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Pulmonary contusion (PC), defined as damage to the lung parenchyma with edema and hemorrhage, has classically been associated with acceleration-deceleration injuries. It is a frequent pathology in clinical practice. However, its clinical presentation and imaging findings are nonspecific. Patients with this entity can present with findings that can range from mild dyspnea to life-threatening respiratory failure and hemodynamic instability. We present the case of a 61-year-old man, a former smoker, who presented to the emergency department after suffering blunt chest trauma. On admission, he complained of only mild shortness of breath, and his vital signs were typical. Initial imaging identified asymmetric pulmonary infiltrates and mediastinal lymphadenopathy; this was suspicious for additional pathology in addition to PC. After an exhaustive evaluation, a neoplastic or infectious disease process was ruled out. Even though the patient presented with a clinical deterioration of respiratory function compatible with secondary acute respiratory distress syndrome, there was a complete recovery after supportive measures and supplemental oxygen. In conclusion, the nonspecific clinical and imaging findings in patients with pulmonary contusion warrant a complete evaluation of these cases. An early diagnosis is essential to establish adequate support and monitoring to prevent possible complications that could worsen the patient's prognosis.

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OBJECTIVES: Blunt abdominal trauma is a common cause of emergency department admission. Computed tomography (CT) scanning is the gold standard method for identifying intra-abdominal injuries in patients experiencing blunt trauma, especially those with high-energy trauma. Although the diagnostic accuracy of this imaging technique is very high, patient admission and prolonged observation protocols are still common practices worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of intra-abdominal injury in hemodynamically stable patients with high-energy blunt trauma and a normal abdominal CT scan at a Level-1 Trauma Center in Colombia, South America, to assess the relevance of a prolonged observation period. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted to the emergency department for blunt trauma between 2021 and 2022. All consecutive patients with high-energy mechanisms of trauma and a normal CT scan at admission were included. Our primary outcomes were the incidence of intra-abdominal injury identified during a 24-hour observation period or hospital stay, ICU admission, and death. RESULTS: We included 480 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 33 (IQR 25.5, 47), and 74.2% were male. The most common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accidents (64.2%), falls from height (26%), and falls from bikes (3.1%). A total of 99.2% of patients had a Revised Trauma Score of 8. Only 1 patient (0.2%) (95% CI: 0.01-1.16) presented with an abdominal injury during the observation period. No ICU admissions or deaths were reported. CONCLUSION: The incidence of intra-abdominal injury in patients with hemodynamically stable blunt trauma and a negative abdominal CT scan is extremely low, and prolonged observation may not be justified in these patients.

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OBJECTIVE: to assess the need of computed tomography (CT) for the definition of management in pediatric abdominal trauma. METHODS: observational retrospective study with patients under 18 years old victims of blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma that underwent CT of the abdomen and pelvis at admission. We evaluated CT scan findings, indications and management. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of clinical variables and energy of trauma for findings on CT. RESULTS: among the 236 patients included in our study, 72% (n=170) did not present abnormal findings on CT. It was performed surgical treatment in 15% (n=10), conservative treatment in 54,5% (n=36) and 27% (n=18) did not receive treatment for abdominal injuries. In the assessment of CT indications, 28,8% (n=68) presented no justifications. In this group, 91% (n=62) did not show any abnormal findings. Among the six patients with positive findings, half were selected for conservative treatment, while the rest did not need any treatment for abdominal injuries. The presence of abdominal pain, hemodynamic alterations and high energy blunt trauma had low positive predictive values when isolated, whereas the negative predictive values were higher. CONCLUSION: although CT is necessary in some instances, there is a possible high number of exams that did not make any difference in the management of the pediatric population.

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To describe imaging findings of pulmonary contusions (PC) in adults and children using multidetector computed tomography (CT) scanners. We conducted a retrospective single center study. All chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of victims of blunt trauma admitted to the emergency unit of a reference trauma center of Brazil between January 2015 and December 2016 were reviewed in search of opacities compatible with PC. The CT images were analyzed in conjunction with medical records, that provided demographic and clinical data. The obtained data were analyzed in the overall population and comparing children and adults. Significant P value was defined as <.05. 52.7% of patients presented bilateral opacities. Middle third, posterior and peripheral portions of the lungs were more frequently affected, in the craniocaudal, anteroposterior and axial axes, respectively. A vast majority of patients (80.6%) presented multiple opacities, whereas a minority showed subpleural sparing (26.9%) and fissure crossing (22.6%), with similar frequencies in children and adults. Children, although, more frequently presented consolidation and more diffuse lesions in the anteroposterior axis compared to adults, with statistically significant differences. PC usually are multiple and predominate in middle, posterior and peripheral portions of the lungs. Subpleural sparing and fissure crossing seems to be infrequent and have similar frequencies between children and adults. Although, there are differences between these age groups, as younger people tend to have more consolidation and diffuse opacities in the anteroposterior axis than older ones.

