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Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy diagnosed by computed tomography
1College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Middle East Journal of Anaesthesiology
|June 1, 1990
Summary
A trauma patient experienced cardiac arrest after a fall. Postmortem CT revealed a blood-flooded tracheobronchial tree and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, suggesting CT
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- A 24-year-old male presented with head injury and multiple fractures following a fall.
- Initial resuscitation was successful after cardiac arrest (apnea and asystole).
Observation:
- During CT scan for head trauma assessment, the patient developed hemodynamic instability.
- Progressive bradycardia, falling blood pressure, and difficulty maintaining ventilation were noted.
- Ultimately, resuscitation efforts failed, leading to unsuccessful outcomes.
Findings:
- Postmortem CT scan of the chest revealed a tracheobronchial tree flooded with blood.
- Coagulation profile indicated disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC).
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but fatal complication in severe trauma.
- Postmortem CT can aid in diagnosing pathological conditions when traditional autopsy is challenging.
- Understanding such complications is crucial for managing critically ill trauma patients.