Bowel and mesenteric injuries from blunt abdominal trauma: a review

Gastrointestinal Perforation with Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Children

Gastrointestinal tract perforation is uncommon in children, accounting for <10% of cases of blunt abdominal trauma. Diagnosis of bowel perforation in children can be challenging due to poor diagnostic imaging accuracy. Intra-abdominal free air is found only in half of the children with bowel perforation. Ultrasound findings are nonspecific and suspicious for perforation in only two-thirds of cases. A computer tomography (CT) scan has a sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 95%, respectively. Surgical decisions should be made based on clinical examination despite normal CT results. Management of bowel perforation in children includes primary repair in 50-70% and resection with anastomosis in 20-40% of cases.

Complete transection of the descending colon following blunt abdominal trauma

We present the case of a man in his 30s who was crushed between two vehicles sustaining blunt trauma to his lower limbs and torso. The patient was in shock on arrival to the emergency department, and immediate resuscitation was given with massive transfusion protocol activation. Once the patient's haemodynamic status was stabilised, a CT scan revealed a complete colon transection. The patient was taken to the operating theatre where a midline laparotomy was performed, and the transected descending colon was managed with a segmental resection and handsewn anastomosis. The patient followed an unremarkable postoperative course, with bowels opening on day 8 postoperatively. Colon injuries are rare following blunt abdominal trauma, and a delay in diagnosis may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. As such, a low threshold for surgical intervention is recommended.

Abdominal trauma

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death in people aged<45 years, and abdominal trauma is a source of significant morbidity and mortality and high economic costs. Imaging has a fundamental role in abdominal trauma, where CT is a fundamental tool for rapid, accurate diagnosis that will be key for patients' clinical outcomes.

Protective Role of Obesity on Trauma Impact: A Retrospective Analysis of Patients with Surgical Blunt Bowel Mesenteric Injury Due to Road Traffic Accidents

Background

The "cushion effect" theory proposes that increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with less severe abdomen injury following blunt abdomen trauma, while the "obesity paradox" describes the protective effect of obesity against mortality. However, most previous studies used the abdominal abbreviated injury scale as the outcomes seemed to be inadequate owing to the injuries to the abdominal organs, such as the spleen and liver, which may be attributable to the force that caused the chest trauma. This study aimed to use adult trauma patients with surgical blunt bowel mesenteric injuries (BBMIs) to investigate the influence of obesity on the clinical outcomes and overall morbidities.

Methods

This retrospective study reviewed the data of all hospitalized trauma patients between 2009 and 2019 and included all patients with surgically proven small bowel, colon, or mesenteric injuries due to a road traffic accident. Comparison of the outcomes was performed among 123 patients with surgically proven BBMI, who were categorized by BMI into the normal-weight (n = 73, BMI<25 kg/m²), overweight (n = 37, 25≤BMI≤30 kg/m²), and obese groups (n = 13, BMI>30 kg/m²).

Results

The obese group had a significantly lower incidence of isolated bowel injury (0%) compared with the normal-weight (35.6%) and overweight (16.2%) groups (p=0.005), but with higher incidence of isolated mesenteric injury or combined injury, although this was not significant. The obese group (92.3%) had a significantly higher percentage of overall morbidity than the normal-weight (61.6%) and overweight (70.3%) groups (p = 0.047). No significant difference was observed in the in-hospital mortality and 24-hour mortality among the three study groups.

Conclusion

The study findings do not support the existence of a cushion effect and obesity paradox of obesity in blunt abdominal trauma.

"Repair by Primary Closure of Traumatic Blunt Duodenal Injuries: Simple is Not Always Safe"

INTRODUCTION

Recent literature on managing traumatic duodenal injuries suggests the superiority of primary repair. We hypothesized that duodenal trauma repair by primary closure might not be a safe strategy in an environment dealing predominantly blunt injuries with limited resources.

METHODS

Data analysis was done from the prospectively maintained trauma registry. The study period chosen was from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018. Data of 63 patients were analyzed for demographics, injuries, management, and outcome. Logistic regression was used to identify mortality predictors.

