The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of solid abdominal organ injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma

Abstract

Background: The evaluation and management of blunt abdominal trauma is primarily nonoperative. Previous attempts to identify parenchymal solid-organ injury with sonography have been unsatisfactory. The use of Perflutren Lipid Microsphere (Definity) contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DUS) may provide an additional modality for evaluation of solid-organ injury with decreased risk of radiation exposure and contrast-related complications.

Methods: Injured patients admitted to a state-designated Level I trauma center (January 2008 to July 2009), who showed evidence of solid-organ injury after blunt abdominal trauma on initial computed tomography (CT) were eligible for entry into the study. Patients underwent DUS examinations within 12 hours of initial CT. Ultrasound images were then compared with findings of CT for organ location, size, and grade of injury.

Results: Twenty patients with evidence of solid-organ injury on CT were evaluated with DUS. DUS correctly identified five of eight liver lesions, with a sensitivity of 62.5%. DUS correctly identified all nine splenic lesions demonstrating a sensitivity of 100%. DUS correctly identified one of two kidney injuries, demonstrating a sensitivity of 50%. Overall, the positive predictive value for all solid-organ injuries was 100%, with negative predictive value of 20%. The overall sensitivity for DUS was 79% (15 of 19 patients), and specificity was 100% (15 of 15 patients).

Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced sonography is a potential new modality for the evaluation of solid-organ injury for patients with blunt abdominal trauma. With further research, DUS may provide a safe and accurate alternative to CT.

Level of evidence: Diagnostic study, level IV.