Trauma and 'Whole' Body Computed Tomography: Role, Protocols, Appropriateness, and Evidence to Support its Use and When

Imaging plays a crucial role in the immediate evaluation of the trauma patient, particularly using multi-detector computed tomography (CT), and especially in moderately to severely injured trauma patients. There are specific areas of relative consensus, while other aspects of whole-body computed tomography (WB-CT) use remain controversial and are subject to opinion/debate based on the current literature. Even a few hours of a delayed diagnosis may result in a detrimental outcome for the patient. One must utilize all the tools available to enhance the interpretation of images. It is also important to recognize imaging pitfalls and artifacts to avoid unnecessary intervention.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Penetrating Torso Trauma

This document assesses the appropriateness of various imaging studies for acute penetrating trauma to the torso. Penetrating trauma most commonly occurs from gunshots and stabbings, although any object can impale the patient. Anatomic location, type of penetrating trauma, and hemodynamic status are among the many important factors when deciding upon if, what, and when imaging is needed to further evaluate the patient. Imaging plays a critical role in the management of these patients. CT, in particular, aids in identifying and predicting internal injuries based upon trajectory of the object. Clinical variants are distinguished by ballistic versus nonballistic injuries, hemodynamic status, and compartment of the body injured. Ballistic trauma trajectory is less predictable, and imaging recommendations are adjusted for this unpredictability. Excluded from this document are penetrating traumatic injuries to pediatric patients and specific recommendations when the genitourinary system is clinically suspected to be injured, the latter of which is more specifically discussed in other Appropriateness Criteria documents. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are documented annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer documented journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer documented literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Clinical management of active bleeding: what the emergency radiologist needs to know

Active bleeding is a clinical emergency that often requires swift action driven by efficient communication. Extravasation of intravenous (IV) contrast on computed tomography (CT) is a hallmark of active hemorrhage. This can be seen on exams performed for a variety of indications and can occur anywhere in the body. As both traumatic and non-traumatic etiologies of significant blood loss are clinical emergencies, exams demonstrating active bleeding are often performed in emergency departments and read by emergency radiologists. Prompt communication of these findings to the appropriate emergency medicine and surgical providers is crucial. Although many types of active hemorrhage can be managed by interventional radiology techniques, endoscopic and surgical management or clinical observation may be appropriate in certain cases. To facilitate optimal care, it is important for emergency radiologists to understand the scope of indications for embolization of bleeding by interventional radiologists (IR) and when an IR consultation is warranted. Similarly, timely comprehensive diagnostic radiology reporting including pertinent positive and negative findings tailored for IR colleagues can expedite the appropriate intervention.

Timing of computed tomography imaging in adult patients with severe trauma: A nationwide cohort study in Japan

PURPOSE

Computed tomography (CT) has become essential for the management of trauma patients. However, appropriate timing of CT acquisition remains undetermined. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between time to CT acquisition and mortality among adult patients with severe trauma.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Japan Trauma Data Bank, which had 256 participating institutions from all over Japan between 2004 and 2018. Patients were categorized upon arrival as either severe trunk trauma with signs of shock or severe head trauma with coma and separately analyzed. Cases were further divided into three groups based on time elapsed between arrival at hospital and CT acquisition as immediate (0-29 min), intermediate (30-59 min), or late (≥60 min). Primary outcome was mortality on discharge, and multivariate logistic regression with adjusting for confounders was used for evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 8467 (3640 in immediate group, 3441 in intermediate group, 1386 in late group) with trunk trauma patients and 6762 (4367 in immediate group, 2031 in intermediate group, 364 in late group) with head trauma patients were eligible for analysis included in the trunk and head trauma groups, respectively. The trunk trauma patients with shock on hospital arrival was 56.4% (4773/8467), and the head trauma patients with deep coma upon EMS arrival was 44.2% (2988/6762). Mortality rate gradually increased from 5.7% to 15.8% with prolonged time to CT imaging among trunk trauma patients. Multivariate logistic regression for death on discharge among trunk trauma patients yielded an adjusted odds ratio of 1.79 (95% confidence interval: 1.42-2.27) for the late group compared to the immediate group. In contrast, among head trauma patients, an adjusted odds ratio was 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.71-1.20) for the late group compared to the immediate group.

