title: Zone I retroperitoneal hematoma identified by computed tomography scan as an indicator of significant abdominal injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  All zone I retroperitoneal hematomas (Z1RPHs) identified at laparotomy for blunt trauma traditionally require exploration. The purpose of this study was to correlate patient outcome after blunt abdominal trauma with the presence of Z1RPH diagnosed on admission computed tomography (CT) scan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of patients with blunt trauma who were admitted to a Level 1 trauma center and who underwent CT scan during a 40-month period. All scans with a traumatic injury were reviewed to identify and grade Z1RPH as mild, moderate, or severe. Patients requiring operative treatment were compared with those who were observed. Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t test and chi-square test, with P < .05 considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-five (15.5%) of the CT scans were positive for Z1RPH. None of the 50 patients with a mild Z1RPH had their treatment altered. Of the 29 patients with a moderate or severe Z1RPH, 8 required celiotomy. The patients requiring celiotomy had significant elevations of solid viscus score (SVS) (4.9 +/- 1.6 versus 1.8 +/- 0.3), abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale (3.8 +/- 0.3 versus 2.6 +/- 0.3), and transfusion requirements (13 +/- 4 versus 2 +/- 1). All patients (N = 4) with an SVS >4 required operative treatment. Seventy-two percent of patients with more than 1 intra-abdominal injury required abdominal exploration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of a moderate or severe Z1RPH and more than 1 intra-abdominal injury or an SVS >4 on admission CT scan is an important radiographic finding. This injury pattern should be considered a contraindication for nonoperative treatment of the associated solid organ injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Luchette
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tiao
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ottaway
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Johannigman
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Frame
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000098:blood supply*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery