injury to the liver and spleen alone is clinically suspected. Abdominal CT remains the early investigation of choice in patients with clinical evidence of haemoperitoneum associated with shock or multiple injuries, particularly when injury to the kidneys as well as to the liver and spleen is suspected or when a concomitant brain scan is indicated. Offprint requests to: D. H. Bass     

Blunt abdominal trauma in children: epidemiology, management, and management problems in a developing country

Trauma is the leading cause of death in children in developed countries. In tropical Africa, it is only beginning to assume importance as infections and malnutrition are controlled. In developed countries, the availability of advanced imaging modalities has now reduced the necessity for laparotomy to less than 10% following blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) in children. This report reviews the epidemiology, management, and unnecessary laparotomies for pediatric BAT in a developing country in a retrospective review of 57 children aged 15 years or less at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria over 12 years. The average age was 9 years and the male-female ratio 3.8:1. Seventy-four percent (74%) of abdominal injuries in children were due to blunt trauma. The commonest causes of injury were road traffic accidents (RTA) (57%), 88% in pedestrians and 59% in children aged 5–9 years. Falls were the cause of trauma in 36%, 60% of them aged 10–15 years. Other causes of injury were sports in 5% and animals in 2%. Diagnosis was clinical, supported by diagnostic peritoneal lavage or paracentesis. Two patients had ultrasonography, and none had computed tomography. Fifty-three patients had a laparotomy, 2 died before surgery, 1 was managed nonoperatively, and in 1 surgery was declined. There were 34 splenic injuries, 20 treated by splenic preservation, splenectomy in 13, and non-operative in 1. Fourteen gastrointestinal injuries were treated in 12 patients. Of 9 hepatic injuries, 4 were minor and were left untreated, 3 were repaired, 1 was packed to arrest hemorhage, and a lacerated accesory liver was excised. Four injuries to the urinary tract (bladder contusion 2, bladder rupture 1, ruptured hydronephrotic kidney 1) were treated accordingly. There were 4 retroperitoneal hematomas associated with other intra-abdominal injuries and 2 pancreatic contusions. One lacerated gallbladder was treated by cholecystectomy and a ruptured left hemidiaphragm was repaired transperitoneally. In retrospect, 27 (51%) patients could have been managed by observation (splenic injury 20, liver injury 5, bladder contusion 2) using advanced imaging modalities. One patient developed an intra-abdominal abscess following splenorrhaphy. The average hospital stay was 17 days. Mortality was 8 (14.5%) from gastric perforation (3), liver injury (2), splenic injury (1), and 2 patients died before surgery. BAT in this population results predominantly from RTA in pedestrians. Laparotomy may be avoided in 51% of cases if advanced imaging modalities are readily available. Accepted: 28 October 1999     

Analysis of the value of imaging as part of the follow-up of splenic injury in children

Objective: A recent article suggested that routine follow-up imaging is still frequently used in the conservative management of splenic trauma in children. The purpose of this study was to use decision analysis to assess the value of routine imaging as part of the long-term follow-up of splenic injury in children managed nonoperatively. Methods: A literature review (1970–1999) on the management of blunt splenic trauma in children was performed. Data, including the use of follow-up imaging and the occurrence of delayed splenic rupture and death, on those patients managed nonoperatively were collected. The data were used to construct a decision tree. A Poisson distribution was used to determine the risk of delayed splenic rupture. Results: Information was extracted from 26 cohort studies. Nineteen of these studies were retrospective and six were prospective. One study had both retrospective and prospective arms. The study population consisted of 1,083 children. Of these patients, 920 (85 %) underwent routine follow-up imaging (US, CT, or scintigraphy). Follow-up imaging was either not performed or selectively performed in 163 patients (15 %). No cases of post-discharge splenic rupture or death were encountered in any of these groups. The maximum risk of delayed splenic rupture in the entire group was 0.3 % (0–3.7 cases). Conclusion: . The risk of delayed splenic rupture following blunt injury in children is very low, and is apparently unaffected by imaging protocols. No deaths, even in cases of delayed presentation, were identified in our study. These findings do not support the use of routine follow-up imaging of children with blunt splenic trauma. Received: 17 November 2000/Accepted: 25 July 2001     

