Mechanisms of injury and CT findings in bowel and mesenteric trauma

Factors associated with enteral nutrition tolerance after trauma laparotomy of the small bowel and mesenteric injuries by blunt trauma

BACKGROUND

In patients with blunt injury due to abdominal trauma, the common cause for laparotomy is damage to the small bowel and mesentery. Recently, postoperative early enteral nutrition (EEN) has been recommended for abdominal surgery. However, EEN in patients with blunt bowel and/or mesenteric injury (BBMI) has not been established. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors that affect early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) and the date of tolerance to solid food and defecation (SF + D) after surgery in patients with BBMI.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent laparotomy for BBMI at a single regional trauma center between January 2013 and July 2021. A total of 257 patients were included to analyze the factors associated with enteral nutrition tolerance in patients with EPSBO and the postoperative day of tolerance to SF + D.

RESULTS

The incidence of EPSBO in patients with BBMI was affected by male sex, small bowel organ injury scale (OIS) score, mesentery OIS score, amount of crystalloid, blood transfusion, and postoperative drain removal date. The higher the mesentery OIS score, the higher was the EPSBO incidence, whereas the small bowel OIS did not increase the incidence of EPSBO. The amount of crystalloid infused within 24 h; the amount of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelet concentrate transfused; the time of drain removal; Injury Severity Score; and extremity abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score were correlated with the day of tolerance to SF + D. Multivariate analysis between the EPSBO and non-EPSBO groups identified mesentery and small bowel OIS scores as the factors related to EPSBO.

CONCLUSION

Mesenteric injury has a greater impact on EPSBO than small bowel injury. Further research is needed to determine whether the mesentery OIS score should be considered during EEN in patients with BBMI. The amount of crystalloid infused and transfused blood components within 24 h, time of drain removal, injury severity score, and extremity AIS score are related to the postoperative day on which patients can tolerate SF + D.

CT-based diagnostic algorithm to identify bowel and/or mesenteric injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma

OBJECTIVES

To develop a CT-based algorithm and evaluate its performance for the diagnosis of blunt bowel and/or mesenteric injury (BBMI) in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

METHODS

This retrospective study included a training cohort of 79 patients (29 with BBMI and 50 patients with blunt abdominal trauma without BBMI) and a validation cohort of 37 patients (13 patients with BBMI and 24 patients with blunt abdominal trauma without BBMI). CT examinations were blindly analyzed by two independent radiologists. For each CT sign, the kappa value, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated. A diagnostic algorithm was built using a recursive partitioning model on the training cohort, and its performances were assessed on the validation cohort.

RESULTS

CT signs with kappa value > 0.6 were extraluminal gas, hemoperitoneum, no or moderate bowel wall enhancement, and solid organ injury. CT signs yielding best accuracies in the training cohort were extraluminal gas (98%; 95% CI: 91-100), bowel wall defect (97%; 95% CI: 91-100), irregularity of mesenteric vessels (97%; 95% CI: 90-99), and mesenteric vessel extravasation (97%; 95% CI: 90-99). Using a recursive partitioning model, a decision tree algorithm including extraluminal gas and no/moderate bowel wall enhancement was built, achieving 86% sensitivity (95% CI: 74-99) and 96% specificity (95% CI: 91-100) in the training cohort and 92% sensitivity (95% CI: 78-97) and 88% specificity (95% CI: 74-100) in the validation cohort for the diagnosis of BBMI.

CONCLUSIONS

An effective diagnostic algorithm was built to identify BBMI in patients with blunt abdominal trauma using only extraluminal gas and no/moderate bowel wall enhancement on CT examination.

KEY POINTS

• A CT diagnostic algorithm that included extraluminal gas and no/moderate bowel wall enhancement was built for the diagnosis of surgical blunt bowel and/or mesenteric injury. • A decision tree combining only two reproducible CT signs has high diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of surgical blunt bowel and/or mesenteric injury.

