J Korean Soc Radiol.  2013 Jan;68(1):43-48.

Penetrating Stab Injuries to the Anterior Abdomen: Use of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography to Predict the Need for Laparotomy

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, Gachon University, Gil Hospital, Incheon, Korea. sjchoi@gilhospital.com

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to determine how well multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scans predict the need for a laparotomy in patients with anterior abdominal stab injuries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighty patients with abdominal stab injuries who underwent MDCT scans were enrolled. MDCT was performed to identify active bleeding and injured organs and to assess the accuracy between MDCT and the laparotomy findings. MDCT was considered positive or negative with respect to the need for an exploratory laparotomy. The diagnostic performance of MDCT for identifying the need for laparotomy was estimated.
RESULTS
MDCT predicted bowel and mesentery injuries in 31 of 80 patients and 28 patients were truly positive. MDCT predicted active bleeding in 23 of 80 patients and 19 patients had active bleeding. MDCT predicted the need for laparotomy in 43 of 80 patients. A laparotomy was performed in 55 of the 80 patients and 42 were therapeutic. Overall, a MDCT scan predicted the need for laparotomy with 95% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and 93% accuracy.
CONCLUSION
MDCT scans can be used to identify active bleeding and injured organs and are an effective tool for determining the need for surgical exploration.


MeSH Terms

Hemorrhage
Humans
Laparotomy
Mesentery
Sensitivity and Specificity
Wounds, Stab

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Stab wound to anterior abdomen in a 43-year-old man. A. CT scan shows defect (thin arrow) in anterior abdominal wall. Hematoma in both paracolic gutter (thick arrows) with contrast material extravasation (arrowhead) in the mesentery is seen. B. Lower section of the CT scan of the same patient shows bowel wall thickening (black thin arrow) and free intraperitoneal air (white thin arrows). Also seen is streaking of the mesenteric fat adjacent to the thickened bowel (white arrowhead). An injury to the mesenteric vessel and ileum was confirmed surgically.

  • Fig. 2 Stab wound to anterior abdomen in a 25-year-old man. CT scan shows defect (thin arrow) in anterior abdominal wall. Free intraperitoneal fluid in mesentery and right paracolic gutter (thick arrows) with linear contrast material extravasation (arrowhead) along right side anterior abdominal wall is seen. No free intraperitoneal air is seen on CT scan. At surgery, an injury to the mesenteric vessel was seen and no bowel injury was found.

  • Fig. 3 Stab wound to anterior abdomen in a 33-year-old man. CT scan shows large mesenteric hematoma (thick arrows) including contrast material extravasation (arrowhead) adjacent inferior mesenteric artery (thin arrow). At surgery, transection of proximal inferior mesenteric artery was found.


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