J Korean Radiol Soc.
1994 Sep;31(3):505-510.
Computed Tomographic Findings of Liver Injury in Adults: Role of CT Classification on Management
Abstract
- PURPOSE
We studied to compare computed tomographic(CT) findings of liver injury with management
methods
in adults and, moreover, to present the CT basis for the management.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed CT scans of 43 adults diagnosed as liver injury
during a 66-month period. Thirty-eight patients were hemodynamically stable. Thirty-two of them were managed
conservatively, whereas six managed operatively. Five unstable patients underwent emergency operation. We
classified CT findings according to the severity of liver injuries(ie, hematoma, laceration, and periportal
tracking) and hemperitoneum, ranging from grade 1 to 5 and from 0 to 3+, respectively. Thus, we compared
the CT classificafions with their management(ie, operation rate), especially hemodynamically stable patients.
RESULTS
Operation rates of all patients and hemodynamically stable patients were 26% and 16%,
respectively. Operation rate at each grade of liver injury was low, especially in hemodynamically stable, despite
relatively high operation rate in grade 4. Operation rate of 3+ hemoperitoneum was 100%, including
hemodynamically stable patients, in contrast to otherwise low operation rate of others.
CONCLUSION
Most liver injury in adults, including grade 4, were managed conservatively, especially
hemodynamically stable. Though large amount of hemoperitoneum(ie, 3+) required operation, most
hemoperitoeum were managed conservatively. Thus, CT findings of liver injury is helpful in the decision for the
management method.