Blunt Liver Trauma Research Articles

Hepatic pseudoaneurysm after traumatic liver injury; is CT follow-up warranted?

IntroductionHepatic pseudoaneurysm (HPA) is a rare complication after liver trauma, yet it is potentially fatal, as it can lead to sudden severe haemorrhage. The risk of developing posttraumatic HPA is one of the arguments for performing follow-up CT of patients with liver injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of HPA post liver trauma.MethodsA retrospective study from 2000-2010 of conservatively treated patients with blunt liver trauma was performed to investigate the incidence and nature of HPA. After the initial CT scan patients were admitted to the department and if not clinically indicated prior a follow-up CT was performed on day 4-5.ResultsA total of 259 non-operatively managed patients with liver injury were reviewed. 188 had a follow-up CT or US and in 7 patients a HPA was diagnosed. All aneurysms were treated with angiographic embolization and there were no treatment failures. There was no correlation between the severity of the liver injury and development of HPA. 5 out of 7 patients were asymptomatic and would have been discharged without treatment if the protocol did not include a default follow-up CT.ConclusionsIn conclusion, this study shows that HPA is not correlated to the severity of liver injury and it develops in 4% of patients after traumatic liver injury. In order to avoid potentially life-threatening haemorrhage from a post trauma hepatic pseudoaneurysm, it seems appropriate to do follow-up CT as part of the conservative management of blunt and penetrating liver injuries.

The Impact of Transient Hepatic Attenuation Differences in the Diagnosis of Pseudoaneurysm and Arteriovenous Fistula on Follow-Up CT Scans after Blunt Liver Trauma.

A feared complication to liver trauma is delayed vascular complication, such as pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula (PS/AF) seen as focal enhancement on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in the arterial phase. A hyperdense area termed transient hepatic attenuation difference (THAD) representing altered hepatic blood flow can be seen in the arterial phase near the liver lesion. The objective of this study was to describe THAD and PS/AF on follow-up CT after blunt liver trauma, and to evaluate if THAD influenced the evaluation of PS/AF. Three radiology residents retrospectively evaluated scans of 78 patients. The gold standard for PS/AF was an evaluation by an experienced senior radiologist, while THAD was a consensus between the residents. PS/AF was present in 14% and THAD in 54%. THAD was located in the periphery of the lesion with hazy borders and mean HU levels of 100, while PS/AF was located within the lesion with focal enhancement and mean HU levels of 170 (p < 0.05). In evaluation of PS/AF, the likelihood of agreement between the observers and the gold standard was 89% when THAD was present, and 98% when THAD was absent (p = 0.04). THAD is common and can hamper the evaluation of PS/AF.

Long-term follow-up after non-operative management of biloma due to blunt liver injury.

Some case series have reported that hepatectomy was used to treat major bile leakage and biloma. However, it is unknown whether non-operative management (NOM) can be used to treat these complications. Our hospital uses NOM primarily for blunt liver injuries. This study describes the incidence and treatment of newly developed biloma in hemodynamically stable patients with blunt liver trauma and investigates NOM as a treatment option. A retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2006 to May 2012 at a tertiary care hospital in Japan. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of biloma and the number of patients who required operative management. Biloma was defined as a cystic lesion with low density near the site of liver injury on contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography. Chart review identified 98 patients (63 males and 35 females). Thirty-five of 98 patients (35.7 % [95 % CI, 26.2-45.2]) developed biloma. Infected biloma in three, of whom one required percutaneous drainage. Hepatectomy was not performed. Our data suggest that biloma after NOM of blunt liver injury is common (36 %), but infected biloma is rare. All patients with bilomas were treated using NOM. Most bilomas are self-limited, and NOM is feasible.

Screening and management of major bile leak after blunt liver trauma: a retrospective single center study.

BackgroundMajor bile leak after blunt liver trauma is rare but challenging. It usually requires endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) for management. However, there is still lack of specific indications. The aim of this study is to elucidate risk factors for major bile leak and indications for early ERC after blunt liver trauma.MethodsThe trauma registry of a level I trauma center in Taiwan was queried, and all blunt liver trauma patients from June, 2008 to June, 2011 were selected for retrospective review. Data collected included demographic data, laboratory data, Injury Severity Score (ISS), liver injury grade and location, management of liver trauma, length of ICU, hospital stay and treatment result. ERC was used to confirm major bile leak.Results288 blunt liver trauma patients were selected from 2,475 torso trauma patients. There were 214 (74.5%) male and 74 (25.7%) female patients. The mean ISS was 24.2. Most patients received conservative treatment. Transcatheter artery embolization (TAE) and operation were 15.6% and 10.8% respectively. Major bile leak occurred in 14 (4.9%) patients. Risk factors for bile leak include high-grade liver injury, centrally-located liver trauma and use of TAE. A bilirubin level greater than 43.6 μmol/L provides a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 85.1% for predicting major bile leak.ConclusionsHigh injury grade; centrally-located liver trauma; and use of TAE are risk factors for major bile leak after blunt liver trauma. ERC should be arranged early if the patient has risk factors and their plasma bilirubin level is greater than 43.6μmol/L during admission.

