The Role of Multidetector CT in the Diagnosis and Staging of Blunt Abdomino-Pelvic Trauma in Intially Stable Patients

Abstract

In conclusion CT is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate blunt abdominal trauma. Our study was performed to establish the usefulness by using the multidetector CT (MDCT), which allows high quality two-dimensional and three-dimensional multiplanar reformatted images to be obtained, aiding a valuable data in the diagnosis of the complex multisystem injuries seen in the trauma. The processing of images on workstations was easy and quick. We believe that this technique is a reliable, safe, non-invasive study that can guide in the management and follow up of cases with blunt abdominal and pelvic trauma but require stable vital signs. Achieving proper and accurate evaluation, it is very important to determine the presence, location and severity of intra-abdominal injury whether or not there is contrast extravasation to decide the surgical intervention. It is shown that the radiological grade of severity of injury is helpful in guiding management, and there is positive correlation between grade of injury and increased likelihood of surgical intervention, yet it is not contraindication for non operative management if the patient is hemodynamically stable with caution.