Computed tomography in the initial evaluation of patients with blunt trauma.

Two hundred sixty-six of 374 consecutive blunt trauma patients underwent emergency computed tomographic (CT) scanning during evaluation at a level I trauma center. The purpose of this study was to develop guidelines for use of CT scanning in the initial evaluation of blunt trauma patients. Of the 131 CT scans of the head obtained, 20 (15%) had positive results. Seven patients whose initial neurologic examinations were normal had abnormal results on head CT scans; none required emergent treatment of their head injury. This suggests that, in the presence of a normal neurologic examination, head CT scans can safely be delayed until other more serious injuries are addressed. Twenty-six CT scans of the chest were performed and ten (38%) were interpreted as abnormal. Chest CT scans provided information about the extent of the injury but did not alter the initial management of any patient and therefore are rarely indicated in the acute evaluation of trauma patients. A total of 110 abdominopelvic CT scans were performed and 20 (19%) were interpreted as positive. Seventy-five percent of those patients with positive CT scans were treated successfully in a nonsurgical fashion.     

Computed tomography in the evaluation of children with blunt abdominal trauma.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT in pediatric patients with blunt trauma. Correlation of the CT-identified injuries and intraoperative findings with comparison to the results of DPL was performed. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Clinical evaluation frequently is unreliable in determining the presence of intra-abdominal injury in children with blunt trauma. Peritoneal lavage has been used to establish the need for operative intervention and has been found to be safe, efficient, and reliable (98%). In many institutions, abdominal CT scans are used to evaluate these children. Because most reports involve nonoperative management, operative confirmation of CT-identified injuries is available only for those children in whom nonoperative treatment is unsuccessful. METHODS: Sixty children sustaining blunt abdominal trauma were included in the study. CT scans with both oral and IV contrast were performed before open lavage, and positive results were confirmed by operation in 18 patients. RESULTS: CT had a sensitivity of 67%, however, only 60% of the actual organ injuries were identified by the scan. In contrast, DPL has a sensitivity of 94%. Both studies were equally specific (100%). DPL was also more accurate, 98% as compared with 89% for CT. CONCLUSIONS: Although the abdominal CT scan is useful in evaluating children with blunt abdominal trauma, a number of significant injuries were missed. Based on the low sensitivity of the CT, the authors suggest diagnostic peritoneal lavage may offer advantages over CT as the initial study in the evaluation of children with blunt abdominal trauma.     

Accuracy of chest radiography versus chest computed tomography in hemodynamically stable patients with blunt chest trauma

Objective：Thoracic injuries are responsible for 25% of deaths of blunt traumas.Chest X-ray （CXR） is the first diagnostic method in patients with blunt trauma.The aim of this study was to detect the accuracy of CXR versus chest computed tomograpgy （CT） in hemodynamically stable patients with blunt chest trauma.Methods：Study was conducted at the emergency department of S ina Hospital from March 2011 to March 2012.Hemodynamically stable patients with at least 16 years of age who had blunt chest trauma were included.All patients underwent the same diagnostic protocol which consisted of physical examination,CXR and CT scan respectively.Results：Two hundreds patients （84% male and 16% female） were included with a mean age of（37.9±13.7） years.Rib fracture was the most common finding of CXR （12.5%） and CT scan （25.5%）.The sensitivity of CXR for hemothorax,thoracolumbar vertebra fractures and rib fractures were 20%,49% and 49%,respectively.Pneumothorax,foreign body,emphysema,pulmonary contusion,liver hematoma and sternum fracture were not diagnosed with CXR alone.Conclusion：Applying CT scan as the first-line diagnostic modality in hemodynamically stable patients with blunt chest trauma can detect pathologies which may change management and outcome.     

The use of chest computed tomography versus chest X-ray in patients with major blunt trauma

