Role of computed tomography imaging in the diagnosis of blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma injuries

Abstract

Background: The present study was conducted with the primary aim of evaluating the role of computed tomography imaging in the assessment of blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) and penetrating abdominal trauma injuries. Methods: This prospective study comprised 53 patients with BAT and PAT injuries referred from the emergency department to the department of radio-diagnosis for ultrasonography and CT. Multidetector computed tomography scans were performed on GE Bright Speed Elite 16 slice CT Scanner. The various injuries seen on the CT images were grouped and examined based on the injury site and the organs involved. Results: The majority of the study subjects, i.e., 17/53 (32.08%) belonged age group of 20-30 yrs. Out of the 53 study subjects, 48 had BAT and 5 had PAT. The majority of study subjects who had BAT, i.e., 26/48 RTA, was the cause of trauma, and 5 out of 5 who had PAT assault was the cause of trauma. The most common organ injured was the spleen (18), followed by the liver (17), bowel (15), Anterior abdominal wall (6), pancreas (1), Kidney (1), Uterus (2), Multiple organs (1) and Hemoperitoneum without solid organ injury (1). CT showed 100% accuracy in the diagnosis of abdominal organ injuries. Conclusions: CT imaging plays a pivotal role in the rapid identification of life-threatening injuries and is helpful for prompt initiation of appropriate care, which leads to an increase in the chance of survival of patients with BAT and PAT injuries.