Successful Removal of a Bullet from the Spinal Canal of a GSW Victim in the Level of L5: Case Report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Gunshot wounds (GSWs), for increasing violence in urban areas globally and especially among the young population, have been significant causes of morbidity and mortality. These are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries, followed by traffic accidents. The priority of the therapeutic team is to save the victim and then minimise the permanent neural deficits. The indications for lumbosacral decompressive spinal surgery have remained challenging.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 25-year-old man victim of a gunshot in his left flank presented to the emergency department in hemodynamic shock and lethargy status. Resuscitating with fluids, he underwent damage control surgery (DCS). Sources of 2.5 l of intra-abdominal blood were detected of multiple intestinal and mesentery perforations beside the left ureter complete cut. The left psoas muscle was through and through perforated, too, and the bullet was stuck between the vertebrae. On the fifth day after DCS, the bullet surgical removal of the bullet was done in which L2-S1 laminectomy approaching the crushed Conus terminalis was completed. After the operation, his left foot drop and walking ability were improved.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Surgical treatment for gunshot wounds in the spinal column is controversial, but the emphasis is on providing advanced trauma life support. Definite treatment of such lesions mainly focuses on maintaining spinal stability, decreasing neurologic deficits as much as possible, and preventing complications.

CONCLUSION

A patient indicates neurological surgery who is young with incomplete or progressive neurology deficits, unstable spine, or complete injury with persistent neural compression.

H12-(ADP)-liposomes for hemorrhagic shock in thrombocytopenia: Mesenteric artery injury model in rabbits

BACKGROUND

Damage control resuscitation improves patient outcomes after severe hemorrhage and coagulopathy. However, effective hemostasis methods for these critical situations are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the hemostatic efficacy of fibrinogen γ-chain (HHLGGAKQAGDV, H12)-coated, adenosine-diphosphate (ADP)-encapsulated liposomes (H12-[ADP]-liposomes) in thrombocytopenic rabbits with hemorrhagic shock.

METHODS

Acute thrombocytopenia (80%) was induced in rabbits that also received mesenteric vessel injury, leading to hemorrhagic shock. Five minutes after injury, subjects received intravenous bolus injection with H12-(ADP)-liposomes (20 mg/kg), followed by isovolemic transfusion with stored red blood cells (RBCs)/platelet poor plasma (PPP) (RBC:PPP = 1:1 [vol/vol]), or lactated Ringer solution every 5 min to compensate blood loss. One group received H12-(phosphate buffered saline [PBS]) liposomes followed by RBC/PPP. Additional groups were received isovolemic transfusion with RBC/platelet rich plasma (PRP) (RBC:PRP = 1:1 [vol/vol]), RBC/PPP, PPP alone, or lactated Ringer solution.

RESULTS

Treatment with H12-(ADP)-liposomes followed by RBC/PPP transfusion and RBC/PRP transfusion effectively stopped bleeding in all thrombocytopenic rabbits. In contrast, three of 10 rabbits treated with RBC/PPP failed hemostasis, and no rabbits receiving lactated Ringer solution stopped bleeding or survived. Twenty-four hours after hemorrhage, 80% of rabbits receiving H12-(ADP)-liposome followed by RBC/PPP transfusion survived and 70% of rabbits receiving RBC/PRP transfusion also survived, although RBC/PPP-transfused rabbits showed 40% survival. Rabbits receiving H12-(ADP)-liposomes followed by lactated Ringer solution showed a transient hemostatic potential but failed to survive. H12-(PBS)-liposomes showed no beneficial effect on hemostasis. Neither the PPP group nor the lactated Ringer group survived.

CONCLUSION

H12-(ADP)-liposome treatment followed by RBC/PPP may be effective in lethal hemorrhage after mesenteric vessel injury in coagulopathic rabbits.

The Current Diagnostic Accuracy on Free Peritoneal Fluid in Computed Tomography to Determinate the Necessity of Surgery in Blunt Bowel and Mesenteric Trauma-Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Traumatic bowel mesenteric injury (TBMI) is a challenge in trauma care. The presence of free peritoneal fluid (FF) in computed tomography (CT) was considered the indication for surgical intervention. However, conservative treatment should be applied for minor injuries. We conduct a systematic review to analyze how reliable the FF is to assess the TBMI. Publications were retrieved by structured searching among databases, review articles and major textbooks. For statistical analysis, summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROCs) were computed using hierarchical models. Fourteen studies enrolling 4336 patients were eligible for final qualitative analysis. The SROC line was created by a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic model. The summary sensitivity of FF to predict surgical TBMI was 0.793 (95% CI: 0.635-0.894), and the summary specificity of FF to predict surgical TBMI was 0.733 (95% CI: 0.468-0.896). The diagnostic odds ratio was 10.531 (95% CI: 5.556-19.961). This study represents the most robust evidence (level 3a) to date that FF is not the absolute but an acceptable indicator for surgically important TBMI. However, there is still a need for randomized controlled trials to confirm.

