Skip to main content
Log in

CT in post-traumatic hypoperfusion complex—a pictorial review

  • Pictorial Essay
  • Published:
Emergency Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hypoperfusion complex is an uncommon entity found on computed tomography (CT) of blunt trauma. It is more common in children compared to adults. Everyone should be aware of this entity to interact with clinicians to aid in triage and management of patients in view of poor prognosis. It is also important to prevent unnecessary laparotomies by confusing abdominal organ injuries. There are certain visceral and vascular findings described on abdominal CT that would alert the radiologist for this entity. This pictorial review should increase radiologists’ awareness and recognition of the CT manifestations of hypoperfusion complex before an irreversible state of shock occurs in blunt abdominal trauma.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Taylor GA, Fallat ME, Eichelberger MR (1987) Hypovolemic shock in children: abdominal CT manifestations. Radiology 164:479–481

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wiesner W, Khurana B, Ji H, Ros PR (2003) CT of acute bowel ischemia. Radiology 226:635–650

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Wittenberg J, Harisinghani MG, Jhaveri K, Varghese J, Mueller PR (2002) Algorithmic approach to CT diagnosis of the abnormal bowel wall. RadioGraphics 22:1093–1109

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Mirvis SE, Shanmuganathan K, Erb R (1994) Diffuse small-bowel ischemia in hypotensive adults after blunt trauma (shock bowel): CT findings and clinical significance. Am J Roentgenol 163:1375–1379

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. O’Hara SM, Donnelly LF (1999) Intense contrast enhancement of the adrenal glands: another abdominal CT finding associated with hypoperfusion complex in children. AJR Am J Roentgenol 173:995–997

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Berland LL, VanDyke JA (1985) Decreased splenic enhancement on CT in traumatized hypotensive patients. Radiology 156:469–471

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Robert JH, Toledano AE, Toth LS, Premus G, Dreiling DA (1988) Hypovolemic shock, pancreatic blood flow, and pancreatitis. Int J Pancreatol 3:283–292

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Catalano OA, Napolitano M, Vanzulli A (2005) Black kidney sign: a new computed tomographic finding associated with the hypoperfusion complex in children. J Comput Assist Tomogr 29(4):484–486

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tarrant AM, Ryan MF, Hamilton PA, Benjaminov O (2008) A pictorial review of hypovolaemic shock in adults. Br J Radiol 81(963):252–257

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ryan MF, Hamilton PA, Sarrazin J, Chu P, Benjaminov O, Lam K (2005) The halo sign and peripancreatic fluid: useful CT signs of hypovolaemic shock complex in adults. Clin Radiol 60:599–607

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Atin Kumar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Prasad, K.R., Kumar, A., Gamanagatti, S. et al. CT in post-traumatic hypoperfusion complex—a pictorial review. Emerg Radiol 18, 139–143 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-010-0927-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-010-0927-2

Keywords

Navigation