Gunshot Wounds of Abdomen: Evaluation of Stable Patients with Triple-Contrast Helical CT (original) (raw)

Prospective Evaluation of the Role of Computed Tomography in the Assessment of Abdominal Stab Wounds

JAMA Surgery, 2013

IMPORTANCE An important adjunct in the management of abdominal gunshot wounds, the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnostic workup of abdominal stab wounds remains controversial. OBJECTIVE To prospectively compare CT against serial physical examination in the evaluation of patients who have sustained a stab wound to the abdomen. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Prospective single-center observational study of all patients sustaining abdominal stab wounds from March 1, 2009, through March 31, 2011. Patients who were hemodynamically unstable, unevaluable, peritonitic, or eviscerated proceeded directly to laparotomy (n = 249). The remainder underwent CT evaluation. The impact of CT findings and physical examination on the decision to operate was analyzed.

Reevaluation of Diagnostic Procedures for Transmediastinal Gunshot Wounds

The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, 2002

Background: Little controversy surrounds the treatment of hemodynamically unstable patients with transmediastinal gunshot wounds (TMGSWs). These patients generally have cardiac or major vascular injuries and require immediate operation. In hemodynamically stable patients, debate surrounds the extent and order of the diagnostic evaluation. These patients can be uninjured, or can have occult vascular, esophageal, or tracheobronchial injuries. Evaluation has traditionally often included angiography, bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy, esophagography, and pericardial evaluation (i.e., pericardial window) for all hemodynamically stable patients with TMGSWs. Expansion of the use of computed tomographic (CT) scanning in penetrating injury led to a modification of our protocol. Currently, our TMGSW evaluation algorithm for stable patients consists of chest radiograph, focused abdominal sonography for trauma, and contrast-enhanced helical CT scan of the chest with directed further evaluation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of contrast-enhanced helical CT scan for evaluating potential mediastinal injuries and to determine whether patients can be simply observed or require further investigational studies. Methods: Medical records of hemodynamically stable patients admitted with TMGSWs over a 2-year period were reviewed for demographics, mechanism of injury, method of evaluation, operative interventions, injuries, length of stay, and complications. CT scans were considered positive if they contained a mediastinal hematoma or pneumomediastinum, or demonstrated proximity of the missile track to major mediastinal structures. Results: Twenty-two stable patients were studied. CT scans were positive in seven patients. Directed further diagnostic evaluation in those seven patients revealed two patients who required operative intervention. Sixty-eight percent of patients had negative CT scans and were observed in a monitored setting without further evaluation. There were no missed injuries. The hospital charges generated with the CT scan-based protocol are significantly less than with the standard evaluation. Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced helical CT scanning is a safe, efficient, and cost-effective diagnostic tool for evaluating hemodynamically stable patients with mediastinal gunshot wounds. Positive CT scan results direct the further evaluation of potentially injured structures. Patients with negative results can safely be observed in a monitored setting without further evaluation.

Non-operative management of abdominal gunshot wounds

2013

In line with advances in diagnostic methods and expectation of a decrease in the number of negative laparotomies, selective non-operative management of abdominal gunshot wounds has been increasingly used over the last three decades. We aim to detect the possibility of treatment without surgery and present our experience in selected cases referred from Syria to a hospital at the Turkish-Syrian border. Material and Methods: Between February 2012 and June 2014, patients admitted with abdominal gunshot wounds were analyzed. Computed tomography was performed for all patients on admission. Patients who were hemodynamically stable and did not have symptoms of peritonitis at the time of presentation were included in the study. The primary outcome parameters were mortality and morbidity. Successful selective non-operative management (Group 1) and unsuccessful selective non-operative management (Group 2) groups were compared in terms of complications, blood transfusion, injury site, injury severity score (ISS), and hospital stay. Results: Of 158 truncal injury patients, 18 were considered feasible for selective non-operative management. Of these, 14 (78%) patients were treated without surgery. Other Four patients were operated upon progressively increasing abdominal pain and tenderness during follow-up. On diagnostic exploration, all of these cases had intestinal perforations. No mortality was observed in selective non-operative management. There was no statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2, in terms of length of hospital stay (96 and 127 h, respectively). Also, there was no difference between groups in terms of blood transfusion necessity, injury site, complication rate, and injury severity score (p>0.05). Conclusion: Decision making on patient selection for selective non-operative management is critical to ensure favorable outcomes. It is not possible to predict the success of selective non-operative management in advance. Cautious clinical examination and close monitoring of these patients is vital; however, emergency laparotomy should be performed in case of change in vital signs and positive symptoms concerning peritonitis.

