Isolated Complete Jejunal Transection After Blunt Abdominal Trauma: CT Imaging

Area of Science:

• Traumatology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Surgical Gastroenterology

Background:

• Abdominal injuries are less common than extremity, head, or chest trauma in road traffic accidents.
• Bowel perforation and transection are rare but serious consequences of blunt abdominal trauma.
• Clinical examination for bowel injury can be unreliable due to delayed symptom presentation.

Observation:

• A 21-year-old male presented with severe abdominal pain post-road traffic accident.
• Initial chest X-ray was normal; abdominal ultrasound showed free intraperitoneal fluid with internal echoes.
• Contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed pneumoperitoneum, free fluid, proximal jejunum transection, and signs of bowel ischemia.

Findings:

• CT imaging demonstrated complete disruption of the proximal jejunum.
• The findings indicated significant bowel ischemia and shock bowel.
• CT confirmed pneumoperitoneum and intraperitoneal free fluid, indicative of a perforated viscus.

Implications:

• CT imaging is vital for the early and accurate diagnosis of bowel transection following blunt abdominal trauma.
• Prompt diagnosis via CT can lead to timely surgical intervention, improving patient outcomes.
• This case underscores the diagnostic utility of advanced imaging in managing complex abdominal trauma.