Blunt abdominal trauma in children: impact of CT on operative and nonoperative management.

• DOI: 10.2214/ajr.169.4.9308453
• Publication Date: 2013-02-28T17:53:31Z
• Authors: L Ruess; C J Sivit; M R Eichelberger; C S Gotschall; G A Taylor
• Keywords: Blunt trauma; Penetrating Trauma; Pediatric trauma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact CT on operative management children examined after blunt abdominal trauma.Fifteen-hundred consecutive who sustained trauma were prospectively with CT. findings and decision for or nonoperative recorded prospectively. In underwent laparotomy, indications intervention as determined by attending surgeon surgical also recorded.Three hundred eighty-eight (26%) scans had abnormal findings: solid viscus injury, 286; other abnormality, 102. Twenty (7%) 286 a injury 25 (83%) 30 hollow therapeutic laparotomy. Abnormalities seen noted in all 20 24 laparotomy based five (25%) 17 (68%) injury. Eleven twelve (74%) normal Only one these later required laparotomy.CT rarely influenced trauma. affected most injury; however, such only small subset Normal strongly predicted lack subsequent deterioration requiring intervention.