Characterizing benign liver lesions and trauma with contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Microbubbles as an ultrasound contrast agent allow characterization of focal liver lesions. This article summarizes the ultrasound appearances and enhancement characteristics of benign liver lesions, focal fatty sparing and focal fatty change, and blunt liver trauma.

Surgical Treatment of Blunt Liver Trauma, Indications for Surgery and Results

IntroductionThe liver is the most frequently injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Patients who are hemodynamically unstable must undergo immediate surgical treatment. There are 2 surgical approaches for these patients: Anatomical Liver resection and non-anatomic liver resection. Around 80%–90% of patients are candidates for non-operative management. Several risk factors have been studied to select the patients most suited for a non-operative management. Materials and methodsWe performed a retrospective study based on a prospective database. We searched for risk factors related to immediate surgical management and failed non-operative management. We also described the surgical procedures that were undertaken in this cohort of patients and their outcomes and complications. ResultsDuring the study period 117 patients presented with blunt liver trauma. 19 patients (16.2%) required a laparotomy during the initial 24h after their admission. There were eleven deaths (58%) amongst these patients. Peri-hepatic packing and suturing were the most common procedures performed. An RTS Score<7.8 (RR: 7.3; IC 95%: 1.8–30.1), and ISS Score >20 (RR 2,5 IC 95%: 1.0–6.7), and associated intra-abdominal injuries (RR: 2.95; IC 95%: 1.25–6.92) were risk factors for immediate surgery. In 98 (83.7%) patients a non-operative management was performed. 7 patients had a failed non-operative management. ConclusionThe need for immediate surgical management is related to the presence of associated intra-abdominal injuries, and the ISS and RTS scores. In this series the most frequently performed procedure for blunt liver trauma was peri-hepatic packing.

Management of Liver Trauma in Kuwait

Objectives: The aim of this study was to introduce the concept of non-operative management (NOM) for blunt liver trauma by establishing a protocol and a prospective Liver Trauma Registry in Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: A prospective Liver Trauma Registry was started in 4 hospitals and it included 117 patients who had sustained blunt liver trauma (94 men and 23 women). Unstable patients were taken to surgery while stable patients were managed conservatively regardless of the grade of liver injury. High-grade (III-VI) liver injuries were managed in collaboration with the liver surgery specialist. Results: The mean age of the 117 patients was 29.02 ± 11.18 years (range 7-63). NOM was successful in 94 (96%) patients and failed in 4 (4%) (these 4 then underwent successful surgery). Nineteen (16.2%) were unstable and underwent surgery immediately; 15 (79%) of them survived (they had had grade III-V injuries) and 4 died (2 with grade V injuries and 2 with grade VI injuries). Perihepatic packing was necessary in 8/19 (42%) patients. The overall mortality was 3.4% (4/117). Conclusions: This study showed that NOM was successful in a majority of patients with blunt liver trauma. In addition, it confirmed that the magnitude of liver injury and haemoperitoneum did not preclude NOM as long as the patient was haemodynamically stable.

Massive Hemobilia: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

Massive hemobilia is a rare but potentially life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In this retrospective analysis, we have evaluated the challenges involved in the diagnosis and management of massive hemobilia. Between 2001 and 2011, a total of 20 consecutive patients (14 males) who were treated in our department for massive hemobilia were included in the study and their records were retrospectively analyzed. Causes of hemobilia were blunt liver trauma (n = 9), hepatobiliary intervention (n = 4), post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (n = 3), hepatobiliary tumors (n = 3), and vascular malformation (n = 1). Melena, abdominal pain, hematemesis, and jaundice were the leading symptoms. All patients had undergone upper GI endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, and computerized tomography of the abdomen. An angiogram and therapeutic embolization were done in 12 patients and was successful in nine but failed in three, requiring surgery. Surgical procedures performed were right hepatectomy (n = 4), extended right hepatectomy (n = 1), segmentectomy (n = 1), extended cholecystectomy (n = 1), repair of the pseudoaneurysm (n = 3), and right hepatic artery ligation (n = 1). The successful diagnosis of hemobilia depends on a high index of suspicion for patients with upper GI bleeding and biliary symptoms. Although transarterial embolization is the therapeutic option of choice for massive hemobilia, surgery has a definitive role in patients with hemodynamic instability, after failed embolization, and in patients requiring laparotomy for other reasons.