Penetrating gluteal injuries in North West London: a retrospective cohort study and initial management guideline

Background

Penetrating gluteal injuries (PGIs) are an increasingly common presentation to major trauma centers (MTCs) in the UK and especially in London. PGIs can be associated with mortality and significant morbidity. There is a paucity of consistent guidance on how best to investigate and manage these patients.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed by interrogating prospectively collected patient records for PGI presenting to a level 1 MTC in London between 2017 and 2019.

Results

There were 125 presentations with PGI, accounting for 6.86% of all penetrating injuries. Of these, 95.2% (119) were male, with a median age of 21 (IQR 18–29), and 20.80% (26) were under 18. Compared with the 3 years prior to this study, the number of PGI increased by 87%. The absolute risk (AR) of injury to a significant structure was 27.20%; the most frequently injured structure was a blood vessel (17.60%), followed by the rectum (4.80%) and the urethra (1.60%). The AR by anatomic quadrant of injury was highest in the lower inner quadrant (56%) and lowest in the upper outer quadrant (14%). CT scanning had an overall sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 92.38% in identifying rectal injury.

Discussion

The anatomic quadrant of injury can be helpful in stratifying risk of rectal and urethral injuries when assessing a patient in the emergency department. Given the low sensitivity in identifying rectal injury on initial CT, this data supports assesing any patients considered at high risk of rectal injury with an examination under general anesthetic with or without rigid sigmoidoscopy. The pathway has created a clear tool that optimizes investigation and treatment, minimizing the likelihood of missed injury or unnecessary use of resources. It therefore represents a potential pathway other centers receiving a similar trauma burden could consider adopting.

Level of evidence

2b.

How long of a postponement in surgery can a blunt hollow viscus injury patient tolerate? A retrospective study from the National Trauma Data Bank

BACKGROUND

In the management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma, delayed diagnosis and treatment of hollow viscus injury can occur. We assessed the effect of the time to surgery on the outcomes of blunt hollow viscus injury patients.

METHODS

The National Trauma Data Bank was queried from 2012 to 2015 to identify patients with blunt hollow viscus injury for inclusion. Patients with unstable hemodynamics, concomitant intra-abdominal organ injuries, or other severe extra-abdominal injuries were excluded. Inverse probability of treatment weighting and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the effect of the time to surgery on the outcomes.

RESULTS

In total, 2,997 patients with blunt hollow viscus injury were studied; the mean time to abdominal surgery was 6.7 hours. Twenty-two hours was selected as a cutoff value for further analyses because of an observed transition zone at that time in the distribution of mortality and severe sepsis rates. After adjustment, patients who underwent surgery within 22 hours had a significantly lower mortality rate (1.2% vs 4.2%), lower sepsis rate (0.9% vs 4.5%), shorter hospital length of stay (8.7 vs 12.0 days), and shorter intensive care unit length of stay (1.4 vs 3.3 days). In patients who underwent surgery within 22 hours, neither mortality nor sepsis were affected significantly by the time to surgery.

CONCLUSION

In the management of patients with blunt hollow viscus injury, early surgical treatment is needed. Patients with isolated blunt hollow viscus injury may have a poor outcome if they undergo abdominal surgery more than 22 hours after arrival in the emergency department.

Blunt Abdominal Trauma With Hollow Viscus and Mesenteric Injury: A Prospective Study of 50 Cases

Introduction Hollow viscus injury following blunt abdominal trauma is an infrequent diagnosis. Blunt hollow viscus and mesenteric injury (HVMI) is not only an uncommon finding but its timely diagnosis is also difficult. Due to its less frequency, this injury has not been studied in detail prospectively. Aims and objectives The aim of this study is to determine the causes, pattern, management, and outcome of HVMI following blunt abdominal trauma. Methodology This study was conducted from January 2015 to June 2016 in a high-volume tertiary care trauma center and teaching hospital in North India. All patients with blunt HVMI admitted during this period were included in this study. Data were collected regarding medical history, physical findings, demographics, injury dates and times, laboratory results, diagnostic tests, delay in surgical intervention, type of surgical procedure performed, site of injury, complications, and mortality. Results Out of a total of 6,570 trauma admissions, 465 blunt abdominal injuries were identified, and HVMI was found only in 50 patients. The small bowel was the most common injury, with the jejunum being the most commonly involved segment. All patients were managed surgically. The mean time to operative intervention after hospital admission was 4.5 hours (IQR: 2-8 hours). Primary repair was performed in 54% of patients. Mortality rate was high in patients with HVMI (22% patients). Septic shock was the most common cause of death. Conclusion Hollow viscus injury in blunt abdominal trauma is not so common finding. Early diagnosis and treatment is an important but difficult task. Prognosis depends on age, associated injuries, co-morbid conditions, and delay in operative intervention.

