title: Contrast-enhanced spiral CT evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness and validity of contrast enhanced-spiral computerized tomography in assessing blunt abdominal trauma. 257 patients were admitted in a general hospital over a period of five years and were examined with computed tomography. Two-dimension reconstruction and delayed imaging were used when appropriate. 169 patients underwent a laparotomy, while 88 were treated conservatively. Scans were true positive for intraabdominal damage in 212 patients depicting chiefly splenic, liver, renal, urinary bladder, and mesenteric/intestinal injuries (41%, 18%, 6.6%, 6.6%, and 13.7% respectively). True negative examinations amounted up to 35. 10 non-specific examinations displayed the existence of hemoperitoneum but not the actual damage itself, therefore they were considered false negative. No false positive examination existed. Overall sensitivity was 95%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100% and negative predictive value 78%. In conclusion spiral computed tomography is a valuable examination in blunt abdominal trauma as it facilitates diagnosis of intraabdominal damage, assists in defining treatment and occasionally allows foretelling the outcome.
authors.affiliation: CT Unit, Asklipio Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kailidou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pikoulis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Katsiva
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Karavokyros
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Athanassopoulou
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papakostantinou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leppaniemi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bramis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tibishrani
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media