Computed tomography of pancreatic trauma.

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Abstract
In a review of > 300 CT [computed tomography] scans of abdominal trauma, 13 patients with surgically proved pancreatic injuries were encountered. CT correctly diagnosed pancreatic fractures, contusions or posttraumatic pseudocysts in 11 of these patients. There were 2 false-positive and 2 false-negative diagnoses. The CT diagnosis of pancreatic trauma may be difficult in selected patients who are scanned soon after injury. Acutely, the actual plane of a pancreatic fracture may be difficult to identify with CT, and the peripancreatic soft-tissue changes of traumatic pancreatitis are often subtle. Eight of 11 correctly diagnosed pancreatic injuries showed thickening of the left anterior renal fascia on CT scans. This sign should prompt a critical evaluation of the pancreas of the traumatized patient.

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