CEUS in abdominal trauma: multi-center study

Abdom Imaging. 2009 Mar-Apr;34(2):225-34. doi: 10.1007/s00261-008-9452-0.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the concordance of US and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) with CT in the assessment of solid organ injury following blunt trauma. Patients underwent complete US examination, including free fluid search and solid organ analysis. CEUS followed, using low-mechanical index techniques and SonoVue. CT was performed within 1 h. Among 156 enrolled patients, 91 had one or more abnormalities (n = 107) at CT: 26 renal, 38 liver, 43 spleen. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for renal trauma at baseline US were 36%, 98%, and 88%, respectively, after CEUS values increased to 69%, 99%, and 94%. For liver baseline US values were 68%, 97%, and 90%; after CEUS were 84%, 99%, and 96%. For spleen, results were 77%, 96%, and 91% at baseline US and 93%, 99%, and 97% after CEUS. Per patient evaluation gave the following results in terms of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy: 79%, 82%, 80% at baseline US; 94%, 89%, and 92% following CEUS. CEUS is more sensitive than US in the detection of solid organ injury, potentially reducing the need for further imaging. False negatives from CEUS are due to minor injuries, without relevant consequences for patient management and prognosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Diagnostic Errors / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement
  • Kidney / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney / injuries
  • Lacerations / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / injuries
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phospholipids
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Spleen / injuries
  • Sulfur Hexafluoride
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Trauma Severity Indices
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Phospholipids
  • contrast agent BR1
  • Sulfur Hexafluoride