The Most Common Forms Of Abdominal Trauma

ABDOMEN: The lung basis appeared unremarkable. The liver, spleen, gallbladder, adrenals, kidneys and pancreas and abdominal aorta appeared unremarkable. The bowels seen on the study appeared thickened. Dilated appendix seen constant with acute appendicitis. Osseous structures of the abdomen appeared unremarkable. No free air was seen.

1. A small family was traveling in its van and had a minor accident. The children in the back seats were wearing lap belts, but still sustained numerous bruises about the abdomen, and had some internal organ injuries. Why is this area more vulnerable to damage than others? Name specific organs that would be injured, as well as the abdominopelvic quadrant and region in which they are found. What injuries might you suspect in the damaged organs?

Abdomen: The lipases appeared unremarkable. The liver, spleen, gallbladder adrenals, kidneys, pancreas and abdominal aorta appeared unremarkable. The bowels seen on the study appeared thickened. Dilated appendix seemed consistent with acute appendicitis. All the structures of the abdomen appeared unremarkable. No free air was seen.

Injury is a serious public health issue. Injuries differ by their nature and severity. Injuries can be unintentional or intentional. Unintentional injuries include road traffic injuries, falls, burns, drowning, poisoning, and intentional injuries include self-inflicted injuries, interpersonal violence, and war-related injuries [1,2,3]. Globally, injury causes over five million deaths per year [1,2,3]. Injury cases result in more deaths than HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined (3.8 million) [1,3,4]. Nonfatal injuries represent a large proportion of the injury burden and deaths represent a small proportion [4]. Most injuries result in significant psychological trauma, potentially life-long disability, and subsequent financial loss [4].

Bodily Injury: No matter what type of motor vehicle accident, it is important for victims to be properly

In the immediate, as well as long-term aftermath of exposure to trauma, children are at risk of developing significant emotional and behavior difficulties (CWIG, 2012). The most damaging types of trauma include early physical and sexual abuse, neglect, emotional/psychological abuse, exposure to domestic violence and other forms of child maltreatment (Hoch, 2009). Research has shown that children that are exposed to these types of trauma will experience developmental delays including language and verbal processing. Also, they will have risk of poor physiological and psychosocial functioning, and will be vulnerable to emotional and behavioral dysregulation disorders, thus, leading to an increase risk of poor outcomes including substance abuse, suicidality, teen pregnancy and paternity, criminal activity, and revictimization (Hoch, 2009).

American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank 2013 Annual Report. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.facs.org/~/media/files/quality%20programs/trauma/ntdb/ntdb%20annual%20report%202013.ashx

According to scientists and former government officials that were part of the National Center for Injury Control and Prevention, which is a division of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the answers to these questions and many more surrounding the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIP). Web-based injury statistics query and reporting system (WISQARS) [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars

7. Injury and Violence Prevention- Injuries and violence are common occurrence; accidental injuries and those triggered by acts of violence are included in the top 15 fatalities for Americans of all ages. The Injury and Violence Prevention objectives for 2020 signify a wide range of concerns, which, if adequately targeted, will increase the health of this nation. Various factors can affect the risk of unintended injuries and violence, risky behaviors, bad choices made; such as drinking and drugs can increase these preventable injuries and deaths (Healthy People, n.d.).

Thus allowing me to form a differential diagnosis and rule out certain causes, such as; constipation, and indigestion. Subsequently, the physical examination enabled me to confirm a diagnosis of acute abdomen. As the patient was not experiencing any worrying (red flag) symptoms associated with abdominal emergencies, such as; appendicitis or pancreatitis. However, I did forget certain aspects of the physical examination and had to be prompted by the MO. Although with more practice such incidence would be reduced.

Primary peritonitis is an infection that develops in the abdominal (ascitic) fluid of the peritoneal cavity. It is mostly seen in patients suffering from advanced liver disease with cirrhosis, where abdominal fluid builds up (ascites) in the peritoneal cavity and may become infected. Although rare in the absence of a perforation, there are many underlying conditions that can contribute to the growth of bacteria in the ascitic fluid. This type is called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and is the most common reason of primary peritonitis. Factors that increase risk of primary peritonitis include medical procedures like peritoneal dialysis, medical conditions such as cirrhosis, kidney failure, and heart disease, and patient history of peritonitis. However, in most cases the type of infection that develops is secondary peritonitis, which is usually caused by an infection that has spread from the digestive tract after trauma or perforation of the abdominal viscera that allows infectious organisms to contaminate the sterile environment of the peritoneal cavity. Most common causes of secondary peritonitis include injury or trauma to the peritoneum, a ruptured appendix, or stomach ulcer, digestive diseases such as Crohn’s Disease, and diverticulitis, perforations of the stomach, or intestines, and abdominal trauma such as injury from a knife or gunshot wound. Both types of peritonitis are life threatening, and when left untreated can enter into the bloodstream spreading the infection throughout the entire body leading to shock and organ

For patients in stable condition with a suspected vessel injury, computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is recommended to detect the direct and indirect signs of vessel injury. A CT-scan could decrease the likelihood of a negative neck exploration (13, 14). Nevertheless, Gonzalez et al showed in a prospective study that not all vessel injuries and esophageal injuries due to penetrating zone II injuries could be detected using a dynamic CT-scan or esophagography (15).

serious injuries that affects the victims in the future. The damage has to stop, when putting the

American Association for the Surgery (AAST) of Trauma established different grading system for the classification of the liver trauma and this classification is most widely used for both diagnosis and management of liver trauma. This grading is mainly based on the area covered by sub capsular hematoma and depth of laceration. According