Bilhemia: A Rare Complication of Hepatic Blunt Trauma, Non Interventional Management and Present Aspect

Bilhemia, defined as the passage of bile into the bloodstream through a bile duct-venous system fistula, is a rare complication after liver blunt trauma. We report here the case of a 20 year-old patient who presented with a liver blunt trauma complicated with bilhemia in who hemodynamic stability enabled non-surgical management.

Fibrin patch in a pig model with blunt liver injury under severe hypothermia

BackgroundRapid control of hemorrhage is one of the key aspects in trauma handling. To cope with bleeding, local hemostatic approaches are useful, along with surgical and systemic homostatic therapy. In this experimental study, we investigated the efficacy of a fibrinogen/thrombin containing collagen patch (TachoSil) in a coagulopathic pig model with blunt liver trauma under severe hypothermia. MethodsEighteen anesthetized pigs underwent hemodilution by exchanging 70% of the blood volume with Ringer Lactate solution and hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (1:1). Ten minutes after induction of a grade III blunt liver trauma, the animals randomly received treatment with TachoSil (FT-patch, n = 9) or a collagen patch (Tachotop, control group, n = 9). Blood loss, hemodynamics, and coagulation parameters were observed for 2 h. To confirm the consistency of liver trauma, pathologic examination of the liver tissue was performed. ResultsHypothermia (33.5°C ± 0.5°C) and hemodilution led to severe coagulopathy as measured by thromboelastometry and coagulation parameters. After trauma and patch application, thromboelastometry and coagulation parameters in the control group showed further deterioration compared with the stable parameters in the FT-patch group. The total blood loss was significantly reduced in the FT-patch group (FT-patch: 1195 mL; control group: 2495 mL; P < 0.001). Concordantly, the control animals were hemodynamically jeopardized to a higher degree. Microscopy confirmed a similar degree of liver injury. ConclusionsDespite severe hypothermia and coagulopathy, TachoSil provided effective hemorrhage control in pigs with blunt liver injury. Therefore, TachoSil demonstrated usefulness as an additional early therapy in cases of uncontrolled bleeding following severe trauma.

Tratamiento del traumatismo cerrado de hígado, indicaciones de cirugía y desenlaces

IntroductionThe liver is the most frequently injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Patients that are hemodynamically unstable must undergo inmmediate surgical treatment. There are 2 surgical approaches for these patients; Anatomical Liver resection or non-anatomic liver resection. Around 80-90% of patients are candidates for non-operative management. -Several risk factors have been studied to select the patients most suited for a non operative management. Materials and methodsWe performed a retrospective study based on a prospective database. We searched for risk factors related to immediate surgical management and failed non-operative management. We also described the surgical procedures that were undertaken in this cohort of patients and their outcomes and complications. ResultsDuring the study period 117 patients presented with blunt liver trauma. 19 patients (16.2%) required a laparotomy during the initial 24h after their admission. There were 11 deaths (58%) amongst these patients. Peri-hepatic packing and suturing were the most common procedures performed. A RTS Score<7.8 (RR: 7.3; IC 95%: 1.8-30.1), and ISS Score >20 (RR 2,5 IC 95%: 1.0-6.7), and associated intra-abdominal injuries (RR: 2.95; IC 95%: 1.25-6.92) were risk factors for immediate surgery. In 98 (83.7%) patients a non-operative management was performed. 7 patients had a failed non-operative management. ConclusionThe need for immediate surgical management is related to the presence of associated intra-abdominal injuries, and the ISS and RTS scores. In this series the most frequently performed procedure for blunt liver trauma was peri-hepatic packing.