RESULTS

The most common mechanism of injury was blunt (56/63, 88.9%). Forty (63.5%) patients had associated intraabdominal injuries. The most common American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade of injury to the duodenum was three in 21 patients. Univariate analysis showed that mortality was associated with hypotension on presentation, higher duodenal grade, associated abdominal vascular injuries, primary closure, and duodenal leak. Logistic regression showed associated associated abdominal vascular injuries, primary closure, and leak remained significant predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary repair was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. A patient's physiology is a critical determinant of the outcome. Liberal use of tube duodenostomy over primary repair seems reasonable for blunt duodenal injury management.

CT imaging features of fat stranding in cats and dogs with abdominal disorder

BACKGROUND

Fat stranding is a non-specific finding of an increased fat attenuation on computed tomography (CT) images. Fat stranding is used for detecting the underlying lesion in humans.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical significance of fat stranding on CT images for identifying the underlying cause in dogs and cats.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the incidence, location, extent, distribution, and pattern of fat stranding were assessed on CT studies obtained from 134 cases.

RESULTS

Fat stranding was found in 38% (51/134) of all cases and in 35% (37/107) of tumors, which was significantly higher in malignant tumors (44%) than benign tumors (12%). Moreover, fat stranding was found in more than two areas in malignant tumors (16/33) and in a single area in benign tumors (4/4). In inflammation, fat stranding was demonstrated in 54% (7/13) in a single area (7/7) as a focal distribution (6/7). In trauma, fat stranding was revealed in 50% (7/14) and most were in multiple areas (6/7). Regardless of the etiologies, fat stranding was always around the underlying lesion and a reticular pattern was the most common presentation. Logistic regression analysis revealed that multiple areas (p = 0.040) of fat stranding and a reticulonodular pattern (p = 0.022) are the significant predictors of malignant tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated that CT fat stranding can be used as a clue for identifying the underlying lesion and can be useful for narrowing the differential list based on the extent and pattern.

WSES guidelines on blunt and penetrating bowel injury: diagnosis, investigations, and treatment

The aim of this paper was to review the recent literature to create recommendations for the day-to-day diagnosis and surgical management of small bowel and colon injuries. Where knowledge gaps were identified, expert consensus was pursued during the 8th International Congress of the World Society of Emergency Surgery Annual (September 2021, Edinburgh). This process also aimed to guide future research.

Multi-center validation of the Bowel Injury Predictive Score (BIPS) for the early identification of need to operate in blunt bowel and mesenteric injuries

INTRODUCTION

The Bowel Injury Prediction Score (BIPS) is a tool for identifying patients at risk for blunt bowel and mesenteric injury (BBMI) requiring surgery. BIPS is calculated by assigning one point for each of the following: (1) WBC ≥ 17,000, (2) abdominal tenderness, and (3) injury grade ≥ 4 (mesenteric contusion or hematoma with bowel wall thickening or adjacent interloop fluid collection) on CT scan. A total score ≥ 2 is associated with BBMI requiring surgery. We aimed to validate the BIPS as a predictor for patients with BBMIs requiring operative intervention in a multi-center prospective study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were prospectively enrolled at 15 U.S. trauma centers following blunt trauma with suspicion of BBMI on CT scan between July 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. The BIPS was calculated for each patient enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

