Is Oral Contrast Needed to Identify Intra-abdominal Injuries in Children with Blunt Torso Trauma?

The addition of oral contrast did not improve the sensitivity of abdominal CT for identifying intra-abdominal injuries.

Investigators compared the test characteristics of abdominal computed tomography (CT) with and without oral contrast for identifying intra-abdominal injuries in children presenting with blunt torso trauma to pediatric emergency departments (EDs) participating in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN). All CT scans included intravenous contrast and were obtained at the discretion of the treating provider.

Of 4987 patients with blunt torso trauma who underwent abdominal CT, 20% (median age, 15 years) received oral contrast and 80% (median age, 11 years) did not. A total of 686 (14%) intra-abdominal injuries were identified; injuries were identified in 13% of patients who received oral contrast and in 14% of those who di…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Is Oral Contrast Needed to Identify Intra-abdominal Injuries in Children with Blunt Torso Trauma?

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Reviewing Author