Role of USG and CT in the Evaluation of Abdominal Trauma

Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and imaging patterns of abdominal injuries using USG and CT in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Specifically, it assessed the ability of USG and CT to detect hemoperitoneum, intraperitoneal visceral injuries, and solid organ injuries. Imaging findings from USG and CT were analyzed and compared with intraoperative findings to facilitate early and accurate diagnosis, thereby aiding clinicians in timely management and minimizing morbidity and mortality. Methodology Patients admitted to Shri B. M. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre with a history of abdominal trauma between November 2019 and May 2021 were included. A total of 64 patients who underwent both USG and CT examinations were evaluated. In cases requiring surgical intervention, imaging findings were compared with intraoperative observations. Results Among the 64 patients, all (100%) had positive USG and CT findings of abdominal trauma. Of these, 19 (29.7%) patients underwent surgery, while 45 (70.3%) were managed conservatively. There was a marked male predominance, with 60 (93.7%) males and four (6.3%) females, yielding a male-to-female ratio of 15:1. The most commonly injured organs were the spleen in 35 (54.7%) patients and the liver in 28 (43.7%) patients. Conclusions USG is a dynamic, real-time imaging modality that avoids ionizing radiation and is inexpensive, rapid, portable, and suitable for bedside use in hemodynamically unstable patients or those with multiple injuries. Minimal patient preparation is required, and the procedure is painless. Emergency USG can therefore be employed as a first-line diagnostic tool in suspected blunt abdominal trauma. CT, however, remains a highly sensitive modality for diagnosing and classifying abdominal injuries and provides valuable guidance for clinical management.