Of 313 patients, 38% had BBMI requiring operative intervention. Patients were significantly more likely to require surgery in the presence of abdominal tenderness (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.6-8.0) and CT grade ≥ 4 (OR, 11.7; 95% CI, 5.7-23.7). Patients with a BIPS ≥ 2 were more than ten times more likely to require laparotomy than those with a BIPS < 2 (OR, 10.1; 95% CI, 5.0-20.4). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of a BIPS ≥ 2 for BBMI requiring surgery was 72% (CI 0.6-0.8), 78% (CI 0.7-0.8), 67% (CI 0.6-0.8), and 82% (CI 0.8-0.9), respectively. The AUROC curve for BIPS ≥ 2 was 0.75. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of a BIPS ≥ 2 for BBMI requiring surgery in patients with severe alteration in mental status (GCS 3-8) was 70% (CI 0.5-0.9), 92% (CI 0.8-1.0), 82% (CI 0.6-1.0), and 86% (CI 0.7-1.0), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This prospective multi-center trial validates BIPS as a predictor of BBMI requiring surgery. Calculation of BIPS during the initial evaluation of trauma patients is a useful adjunct to help general surgeons taking trauma call determine operative versus non-operative management of patients with BBMI including those with severe alteration in mental status.

Potential influences of expression levels of MFGE8 and HMGB1 on the intestinal mucosal barrier function and inflammatory response after blunt abdominal injury in rats

Purpose:

To explore the influence of milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein (MFGE8) on blunt abdominal injury in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats through the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Methods:

The blunt abdominal injury model was generated in SD rats. A total of 44 rats was randomly assigned into three groups. Rat blunt abdominal injury was assessed by the abbreviated injury scale (AIS). The rats were sacrificed for observing the morphology of the abdominal cavity and intestines. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to visualize the pathological changes of rat intestines. Positive expressions of MFGE8 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in rat intestines were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Protein levels were determined by Western blot. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6 and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:

Blunt abdominal injury resulted in inflammatory response of intestinal tissues, increased serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MDA, upregulation of HMGB1, RhoA and ROCK2, and downregulation of MFGE8 in rats, which were significantly alleviated by intervention of rhMFGE8.

Conclusions:

MFGE8 protects the intestinal mucosal barrier function after blunt abdominal injury in rats by downregulating HMGB1. Moreover, it alleviates inflammatory response and oxidative stress caused by blunt abdominal injury in rats through downregulating RhoA and ROCK.

Management of post-traumatic ischaemic ileal stricture using intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence-guided resection

Blunt abdominal trauma can affect mesenteric circulation which may lead to bowel strictures. Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography can be used to assess mesenteric blood flow and bowel perfusion as a guide to resect length intraoperatively. But this concept has not been applied to ischaemic bowel strictures. We present a case of ischaemic ileal stricture induced by blunt abdominal trauma which was managed by resection and anastomosis. Intraoperative near-infrared (NIR) ICG angiography was used as a guide to resect the bowel length. This case emphasises that ischaemic bowel strictures should be suspected in patients presenting with intestinal obstruction following trauma. Resection and anastomosis of the affected segment remains the primary treatment modality with excellent outcomes. NIR ICG angiography is a real-time objective and useful resource for assessing bowel perfusion and could be used to determine the length of the segment to be resected in patients with ischaemic bowel stricture.

Iliac ecchymosis, a valuable sign for hollow viscus injuries in blunt pelvic trauma patients

PURPOSE

Pelvic fractures are characterized by high energy injuries and often accompanied with abdominal and pelvic organ injury. CT has been applied for several decades to evaluate blunt pelvic trauma patients. However, it has a certain rate of inaccurate diagnosis of abdominal hollow viscus injury (HVI), especially in the early stage after injury. The delayed diagnosis of HVI could result in a high morbidity and mortality. The bowel injury prediction score (BIPS) applied 3 clinical variables to determine whether an early surgical intervention for blunt HVI was necessary. We recently found another clinical variable (iliac ecchymosis, IE) which appeared at the early stage of injury, could be predicted for HVI. The main objective of this study was to explore the novel combination of IE and BIPS to enhance the early diagnosis rate of HVI, and thus reduce complications and mortalities.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis from January 2008 to December 2018 and recorded blunt pelvic trauma patients in our hospital. The inclusion criteria were patients who were verified with pelvic fractures using abdomen and pelvis CT scan in the emergency department before any surgical intervention. The exclusion criteria were abdominal CT insufficiency before operation, abdominal surgery before CT scan, and CT mesenteric injury grade being 5. The MBIPS was defined as BIPS plus IE, which was calculated according to 4 variables: white blood cell counts of 17.0 or greater, abdominal tenderness, CT scan grade for mesenteric injury of 4 or higher, and the location of IE. Each clinical variable counted 1 score, totally 4 scores. The location and severity of IE was also noted.