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.

Multiple isolated small bowel perforations following blunt abdominal trauma

INTRODUCTION

Small bowel injury is uncommon after blunt abdominal trauma. Repeated clinical assessment is important, especially when investigative imaging is negative.

CASE PRESENTATION

39-year-old male presented to the emergency department following a blunt abdominal trauma. No initial hemodynamic abnormalities were found. Abdominal CT scan was negative for small bowel perforation. Repeated clinical assessment revealed increasing abdominal pain with tachycardia, and an emergent laparotomy was undertaken. Four grade II and one grade I small bowel perforations were found, all repaired with interrupted sutures. Patient was discharged home on day 7.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of small bowel injury is difficult and a low threshold of suspicion is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality. Hemodynamic instability or abdominal tenderness after blunt abdominal trauma are indications for immediate surgical exploration, despite negative imaging findings. Serial clinical assessment is the main decision tool to perform an abdominal exploration.

Surgical Management of Abdominal Trauma: Hollow Viscus Injury

Hollow viscus injury is common with penetrating trauma to the torso and infrequent with a blunt traumatic mechanism of injury. The diagnosis in hemodynamically unstable patients is often made in the operating room. In hemodynamically stable patients, the diagnosis can be difficult due to additional injuries. Although computed tomography remains the diagnostic tool of choice in hemodynamically stable patients, it has lower reported sensitivity and specificity with hollow viscus injury. However, even short delays in diagnosis increase morbidity and mortality significantly. Operative management of stomach, duodenal, small bowel, and colon injuries is reviewed.

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.

Can multidetector CT detect the site of gastrointestinal tract injury in trauma? - A retrospective study

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the performance of computed tomography (CT) in localizing site of traumatic gastrointestinal tract (GIT) injury and determine the diagnostic value of CT signs in site localization.

METHODS

CT scans of 97 patients with surgically proven GIT or mesenteric injuries were retrospectively reviewed by radiologists blinded to surgical findings. Diagnosis of either GIT or mesenteric injuries was made. In patients with GIT injuries, site of injury and presence of CT signs such as focal bowel wall hyperenhancement, hypoenhancement, wall discontinuity, wall thickening, extramural air, intramural air, perivisceral infiltration, and active vascular contrast leak were evaluated.

RESULTS

Out of 97 patients, 90 had GIT injuries (70 single site injuries and 20 multiple site injuries) and seven had isolated mesenteric injury. The overall concordance between CT and operative findings for exact site localization was 67.8% (61/90), partial concordance rate was 11.1% (10/90), and discordance rate was 21.1% (19/90). For single site localization, concordance rate was 77.1% (54/70), discordance rate was 21.4% (15/70), and partial concordance rate was 1.4% (1/70). In multiple site injury, concordance rate for all sites of injury was 35% (7/20), partial concordance rate was 45% (9/20), and discordance rate was 20% (4/20). For upper GIT injuries, wall discontinuity was the most accurate sign for localization. For small bowel injury, intramural air and hyperenhancement were the most specific signs for site localization, while for large bowel injury, wall discontinuity and hypoenhancement were the most specific signs.

CONCLUSION

CT performs better in diagnosing small bowel injury compared with large bowel injury. CT can well predict the presence of multiple site injury but has limited performance in exact localization of all injury sites.

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.

The spectrum of injuries in buttock stab wounds

Buttock stab wounds are a surprisingly common and increasing source of presentations to emergency departments. These injuries can have a significant impact on quality of life, and there are a number of often subtle, but significant, injuries that the radiologist must be alert to when interpreting computed tomography examinations in these patients. In this review, we will examine briefly the sociological reasons for the increase in these injuries, discuss appropriate imaging techniques, and provide imaging examples of the clinically important injuries that may be encountered in this region. These injuries include rectal or colonic perforation; genito-urinary trauma, for example urethral injury; injury to the sciatic nerve; and a spectrum of vascular trauma including transection and pseudoaneurysm or arteriovenous fistula formation.