Nonoperative management of intra-abdominal bleeding due to blunt trauma in children: the risk of missed associated intestinal injuries

Nonoperative management of intra-abdominal bleeding (IAB) from blunt injuries in children has been advocated for many years. Nonoperatively managed patients, however, are at risk for missed associated intestinal injuries. To evaluate this question, we reviewed the charts of 120 children who had traumatic IAB; 106 were initially managed nonoperatively and observation failed in 2. Fourteen underwent emergency operation. Forty patients had isolated liver and/or splenic injuries while the others had injuries associated with several organs. During observation peritonitis developed in 3 patients and further radiologic examinations failed to confirm an intestinal injury. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage demonstrated contaminated blood and fecal particles from injured intestines in 3 patients; they underwent emergency operation at 10, and 26 h after admission. There was no mortality or morbidity associated with delayed treatment. These data suggest that the majority of patients with IAB may be successfully treated nonoperatively, but associated intestinal injuries should be suspected in all cases. Accepted: 16 May 1997     

Isolated splenic abscess in children, role of splenic preservation

Purpose

Splenic abscess (SA) is rare life threatening clinical condition in children. Diagnosis is delayed because of its non-specific clinical presentation. It has a high mortality rate even in the era of antibiotics. This study aim to determine the role of splenic preservation in the management of isolated splenic abscess in children, and to compare different treatment modalities for it.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study of 20 years was conducted including all children <14 years of age with the principal diagnosis of “Splenic abscess”. We have excluded all splenic abscesses occurring after penetrating or blunt abdominal trauma.

Results

Total of 17 children were managed during the study period. Most of our patients were older than 10 years of age. Majority of patients had a significant delay in presentation. Fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting were the main mode of presentation. Splenomegaly on abdominal examination was present in 12 patients. 15 (88 %) children were managed conservatively; however, 2 children required surgical intervention.

Conclusion

Splenic abscess in children is a rare disease and its diagnosis is often delayed. Delay in diagnosis of SA in children can lead to life threatening complications. A high index of suspicion is needed to reduce delay in diagnosis. Children presenting with non-specific high grade fever vomiting and abdominal pain should be evaluated for SA. Timely ultrasound and CT scan will lead to earlier diagnosis. A conservative approach with intravenous antibiotics and early percutaneous drainage especially in immunocompetent children can preserve spleen to continue immune function.     

Total severance of renal pedicle caused by blunt trauma in children

In two children complete severance of the renal vascular pedicle was the consequence of falling from a considerable height. Pre-operative diagnosis was established by retrograde aortography. In both these children there were additional injuries; one child had a splenic injury, the other a liver injury. One child survived but the other died. The importance of utilising retrograde aortography to define the nature of the injury is discussed in the context of a critical clinical situation necessitating emergency surgery.     

Ruptured spleen in children--15-year evolution in therapeutic concepts.

This is a 15-year retrospective study of 64 pediatric surgical patients with traumatic rupture of the spleen from 1976 to 1990. The overall mortality was 14% (9/64). All non-survivors had severe multiple traumata and no fatalities were attributable to splenic injury. During the first 5 years of the study, the traditional surgical approach of immediate laparotomy and splenectomy was employed. During the next 5 years we practised laparotomy with subtotal splenectomy and repair. During the final 5 years conservative management with clinical and ultrasonographic monitoring became predominant (1 splenectomy, 4 repair, 23 conservative treatments). Among the 55 survivors, 11 had splenectomy, 14 had splenic repairs and 30 were treated non-operatively. All survivors had excellent outcomes and there was only one complication: a local abscess following splenic repair. Based on a very strict protocol in conservative management, the total amount of transfused blood could be reduced remarkably during the last period. Splenectomized patients received pneumococcal vaccine and prophylactic antibiotic coverage was prescribed for febrile episodes. None of the splenectomized patients experienced septic episodes or increased rates of infection. Based on our experience, ultrasonographically monitored conservative management is the treatment of choice in most patients with splenic injury in childhood.     