RESULTS

In total, 635 cases were hospitalized and 62 patients were enrolled in this study. Of these included patients, 77.4% (40 males and 8 females) were operated by exploratory laparotomy and 22.6% (8 males and 6 females) were treated conservatively. In the 48 patients underwent surgical intervention, 46 were confirmed with HVI (45 with IE and 1 without IE). In 46 patients confirmed without HVI, only 3 patients had IE and the rest had no IE. The sensitivity and specificity of IE in predicting HVI was calculated as 97.8% (45/46) and 81.3% (13/16), respectively. The median MBIPS score for surgery group was 2, while 0 for the conservative treatment group. The incidence of HVI in patients with MBIPS score ≥ 2 was significantly higher than that in patients with MBIPS score less than ≤ 2 (OR = 17.3, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

IE can be recognized as an indirect sign of HVI because of the high sensitivity and specificity, which is a valuable sign for HVI in blunt pelvic trauma patients. MBIPS can be used to predict HVI in blunt pelvic trauma patients. When the MBIPS score is ≥ 2, HVI is strongly suggested.

Subacute distal ileitis in a healthy young adult

A previously healthy 36-year-old male presented with pain in the right lower abdomen associated with weight loss, diarrhea and fever, after suffering blunt abdominal trauma during a vehicular collision 4 weeks earlier. An explorative laparoscopy was performed. A plastron composed of the appendix, caecum and 30 cm of small bowel loops was found.

Lessons learned from successful autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction in patients with intestinal failure: a case series

Background

Intestinal failure (IF) is a rare but severe form of organ failure. The condition is defined as body’s inability to absorb adequate fluids, macronutrients and minerals for growth and development, so that intravenous supplementation is necessary. A broad spectrum of diseases, trauma and complications of surgery might eventually end up with intestinal failure. Nowadays, intestinal failure patients are preferably cared for in intestinal rehabilitation units (IRU). Autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction (AGIR) refers to non-transplant operative management of IF patients designed to improve enteral tolerance and gut absorptive capacity.

Case presentation

Herein we present five cases with complications of surgeries due to peptic ulcer bleeding, blunt abdominal trauma, obesity and gastric tumor. The surgeries were complicated by anastomotic leak, peritonitis and fistula formation. By adopting multidisciplinary decisions and special care for each complication, all the five patients were successfully managed and discharged.

Discussion and conclusions

As presented, re-anastomosis in presence of abdominal contamination will probably fail. In patients with intestinal failure, PN should start as soon as possible to increase the success rate of future surgeries and prevent potential need for intestinal transplantation. We suggest referring patients with complicated outcomes of gastrointestinal surgeries to the IRUs to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Laparoscopic treatment of mesenteric avulsion and intestinal perforation after blunt abdominal trauma: A report of a case

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Intestinal injuries are quite involved in non-penetrating abdominal trauma after liver and spleen.

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The incidence of small bowel injury after blunt abdominal trauma has increased nowadays, since high-energy transfer impacts producing large abdominal wall displacements are more frequent, such as car crash.

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We report a case of a 49-year-old Caucasian woman, victim of a violent car crash, resulting in multiple small bowel perforations and mesenteric avulsion treated with laparoscopic approach.

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Laparoscopy is a safe and feasible tool in selected patients with blunt abdominal trauma, both for diagnosis and treatment.

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The prerequisites for applying mini invasive approach are both the hemodynamic stability of the patient and an adequate surgical expertise in advanced laparoscopy.

Introduction

Intestinal injuries are quite involved in non-penetrating abdominal trauma after liver and spleen. The incidence of small bowel injury after blunt abdominal trauma has increased nowadays, since high-energy transfer impacts producing large abdominal wall displacements are more frequent, such as car crash.

