Use of computed tomography in the initial evaluation of anterior abdominal stab wounds.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of computed tomography (CT) to facilitate initial management decisions in patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds.


METHODS
A retrospective review was conducted of patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds who underwent CT over 4.5 years. Any abnormality suspicious for intra-abdominal injury was considered a positive finding on CT.


RESULTS
Ninety-eight patients met the study's inclusion criteria. Positive findings on CT were noted in 30 patients (31%), leading to operative intervention in 67%. Injuries were confirmed in 95% of cases, but only 70% were therapeutic. Ten patients had nonoperative management despite positive findings on CT, including 5 patients with solid organ injuries. One patient underwent operative intervention for clinical deterioration, with negative findings. No computed tomographic evidence of injury was noted in the remaining 68 patients (69%), but 1 patient was noted to have a splenic injury while undergoing operative evaluation of the diaphragm. All remaining patients were treated nonoperatively with success.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds, CT should be considered to facilitate initial management decisions, as it has the ability to delineate abnormalities suspicious for injury.
Department of Radiology, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Nicole E
NE
Berardoni
Tammy R
TR
Kopelman
Patrick J
PJ
O'Neill
David L
DL
August
Sydney J
SJ
Vail
Paola G
PG
Pieri
Melissa A
MA
Singer Pressman
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult