COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA. OUR EXPERIENCE AT KING HUSSEIN MEDICAL CENTER

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Consultant Radiologist, King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan

2 Consultant Surgeon, King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role and review the findings of computed tomography (CT 
scan) in determining the nature, type and associated findings of internal organ injuries due to acute blunt 
abdominal trauma, and then to evaluate the result of the CT scan on the decision of the surgeon. .
Methods: The surgical team evaluated the cases and wrote-down their notes before and after abdominal CT in 
285 patients who presented to the emergency room due to acute abdominal trauma between January 2007 and 
January 2009. The study was done at King Hussein Medical Center, Amman-Jordan. The sample included 193 
males (68%) and 92 females (32%), with an age range of 2-78 years (mean age, 23.5 years). 
The surgeon was asked to estimate the probability of an underlying internal abdominal organ injury, which 
organ was suspected to be injured and if they are suspecting other associated complication like hemo or 
pneumo peritoneum.
Results: The CT scan results changed the surgeons' initial suspicion in 188 patients (66%). Management 
plans changed in 82 patients (29%). Admission into Intensive Care unit has decreased by (35%).
Conclusion: CT scans is extremely helpful in initial evaluation of patients with acute blunt abdominal injuries 
particularly in haemodynamically-stable patients. It is fast and widely available. The study showed strong 
effect on surgeons' clinical diagnoses and treatment plans. 

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