Case report

We report a case of a 49-year-old Caucasian woman, victim of a violent car crash, resulting in multiple small bowel perforations and mesenteric avulsion. Since the patient was hemodynamically stable, a laparoscopic approach was carried on.

Discussion

Blunt abdominal trauma are responsible of 6–14.9% of all traumatic injuries (Galia et al., 2017). The frequency of small bowel lesions ranges from 5% to 15%, while small bowel mesenteric injuries are approximately found in 5% of patients after blunt abdominal trauma. There are different biomechanical reasons explaining how a blunt trauma can cause damages to small bowel and its mesentery. Clinical diagnosis of small bowel perforation after blunt abdominal trauma is often challenging for non-specific objective clinical signs and because peritoneal irritation symptoms are present only in collaborative patients.

Conclusion

Laparoscopy is a safe and feasible tool in selected patients with blunt abdominal trauma, both for diagnosis and treatment. The prerequisites for applying mini invasive approach are both the hemodynamic stability of the patient and an adequate surgical expertise in advanced laparoscopy.

Diagnostic options for blunt abdominal trauma

PURPOSE

Physical examination, laboratory tests, ultrasound, conventional radiography, multislice computed tomography (MSCT), and diagnostic laparoscopy are used for diagnosing blunt abdominal trauma. In this article, we investigate and evaluate the usefulness and limitations of various diagnostic modalities on the basis of a comprehensive review of the literature.

METHODS

We searched commonly used databases in order to obtain information about the aforementioned diagnostic modalities. Relevant articles were included in the literature review. On the basis of the results of our comprehensive analysis of the literature and a current case, we offer a diagnostic algorithm.

RESULTS

A total of 86 studies were included in the review. Ecchymosis of the abdominal wall (seat belt sign) is a clinical sign that has a high predictive value. Laboratory values such as those for haematocrit, haemoglobin, base excess or deficit, and international normalised ratio (INR) are prognostic parameters that are useful in guiding therapy. Extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (eFAST) has become a well established component of the trauma room algorithm but is of limited usefulness in the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma. Compared with all other diagnostic modalities, MSCT has the highest sensitivity and specificity. Diagnostic laparoscopy is an invasive technique that may also serve as a therapeutic tool and is particularly suited for haemodynamically stable patients with suspected hollow viscus injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

MSCT is the gold standard diagnostic modality for blunt abdominal trauma because of its high sensitivity and specificity in detecting relevant intra-abdominal injuries. In many cases, however, clinical, laboratory and imaging findings must be interpreted jointly for an adequate evaluation of a patient's injuries and for treatment planning since these data supplement and complement one another. Patients with blunt abdominal trauma should be admitted for clinical observation over a minimum period of 24 h since there is no investigation that can reliably rule out intra-abdominal injuries.

Retrograde enteroclysis by double balloon enteroscopy in a patient with blunt abdominal trauma: small bowel stricture, intraluminal vascular lesion and Crohn's disease

A 40-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department after a driving accident with blunt abdominal trauma. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a mesenteric injury in the right lower quadrant. He was admitted two months later due to a one-day history of abdominal pain and diarrhea, without fever or blood. The CT angiography showed a pseudoaneurysm located in the proximal ileum and several rigid small bowel (SB) loops with segmental wall thickening of mucosa.

