the risk factors for mortality were hemodynamic instability as an indication for laparotomy, presence of solid organ injury, multiple intra-abdominal injuries, need for damage control surgery, serious injury association and low index of trauma score.

besides the great use of CT for the diagnosis of penetrating neck injuries we can say that this is an exam with low accuracy for the diagnosis of lesions of aerodigestive tract, therefore it is important a clinical correlation for a good diagnosis.as for the vascular lesions and of other structures, the CT had high sensibility and specificity, thus a good exam to be used in overall.

Screening of HIV-positive patients who could have other sexually transmitted infections is important to protect women and decrease the risk of transmission.

the accuracy of computed tomography was adequate to guide the management of stable patients who could be treated conservatively, avoiding mandatory surgery in 34 patients and reducing the morbidity and mortality of non-therapeutic laparotomies.