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography (CT) scans are often used in the evaluation of patients with blunt trauma. This study identifies the clinical features associated with further diagnostic information obtained on a CT chest scan compared with a standard chest X-ray in patients sustaining blunt trauma to the chest. METHODS: A 2-year retrospective survey of 141 patients who attended a Level 1 trauma centre for blunt trauma and had a chest CT scan and a chest X-ray as part of an initial assessment was undertaken. Data extracted from the medical record included vital signs, laboratory findings, interventions and the type and severity of injury. RESULTS: The CT chest scan is significantly more likely to provide further diagnostic information for the management of blunt trauma compared to a chest X-ray in patients with chest wall tenderness (OR=6.73, 95% CI=2.56, 17.70, p<0.001), reduced air-entry (OR=4.48, 95% CI=1.33, 15.02, p=0.015) and/or abnormal respiratory effort (OR=4.05, 95% CI=1.28, 12.66, p=0.017). CT scan was significantly more effective than routine chest X-ray in detecting lung contusions, pneumothoraces, mediastinal haematomas, as well as fractured ribs, scapulas, sternums and vertebrae. CONCLUSION: In alert patients without evidence of chest wall tenderness, reduced air-entry or abnormal respiratory effort, selective use of CT chest scanning as a screening tool could be adopted. This is supported by the fact that most chest injuries can be treated with simple observation. Intubated patients, in most instances, should receive a routine CT chest scan in their first assessment.     

Rib fracture stabilization in patients sustaining blunt chest injury

Conservative management for the majority of patients with severe chest injuries has produced a reduction in mortality, complications, and hospital length of stay. More recently, operative stabilization of rib fractures has been used with the implication of improved outcome. We assessed the impact of operative rib fracture stabilization on outcome among trauma patients. A matched case-control study of patients undergoing operative rib fracture stabilization was performed. Thirty patients undergoing rib stabilization were matched with 30 controls. Length of intensive care unit (controls, 14.1 +/- 2.7 vs cases, 12.1 +/- 1.2, P = 0.51) and total hospital (controls, 21.1 +/- 3.9 vs cases, 18.8 +/- 1.8, P = 0.59) stay were similar for both groups. There was a trend toward fewer total ventilator days for operative patients (6.5 +/- 1.3 days vs 11.2 +/- 2.6 days, P = 0.12). Ventilator days for operative patients from the time of stabilization was 2.9 +/- 0.6 days compared with 9.4 +/- 2.7 days in controls (P = 0.02). Rib fracture fixation may reduce ventilator requirements in trauma patients with severe thoracic injuries. Long-term functional outcomes need to be assessed to ascertain the impact of this procedure.     

Computed tomography and nonoperative treatment for blunt abdominal trauma

Studies were undertaken to determine if computed tomography (CT) could reliably assist physical examination in the initial assessment of blunt abdominal trauma, and also to examine how various abdominal injuries were managed with the guidance of CT. A total of 255 patients underwent emergency abdominal CT following blunt abdominal trauma over a period of seven years. One hundred and fifty two patients had abnormal CT scans, including 58 hepatic, 36 renal, 25 splenic and 9 pancreatic injuries as well as 67 patients with intra-abdominal hemorrhage and 21 patients with free abdominal air. A comparative study on the detection of pneumoperitoneum revealed CT to be far superior to plain radiography. One hundred and three patients had normal CT scans, all of whom were managed nonoperatively, except for three false-negative cases and two nontherapeutic cases. The patients with injury to the parenchymal organs were given nonoperative treatment if they had stable vital signs and no evidence of associated injuries demanding immediate surgery and the majority of these patients were managed well nonoperatively. CT was thus found to be a useful adjunct in the management of victims of blunt abdominal trauma, since in a rapid and noninvasive fashion, CT accurately defined the extent of parenchymal organ injury and also disclosed any other abdominal injuries.     

Computed tomography and nonoperative treatment for blunt abdominal trauma

Studies were undertaken to determine if computed tomography (CT) could reliably assist physical examination in the initial assessment of blunt abdominal trauma, and also to examine how various abdominal injuries were managed with the guidance of CT. A total of 255 patients underwent emergency abdominal CT following blunt abdominal trauma over a period of seven years. One hundred and fifty two patients had abnormal CT scans, including 58 hepatic, 36 renal, 25 splenic and 9 pancreatic injuries as well as 67 patients with intra-abdominal hemorrhage and 21 patients with free abdominal air. A comparative study on the detection of pneumoperitoneum revealed CT to be far superior to plain radiography. One hundred and three patients had normal CT scans, all of whom were managed nonoperatively, except for three false-negative cases and two nontherapeutic cases. The patients with injury to the parenchymal organs were given nonoperative treatment if they had stable vital signs and no evidence of associated injuries demanding immediate surgery and the majority of these patients were managed well nonoperatively. CT was thus found to be a useful adjunct in the management of victims of blunt abdominal trauma, since in a rapid and noninvasive fashion, CT accurately defined the extent of parenchymal organ injury and also disclosed any other abdominal injuries.     