Laceration of the transverse mesocolon in an old man with a habit of abdominal massage for constipation: a case report

Background

Abdominal massage for the resolution of constipation has been reported to be safe and recommended in some studies. It is conventionally performed for the elderly suffering from intractable constipation. Meantime, isolated mesenteric injury after blunt abdominal trauma is uncommon. Here, we report a case of isolated mesenteric injury following self-abdominal massage for constipation.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old man consulted a local hospital due to a sudden abdominal pain. He had a history of prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy 3 years ago, and he had been suffering from chronic constipation for many years. A plain computed tomography (CT) revealed a fist-sized homogeneous mass-like lesion located in the left upper abdomen and a moderate amount of ascites. With the initial diagnosis of a malignant tumor accompanied by peritonitis carcinomatosa, he was hospitalized for further examinations. On the next day, his hemoglobin concentration dropped from 11.6 to 6.6 g/dl, and diagnostic paracentesis showed bloody ascites. He was urgently transferred to our tertiary emergency center. An enhanced CT demonstrated a non-enhanced, homogeneous, 8.5 cm in diameter, mass lesion located to the posterior of the stomach with massive bloody ascites. He underwent an emergency exploratory laparotomy, and it showed a 5 cm of laceration in the transverse mesocolon adjacent to Treitz’s ligament and approximately 1.5 l of intraabdominal hemorrhage. Hemostasis of the bleeding from the laceration was achieved by suture ligations, but the gap of the laceration could not be closed by suturing because the tissue was too fragile. Blood transfusion with 4 units of packed red blood cells and 10 units of fresh frozen plasma was performed during operation. He was discharged without any significant complications except for postoperative paralytic ileus. Later on, it turned out that he had a habit of massaging his abdomen for the resolution of intractable constipation and did it hard 1 day before the onset.

Conclusions

This is the first report of life-threatening mesenteric injury caused by self-abdominal massage to resolve constipation, though other etiologies such as rupture of small aneurysms could not perfectly be excluded. Abdominal massage is reported to be effective and safe for the resolution of constipation; however, this case demonstrated it could be detrimental.

Duodeno-pancreatic and extrahepatic biliary tree trauma: WSES-AAST guidelines

Duodeno-pancreatic and extrahepatic biliary tree injuries are rare in both adult and pediatric trauma patients, and due to their anatomical location, associated injuries are very common. Mortality is primarily related to associated injuries, but morbidity remains high even in isolated injuries. Optimal management of duodeno-bilio-pancreatic injuries is dictated primarily by hemodynamic stability, clinical presentation, and grade of injury. Endoscopic and percutaneous interventions have increased the ability to non-operatively manage these injuries. Late diagnosis and treatment are both associated to increased morbidity and mortality. Sequelae of late presentations of pancreatic injury and complications of severe pancreatic trauma are also increasingly addressed endoscopically and with interventional radiology procedures. However, for moderate and severe extrahepatic biliary and severe duodeno-pancreatic injuries, immediate operative intervention is preferred as associated injuries are frequent and commonly present with hemodynamic instability or peritonitis. The aim of this paper is to present the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) duodenal, pancreatic, and extrahepatic biliary tree trauma management guidelines.

Ability of specific and nonspecific signs of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the diagnosis of blunt surgically important bowel and mesenteric injuries

PURPOSE

To determine the accuracy of MDCT in the evaluation of blunt surgically relevant bowel and/or mesenteric injuries (BMIs) using single specific CT signs together with specific pairs of nonspecific signs.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients examined with MDCT were divided into two groups: a 'surgical' group of 20 patients-which underwent surgery for blunt BMIs-and a control group of 34 'nonsurgical' trauma patients. Two radiologists with different experience performed a double-blind retrospective evaluation of the images, classifying the patients in the two groups by using only single specific signs; then, the images were reviewed in consensus with a third radiologist and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Subsequently, the frequency of every single sign and of every possible combination of nonspecific signs in the two groups was registered, to find combinations present only in the surgical group; sensitivity and specificity were calculated by using even those specific combinations.

RESULTS

At the first consensual evaluation, sensitivity and specificity were 75 and 100%, respectively. Two combinations of nonspecific signs (focal wall thickening + extraluminal air; focal wall thickening + seat belt sign) were found only in surgical patients that did not present any single specific sign: Sensitivity calculated adding those two combinations was 95%, without a decrease in specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

MDCT is an accurate technique in the evaluation of blunt surgically relevant BMIs. The single specific CT signs were sufficient for the diagnosis in only 75% of the cases; adding the two specific combinations allowed an increase in sensitivity of 20%.