CONCLUSION

CT scan at or after 60 min was associated with increased death on discharge among patients with severe trunk trauma but not in those with severe head trauma.

Imaging of penetrating vascular trauma of the body and extremities secondary to ballistic and stab wounds

In the United States, gunshot wounds (GSWs) have become a critical public health concern with substantial annual morbidity, disability, and mortality. Vascular injuries associated with GSW may pose a clinical challenge to the physicians in the emergency department. Patients demonstrating hard signs require immediate intervention, whereas patients with soft signs can undergo further diagnostic testing for better injury delineation. Although digital subtraction angiography is the gold standard modality to assess vascular injuries, non-invasive techniques such as Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography have evolved as appropriate alternatives. This article discusses penetrating bodily vascular injuries, specifically ballistic and stab wounds, and the corresponding radiological presentations.

Know your way around acute unenhanced CT during global iodinated contrast crisis: a refresher to ED radiologists

Due to a contrast shortage crisis resulting from the decreased supply of iodinated contrast agents, the American College of Radiology (ACR) has issued a guidance statement followed by memoranda from various hospitals to preserve and prioritize the limited supply of contrast. The vast majority of iodinated contrast is used by CT, with a minority used by vascular and intervention radiology, fluoroscopy, and other services. A direct consequence is a paradigm shift to large volume unenhanced CT scans being utilized for acute and post traumatic patients in EDs, an uncharted territory for most radiologists and trainees. This article provides radiological diagnostic guidance and a pictorial example through systematic review of common unenhanced CT findings in the acute setting.

Single Center Retrospective Review of Post-laparotomy CT Abdomen and Pelvis Findings and Trends

Purpose

To identify common findings visualized on CT following damage control laparotomy, including post-surgical changes and additional injuries, and to determine change in frequency of post-laparotomy CT at our institution over time.

Methods

Single institution, IRB-Exempt, retrospective review of the University of Kentucky trauma registry from 1/2006 to 2/2019 for all trauma patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy initially and subsequently undergoing CT of the abdomen and pelvis within 24 hours. Operative findings from surgical operation notes and findings reported on post-laparotomy CT were recorded, including vascular and solid organ injuries, operative changes, free intraperitoneal fluid/air, and retroperitoneal findings. Next steps in management were also recorded.

Results

In total 1,047 patients underwent exploratory laparotomy initially at our institution between 1/2006-2/2019. Of those, only 96 had a diagnostic CT of the abdomen and pelvis within 24 h after initial surgery, first occurring in 2010. Among these 96, there were 71 blunt and 25 penetrating injuries. Most common injuries recognized during exploratory laparotomy were bowel/mesentery (55), spleen (34), and liver (26). Regarding CT findings, all patients (96/96, 100%) had residual pneumoperitoneum, 84/96 (87.5%) had residual hemoperitoneum, 36/96 (37.5%) noted post-surgical changes or additional injuries to the spleen, 36/96 (37.5%) to the bowel/mesentery, and 32/96 (33.3%) to the liver, and 34/96 (35.4%) were noted to have pelvic fractures. After CT, 31/96 (32.3%) went back to the OR for relook laparotomy and additional surgical intervention and 7/96 (7.3%) went to IR for embolization. Most common procedures during relaparotomy involved the bowel (8) and solid organs (6).

Conclusions

CT examination within 24 h post damage control laparotomy was exceedingly rare at our institution prior to 2012 but has steadily increased. Frequency now averages 20.5% yearly. Damage control laparotomy is an uncommon clinical scenario; however, knowledge of frequent injuries and common post-operative changes will aid in radiologist detection of additional injuries helping shape next step management and provide adequate therapy.

Imaging Review of Pelvic Ring Fractures and Its Complications in High-Energy Trauma

Pelvic ring fractures are common in high-energy blunt trauma, especially in traffic accidents. These types of injuries have a high rate of morbidity and mortality, due to the common instability of the fractures, and the associated intrapelvic vascular and visceral complications. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard technique in the evaluation of pelvic trauma because it can quickly and accurately identify pelvic ring fractures, intrapelvic active bleeding, and lesions of other body systems. To properly guide the multidisciplinary management of the polytrauma patient, a classification criterion is mandatory. In this review, we decided to focus on the Young and Burgess classification, because it combines the mechanism and the stability of the fractures, helping to accurately identify injuries and related complications.