Computed tomography in evaluation of blunt renal trauma. Potential for misdiagnosis of renal infarction

A case of global renal infarction resulting from blunt renal trauma is presented. The cortical 'rim sign' on computed tomographic (CT) scanning is suggestive of major renal arterial occlusion. Clinicians who use CT scanning as the initial imaging modality for the evaluation of blunt kidney trauma should be aware of this sign and its implications for management.     

Efficacy of thoracic computerized tomography in blunt chest trauma.

Studies suggest that thoracic computed tomography (TCT) is superior to plain chest X-ray (CXR) in the detection of blunt chest injury. This study examined whether TCT provides additional information to routine CXR findings, whether the additional information results in a management change, and whether TCT is more useful in patients with particular mechanisms of injury. Level I trauma patients were prospectively placed into two groups. Control (CTL) group patients underwent TCT as a result of either clinical chest symptoms or abnormal CXR findings. The mechanism (MECH) group contained patients who had no thoracic signs and a negative CXR but experienced severe mechanisms of injury. TCT identified injuries not seen on CXR in 66 per cent of the CTL group and 39 per cent of the MECH group. Identification of these injuries resulted in a highly significant (P < 0.001) change in clinical management in 20 per cent of the CTL group and 5 per cent of the MECH group. TCT appears to be most helpful in the acute evaluation of trauma patients when roentgenographic evidence of chest injury exists and provides additional information impacting on the care of the patient 20 per cent of the time. In patients with severe mechanisms of injury and normal CXRs TCT expeditiously identifies occult chest injuries that require treatment in 5 per cent of this population.     

Computed tomography for pancreatic injuries in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of computed tomography scan in diagnosing and grading the pattern of pancreatic injuries in children. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective study to review medical files of children admitted with blunt pancreatic injuries to the Maternity and Children Hospital Al-Madina Al-Munawwarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The demographic details and mechanisms of injury were recorded. From the database of the Picture Archiving and Communication System of the radiology department, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images of the pancreatic injuries, severity, type of injuries and grading of pancreatic injuries were established. RESULTS:Seven patients were recruited in this study over a period of 5 years; 5 males and 2 females with a mean age of 7 years (age range 5-12 years). Fall from height was the most frequent mechanism of injury, reported in 5 (71%), followed by road traffic accident (1 patient, 14%) and cycle handlebar (1 patient, 14%) injuries. According to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grading system, 1 (14%) patient sustained Grade Ⅰ, 1 (14%) Grade Ⅱ, 3 (42%) GradeⅢ and 2 (28%) patients were found to have Grade Ⅴ pancreatic injuries. This indicated a higher incidence of severe pancreatic injuries; 5 (71.4%) patients were reported to have Grade Ⅲ and higher on the injury scale. Three (42%) patients had associated abdominal organ injuries. CONCLUSION: Pediatric pancreatic injuries due to blunt abdominal trauma are rare. The majority of the patients sustained extensive pancreatic injuries. MDCT findings are helpful and reliable in diagnosing and grad- ing the pancreatic injuries.     

Computerized tomography in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma

Computerized tomography has proved useful in the evaluation of selected patients suffering blunt abdominal trauma. Seventeen patients with major multisystem injuries were treated using a protocol involving abdominal computerized tomographic scans for evaluation of intraabdominal injury. Significant solid organ injury was accurately diagnosed in 10 of 17 patients, 2 of whom eventually required surgical treatment. The remainder of the patients with intraabdominal solid organ injury diagnosed by computerized tomographic scan were followed under strict guidelines and recovered without surgery. Computerized tomography represents a quick, accurate diagnostic technique for dealing with blunt abdominal trauma in selected multiply injured patients.     

Supplemental emergent chest computed tomography in the management of blunt torso trauma

The efficacy of conventional chest X-ray (CXR) in comparison to chest computed tomography (CCT) in acutely injured blunt trauma patients was examined. Over a 21-month period, 50 patients underwent CXR and CCT according to a standard protocol, and their films and records were reviewed retrospectively. Hemo- and/or pneumothorax (HPTX) was noted in 12 patients (five by CXR, 12 by CCT). Pulmonary contusion (PC) was identified in ten patients (four by CXR, ten by CCT). Three additional false positive PC were diagnosed by CXR. Therapy changes based upon CCT findings occurred in seven of seven HPTX and five of six PC. The two imaging techniques were complementary in detecting fractures. Atelectasis was a common CCT finding (58% incidence). Chest X-ray is less sensitive than chest computed tomography in the detection of HPTX (42% vs. 100%) and PC (40% vs. 100%). Emergent chest computed tomography is recommended in stable patients with: 1) blunt high-energy torso trauma, 2) "cross-body" injury pattern, and/or 3) a mechanism of injury suggestive of chest trauma.     

