External validation of the Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Children (BATiC) score

Abstract

Prognostic study, level II.

Severity and treatment of “occult” intra-abdominal injuries in blunt trauma victims

“…In this group, 8/11 (73%) of the FAST scans, 1/11 (9%) of the complete abdominal ultrasound scans and 1/13 (8%) of the CT scans had negative results. Injuries were located in the spleen (5), liver (5), kidneys (3) and bladder (1). In 50% of the cases, the abdomen AIS was greater than or equal to three.…”

“…In 2014, De Jong et al [1] reported good results obtained with the BATiC score, used in children, which can rule out the presence of intra-abdominal injuries in approximately 50% of cases. Also in 2014, Shojaee et al [27] reported good results with the BATSS score as well, which could limit the use of abdominal CT scans in a large number of blunt trauma victims.…”

“…It is therefore important to emphasize the need for specific criteria in order to limit and restrict indications for CT to the minimum necessary number. There are currently various models proposed for the identification, or exclusion, of intra-abdominal injuries that are based on clinical, laboratory and imaging (radiography and ultrasound) variables [1,13,[22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

“…In blunt trauma victims, abdominal injuries are less frequent and diagnosed in no more than 10% of all cases, depending on the sample analyzed [1,2]. However, there is a significant percentage of patients with abdominal injuries who do not present with signs and symptoms [2].…”

Blunt Spleen and Liver Trauma

“…7 This protocol was further validated in a subsequent study. 8 A large prospective trial that used only history and physical examination findings identified patients at very low risk for intraabdominal injury, and therefore would not need an abdominal CT. 9 While ultrasound and clinical examination are not quite as sensitive as CT using these algorithms, or other similar protocols, may help guide selective and efficient use of CT in suspected abdominal trauma.…”