Hypovolemic shock in children: abdominal CT manifestations.

Abstract

The authors describe a "hypoperfusion complex," seen on abdominal computed tomography, which consists of marked, diffuse dilatation of the intestine with fluid; abnormally intense contrast enhancement of the bowel wall, mesentery, kidneys, and/or pancreas; decreased caliber of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava; and moderate to large peritoneal fluid collections. This complex was present in three patients less than 2 years of age and was associated with severe injury and a poor outcome. Recognition of this constellation of findings may help direct attention to the patient's serious hemodynamic abnormality as much as to individual organ defects.

Imaging gastrointestinal perforation in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma

“…Although there have been unfavorable reports on the reliability of CT to detect GI perforation [8,9], our findings lend weight to the body of literature advocating the role of CT [5][6][7][10][11][12]. Our 10-year review of hospital records identified no surgically confirmed GI perforation with a normal CT study, and all the CT studies in our perforation patients were abnormal.…”

CT in patients with blunt abdominal trauma: clinical significance of intraperitoneal fluid detected on a scan with otherwise normal findings.

“…However, it must also be remembered that hypovolemic shock syndrome (due to blood loss or neurologic injury) may result in transudation of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal fluid [10,11] [8]. Fluid related to menstruation would be expected to predominate in the pouch of Douglas rather than in the upper part of the abdomen.…”

CT Hypoperfusion Complex: Emergency CT Results During One Year

“…In a study conducted on post-traumatic cases by Ryan et al (3), CT hypoperfusion complex was seen in 27 out of 498 patients (5.5%). Again, CT findings in a pediatric group with blunt abdominal trauma were evaluated by Taylor et al (1), and they reported the incidence as 0.01%. In our study, this incidence is 0.16%.…”