The swinging pendulum

Despite a shift toward nonoperative management (NOM) of blunt liver trauma, severe injuries continue to require operative management. Our objective was to examine current trends of NOM for severe blunt liver injury from a national perspective. Patients with blunt liver injury with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score of 4 or greater and no other major solid organ injury or pelvic fracture were identified in the National Trauma Data Bank 2002 to 2008. Attempted NOM was defined as no surgery in 6 hours or less. Failed NOM was defined as surgery in greater than 6 hours. Cox regression evaluated the association of NOM outcome with 30-day mortality after controlling for injury severity and center. Logistic regression was used to define independent predictors of failed NOM. Annual attempted and failed NOM rates were compared during the study period. A total of 3,627 patients were identified with a median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 29 (interquartile range, 20-38) and 20% mortality. Early operative management occurred in 20%, while initial NOM occurred in 73% of the patients. Of these, 93% had successful NOM, and 7% had failed NOM. Failed NOM was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.6; p = 0.01). Increasing age, male sex, increasing ISS, decreasing Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, hypotension, and hepatic angioembolization were independent predictors of failed NOM. The rate of attempted and failed NOM increased during the study period (p < 0.01). NOM for isolated severe blunt liver injury is increasing nationally with similar increment in failure. Failed NOM was associated with higher mortality. Several predictors of failed NOM were identified including age, sex, ISS, GCS, and hypotension. These factors may allow for better patient selection and improved outcomes. Therapeutic study, level IV; prognostic/epidemiologic study, level III.

Complications Associated with Non-Operative Management of Blunt Hepatic Injury: a Review

Non-operative management (NOM) is considered the gold standard treatment for blunt liver trauma in hemodynamically stable patients since it is both feasible and safe. The reported rate of NOM ranged from 82 to 100% according to different series. The feasibility of NOM is lower in patients with severe liver injury. Since NOM has reduced mortality rates, the focus now has shifted to lowering hepatic morbidity, which is reported to be significant, from 10 to 25%. There are four types of complications after NOM: abdominal compartment syndrome, bleeding, Infectious complications and biliary complications. When present, complications of complex blunt hepatic injuries are difficult to treat, the hospital stay is longer and the ICU mortality is higher. 85% of these complications can be safely managed non-operatively. A strict clinical follow-up and keeping in mind every possible complication let clinicians diagnose and treat quickly.

Non operative management of abdominal trauma - a 10years review.

IntroductionDue to high rate of operative mortality and morbidity non-operative management of blunt liver and spleen trauma was widely accepted in stable pediatric patients, but the general surgeons were skeptical to adopt it for adults. The current study is analysis of so far largest sample (1071) of hemodynamically stable blunt liver, spleen, kidney and pancreatic trauma patients managed non operatively irrespective of severity of a single /multiple solid organ injury or other associated injuries with high rate of success.MethodsExperience of 1071 blunt abdominal trauma patients treated by NOM at a tertiary care National Trauma Centre in Oman (from Jan 2001 to Dec 2011) was reviewed, analyzed to determine the indications, methods and results of NOM. Hemodynamic stability along with ultra sound, CT scan and repeated clinical examination were the sheet anchors of NOM. The patients were grouped as (1) managed by NOM successfully, (2) failure of NOM and (3) directly subjected to surgery.ResultsDuring the 10 year period, 5400 polytrauma patients were evaluated for abdominal trauma of which 1285 had abdominal injuries, the largest sample study till date. Based on initial findings 1071 patients were admitted for NOM. Out of 1071 patients initially selected 963 (89.91%) were managed non operatively, the remaining 108 (10.08%) were subjected to laparotomy due to failure of NOM. Laparotomy was performed on 214(19.98%) patients as they were unstable on admission or had evidence of hollow viscous injury.ConclusionNOM for blunt abdominal injuries was found to be highly successful in 89.98% of the patients in our study. Management depended on clinical and hemodynamic stability of the patient. A patient under NOM should be admitted to intensive care / high dependency for at least 48-72 hours for close monitoring of vital signs, repeated clinical examinations and follow up investigations as indicated.

Liver injury following blunt abdominal trauma: a new mechanism-driven classification

PurposesThe current classifications for blunt liver trauma focus only on the extent of liver injury. However, these scores are independent from the localization of liver injury and mechanism of trauma.MethodsThe type of liver injury after blunt abdominal trauma was newly classified as type A when it was along the falciform ligament with involvement of segments IVa/b, III, or II, and type B when there was involvement of segments V–VIII. With the use of a prospectively established database, the clinical, perioperative, and outcome data were analyzed regarding the trauma mechanism, as well as the radiological and intraoperative findings.ResultsIn 64 patients, the type of liver injury following blunt abdominal trauma was clearly linked with the mechanism of trauma: type A injuries (n = 28) were associated with a frontal trauma, whereas type B injuries (n = 36) were found after complex trauma mechanisms. The demographic data, mortality, ICU stay, and hospital stay showed no significant differences between the two groups. Interestingly, all patients with type A ruptures required immediate surgical intervention, whereas six patients (16.7 %) with type B ruptures could be managed conservatively.ConclusionsThis new classification for blunt traumatic hepatic injury is based on the localization of parenchymal disruption and correlates with the mechanism of trauma. The type of liver injury correlated with the necessity for surgical therapy.