Are We Missing Traumatic Bowel and Mesenteric Injuries?

Purpose

Traumatic bowel and mesenteric injury (TBMI), although an uncommon entity, can be lethal if not detected and treated in a timely manner. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for the detection of TBMI in patients at our level 1 trauma centre.

Methods

We used our hospital's trauma registry to identify patients with a diagnosis of TBMI from January 1, 2006, to June 30, 2013. Only patients who had a 64-slice MDCT scan at presentation and subsequently underwent laparotomy or laparoscopy were included in the study cohort. Using the surgical findings as the gold standard, the accuracy of prospective radiology reports was analyzed.

Results

Of the 4781 trauma patients who presented to our institution, 44 (0.92%) had surgically proven TBMI. Twenty-two of 44 were excluded as they did not have MDCT before surgery. The study cohort consisted of 14 males and 8 females with a median age of 41.5 years and a median injury severity score of 27. In total 17 of 22 had blunt trauma and 5 of 22 had penetrating injury. A correct preoperative imaging diagnosis of TBMI was made in 14 of 22 of patients. The overall sensitivity of the radiology reports was 63.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 41%-82%), specificity was 79.6% (95% CI: 67%-89%), PPV was 53.9% (95% CI: 33%-73%), and the NPV was 85.5% (95% CI: 73%-94%). Accuracy was calculated at 75.3%. However, only 59% (10 of 17) of patients with blunt injury had a correct preoperative diagnosis. Review of the findings demonstrated that majority of patients with missed blunt TBMI (5 of 7) demonstrated only indirect signs of injury.

Conclusion

The detection of TBMI in trauma patients on 64-slice MDCT can be improved, especially in patients presenting with blunt injury. Missed cases in this population occurred because the possibility of TBMI was not considered despite the presence of indirect imaging signs. The prospective diagnosis of TBMI remains challenging despite advances in CT technology and widespread use of 64-slice MDCT.

Strangulated transmesosigmoid hernia as a late complication of a fall from a height: A case report

INTRODUCTION

A transmesosigmoid hernia is defined as small bowel herniation through a complete defect involving both layers of the sigmoid mesentery. Blunt trauma injury to the sigmoid mesocolon has been reported only rarely. We herein report a case of a strangulated transmesosigmoid hernia associated with a history of a fall from a height.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 43-year-old woman presented to our hospital for evaluation of vomiting. She had no history of abdominal surgery but had sustained a complete spinal cord injury and pelvic fracture secondary to a fall from a height 25 years earlier. A computed tomography scan of her abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a closed loop of small bowel in the pelvis, with a zone of transition in the left lower abdomen. Although the cause of the obstruction was difficult to establish, ischemia was strongly suspected; therefore, the decision was made to perform emergency exploratory laparoscopy. During laparoscopy, a loop of ileum was observed to have herniated through a full-thickness defect in the sigmoid mesocolon, consistent with a transmesosigmoid hernia. The herniated loop was strangulated but not gangrenous and was successfully reduced using laparoscopic graspers. The incarcerated small bowel appeared viable and was therefore not resected. The defect was closed with a running suture. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course with no recurrence.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Abdominal blunt trauma can cause sigmoid mesenteric rupture resulting in a transmesosigmoid hernia. In the management of transmesosigmoid hernias, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has the advantage of facilitating simultaneous diagnosis and surgical intervention.

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.

Bowel and mesenteric injuries from blunt abdominal trauma: a review

The bowel and the mesentery represent the third most frequently involved structures in blunt abdominal trauma after the liver and the spleen. Clinical assessment alone in patients with suspected intestinal and/or mesenteric injury from blunt abdominal trauma is associated with unacceptable diagnostic delays. Multi-detector computed tomography, thanks to its high spatial, time and contrast resolutions, allows a prompt identification and proper classification of such conditions. The radiologist, in fact, is asked not only to identify the signs of trauma but also to provide an indication of their clinical significance, suggesting the chance of conservative treatment in the cases of mild and moderate, non-complicated or self-limiting injuries and focusing on life-threatening conditions which may benefit from immediate surgical or interventional procedures. Specific and non-specific CT signs of bowel and mesenteric injuries from blunt abdominal trauma are reviewed in this paper.