Chest x-ray vs. computed tomography of the chest in pediatric blunt trauma

IntroductionChest x-ray (CXR) has been shown to be an effective detection tool for clinically significant trauma. We evaluated differences in findings between CXR and computed tomography of the chest (CCT), their impact on clinical management and the performance of the CXR.MethodsThis retrospective study examined children (less than 18 years) who received a CXR and CCT between 2009 and 2015. We compared characteristics of children by conducting univariate analysis, reporting the proportion of additional diagnoses captured by CCT, and using it to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the CXR. Outcome variables were diagnoses made by CCT as well as the ensuing changes in the clinical management attributable to the diagnoses reported by the CCT and not observed by the CXR.ResultsIn 1235 children, CCT was associated with diagnosing higher proportions of contusion or atelectasis (60% vs 31%; p < .0001), pneumothorax (23% vs 9%; p < .0001), rib fracture (18% vs 7%; p < .0001), other fracture (20% vs 10%; p < .0001), diaphragm rupture (0.2% vs 0.1%; p = .002), and incidental findings (7% vs 2%; p < .0001) as compared to CXR. CCT findings changed the management of 107 children (8.7%) with 32 (2.6%) of the changes being surgical procedures. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the CXR were 57.9% (95% CI: 54.5–61.2) and 90.2% (95% CI: 86.8–93.1), respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 93.1% and 48.6%, respectively.ConclusionCXR is a useful initial screening tool to evaluate pediatric trauma patients along with clinical presentation in the Emergency Department in children.Level of evidenceLevel III, diagnostic test.     

Stent-graft replacement of chronic traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta after blunt chest trauma

Chronic traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta is an unusual occurrence. Open-chest surgery for repair of chronic traumatic aneurysms results in mortality rate of 5-18%, and a morbidity rate of 11-50% also. The evolution of endovascular technology offers the promise of a new, less invasive method to achieve aneurysm exclusion. A case of chronic traumatic aneurysm of the near isthmus thoracic aorta discovered on a chest X-ray and evaluated with chest computed tomographic scanning is presented. Stent-grafting procedure is described. Stent-grafting in chronic traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta seems to be a viable minimal invasive therapeutic option for traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus.     

Computed tomography of abdomen (CTA) in management of blunt abdominal trauma

We reviewed our initial 2-year experience utilizing CT of the abdomen (CTA) in the management of blunt abdominal trauma. Thirty-four of 176 patients (19%) admitted with this diagnosis during 1987-88 underwent CTA as part of their initial evaluation. All patients were hemodynamically stable. Of the 34 CTA's, 15 were negative and the remaining 19 showed positive findings. When the CTA was negative, it was correct in 14 of 15 cases (93%). One case of a perforated jejunum was missed. Of the 19 positive CTA's, 12 cases were treated by observation. The CTA diagnosed a variety of intra- and extraperitoneal injuries which were successfully managed nonoperatively. It, however, missed findings in two cases. Seven of 19 positive CTA cases underwent laparotomy. CTA missed findings in four of these cases. These errors may have been related to the quality of the CTA technique which was subsequently assessed to be suboptimal. When positive, CTA was correct in 13 of 19 cases (68%). The overall accuracy rate was 79% (27 of 34). Subsequent review of the CT scans, however, improved the accuracy rate to 88% (30 of 34). CTA was found to be a valuable adjunct to clinical monitoring in the management of blunt abdominal trauma. However, if the utilization of CTA does not include appropriate patient selection, standardized CTA technique, and accurate radiologic interpretation, there is a significant potential for serious error.     

Peritoneal lavage in pediatric patients sustaining blunt abdominal trauma: a reappraisal

One hundred twenty-eight patients from 0 to 18 years of age underwent diagnostic peritoneal lavage following blunt abdominal trauma. Seventy-eight had negative lavages and 50 were positive. Forty-one patients underwent exploratory celiotomy after positive lavage results. A review of the operative findings and need for surgical intervention led to the conclusion that 12 of these operations were not necessary. Due to the oversensitivity of peritoneal lavage a strongly positive result mandates further diagnostic evaluation unless the patient's clinical status requires exploratory celiotomy.