We report a case of abdominal injury secondary to child abuse in which
the child had both a duodenal hematoma and contained perforations of
the duodenum and proximal jejunum. These injuries were evaluated by bo
th CT scan and upper gastrointestinal (GI) series. The child's nausea
and vomiting persisted despite conservative treatment; after 3 weeks a
repeat upper GI series demonstrated high-grade duodenal obstruction.
An exploratory lagarotomy was performed and a calcified, fibrotic mese
ntery and strictures in the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum were
found, To our knowledge, this unusual complication of blunt abdominal
trauma has not been described in association with child abuse.