The utility of initial and follow-up ultrasound reevaluation for blunt renal trauma in children and adolescents

Does contrast-enhanced ultrasound have a role in evaluation and management of pediatric renal trauma? A preliminary experience

BACKGROUND

To report our initial experience using intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in pediatric renal trauma with the potential for substantial radiation reduction.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients who underwent intravenous CEUS at our institution between May 2015 and January 2018 for the suspicion of blunt renal trauma. CEUS was obtained either as an immediate or short-term comparison to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), or in outpatient follow-up.

RESULTS

CEUS was performed on 7 patients (9 kidneys) with age range 2 months to 16 years old. CEUS was utilized as a comparison to CECT in 4 of 7 patients for initial evaluation, clinical change, or short-term follow-up. CEUS alone was used in one patient with low suspicion for renal injury. In the remaining two patients, CEUS was obtained as a follow-up study weeks after the initial CECT, following conservative management. All patients with confirmed renal injury by CECT (n = 5) underwent a follow-up CEUS at 1-2 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In an era of conservative management for renal trauma in which operative intervention is dictated more often by the clinical course than radiographic findings, it is reasonable to consider alternative imaging methods such as CEUS in stable patients to decrease radiation exposure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE RATING

IV.

Pediatric blunt renal trauma practice management guidelines: Collaboration between the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the Pediatric Trauma Society

BACKGROUND

Injury to the kidney from either blunt or penetrating trauma is the most common urinary tract injury. Children are at higher risk of renal injury from blunt trauma than adults, but no pediatric renal trauma guidelines have been established. The authors reviewed the literature to guide clinicians in the appropriate methods of management of pediatric renal trauma.

METHODS

Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to aid with the development of these evidence-based practice management guidelines. A systematic review of the literature including citations published between 1990 and 2016 was performed. Fifty-one articles were used to inform the statements presented in the guidelines. When possible, a meta-analysis with forest plots was created, and the evidence was graded.

RESULTS

When comparing nonoperative management versus operative management in hemodynamically stable pediatric patient with blunt renal trauma, evidence suggests that there is a reduced rate of renal loss and blood transfusion in patients managed nonoperatively. We found that in pediatric patients with high-grade American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade III-V (AAST III-V) renal injuries and ongoing bleeding or delayed bleeding, angioembolization has a decreased rate of renal loss compared with surgical intervention. We found the rate of posttraumatic renal hypertension to be 4.2%.

CONCLUSION

Based on the completed meta-analyses and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation profile, we are making the following recommendations: (1) In pediatric patients with blunt renal trauma of all grades, we strongly recommend nonoperative management versus operative management in hemodynamically stable patients. (2) In hemodynamically stable pediatric patients with high-grade (AAST grade III-V) renal injuries, we strongly recommend angioembolization versus surgical intervention for ongoing or delayed bleeding. (3) In pediatric patients with renal trauma, we strongly recommend routine blood pressure checks to diagnose hypertension. This review of the literature reveals limitations and the need for additional research on diagnosis and management of pediatric renal trauma.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Guidelines study, level III.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of Severe Renal Trauma in an Adolescent

Traumatic renal injuries are more common in pediatrics because of the relatively larger size of the kidneys in the pediatric patient. Although computerized tomography remains the criterion standard for the initial evaluation of blunt renal trauma, there is evidence that renal ultrasound may serve a role in postinjury surveillance. Here, we present a case in which point-of-care ultrasound was used to image severe blunt renal trauma in a 17-year-old adolescent boy. In this case, point-of-care ultrasound identified severely distorted renal parenchyma after a grade 5 renal laceration was identified on computerized tomography scan.

Nonoperative Management of Blunt Solid Organ Injury in Pediatric Surgery

In the last decade, higher rates of nonoperative management of liver, spleen, and kidney injuries have been achieved. An algorithmic approach may improve success on a national level. Factors for success include management strategy based on physiologic status of the child, early attempt at resuscitation using blood products, and appropriate use of adjuncts. Shorter hospitalizations are appropriate for children who have not bled significantly, and discharge instructions facilitate the safety of early discharge. Although routine imaging is not required for liver or spleen injury, symptoms should prompt reevaluation. Reimaging of renal injuries remains in common use.

Renal trauma: imaging evaluation and implications for clinical management

Severe renal injuries are usually associated with multisystem injuries, may require interventional radiology to control hemorrhage and improve the chances for renal salvage, and are more likely to fail nonoperative management. However, most renal injuries are mild in severity and successfully managed conservatively. The AAST classification is the most widely used system to describe renal injuries and carries management and prognostic implications. CT with intravenous contrast is the imaging test of choice to assess for renal injuries. Contrast extravasation indicating active bleeding should be mentioned as its presence is predictive for failure of nonoperative management. Radiologists play a critical role in identifying renal injuries and should make every effort to describe renal injuries according to the AAST grading scheme to better inform the surgeon's management decisions.

[Abdominal polytrauma and parenchymal organs]

CLINICAL/METHODOLOGICAL ISSUE

The acute radiological diagnostics of polytrauma patients has become an essential part of the interdisciplinary treatment in the emergency room. The incidence of polytrauma patients with an injury severity score (ISS) >16 is approximately 450 cases/million inhabitants/year in Europe. Injuries of the parenchymal organs are of utmost importance for the prognosis and treatment of these patients. The injury patterns are complex and a great deal of experience is necessary to be able to obtain the correct diagnosis within minutes. This review article deals with the radiological diagnostics and grading of the severity of injuries to the spleen, liver, pancreas and kidneys.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

The use of ultrasound for the evaluation of polytraumatized patients will be discussed. The most important trauma-associated findings for the above mentioned organs using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) will be described and illustrated by dedicated case findings.

METHODOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS

Ultrasound contrast agents can supply valuable, additional diagnostic information in the evaluation of polytraumatized patients. Computed tomography has become established as the most relevant imaging modality in severe trauma. Innovative organ-adapted and contrast application protocols improve the diagnostic performance of MDCT.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The use of focused assessment sonography for trauma (FAST) scanning as a screening tool is in agreement with the other clinical disciplines of the trauma team. The use of MDCT is trauma-dependent and the classification of the severity of the different parenchymal organ injuries is ultimately decisive for further treatment and prognosis of trauma victims.

Imaging assessment of renal injuries in children and adolescents: CT or ultrasound?

BACKGROUND

Since the introduction of the ALARA ("as low as reasonably achievable") concept, ultrasound (US) has been progressively advocated for paediatric diagnostic imaging. This study aimed to analyse the role and accuracy of US in paediatric renal trauma.

METHODS

From 1999 to 2009, the tertiary-care-hospital database was retrospectively evaluated for renal trauma with regards to aetiology, type of injury, diagnostics, management and outcome.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (29 males, 18 females; median age=14years, range 1-17 years) were identified. US was initially applied in 45 patients with correct results in 86.6%. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 16 patients in the acute trauma setting - complementary to US in 14 cases, with a diagnostic accuracy of 93%. Most renal injuries were grade I° (n=30), followed by grade III° (n=8), IV° (n=5), and II°/V° (n=2 each). All patients were initially managed conservatively and followed by US. Clinical deterioration necessitated surgery in four patients (2 nephrectomies, 1 partial nephrectomy, 1 urinoma drainage). The outcome was generally favourable with a renal preservation rate of 95%.

CONCLUSION

With respect to the ALARA principle, US can be safely and reliably applied as the first-line diagnostic imaging technique and for follow-up for suspected traumatic paediatric renal injuries.