Point-of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of Severe Renal Trauma in an Adolescent

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2018 Apr;34(4):286-287. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001406.

Abstract

Traumatic renal injuries are more common in pediatrics because of the relatively larger size of the kidneys in the pediatric patient. Although computerized tomography remains the criterion standard for the initial evaluation of blunt renal trauma, there is evidence that renal ultrasound may serve a role in postinjury surveillance. Here, we present a case in which point-of-care ultrasound was used to image severe blunt renal trauma in a 17-year-old adolescent boy. In this case, point-of-care ultrasound identified severely distorted renal parenchyma after a grade 5 renal laceration was identified on computerized tomography scan.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adolescent
  • Humans
  • Kidney / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney / injuries*
  • Male
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging*