Keywords:
Gastrointestinal tract
Authors:
A. Mahajan1, V. R. K. Rao2, M. Thakur1; 1Mumbai/IN, 2Manipal/IN
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2010/C-3321
Conclusion
•CT is sensitive for the diagnosis of bowel rupture resulting from blunt trauma, but careful inspection and technique are required to detect often subtle findings.
•CT findings in intestinal perforation can be subtle and nonspecific.
•Any unexplained abnormality on CT after blunt abdominal trauma may signal the presence of intestinal perforation and warrants close clinical observation or further diagnostic tests.
•Bowel wall thickening, bowel wall discontinuity, extraluminal air, and mesenteric hematoma are reasonably specific CT signs of bowel and mesenteric injury following blunt abdominal trauma.
•The presence of a moderate to large volume of intraperitoneal fluid without visible solid organ injury is an important sign of bowel or mesenteric injury.
•Helical CT scanning is very accurate in determining the need for surgical exploration in bowel injuries. However, it is less accurate in predicting the need for surgical exploration in mesenteric injuries alone.
•Despite diligent effort, some abnormalities will escape detection.