CT features of blunt abdominal aortic injury: an infrequent but life-threatening event

Blunt injury to the abdominal aorta is a rare but potentially fatal event. Despite being much less common than thoracic aorta involvement, it carries high morbidity and mortality. Computed tomography (CT) has become the standard method for evaluating the trauma patient and can provide a rapid accurate diagnosis of aortic injury. Depending on the magnitude of the traumatic forces, aortic injuries may be present in blunt abdominal trauma and appear as a spectrum of disease ranging from small intraluminal defects to full-thickness circumferential ruptures. We classify lesions into four groups as it has been reported in the literature: intimal flap (grade I), intramural hematoma (grade II), pseudoaneurysm (grade III), and rupture (grade IV). Radiologists play a crucial role in the evaluation and care of these patients since imaging findings significantly affect clinical management. The purpose of this paper is to describe the different types of traumatic injury to the abdominal aorta, highlighting the key imaging findings on computed tomography (CT).

Postoperative complications of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, and surgery is the most common treatment. Several surgical options are available, but each is associated with a range of potential complications. The timely and efficient identification of these complications is vital for effective clinical management of these patients in order to minimise their morbidity and mortality. This review aims to describe the range of commonly performed surgical treatments for colorectal surgery. In addition, frequent post-surgical complications are explored with investigative options explained and illustrated.

CT of Penetrating Abdominopelvic Trauma

Penetrating abdominopelvic trauma usually results from abdominal cavity violation from a firearm injury or a stab wound and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality from traumatic injuries. Penetrating trauma can have subtle or complex imaging findings, posing a diagnostic challenge for radiologists. Contrast-enhanced CT is the modality of choice for evaluating penetrating injuries, with good sensitivity and specificity for solid-organ and hollow viscus injuries. Familiarity with the projectile kinetics of penetrating injuries is an important skill set for radiologists and aids in the diagnosis of both overt and subtle injuries. CT trajectography is a useful tool in CT interpretation that allows the identification of subtle injuries from the transfer of kinetic injury from the projectile to surrounding tissue. In CT trajectography, after the entry and exit wounds are delineated, the two points can be connected by placing cross-cursors and swiveling the cut planes obliquely in orthogonal planes to obtain a double-oblique orientation to visualize the wound track in profile. The path of the projectile and its ensuing damage is not always straight, and the imaging characteristics of free fluid of different attenuation in the abdomen (including hemoperitoneum) can support the diagnosis of visceral and vascular injuries. In addition, CT is increasingly used for evaluation of patients after damage control surgery and helps guide the management of injuries that were overlooked at surgery. An invited commentary by Paes and Munera is available online. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2021.

American Society of Emergency Radiology Multicenter Blunt Splenic Trauma Study: CT and Clinical Findings

