BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA Goals of Treatment The goals of the evaluation and treatment of children with blunt abdominal trauma are to differentiate serious from nonthreatening injuries and determine the next steps for treatment Suspicion for serious intra-abdominal injuries is based on the mechanism of injury and careful abdominal examination Bilious or bloody vomiting, persistent vomiting, abdominal distention, any signs of peritoneal irritation, and rectal blood or hematuria suggest possible visceral injury, as does an elevation in amylase or liver transaminase levels in cases in which a clinical decision is made to obtain these studies A low threshold for the use of abdominal CT should be maintained CLINICAL PEARLS AND PITFALLS Children with a troubling history or any worrisome signs should receive a diagnostic laboratory evaluation and should be observed in consultation with a surgeon Children with even minor contusions of the liver, spleen, pancreas, or hollow viscera should be hospitalized Abdominal Wall Contusions Many children have minor trauma to their abdomen in the course of play and as a result of minor accidental events Balls, bats, swings, toys, and contact with other children may cause contusions of the abdominal wall Children subjected to minor forces without signs of intra-abdominal pathology (e.g., distention, tenderness on deep palpation, peritoneal irritation) can be sent home Solid Organ Injuries The spleen is the most commonly injured intra-abdominal organ, followed by the liver Most of these injuries are the result of automobile–pedestrian trauma, although falls and bicycle accidents are also common mechanisms The potential morbidity and mortality result from the highly vascular anatomy of this organ and hemorrhage into the large potential space of the peritoneal cavity Patients who have splenic injuries may present with either diffuse abdominal pain or localized tenderness Subphrenic blood may cause referred left shoulder pain (Kehr sign) Percussion and palpation tenderness is usually of greatest magnitude in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen Abdominal radiographs