title: Traumatic 'degloving' of the colon in blunt abdominal injury.
abstract: We describe two cases of traumatic 'degloving' of the colon in blunt abdominal trauma. This is an extremely rare injury with the potential to present late. The mechanism of injury appears to be a combination of focal blunt abdominal trauma associated with a shearing force. The potential diagnostic dilemma posed by colonic 'degloving' is outlined and following review of the literature we conclude that CT scanning is the most reliable way of detecting such injuries, if emergency laparotomy is not indicated.
authors.affiliation: Southampton University Hospital Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: R. M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Blaquiere
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varshney
authors.forename: J. N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Primrose