Transfixing abdominal gunshot wound without intraabdominal lesions: A case report

Case report, 2021

Background Abdominal gunshot trauma is considered the third leading cause of death in the USA and isresponsible for more than 90% of deaths among young people aged 15 to 24. It leads to multi-systemicorgan damage, shock, and infection.Case presentation A 20-year-old male alcohol and tobacco user with no relevant health history wasadmitted at Hôpital de l’Université d’Etat d’Haïti, in the emergency Surgery Department for an abdominalbullet wound. The initial clinical examination was unremarkable except for the presence of hemorrhagiclesions. A few hours later, the patient became diaphoretic, complained of abdominal pain. In view of hisrapidly developing condition, he was prepared for the operating room. An exploratory laparotomy wasperformed, in which 100 cc of blood was found effusing into the abdominal cavity, without anyintraperitoneal visceral damage. Systematic exploration showed retroperitoneal hematomas in zone II,where a wound in the psoas muscle was found on the posterior left, in the path of the exit wound of theprojectile. Bone splinters were also present on the right in the path of the entrance wound, indicating afracture of the iliac bone.Conclusion This case reminds us about the uncertain trajectory of projectiles in abdominal gunshotwounds and the possible lesions to which one is exposed, and that despite the apparent hemodynamicstability exploratory laparotomy still has its place where medical imaging technology is not available.

Non-operative management of abdominal gunshot injuries: Is it safe in all cases?

Turkish journal of surgery, 2018

In line with advances in diagnostic methods and expectation of a decrease in the number of negative laparotomies, selective non-operative management of abdominal gunshot wounds has been increasingly used over the last three decades. We aim to detect the possibility of treatment without surgery and present our experience in selected cases referred from Syria to a hospital at the Turkish-Syrian border. Material and Methods: Between February 2012 and June 2014, patients admitted with abdominal gunshot wounds were analyzed. Computed tomography was performed for all patients on admission. Patients who were hemodynamically stable and did not have symptoms of peritonitis at the time of presentation were included in the study. The primary outcome parameters were mortality and morbidity. Successful selective non-operative management (Group 1) and unsuccessful selective non-operative management (Group 2) groups were compared in terms of complications, blood transfusion, injury site, injury severity score (ISS), and hospital stay. Results: Of 158 truncal injury patients, 18 were considered feasible for selective non-operative management. Of these, 14 (78%) patients were treated without surgery. Other Four patients were operated upon progressively increasing abdominal pain and tenderness during follow-up. On diagnostic exploration, all of these cases had intestinal perforations. No mortality was observed in selective non-operative management. There was no statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2, in terms of length of hospital stay (96 and 127 h, respectively). Also, there was no difference between groups in terms of blood transfusion necessity, injury site, complication rate, and injury severity score (p>0.05). Conclusion: Decision making on patient selection for selective non-operative management is critical to ensure favorable outcomes. It is not possible to predict the success of selective non-operative management in advance. Cautious clinical examination and close monitoring of these patients is vital; however, emergency laparotomy should be performed in case of change in vital signs and positive symptoms concerning peritonitis.

Imaging Evaluation of Abdominopelvic Gunshot Trauma

RadioGraphics, 2020

Firearm-related injuries, or gunshot wounds (GSWs), are among the most important worldwide public health problems, resulting in considerable annual morbidity, disability, and mortality. GSWs to the abdomen and pelvis are associated with substantial injuries to multiple organs and tissues. Imaging plays an important role in identifying these injuries, dictating nonoperative management, and determining imaging and clinical follow-up, as well as helping manage potential long-term complications. CT is the primary imaging modality used to evaluate these injuries and their complications, including use of reconstructed multiplanar volume-rendered images. The authors discuss the ballistics and mechanisms of firearm injury, CT findings, trajectory analysis, and applications of different imaging modalities above and beyond CT in evaluation of GSWs. Imaging findings and classifications of the severity of injuries to solid and hollow organs and vascular, musculoskeletal, and neurologic systems are reviewed. Key complications associated with gunshot injuries to the abdomen and pelvis are presented. The challenges of imaging in the acute trauma setting and potential pitfall mimics at imaging, particularly at CT, are also described. A step-by-step guide for thorough and comprehensive evaluation of GSWs to the abdomen and pelvis is introduced, with tips for optimizing effective communication with the clinical team.

Outcome of gunshot abdominal injuries

Annals of African Surgery

To describe prevalence, management and factors determining outcomes in patients presenting with gunshot abdominal injuries. Method: We retrospectively analysed all cases of gunshot to the abdomen received at Kenyatta National Hospital from October 2013 to October 2017. Patients' demographic and clinical data were collected from their case notes. Data analysis used Fisher's exact test and binary logistic regression. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 1,588 records of patients with abdominal injuries were analysed. Of these, 209(15.3%) were cases of gunshot to the abdomen. The mean age was 31.5 years; male to female ratio was 8:1. Exploratory laparotomy was the preferred management in 161(77%) patients, selective nonoperative management in 11(5.3). Negative laparotomy rate was 8.7%, inpatient mortality 20% and complication rate 26%. Age, time from injury to admission, assisted breathing on admission, need for transfusion, and number of complications independently predicted mortality. Conclusion: Gunshot abdominal injuries are commonly encountered at our setting and these are associated with significant mortality and development of complications. With careful selection, some patients can be successfully managed non-operatively.