Traumatic fracture of the pancreas: CT characteristics

W. J. Dodds, A. J. Taylor, S. J. Erickson, T. L. Lawson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pancreatic fracture is a rare injury caused by blunt abdominal trauma. Few proven cases have been diagnosed by abdominal CT. The typical clinical triad of upper abdominal pain, leukocytosis, and hyperamylasemia is nonspecific. Abdominal CT gives the best opportunity for an immediate diagnosis. Nevertheless, few cases of traumatic pancreatic fracture have been diagnosed by abdominal CT within 24 h following injury and proven at laparotomy. In this report we describe five cases of traumatic pancreatic fracture identified on CT; four cases were verified at laparotomy. Traumatic pancreatic fracture generally occurs as a transverse transection across the neck of the pancreas. Commonly, an accompanying injury to other visceral organs is present. The diagnosis of pancreatic fracture requires a high index of suspicion with close scrutiny of the CT images.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)375-378
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of computer assisted tomography
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1990

Keywords

  • Computed tomography
  • Fractures
  • Pancreas
  • Pancreas
  • Trauma
  • Wounds and injuries

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Traumatic fracture of the pancreas: CT characteristics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this