CT has become the imaging method used most often in the investigation of abdominal trauma in children because of the accuracy, utility and reproducibility. CT permits detection of multifocal injuries in the abdomen and retroperitoneum and may reduc...
CT has become the imaging method used most often in the investigation of abdominal trauma in children because of the accuracy, utility and reproducibility. CT permits detection of multifocal injuries in the abdomen and retroperitoneum and may reduce the length of hospital day. Between Sept. 1984 and Mar. 1990, abdominal CT of 102 children with abdominal trauma and clinical suspicion of intraabdominal organ damage were evaluated retrospectively. Abdominal injury was diagnosed in 78 children. Ages ranged form 13 months to 15 years(mean, 7.9 years). Fifth six(72%) were boys and 22(28%) were girls, and the most common age group were between four and six years age(25 cases, 32%). Traffic accidents(50 cases, 64%) were the commonest cause of injury. The most common CT mainfestation was hemoperitoneum(45 cases, 58%). The liver and spleen were most commonly injured, in 29 patients(37%) and 31 patients(40%) respectively. Four died from multiorgan &/or large vessel injuries, and one from brain injury. Most of the patients(62 casess, 79%) were managed conservatively. Surgery was performed in ten patients. Although CT was highly sensitive in detection of patenchymal injury of solid orgnas and hematoma of peritoneal and retroperitoneal spaces, the evaluation of pancreatic and intestinal injuries occasionally were difficult with CT.