Background Treatment of blunt splenic trauma (BST) continues to evolve with improved imaging for detection of splenic vascular injuries. Purpose To report on treatments for BST from 11 trauma centers, the frequency and clinical impact of splenic vascular injuries, and factors influencing treatment. Materials and Methods Patients were retrospectively identified as having BST between January 2011 and December 2018, and clinical, imaging, and outcome data were recorded. Patient data were summarized descriptively, both overall and stratified by initial treatment received (nonoperative management [NOM], angiography, or surgery). Regression analyses were used to examine the primary outcomes of interest, which were initial treatment received and length of stay (LOS). Results This study evaluated 1373 patients (mean age, 42 years ± 18; 845 men). Initial treatments included NOM in 849 patients, interventional radiology (IR) in 240 patients, and surgery in 284 patients. Rates from CT reporting were 22% (304 of 1373) for active splenic hemorrhage (ASH) and 20% (276 of 1373) for contained vascular injury (CVI). IR management of high-grade injuries increased 15.6%, from 28.6% (eight of 28) to 44.2% (57 of 129) (2011-2012 vs 2017-2018). Patients who were treated invasively had a higher injury severity score (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.05; P < .001), lower temperature (OR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.00; P = .03), and a lower hematocrit (OR, 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.99; P = .003) and were more likely to show ASH (OR, 8.05; 95% CI: 5.35, 12.26; P < .001) or CVI (OR, 2.70; 95% CI: 1.64, 4.44; P < .001) on CT images, have spleen-only injures (OR, 2.35; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.8; P < .001), and have been administered blood product for fewer than 24 hours (OR, 2.35; 95% CI: 1.58, 3.51; P < .001) compared with those chosen for NOM, after adjusting for key demographic and clinical variables. After adjustment, factors associated with a shorter LOS were female sex (OR, 0.84; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.96; P = .009), spleen-only injury (OR, 0.72; 95% CI: 0.6, 0.86; P < .001), higher admission hematocrit (OR, 0.98; 95% CI: 0.6, 0.86; P < .001), and presence of ASH at CT (OR, 0.74; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.88; P < .001). Conclusion Contained vascular injury and active splenic hemorrhage (ASH) were frequently reported, and rates of interventional radiologic management increased during the study period. ASH was associated with a shorter length of stay, and patients with ASH had eight times the odds of undergoing invasive treatment compared with undergoing nonoperative management. © RSNA, 2021 See also the editorial by Patlas in this issue.

Renal vein injuries: a 10-year, single institution experience with a rare injury following blunt abdominal trauma

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence, injury type, injury associations, and management of patients with renal vein injuries following trauma.

METHODS

This is a 10-year single-center retrospective observational study of patients with renal vein injuries identified on admission abdominopelvic CT following trauma. Our institutional trauma registry and radiology information system (RIS) was used to identify patients with renal vein injuries. The medical records and imaging exams were reviewed to determine venous injury type, associated injuries, management, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifteen (15) patients with renal vein injuries (N = 9 right side) were identified out of 36,077 trauma evaluations, for an overall incidence of 0.042%. Eight (53.3%) were male with a mean age of 36.3 years (range 9-67 years) and a mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 32 (range 13-57). The most common imaging findings were pseudoaneurysm formation with or without intimal injury and intraluminal thrombus seen in 86.7% of the cohort. Twelve patients (80.0%) had other acute traumatic renal findings, most commonly an ipsilateral grade 4 or higher renal injury. Angiography was performed in 6 patients (40.0%), however no patients received renal vein specific endovascular evaluation, endovascular treatment, or surgical treatment of their renal vein injuries. Three patients were treated with long-term anticoagulation, of which one received an IVC filter. There were no known renal vein injury specific mortalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal vein injuries are an extremely rare entity but can be detected on admission CT. The most common injury patterns include an intimal injury with intraluminal thrombus and pseudoaneurysm in combination with an intimal injury and intraluminal thrombus. Conservative, nonoperative management was successfully employed in all cases with no renal vein specific mortalities.

Liver trauma: hepatic vascular injury on computed tomography as a predictor of patient outcome

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate hepatic vascular injury (HVI) on CT in blunt and penetrating trauma and assess its relationship to patient management and outcome.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

This retrospective study was IRB approved and HIPAA compliant. Informed consent was waived. Included were patients ≥ 16 years old who sustained blunt or penetrating trauma with liver laceration seen on a CT performed at our institution within 24 h of presentation over the course of 10 years and 6 months (August 2007-February 2018). During this interval, 171 patients met inclusion criteria (123 males, 48 females; mean age 34; age range 17-80 years old). Presence of HVI was evaluated and liver injury was graded in a blinded fashion by two radiologists using the 1994 and 2018 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) liver injury scales. Hospital length of stay and treatment (angioembolization or operative) were recorded from the electronic medical record. Multivariate linear regressions were used to determine our variables' impact on the length of stay, and logistic regressions were used for categorical outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the included liver trauma patients, 25% had HVI. Patients with HVI had a 3.2-day longer length of hospital stay on average and had a 40.3-fold greater odds of getting angioembolization compared to those without. Patients with high-grade liver injury (AAST grades IV-V, 2018 criteria) had a 3.2-fold greater odds of failing non-operative management and a 14.3-fold greater odds of angioembolization compared to those without.

