COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MULTIDETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA

BACKGROUND Blunt abdominal trauma usually has low sensitivity on physical examination and also subtle clinical manifestations. Improved resolution of the ultrasound machines and availability of multiple frequency probes has improved the specificity of ultrasound evaluation in blunt abdominal trauma. Despite this about 50% of the solid organ injuries are missed. Computed tomography has been used with better specificity to evaluate patients with blunt abdominal trauma who are FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) positive as well as indeterminate and clinically suspicious cases of solid organ, hollow viscera, spine and pelvic injury. AIM AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of USG and MDCT and compare the efficacy of the two imaging modalities in blunt abdominal trauma. METHOD A prospective observational study of 100 patients was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Bharati Hospital, Pune. All patients with blunt abdominal trauma were included. FAST screening was done with ANTARES ACUSON SIEMENS followed by MDCT on 16-Slice Philips Brilliance. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of USG and CT were determined by comparing with laparotomy findings. RESULTS Although USG was sensitive, specific and accurate in detecting free fluid in abdomen, CT was found better and also superior in detecting solid organ injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. CONCLUSION Ultrasound is an efficient modality in the initial evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. But CT is the superior diagnostic modality and must be performed in symptomatic patient with ultrasound negative report and suboptimal ultrasound examination. CT scan thoroughly scrutinizes entire abdomen including retroperitoneum with additional assessment of thoracic trauma and bony pelvic trauma. Hence, CT increases diagnostic confidence and influences management decision.