Hollow viscus injuries: predictors of outcome and role of diagnostic delay

INTRODUCTION

Hollow viscus injuries (HVIs) are uncommon but potentially catastrophic conditions with high mortality and morbidity rates. The aim of this study was to analyze our 16-year experience with patients undergoing surgery for blunt or penetrating bowel trauma to identify prognostic factors with particular attention to the influence of diagnostic delay on outcome.

METHODS

From our multicenter trauma registry, we selected 169 consecutive patients with an HVI, enrolled from 2000 to 2016. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were analyzed to assess determinants of mortality, morbidity, and length of stay by univariate and multivariate analysis models.

RESULTS

Overall mortality and morbidity rates were 15.9% and 36.1%, respectively. The mean length of hospital stay was 23±7 days. Morbidity was independently related to an increase of white blood cells (P=0.01), and to delay of treatment >6 hours (P=0.033), while Injury Severity Score (ISS) (P=0.01), presence of shock (P=0.01), and a low diastolic arterial pressure registered at emergency room admission (P=0.02) significantly affected postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence that patients with clinical signs of shock, low diastolic pressure at admission, and high ISS are at increased risk of postoperative mortality. Leukocytosis and delayed treatment (>6 hours) were independent predictors of postoperative morbidity. More effort should be made to increase the preoperative detection rate of HVI and reduce the delay of treatment.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for traumatic mesenteric bleeding: a 15-year, single-center experience

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for mesenteric bleeding following trauma.

METHODS

From 2001 to 2015, 12 patients were referred to our interventional unit for mesenteric bleeding following trauma, based on clinical decisions and computed tomography (CT) images. After excluding one patient with no bleeding focus and one patient who underwent emergency surgery, a total of 10 patients (male:female ratio, 9:1; mean age, 52.1 years) who underwent super selective TAE of visceral arteries were included in this study. Technical and clinical success, complications, and 30-day mortality rate were analyzed.

RESULTS

In 10 patients who underwent TAE, the types of trauma were motor vehicle collision (n=6), fall (n=2), assault (n=1), and penetrating injury (n=1), and the bleeding arteries were in the pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade (n=4), jejunal artery (n=3), colic artery (n=2), and sigmoid artery (n=1). N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) (n=2), microcoils (n=2), and combinations of NBCA, microcoils, or gelatin sponge particles (n=6) were used as embolic agents. Technical success was achieved in all 10 patients, with immediate cessation of bleeding. Clinical success rate was 90% (9/10), and all patients were discharged with no further treatment required for mesenteric bleeding. However, one patient showed rebleeding 10 days later and underwent repeated TAE with successful result. There were no TAE-related ischemic complications such as bowel infarction. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%.

CONCLUSION

Our clinical experience suggests that TAE used to control mesenteric bleeding following trauma is safe and effective as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.

Accuracy of clinical, laboratory, and computed tomography findings for identifying hollow viscus injury in blunt trauma patients with unexplained intraperitoneal free fluid without solid organ injury

BACKGROUND

We sought to define the accuracy of findings for detecting hollow viscus injury (HVI) in patients with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) and unexplained intra-peritoneal free fluid without solid organ injury (UIPFFWSOI).

METHODS

We screened all consecutive hemodynamically stable patients presenting to a quaternary-care trauma-centre who had an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan for BAT and UIPFFWSOI (January 2007-December 2014).

RESULTS

Of 3796 patients identified during the study period, 39 presented with UIPFFWSOI. Fifteen underwent therapeutic laparotomy. Seatbelt sign (+LR approaches infinity), diffuse peritonitis (+LR approaches infinity), number of CT cuts with fluid (c-statistic = 0.65), and a lower arterial pH at presentation (c-statistic = 0.62) were most predictive of HVI. Patients operated on within 24 h had shorter stays than those operated on later (median 9 vs. 14 days, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that clinical examination and measurements of intraperitoneal fluid volume may help identify HVIs in BAT patients.

