Diagnostic performance of CT and the use of GI contrast material for detection of hollow viscus injury after penetrating abdominal trauma. Experience from a level 1 Nordic trauma center

Background Use of gastrointestinal (GI) contrast material for computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of hollow viscus injury (HVI) after penetrating abdominal trauma is still controversial. Purpose To assess the sensitivity of CT and GI contrast material use in detecting HVI after penetrating abdominal trauma. Material and Methods Retrospective analysis (2013-2016) of patients with penetrating abdominal trauma. Data from the local trauma registry, medical records, and imaging from PACS were reviewed. CT and surgical findings were compared. Results Of 636 patients with penetrating trauma, 177 (163 men, 14 women) had abdominal trauma (mean age 34 years, age range 16-88 years): 155/177 (85%) were imaged with CT on arrival; 128/155 (83%) were stab wounds and 21/155 (14%) were gunshot wounds; 47/155 (30%) had emergent surgery after CT. Two patients were imaged using oral, rectal and i.v. contrast; 23 with rectal and i.v. contrast; and 22 with i.v. contrast only. Surgery revealed HVI in 26 patients. CT had an overall sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 90.5%, PPV 90.0%, and NPV 70.4%. CT with oral and/or rectal contrast (n = 25) had sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 71.4%, PPV 85.7%, and NPV 45.5%. CT with i.v. contrast only (n = 22) had 75% sensitivity, 100% specificity, PPV 100%, and NPV 87.5%. No statistically significant difference was found between sensitivity of CT with GI contrast material and i.v. contrast only (P = 1). Conclusion Stab wounds were the most common cause of penetrating abdominal trauma. CT had 69.2% sensitivity and 90.5% specificity in detecting HVI. CT with GI contrast had similar sensitivity as CT with i.v. contrast only.