CONCLUSION

HVI in liver trauma is common and is predictive of patient outcome and management.

KEY POINTS

• Hepatic vascular injury occurs commonly (25%) with liver trauma. • Hepatic vascular injury is associated with increased length of hospital stay and angioembolization. • High-grade liver injury is associated with failure of non-operative management and with angioembolization.

Multidetector CT in Vascular Injuries Resulting from Pelvic Fractures: A Primer for Diagnostic Radiologists

Pelvic vascular injuries are typically caused by high-energy trauma. The majority of these injuries are caused by motor vehicle collisions, and the rest are caused by falls and industrial or crush injuries. Pelvic vascular injuries are frequently associated with pelvic ring disruption and have a high mortality rate due to shock as a result of pelvic bleeding. Morbidity and mortality resulting from pelvic vascular injury are due to pelvic hemorrhage and resultant exsanguination, which is potentially treatable and reversible if it is diagnosed early with multidetector CT and treated promptly. The pelvic bleeding source can be arterial, venous, or osseous, and differentiating an arterial (high-pressure) bleed from a venous-osseous (low-pressure) bleed is of paramount importance in stratification for treatment. Low-pressure venous and osseous bleeds are initially treated with a pelvic binder or external fixation, while high-pressure arterial bleeds require angioembolization or surgical pelvic packing. Definitive treatment of the pelvic ring disruption includes open or closed reduction and internal fixation. Multidetector CT is important in the trauma setting to assess and characterize pelvic vascular injuries with multiphasic acquisition in the arterial and venous phases, which allows differentiation of the common vascular injury patterns. This article reviews the anatomy of the pelvic vessels and the pelvic vascular territory; discusses the multidetector CT protocols used in diagnosis and characterization of pelvic vascular injury; and describes the spectrum of pelvic vascular injuries, the differentiation of common injury patterns, mimics, and imaging pitfalls. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2019 See discussion on this article by Dreizin.

Multidetector CT Findings in the Abdomen and Pelvis after Damage Control Surgery for Acute Traumatic Injuries

After experiencing blunt or penetrating trauma, patients in unstable condition who are more likely to die of uncorrected shock than of incomplete injury repairs undergo emergency limited exploratory laparotomy, which is also known as damage control surgery (DCS). This surgery is part of a series of resuscitation steps, with the goal of stabilizing the patient's condition, with rapid surgical control of hemorrhage followed by supportive measures in the intensive care unit before definitive repair of injuries. These patients often are imaged with multidetector CT within 24-48 hours of the initial surgery. Knowledge of this treatment plan is critical to CT interpretation, because there are anatomic derangements and foreign bodies that would not be present in patients undergoing surgery for other reasons. Patients may have injuries beyond the surgical field that are only identified at imaging, which can alter the care plan. Abnormalities related to the resuscitation period such as the CT hypoperfusion complex and ongoing hemorrhage can be recognized at CT. Familiarity with these imaging and clinical findings is important, because they can be seen not only in trauma patients after DCS but also in other patients in the critical care setting. The interpretation of imaging studies can be helped by an understanding of the diagnostic challenges of grading organ injuries with surgical materials in place and the awareness of potential artifacts on images in these patients. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2019 See discussion on this article by LeBedis .

Changes in Approach to Solid Organ Injury: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

This review aims to examine the challenges facing radiologists interpreting trauma computed tomography (CT) images in this era of a changing approach to management of solid organ trauma. After reviewing the pearls and pitfalls of CT imaging protocols for detection of traumatic solid organ injuries, we describe the key changes in the 2018 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scales for liver, spleen, and kidney and their implications for management strategies. We then focus on the important imaging findings in observed in patients who undergo nonoperative management and patients who are imaged post damage control surgery.

Retrospective Analysis and Systematic Review of Isolated Traumatic Dissections of the Celiac Artery

BACKGROUND

Isolated dissections of the celiac artery (CA) after blunt trauma are rarely described. This retrospective analysis and systematic review analyzes epidemiology, radiologic examinations, patterns of injuries, therapeutic measures, clinical courses, and outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of polytraumatized patients admitted between 1997 and 2012 to a trauma center level I. Systematic literature search was carried out on pubmed.gov, eurorad.org, and google.com.

