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Aim: The aim of our study is to evaluate the diagnostic ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in pediatric population with history of blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). Materials and Methods: In an eight-year period (1/2012-1/2020) fifty-nine children (4-14 years old) were transferred to Emergency Department with referred BAT. The initial imaging method was ultrasound scan (US). Thirty-two children were discharged in good condition 24/hours after their admission. The rest 27 with moderate to severe injuries and according to their laboratory tests and US results, were evaluated with CEUS and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).Results: Five children were confirmed with splenic injury, two with liver lacerations, one with liver lacerations and right kidney contusion, while in nineteen, no visceral pathology was found by US, CEUS and CECT. The CEUS and CECT were in complete agreement. In contrary, unenhanced-US showed in eleven children free peritoneal fluid and in two possible parenchymal lesions. In two of the patients with negative US-study splenic contusions in CECT and CEUS were revealed. The CEUS study was also used as follow-up method. No adverse reactions were observed from CEUS contrast agent in all patients (27) follow-up in 1-week and in 6-months period. Furthermore, in 27 patients no adverse reactions were observed from CEUS contrast agent in a 1-year period. Conclusion: CEUS is effective, easily performed, low cost and radiation free, imaging method. It is ideal both for initial and follow up evaluation of trauma and thus we encourage the usage of the method in paediatric BAT cases. |