Small Bowel Perforations: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

The incidence of small bowel perforation is low but can develop from a variety of causes including Crohn disease, ischemic or bacterial enteritis, diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, volvulus, intussusception, trauma, and ingested foreign bodies. In contrast to gastroduodenal perforation, the amount of extraluminal air in small bowel perforation is small or absent in most cases. This article will illustrate the main aspects of small bowel perforation, focusing on anatomical reasons of radiological findings and in the evaluation of the site of perforation using plain film, ultrasound, and multidetector computed tomography equipments. In particular, the authors highlight the anatomic key notes and the different direct and indirect imaging signs of small bowel perforation.

Seatbelt sign in a case of blunt abdominal trauma; what lies beneath it?

BACKGROUND

The reported incidence of hollow viscus injuries (HVI) in blunt trauma patients is approximately 1%. The most common site of injury to the intestine in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is the small bowel followed by colon, with mesenteric injuries occurring three times more commonly than bowel injuries. Isolated colon injury is a rarely encountered condition. Clinical assessment alone in patients with suspected intestinal or mesenteric injury after blunt trauma is associated with unacceptable diagnostic delays.

CASE PRESENTATION

This is a case of a 31-year-old man, admitted to the emergency department after being the restrained driver, involved in a car accident. After initial resuscitation, focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination (FAST) was performed revealing a subhepatic mass, suspicious for intraperitoneal hematoma. A computed tomography scan (CT) that followed showed a hematoma of the mesocolon of the ascending colon with active extravasation of intravenous contrast material. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, hemoperitomeum was evacuated, and a subserosal hematoma of the cecum and ascending colon with areas of totally disrupted serosal wall was found. Hematoma of the adjacent mesocolon expanding to the root of mesenteric vessels was also noted. A right hemicolectomy along with primary ileocolonic anastomosis was performed. Patient's recovery progressed uneventfully.

CONCLUSION

Identifying an isolated traumatic injury to the bowel or mesentery after BAT can be a clinical challenge because of its subtle and nonspecific clinical findings; meeting that challenge may eventually lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment with subsequent increase in associated morbidity and mortality. Isolated colon injury is a rare finding after blunt trauma and usually accompanied by other intra-abdominal organ injuries. Abdominal 'seatbelt' sign, ecchymosis of the abdominal wall, increasing abdominal pain and distension are all associated with HVI. However, the accuracy of these findings remains low. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage, ultrasound, CT and diagnostic laparoscopy are used to evaluate BAT. Although CT has become the main diagnostic tool for this type of injuries, there are few pathognomonic signs of colon injury on CT. Given the potential for devastating outcomes, prompt diagnosis and treatment is necessary and high clinical suspicion is required.

Imaging Assessment of Gastroduodenal Perforations

Gastroduodenal perforation is an emergency situation that usually requires early recognition and well-timed surgical treatment. It can arise from different natural, iatrogenic, or traumatic causes, and it can present with various symptoms especially in the early phase. This article reviews the role of the different imaging techniques in the diagnosis of gastroduodenal perforation, focusing on the direct and indirect signs that are encountered in conventional radiography and computed tomography; our personal experience is also provided.

Errors in multidetector row computed tomography

Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) represents the technique of choice for the majority of pathologies today and is responsible for the majority of diagnoses. However, despite the low number of studies dedicated to errors in MDCT, CT reporting seems especially prone to generating errors and errors are an inevitable part of MDCT practice. Most of these arise during image interpretation but, differently from other radiological techniques, the awareness of radiologists regarding technical CT aspects and pathologies substantially contribute in generating errors, in particular because CT technology expands rapidly and radiologists do not routinely receive specific and appropriate training for its use and because CT examinations are not the same for each patient and each pathology and the choice of the most appropriate CT examination (including the dose exposure to the patient) presumes a very large awareness from radiologists. This review is aimed at increasing awareness regarding the type of errors in MDCT and in particular to also highlight technical and procedural errors.