RESULTS

Isolated traumatic dissections of the CA had an incidence of 0.17% in a retrospective collective (n = 9). Mean age was 31.7 years in 6 male (66.7%) and 3 female (33.3%) patients. Systematic literature search identified 12 primary sources describing 13 males (100%) with a mean age of 41.3 years. Traffic accidents and falls were the most common causes of injury. An intimal flap (77.7%) and a thrombosed false lumen (59.1%) were the most common computed tomographic findings. Twenty-two patients were analyzed, and 16 patients were treated conservatively. The CA was bypassed in 2 symptomatic patients. One patient was treated with a stent. Two patients died because of massive bleeding, and 1 patient died because of liver failure. About 19 discharged patients were asymptomatic on follow-up. Long-term follow-up with magnetic resonance angiography showed stable dissections (n = 1), medium stenosis (n = 1), resolution of the dissection (n = 2), high-grade stenosis of the CA combined with a small pseudoaneurysm (n = 1), or occlusion of the CA with sufficient collateralization (n = 3). Pharmaceutical treatment was individualized with low-molecular-weight heparin, heparin, or warfarin, and acetylicsalicylic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic CA dissections are mostly caused by traffic accidents and falls. Visceral perfusion should be monitored clinically and radiologically. Beginning visceral ischemia requires early invasive treatment. Endovascular and open surgery are possible options. Benefits of specific pharmaceuticals are still up for debate. Follow-up via magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography angiography is essential to rule out vascular complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III (Retrospective therapeutic study and systematic literature review).

Imaging Acetabular Fractures

Acetabular fractures are encountered by radiologists in a wide spectrum of practice settings. The radiologist's value in the acute and long-term management of acetabular fractures is augmented by familiarity with systematic computed tomography-based algorithms that streamline and simplify Judet-Letournel fracture typing, together with an appreciation of the role of imaging in initial triage, operative decision making, postoperative assessment, prognostication, and evaluation of complications. The steep increase in incidence of acetabular fractures in the elderly over the past several decades places special emphasis on familiarity with geriatric fracture patterns.

The European guideline on management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following trauma: fifth edition

BACKGROUND

Severe traumatic injury continues to present challenges to healthcare systems around the world, and post-traumatic bleeding remains a leading cause of potentially preventable death among injured patients. Now in its fifth edition, this document aims to provide guidance on the management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following traumatic injury and encourages adaptation of the guiding principles described here to individual institutional circumstances and resources.

METHODS

The pan-European, multidisciplinary Task Force for Advanced Bleeding Care in Trauma was founded in 2004, and the current author group included representatives of six relevant European professional societies. The group applied a structured, evidence-based consensus approach to address scientific queries that served as the basis for each recommendation and supporting rationale. Expert opinion and current clinical practice were also considered, particularly in areas in which randomised clinical trials have not or cannot be performed. Existing recommendations were re-examined and revised based on scientific evidence that has emerged since the previous edition and observed shifts in clinical practice. New recommendations were formulated to reflect current clinical concerns and areas in which new research data have been generated.

RESULTS

Advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of post-traumatic coagulopathy have supported improved management strategies, including evidence that early, individualised goal-directed treatment improves the outcome of severely injured patients. The overall organisation of the current guideline has been designed to reflect the clinical decision-making process along the patient pathway in an approximate temporal sequence. Recommendations are grouped behind the rationale for key decision points, which are patient- or problem-oriented rather than related to specific treatment modalities. While these recommendations provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of major bleeding and coagulopathy, emerging evidence supports the author group's belief that the greatest outcome improvement can be achieved through education and the establishment of and adherence to local clinical management algorithms.

CONCLUSIONS

A multidisciplinary approach and adherence to evidence-based guidance are key to improving patient outcomes. If incorporated into local practice, these clinical practice guidelines have the potential to ensure a uniform standard of care across Europe and beyond and better outcomes for the severely bleeding trauma patient.