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BACKGROUND: This report reviews our clinical experience with 55 cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia at a Brazilian university hospital. Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is an uncommon injury and presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Occasionally, it is missed in trauma patients and is usually associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This analysis aimed to improve the diagnostic outcomes of trauma patient care. METHODS: Retrospective design analysis of database records of trauma patients at HC-Unicamp were performed to investigate incidence, trauma mechanism, diagnosis, herniated organs, associated injuries, trauma score, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were analysed. Blunt trauma was two-fold more frequent than penetrating trauma and was associated with high-grade injury; motor vehicle collision was the most common mechanism. Left-sided hernia was four-fold more frequent than that on the right side, although critical injuries were more frequently associated with the right side. The stomach was the most herniated organ in both trauma mechanisms. Preoperative diagnosis was mostly performed using chest radiography (55%). Postoperative diagnosis was mostly performed via laparotomy rather than laparoscopy. Associated injuries were observed in 43 patients (78%) and the mortality rate was 20% for both the sides. CONCLUSION: Isolated injuries are rare, and the presence of associated injuries increases morbidity and mortality. Chest radiography in the trauma bay is useful as an initial examination, although it is not suitable for use as a definitive method. Despite the use of laparoscopy in a few cases, laparotomy is the most common approach.

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Small bowel injury in a sports setting is a rare occurrence with a paucity of reported cases. A 30-year old male patient consulted for generalized abdominal pain subsequent to secondary blunt abdominal trauma during kick-boxing practice. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a moderate amount of free fluid in both the parietocolic space and the rectovesical pouch, with perihepatic pneumoperitoneum. Emergency laparoscopy was indicated and a closure of small bowel defect was performed. Diagnosis of small bowel injuries is difficult, resulting in delayed treatment and increased mortality and morbidity.

La lesión intestinal en un entorno deportivo es infrecuente con pocos casos comunicados. Un varón de 30 años consultó por dolor abdominal generalizado posterior a un traumatismo abdominal cerrado secundario a la práctica de kick-boxing. Una tomografía computarizada de abdomen y pelvis reveló líquido libre tanto en el espacio parietocólico como en la bolsa rectovesical, con neumoperitoneo perihepático. Se indicó laparoscopia exploradora con cirugía de rafia intestinal. El diagnóstico de las lesiones del intestino delgado es difícil, lo que provoca un retraso en el tratamiento y un aumento de la mortalidad y la morbilidad.

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OBJECTIVE: Although the current guidelines for the management of blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) have recommended intervention for grade 2 injuries or higher, a national trend has occurred for aggressive endovascular treatment of low-grade BTAIs. Little is known about the natural history of grade 1 and 2 injuries treated nonoperatively. We hypothesized that most of these low-grade injuries would remain stable with nonoperative management. METHODS: We performed a review of BTAIs at a large referral level 1 trauma center from 2004 to 2020. The injuries were graded using a standard 1 to 4 scale. The outcomes of the nonoperative and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) management strategies were compared, including post-trauma morbidity, mortality, reinterventions, and lesion stability. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients with BTAIs and sufficient imaging studies and follow-up data available were identified during the study period, including 36 with grade 1, 24 with grade 2, 115 with grade 3, and 1 with a grade 4 injury. Of these 176 patients, 112 had undergone TEVAR and 64 had been treated nonoperatively. Most of the patients (90.2%) who had undergone TEVAR had had grade 3 injuries. Nonoperative management was performed for 97.2% of the grade 1 injuries and 62.5% of the grade 2 injuries. Endovascular reintervention after TEVAR was rare (2.7%). The rates of post-trauma morbidity within 30 days (stroke, 3.6% vs 3.1%; myocardial infarction/arrhythmia, 8.9% vs 1.6%; respiratory failure, 31.2% vs 28.1%; acute kidney injury, 9.8% vs 12.5%; urinary tract infection, 2.7% vs 4.8%; gastrointestinal bleeding, 3.6% vs 0.0%; pulmonary embolism, 10.9% vs 4.5%) and 1-year mortality after discharge (1.8% vs 3.1%) were comparable between the operative and nonoperative groups. The median follow-up was 1501 days (interquartile range [IQR], 475.6-2804 days) for the TEVAR group and 1170.5 days (IQR, 317-2173 days) for the nonoperative group. No lesion progression had occurred in the patients with low-grade (grade 1-2) injuries managed nonoperatively. Resolution of grade 1 and 2 injury had occurred in 20% of the patients at 30 days, which had improved to 44% at long-term follow-up. Fourteen patients with grade 3 injuries (12.2% of the grade 3 injuries in our series) were also observed and did not require future intervention. These patients had generally had smaller pseudoaneurysms with minimal periaortic hematoma. None of these 14 patients had experienced progression or rupture during follow-up (median, 454.5 days; IQR, 81-1199 days) using computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: Nonoperative management of low-grade BTAIs did not result in long-term aortic complications or the need for reintervention. We found that grade 3 injuries with smaller pseudoaneurysms and minimal periaortic hematoma can be safely observed if the patients can be appropriately followed up. Thus, the indications for treatment of select grade 3 injuries merit further consideration.

