Detection of post-traumatic abdominal pseudoaneurysms by CEUS and CT: A prospective comparative global study (the...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Trauma Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Non-operative management (NOM) is standard for stable trauma patients with solid organ injuries.
• Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms (PAs) can cause delayed bleeding in splenic or hepatic trauma.
• Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is increasingly used for abdominal trauma evaluation, but its follow-up role needs more data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the diagnostic role of CEUS in the follow-up of abdominal trauma.
• To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of CEUS compared to CT scans for detecting post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms.
• To evaluate if CEUS can replace CT scans in the follow-up of solid organ injuries.

Main Methods:

• A multi-centric international diagnostic cross-sectional study (PseaAn study).
• Patients with OIS III and above undergo follow-up with both CEUS and contrast-enhanced CT within 2-5 days post-injury.
• Comparison of CEUS findings with the gold standard CT scan for detecting splenic, hepatic, and renal PAs.

Main Results:

• CEUS is an accurate technique for evaluating traumatic lesions in solid abdominal organs.
• Encouraging results suggest CEUS can minimize radiation and contrast media use.
• The study aims to provide stronger evidence for CEUS's utility in trauma follow-up.

Conclusions:

• CEUS is a useful and safe tool for abdominal trauma follow-up.
• CEUS may replace CT scans in follow-up, offering the significant advantage of reduced radiation exposure.
• Further evidence is needed to support the widespread adoption of CEUS in trauma care.