Splenic trauma in the pediatric patient: the integrated roles of ultrasound and computed tomography

Seven children who sustained splenic trauma were scanned by ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound and nuclear liver/spleen scan. All patients were managed conservatively and did not need abdominal surgery. On the initial sonogram, the majority of children had multiple areas of both increased and decreased echogenicity. Hematomas were followed to resolution in five of seven children and were usually multiple and hypoechoic prior to complete disappearance. On contrast-enhanced CT scans, areas of splenic hemorrhage appeared as low attenuation. Our small patient population demonstrates that, following an initial CT scan, sonography is helpful for sequential splenic imaging to show when the appearance of the spleen returns to normal. When correlated with the clinical information, such data are helpful to the clinician in determining when a child who has sustained splenic trauma may resume normal activity.     

Nonoperative management of splenic trauma in children]

In haemodynamically stable children with splenic trauma, conservative treatment is recommended to preserve the spleen and prevent potentially lethal post-splenectomy infectious complications. We report on the case of a 11-year-old child who suffered a fistula of a huge subcapsular splenic hematoma into the colon, 16 days after the traumatism. Decision to sustain the non-operative treatment allowed the preservation of the spleen without complications.     

Conservative approach to the treatment of injured liver and spleen in children: association with reduced mortality

Background  Previous analyses of the safety of the conservative versus the operative approach to the treatment of liver and spleen blunt injuries in children often failed to account for differences in quality of care and expertise among dedicated pediatric trauma center, non-pediatric centers, centers without trauma units, and non-trauma centers. To eliminate this potential bias, the present study examined changes in the rate of surgery and their impact on outcome within the same medical centers over time. Methods  The Israel Trauma Registry was searched for patients <18 years who were treated for non-penetrating liver or spleen injuries from 1998 to 2004. Patients were grouped by period, 1998–2000 and 2001–2004, and compared for type of injury, severity of injury, type of treatment, and inpatient mortality. Results  The earlier period (1998–2000) was characterized by a significantly higher rate of operations compared with the later period (2001–2004) (P = 0.001) and higher in-hospital mortality (P = 0.04). Injury severity scores, type of organs injured, and accompanying injuries were similarly distributed in the two groups. Conclusions  Despite the similarity in the severity and characteristics of the intraabdominal injuries in 1998–2000 and in 2001–2004, the proportion of children treated conservatively increased over time, concomitant with a significant drop in inpatient mortality. We attribute this shift over a relatively short interval to increased experience and greater acceptance of conservative management in this setting.     

Hemisplenectomy for giant splenic cysts in children

To analyse the clinical features and outcome following surgery of giant splenic cysts in␣children, all patients presenting to a children's hospital over the years 1987–1996 were reviewed. Variables analysed included presenting symptoms, method of diagnosis, operative procedure, and complications. Six patients (aged 8–16 years) presented with abdominal pain or a large abdominal mass. Ultrasound examination demonstrated large (>5 cm) unilocular splenic cysts. Five of the six children underwent hemisplenectomy without complication or blood transfusion. The remaining patient had an infected cyst, for which total splenectomy was necessary because of major intraoperative haemorrhage. Hemisplenectomy is based on accurate dissection of the splenic hilum with clear knowledge of the intracapsular vascular anatomy of the spleen. Preoperative vaccination is recommended in the event that splenectomy is required. This retrospective review concludes that hemisplenectomy for splenic cysts is a safe procedure in children. Accepted: 3 November 1997     

Evolution of non-operative management for blunt splenic trauma in children

Until the late 1960s, splenectomy was routinely performed in children who had sustained blunt splenic injury. There was based on the ability to perform splenectomy without obvious consequence; the cited 90-100% mortality for splenic trauma and the possibility of delayed rupture of the spleen. In contrast, contemporary findings in immunology and surgery demonstrated that non-operative management was not only feasible but desirable in view of the potential for overwhelming post-plenectomy infection. The history of universal splenectomy following blunt splenic trauma has been reviewed and we outline the findings that have resulted in the current standard of non-operative management following blunt splenic trauma.     

