A rare small intestine injury without free gas image on radiological imaging after blunt abdominal trauma in a child: ileal perforation

Abstract

Introduction:Trauma continues to be one of the leading causes of death in children. Even though among traumas blunt abdominal trauma is frequently seen in children, small intestine injuries due to blunt abdominal trauma are very rare. In case the diagnosis of intestinal perforations is delayed and not treated rapidly, severe morbidity and mortality may develop. 
 Case Report: In this case, a 4-year-old male patient with ileal perforation, who applied to the emergency department with blunt abdominal trauma and did not show any signs of free gas in radiological imaging, was presented. 
 Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, ileal perforation associated with blunt abdominal trauma is very rare in the literature. The aim of this case report is to emphasize the necessity of considering small intestine injury in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal syndrome in children applying with blunt abdominal trauma.