Role of multislice computed tomography in assessment of non-solid organ injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma

ObjectiveBlunt abdominal trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning with intravenous contrast is the gold standard diagnostic modality in hemodynamically stable patients. The aim of this work was to highlight the role of MDCT in patients with blunt abdominal trauma for diagnosis and staging of non-solid organ injury.Materials and methodsThirty injured patients were enrolled into the study, including 28 males and 2 females, with a mean age of 38. They were referred from the surgical department after stabilization of their general condition. Multi-detector CT was conducted including non-contrast MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis followed by contrast enhanced MDCT.ResultsFive patients had diaphragmatic rupture, five patients were diagnosed bowel perforation, and two patients were diagnosed traumatic rectovesical fistula. Three patients were diagnosed by MDCT had mesenteric injury. Four had vascular injury diagnosed by MDCT. Five patients had traumatic urinary bladder injury. Four patients had spine injury. Two patients had rectus sheath hematoma.ConclusionsCT is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate non-solid organ injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.