Paediatric blunt abdominal trauma: challenges of management in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: In developed countries, the availability of advanced imaging techniques has reduced the necessity for laparotomy following blunt abdominal trauma in children. Laparotomy rates still remain high in developing countries where these advanced imaging techniques are lacking. A simple management protocol to identify patients who require laparotomy could reduce the laparotomy rate in children with blunt abdominal trauma in these countries. PATIENTS/METHODS: This is a review of children aged 15 years or below managed in our institution over a 5 1/2-year period for blunt abdominal trauma. The children were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of children managed from January 1999 - December 2000. During this period, there was no protocol. Group B consisted of children managed from January 2001 - June 2004. During this period, a simple management protocol was introduced. The laparotomy rates in the two groups were analysed using a simple chi-square. RESULTS: A total of 48 children, representing 63 % of children with abdominal trauma during the study period, were examined (Group A 17; Group B 31). Their ages ranged from 1.5 years - 15 years (median 9 years). Thirty-four were boys, 14 were girls (M:F = 2.4:1). Road traffic accidents accounted for 38 (79.1 %) and falls from heights for 9 cases (18.75 %), and one boy with a hydronephrotic kidney fell off the staircase at home. The diagnosis was clinical, supported by abdominal ultrasound scan (USS) and plain abdominal film. Twenty-eight (58.3 %) children had laparotomy (15 in Group A; 13 in Group B). There was a statistically significant difference in the laparotomy rates between Group A and B (p < 0.01). Nineteen children were managed nonoperatively (2 in Group A; 17 in Group B); one child died before an operation could be performed. There were 59 abdominal organ injuries in 45 children. In 2 children, ultrasound could not diagnose any organ injury. There were 33 splenic injuries; 15 children had splenic conservation, 7 underwent a splenectomy, while 10 were managed nonoperatively. One child with splenic injury died before operation. Of 7 liver injuries, 4 required suturing of lacerations, 1 subcapsular haematoma was left undisturbed at laparotomy, while 2 were managed nonoperatively. There were 4 pancreatic injuries. Three were managed nonoperatively, while 1 associated with duodenal injury had a laparotomy. All 6 gastrointestinal injuries had laparotomy. There were 5 renal injuries: 3 had laparotomy with suturing, while 2 were managed nonoperatively. There were 4 bladder injuries: 2 had laparotomy with suprapubic catheter insertion, while 2 were managed nonoperatively. There were 7 retroperitoneal haematomas in association with other organ injuries. Associated injuries included head injury in 2, long bone fracture in 2, spinal injury and chest trauma in 1 each. There were 4 deaths, 1 before surgery could be performed. CONCLUSION: Blunt abdominal trauma in children resulted mainly from road traffic accidents. The use of a simple protocol supported by ultrasound scan could reduce the laparotomy rate in countries with limited facilities.     

Acute splenic complications in children with sickle cell–hemoglobin C disease

Objective: To determine the frequency and severity of acute splenic complications in children and adolescents with sickle cell (SC) hemoglobin C disease.Methods: The medical records of 271 patients with SC disease seen at our center were reviewed to evaluate the incidence and severity of acute complications involving the spleen.Results: Sixteen (6%) children had acute splenic complications. Thirteen (5%) had 16 episodes of acute splenic sequestration (ASSC), with the initial event occurring at a mean age of 8.9 years (range, 2 to 17 years). Splenomegaly had been noted before the initial event in 6 (46%) of the 13 cases, and 3 (23%) had a history of painful splenic infarction. Two young children (aged 4 and 6 years) had a hemoglobin value less than 2 gm/dl, one without history of splenic enlargement. Three (23%) children had a second episode of ASSC. Three additional patients had a history of acute painful splenic infarction, two of whom also had splenic hemorrhage. Eight (3%) of the 271 children required splenectomy (1 after the initial episode of ASSC, 3 after a second episode of ASSC, 2 as a result of pain accompanying chronic infarction and ASSC, and 2 because of splenic hemorrhage). No deaths resulted from ASSC.Conclusions: We conclude that (1) acute splenic complications in children and adolescents with SC disease are relatively uncommon, (2) most episodes of ASSC occur in preadolescents, (3) ASSC can be life threatening, even in younger children, and (4) prior splenomegaly is not a good predictor of ASSC. Thus it is vital that the parents of all children with SC disease be instructed to palpate their child's spleen regularly. (J Pediart 1997;130:961-5)     

