Anaphylactic shock in a patient with ruptured hydatid liver cyst owing to trivial abdominal trauma

A I Yahya1, J Przybylski, A Foud

  • 1Surgical Department, Zliten Central Hospital, Libya.

Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
|February 4, 1998
PubMed

Insights

A teenage male experienced severe abdominal pain after a football injury, presenting with shock and abdominal rigidity. Emergency surgery revealed internal injuries requiring immediate intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Abdominal Trauma

Background:

  • Blunt abdominal trauma can lead to severe internal injuries.
  • Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are critical for patient survival.

Observation:

  • A 16-year-old male presented with upper abdominal pain, shock (unrecordable blood pressure), pallor, and dyspnea after blunt abdominal trauma.
  • Physical examination revealed generalized abdominal tenderness, guarding, and rigidity.
  • Initial resuscitation included intravenous fluids, analgesia, and oxygen, followed by diagnostic peritoneal lavage.

Findings:

  • Diagnostic peritoneal lavage revealed serosanguinous fluid, indicating intra-abdominal injury.
  • The patient's condition necessitated an urgent exploratory laparotomy.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering intra-abdominal injury in blunt abdominal trauma, even without external signs.
  • Timely surgical exploration is crucial for managing potentially life-threatening abdominal trauma.
  • Adherence to advanced trauma life support protocols is vital for stabilizing patients with severe abdominal injuries.

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