Delayed presentation of abdominal bleeding in a teenage boy after a fall.
The delayed presentation of an abdominal bleed in a victim of a fall is a rare occurrence. In the multiple injured patients, even with an intact sensorium, competing pain from associated injuries may mask the pain from a occult injury. Although a rare occurrence of abdominal injury in an asymptomatic neurologically intact patient, in the patient requiring a computed tomography scan of a spinal fracture, it may be worthwhile to image the abdomen and pelvis as well to rule out a concomitant occult abdominal injury. Current literature regarding injuries associated with falls from height are discussed that support this position and the delayed manifestation of an abdominal bleed in a 17-year-old boy 1 day after a fall is presented.
Wheaton
D J
DJ
Department of Emergency Medicine, St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, MI 48236-2172, USA.
Tsalamandris
K
K
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D013628:Talus / Q000293:injuries*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed