The role of computed tomography in blunt abdominal trauma as investigative tool conducted at tertiary level hospital, Vadodara.

ABSTRACT

Background: Evaluating patients who have sustained blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) remains one of the most challenging and resource-intensive aspects of acute trauma care. Missed intra-abdominal injuries continue to cause preventable deaths. Aims & Objective: To assess efficacy of CT scan (computed tomography) as accurate diagnostic tool for blunt abdominal trauma patients. Materials and Methods: 87 cases of blunt abdominal injury admitted in S.S.G hospital, Baroda during the period of August 2010 to November 2012 were included in the study after taking written informed consent. All these patients were thoroughly investigated. CT Scan was done for all hemodynamically stable patients. Recorded data included age, sex, type of injuries and scan results. Organ injuries were graded using the OIS (Organ Injury Scale) guidelines. Results: The study comprised of 87 patients having blunt abdominal injury. Majority of the patients were in the age group of 20-29 years. Most common organ injury were splenic (43%), liver (32%) and renal (11%). 95% (83 patients) were positive for abdominal injury and 5% (4 patients) were negative. The CT findings of hemoperitoneum and/or solid organ injury were confirmed in the 15 cases taken up for surgery. Conclusion: In this study CT scan was 100 % sensitive in diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma. Negative CT scan discourage unnecessary urgent abdominal exploration.