Blunt hepatic and splenic trauma in children: Correlation of a CT injury severity scale with clinical outcome

The purpose of this report is to compare a computed tomography (CT) injury severity scale for hepatic and splenic injury with the following outcome measures: requirement for surgical hemostasis, requirement for blood transfusion and late complications. Sixty-nine children with isolated hepatic injury and 53 with isolated splenic injury were prospectively classified at CT according to extent of parenchymal involvement. Clinical records were reviewed to determine clinical outcome. Ninety-seven children (80%) were managed non-operatively without transfusion. One child with hepatic injury required surgical hemostasis, and 17 (25%) required transfusion of blood. Increasing severity of hepatic injury at CT was associated with progressively greater frequency of transfusion (P=0.002 by ²-test). One child with splenic injury underwent surgery and eight (15%) required transfusion of blood. Splenic injury grade at CT did not correlate with frequency (P=0.41 by ²-test) or amount (P=0.35 by factorial analysis of variance) of transfusion. There was one late complication in the nonsurgical group. A majority of children with hepatic and splenic injury were managed non-operatively without requiring blood transfusion. The severity of injury by CT scan did not correlate with need for surgery. Increasing grade of hepatic injury at CT was associated with increasing frequency of blood transfusion. CT staging was not discriminatory in predicting transfusion requirement in splenic injury.     

One early and three delayed distal pancreatectomies without splenectomy and with preservation of the splenic vessels after traumatic transection of the distal pancreas in children.

Four children are presented with Class II pancreas injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident. The first child was taken to the operating room promptly due to concomitant perforation of the hollow viscus (gastric rupture) and underwent successful spleen-sparing distal pancreatectomy with preservation of the splenic artery and vein. The next three cases with isolated abdominal symptoms of pancreatic injury generally experienced a delay of one day before the onset of abdominal symptoms and positive diagnostic investigation results and were managed non-operatively (NOM) on admission; they were then treated surgically due to developing peritonitis after 24, 36, and 38 hours, respectively. The same type of operation, even though delayed and technically much more demanding, was performed, but this was not an obstacle to our efforts to preserve the spleen and its full circulation, in order to provide full immunological and haematological support during the expected prolonged postoperative course. We did not lose any of the children. A reintervention was needed in two children due to the retention of necrotic tissue and intraabdominal abscess. The serum amylase level in all cases remained above normal. We believe that a spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with splenic vessel conservation can be safely performed, even in delayed operations, and should be indicated for the surgical management.     

Diagnostic imaging in the follow-up of nonoperative management of splenic trauma in children

The spleen is the most frequently injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is approximately 95% sensitive and specific for detection of splenic injury. In children, nonoperative treatment is well-established. The basic tenet of such management is an obligatory period of rest to prevent recurrent bleeding and allow splenic healing. Splenic preservation prevents post-splenectomy sepsis. At our level I trauma center, pediatric patients (N=54) with BAT between 1993 and 1998 were retrospectively studied. Two (3.7%) died of associated injuries; 2 underwent splenectomy before transfer to our hospital. All had been diagnosed with splenic injury by CT. The mean age was 11.3 years. The mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accidents (66%), bicycle accidents (26%), and falls (8%). All 50 remaining patients were followed by ultrasound (US) after the initial diagnosis by CT. The mean hospital stay was 6 days. One patient developed the rare complication of an arterio venous (AV) fistula within the damaged spleen; 47 (94%) had normal, homogeneous parenchymal echogenicity at healing (including the patient with the AV fistula). The remaining 3 demonstrated a visible echogenic scar. Imaging documentation of healing blunt splenic trauma should ideally minimize cost and relative risk. Our results add further evidence that US is well-suited to the task. No delayed complications with this approach were recorded in this series.     