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OBJECTIVES: Isolated intraperitoneal free fluid (IIFF) is defined as intraperitoneal fluid seen on computed tomography (CT) without identifiable injury. In a hemodynamically stable patient, this finding creates a challenge for physicians regarding the next steps in management because the clinical significance of this fluid is not completely understood. We hypothesized that pediatric blunt trauma patients with a finding of simple IIFF on CT would not have clinically significant intraabdominal injury. METHODS: A retrospective review (2009-2018) was conducted of all pediatric blunt trauma patients who underwent CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis at our institution. All patients with scans performed at our institution with the finding of IIFF were included. Scans were reviewed to measure the Hounsfield Units (HU) of the intraabdominal fluid. Groups were stratified into HU > 25 and HU ≤ 25, below accepted cutoffs for acute blood, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 413 patients had free fluid on CT abdomen/pelvis with 279 (68%) having only the finding of IIFF. The HU was 25 or less in 236 (85%) patients. No patients in the HU ≤ 25 group required operative exploration or had examination findings to indicate they had intraabdominal injury. Four (9%) patients in the HU > 25 required laparotomy (P < 0.0001). No patients in the HU ≤ 25 group required further workup or hospital admission over concern for intraabdominal injury. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric blunt trauma patients with HU of 25 or less IIFF and a nonperitonitic physical examination did not require operative exploration or further workup for intraabdominal injury. In the absence of other injuries, it is safe to discharge these patients without further workup.

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Fetal intracranial hemorrhage affects 1 in every 10,000 pregnancies. In most cases, the etiology of the bleeding is multifactorial, and they can be either related to the mother or the fetus. Blunt prenatal trauma was occasionally associated with these hemorrhages, nevertheless, reports of hematomas secondary to mild traumas are rare. Within the prenatal intracranial bleedings, the most frequent are the subarachnoid hematoma and intraparenchymal, scarcely ever the epidural hematoma. Treating these bleedings is challenging due to the ongoing pregnancy. Thus, the prognosis is often reserved, with a mortality rate of 43% and 25% of neurological sequelae. Here, we report a singular case of a fetal epidural hematoma secondary to a mild blunt trauma at the third trimester with a good outcome.

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Blunt abdominal trauma occurs in 20% of polytraumatized patients, of which approximately 5% may have mesenteric lesions. We present a case of a woman suffering from a blunt abdominal trauma, who underwent computed tomography with evidence of hematoma on the right flank, which was controlled by angioembolization of the superior mesenteric artery. Treatment of mesenteric lesions will be determined according to the hemodynamic status of the patient, since in view of stability, a choice can be made between open surgery and embolization, but in case of instability, laparotomy is recommended.

El trauma abdominal cerrado se presenta en el 20% de los pacientes politraumatizados, de los cuales aproximadamente el 5% pueden llegar a tener lesiones mesentéricas. Presentamos el caso de una mujer que sufre un traumatismo abdominal cerrado a la cual se le realizó tomografía computarizada con evidencia de un hematoma en el flanco derecho, que se logra controlar por angioembolización de la arteria mesentérica superior. El tratamiento de las lesiones mesentéricas se determinará según el estado hemodinámico del paciente, pues ante la estabilidad se puede escoger entre cirugía abierta y embolización, pero en caso de inestabilidad se recomienda la laparotomía.

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