TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnosing blunt hollow viscus injury
T2 - Is computed tomography the answer?
AU - Joseph, Dandrea K.
AU - Kunac, Anastasia
AU - Kinler, Rae Lynne
AU - Staff, Ilene
AU - Butler, Karyn L.
PY - 2013/4
Y1 - 2013/4
N2 - Background: Blunt hollow viscus injury (BHVI) is challenging to diagnose. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of physical exam and the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of BHVI. Methods: All blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) admissions to a level 1 trauma center from January 2009 through December 2011 were identified through the trauma registry. Data collected included demographics and findings on CT and physical exam. Results: Of 2,912 patients with blunt trauma, 340 had BAT, and 30 (9%) had BHVIs. The sensitivity and specificity of CT were 86% and 88%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of clinical exam were 53% and 69%. Twenty-seven percent of patients with BAT and bladder injuries had concomitant BHVIs. Conclusions: This is the largest single series of BHVI after BAT. CT is superior to clinical exam in establishing the diagnosis of BHVI. Although associated injuries are common, bladder injury may be an important marker for BHVI.
AB - Background: Blunt hollow viscus injury (BHVI) is challenging to diagnose. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of physical exam and the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of BHVI. Methods: All blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) admissions to a level 1 trauma center from January 2009 through December 2011 were identified through the trauma registry. Data collected included demographics and findings on CT and physical exam. Results: Of 2,912 patients with blunt trauma, 340 had BAT, and 30 (9%) had BHVIs. The sensitivity and specificity of CT were 86% and 88%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of clinical exam were 53% and 69%. Twenty-seven percent of patients with BAT and bladder injuries had concomitant BHVIs. Conclusions: This is the largest single series of BHVI after BAT. CT is superior to clinical exam in establishing the diagnosis of BHVI. Although associated injuries are common, bladder injury may be an important marker for BHVI.
KW - Blunt abdominal trauma
KW - Blunt hollow viscus injury
KW - CT scan
KW - Hollow viscus injury
KW - Trauma
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U2 - 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2012.12.003
DO - 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2012.12.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 23375703
AN - SCOPUS:84875233424
SN - 0002-9610
VL - 205
SP - 414
EP - 418
JO - American Journal of Surgery
JF - American Journal of Surgery
IS - 4
ER -