Pattern of pediatric ocular trauma in India

Objective : The aim of the study is to identify the causes, demographic and clinical profile and evaluate final visual outcome of pediatric ocular injuries.Methods : Two hundred and four children aged fourteen years or less presenting to the emergency services of a tertiary care centre with ocular injury were included. Demographic data, nature and cause of injury, duration between injury and presentation to an ophthalmologist and the diagnosis were recorded. Evaluation of visual acuity, anterior segment and fundus were done. All patients were appropriately managed and followed up on days 1, 7,1 month, 3 and 6 months.Result : Majority of injuries occurred in children of 5 years and older (87.7%). There were 133 (65.1%) boys and 71 (34.9%) girls. Forty-nine (24%) cases presented within 6 hours of injury while 70 (34.3%) presented after more than 24 hours after trauma. Most common cause of injury was bow and arrow (15.2%) followed by household appliances (14.3%). Closed globe injuries accounted for 42.2% injuries, open globe for 53.9% and 3.9% were chemical injuries. Best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 79 eyes (91.86%) in closed globe group. However, only 17 eyes (15.45%) in open globe group could achieve this.Conclusion : Most ocular injuries in children are preventable and occur from unsupervised games like bow and arrow and firecracker, which can lead to significant visual loss.     

Ultrasound assessment of mild splenomegaly: spleen/kidney ratio

Background. Ultrasound may detect mild splenomegaly before it is clinically palpable. Knowledge of the normal range of spleen size in the population being examined is a prerequisite. Racial differences in splenic length could result in incorrect interpretation of splenic measurements. Objective. To measure the normal values of splenic length in Hong Kong Chinese children and compare the results with Western data; to determine whether there is a constant ratio of the length of the spleen to the left kidney, which could be used to diagnose splenomegaly without reference to a nomogram. Materials and methods. Ultrasound was used to measure maximum splenic and left kidney length in 256 Chinese children to obtain normal values for spleen length and to determine the spleen/kidney ratio. Results. Splenic length in Chinese children is similar to Western children up to the age of about 15 years. The spleen/left kidney ratio is strikingly constant with a mean value of 1. Using 2 SD above the mean as a guide, the upper limit of normal for the spleen/kidney ratio is 1.25. Conclusion. Splenomegaly should be suspected in children if the spleen is more than 1.25 times longer than the adjacent kidney. Received: 15 January 1997 Accepted: 23 June 1997     

Outcome of children with occult bacteremia caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b.

For better definition of the clinical course and outcome of children with occult bacteremia caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), we reviewed the medical records of children who were initially managed as outpatients and subsequently found to be bacteremic. At Yale-New Haven Hospital (1971 to 1987) and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (1982 to 1987), 69 previously healthy children were identified with occult Hib bacteremia. Their median age was 14 months (range, 4 to 89 months). Thirty-six (52%) of the 69 were either febrile and/or had a focus of serious infection at follow-up (meningitis (17), pneumonia (5), epiglottitis (3), cellulitis (5), and septic arthritis (3)). Although the remaining 33 children (48%) were afebrile and appeared well on reevaluation, 3 of these 33 were still bacteremic and another 5 subsequently developed focal Hib infections. These 8 children were significantly younger (median age, 8.5 months) than the 25 children who remained well (median age, 16 months; P = 0.03). Of the 28 children who had initially been treated with antimicrobials to which their organism was known to be susceptible, 12 (43%) were improved at reevaluation and remained well; 7 (23%) of the 31 patients who had not received such antimicrobials improved and remained well (P = 0.17). Children initially managed as outpatients and later found to have had Hib bacteremia are at risk of subsequently developing a serious focal infection.