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Investigations in abdominal trauma

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The following investigation are often informative in patients with abdominal trauma:

  • plain radiographs:
    • the erect chest permits the detection of small amounts of free gas in the abdomen
    • the abdominal may show fluid levels in paralytic ileus

  • diagnostic peritoneal lavage

  • ultrasound:
    • good for examining solid organs
    • can detect free fluid in the abdomen

  • CT:
    • can detect free fluid in the abdomen
    • good for hepatic and splenic damage

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