Delayed hydronephrosis due to retroperitoneal hematoma after a seatbelt injury: A case report

RATIONALE

Hydronephrosis caused by retroperitoneal hematoma after a seatbelt injury is a unique clinical entity.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 21-year-old man, who had been wearing a seatbelt, was brought to our hospital after a motor vehicle collision, complaining of abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed retroperitoneal hematoma in the upper pelvic region. Since he was hemodynamically stable throughout admission, he was managed conservatively. Seventeen days after initial discharge, the patient revisited our emergency department due to right back pain.

DIAGNOSES

CT scans indicated retroperitoneal hematoma growth resulting in hydronephrosis of the right kidney.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic drainage of the retroperitoneal hematoma was successfully performed.

OUTCOMES

His symptoms resolved after the surgery. Follow-up CT scans three months later demonstrated complete resolution of the hydronephrosis and retroperitoneal hematoma.

LESSONS

Our case highlights a patient with delayed hydronephrosis because of retroperitoneal hematoma expansion after a seatbelt injury.

Acute aortic syndromes and aortic emergencies

Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) and emergencies are relatively uncommon but are considered as life threatening, potentially fatal conditions. Different forms of aortic emergencies/AAS are often clinically indiscernible. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of these entities significantly influences prognosis and guides therapy. We aim to elucidate the pertinent role that radiology plays in the management of acute aortic diseases, with contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA) being the most rapid and robust imaging technique.

CT Prediction Model for Major Arterial Injury after Blunt Pelvic Ring Disruption

Purpose To develop and test a computed tomography (CT)-based predictive model for major arterial injury after blunt pelvic ring disruptions that incorporates semiautomated pelvic hematoma volume quantification. Materials and Methods A multivariable logistic regression model was developed in patients with blunt pelvic ring disruptions who underwent arterial phase abdominopelvic CT before angiography from 2008 to 2013. Arterial injury at angiography requiring transarterial embolization (TAE) served as the outcome. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUCs) for the model and for two trauma radiologists were compared in a validation cohort of 36 patients from 2013 to 2015 by using the Hanley-McNeil method. Hematoma volume cutoffs for predicting the need for TAE and probability cutoffs for the secondary outcome of mortality not resulting from closed head injuries were determined by using ROC analysis. Correlation between hematoma volume and transfusion was assessed by using the Pearson coefficient. Results Independent predictor variables included hematoma volume, intravenous contrast material extravasation, atherosclerosis, rotational instability, and obturator ring fracture. In the validation cohort, the model (AUC, 0.78) had similar performance to reviewers (AUC, 0.69-0.72; P = .40-.80). A hematoma volume cutoff of 433 mL had a positive predictive value of 87%-100% for predicting major arterial injury requiring TAE. Hematoma volumes correlated with units of packed red blood cells transfused (r = 0.34-0.57; P = .0002-.0003). Predicted probabilities of 0.64 or less had a negative predictive value of 100% for excluding mortality not resulting from closed head injuries. Conclusion A logistic regression model incorporating semiautomated hematoma volume segmentation produced objective probability estimates of major arterial injury. Hematoma volumes correlated with 48-hour transfusion requirement, and low predicted probabilities excluded mortality from causes other than closed head injury. ^© RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Contemporary Role of Embolization of Solid Organ and Pelvic Injuries in Polytrauma Patients

Abdominopelvic trauma (APT) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the 15- to 44-year-old age group in the Western World. It can be life-threatening as abdominopelvic organs, specifically those in the retroperitoneal space, can bleed profusely. APT is divided into blunt and penetrating types. While surgery is notably considered as a definitive solution for bleeding control, it is not always the optimum treatment for the stabilization of a polytrauma patient. Over the past decades, there has been a shift toward more sophisticated strategies, such as non-operative management of abdominopelvic vascular trauma for haemodynamically stable patients. Angiographic embolization for bleeding control following blunt and/or penetrating intra- and retroperitoneal injuries has proven to be safe and effective. Embolization can achieve hemostasis and salvage organs without the morbidity of surgery, and the development and refinement of embolization techniques has widened the indications for non-operative treatment in solid organ injury. Moreover, advances in computed tomography provided more efficient scanning times with improved image quality. While surgery is still usually recommended for patients with penetrating injuries, non-operative management can be effectively used as well as an alternative treatment. We review indications, technical considerations, efficacy, and complication rates of angiographic embolization in APT.