Non-operative management of blunt liver trauma in a level II trauma hospital in Saudi Arabia

Background:To evaluate our experience with non-operative management of blunt liver trauma at a level II trauma hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods:We prospectively evaluated 56 patients treated for blunt liver trauma at our hospital over a 4-year period (April 2008 to April 2012). Patients who were hemodynamically stable [non-operative group I (NOP)] were treated conservatively in the intensive or intermediate care unit (ICU or IMCU). Patients who were hemodynamically unstable or needed laparotomy for other injuries were treated by urgent laparotomy [operative group II (OP)]. All NOP group patients had computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen with oral and intravenous contrast. Injuries grades were classified according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). Follow-up CT of the abdomen was performed after 2 weeks in some cases.Results:A total of 56 patients were treated over a 4-year period. Twenty patients (35.7%) were treated by immediate surgery. NOP group of 36 patients (64.3%) were managed in the ICU by close monitoring. Surgically treated group had more patients with complex liver injury (90% versus 58.3%), required more units of blood (6.05 versus 1.5), but had a longer hospital stay (16.6 days versus 15.1 days). None of the patients from the non-operated group developed complications nor did they need operation. The only mortality (in two patients) was in the operated group.Conclusion:The NOP treatment is a safe and effective method in the management of hemodynamically stable patients with blunt liver trauma. The NOP treatment should be the treatment of choice in such patients whenever CT and ICU facilities are available.

Use of radiofrequency ablation for controlling liver hemorrhage in the emergency setting; report of two cases and review of the literature

Active liver hemorrhage with hemodynamic instability is a serious situation often requiring surgical intervention. The most common causes of hepatic bleeding are trauma and tumors of the liver parenchyma: mainly hepatocellular carcinoma and adenoma. Liver hemorrhage from blunt trauma or spontaneous tumor rupture is sometimes difficult to control with traditional methods and postoperative complications are frequent. Recently, the radiofrequency ablation system (RF) has been used for obtaining haemostasis of ruptured hepatic tumors or for controlling hemorrhage due to liver trauma in experimental models. We report two cases where the radiofrequency ablation system (RF) has been efficiently used during emergency laparotomy in humans in order to control massive hemorrhage from spontaneous rupture of a liver metastatic testicular germ cell tumor and from a Grade IV blunt liver trauma. RF ablation system combined with traditional techniques was effective in controlling liver bleeding during laparotomy in both cases. No recurrence of the hemorrhage or any side effects associated with the RF system were recorded postoperatively. RF system is an effective strategy for achieving hemostasis in patients with active liver hemorrhage. In cases of bleeding liver tumors, RFA could also be helpful in synchronous tumor elimination, maximizing the chances of longer term survival.

Haemobilia following blunt liver injury

Blunt liver trauma is commonly managed by non-operative measures. We report a case of an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade III liver injury and its complications, successfully managed by a combination of minimally invasive interventions.

Mechanisms of blunt liver trauma patterns: An analysis of 53 cases

Blunt liver trauma is the most dangerous and the second most frequent solid organ trauma that occurs in the abdominal cavity. Management of this life-threatening situation remains a significant challenge. The present study identified that the patterns of blunt liver trauma were closely correlated with the characteristics of the blunt force. Illustrations of findings from this study have been included in the hope that they may aid surgeons in improving the management of this emergency. In total, 53 cases of blunt liver trauma that underwent laparotomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College between 1999 and 2009 were retrospectively studied. The cause of the injury, the direction and site of the blunt force, surgical records and CT films were carefully studied to obtain information on the patterns and severity of the liver injury and the correlation with blunt forces. Trauma in the right lobe of the liver was mainly caused by acceleration, deceleration and compression of the liver, while in the left lobe of the liver, acceleration was the main cause of the trauma. Liver lacerations were always located close to the attachment sites of the ligaments which bore the majority of the shearing stress. The characteristics of the blunt force play a key role in the different patterns of blunt liver trauma. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of blunt liver trauma may aid doctors in the management of patients with this condition.

Liver Transplantation following Blunt Liver Trauma

Due to developing medical technology worldwide, an increasing number of liver transplantations are performed for various indications. Liver transplantation has a limited but important role in specific life-threatening liver trauma cases, when initial therapeutic options fail to control the bleeding or when liver failure ensues. Herein we have reported a patient who required liver transplantation at 18 days after blunt liver trauma with acute liver failure. This case report suggested that liver transplantation is a potential treatment modality for a selected group of patients including pedratric cases who experience acute or subacute liver failure secondary to blunt trauma.