ASSOCIATED INJURIES IN PATIENTS WITH BLUNT CHEST TRAUMA - DETECTION BY ABDOMINAL ROENTGENOGRAMS AFTER AORTOGRAPHY

To determine the value of abdominal roentgenograms after aortography f or detecting additional organ injuries, we retrospectively evaluated t he abdominal and pelvic roentgenograms after aortography of 170 trauma patients who underwent arch aortography to detect aortic rupture. In 160 (94%) of 170 patients, the results of arch studies were normal. Te n (6%) of 170 patients had aortic rupture (8 patients) or rupture of a major vessel (2 patients). Thirty-one (18%) of 170 patients had assoc iated injuries demonstrated by the roentgenograms taken after aortogra phy, including pelvic or femoral fractures (13%), pelvic hematomas (5. 8%), renal injuries (1.1%), and bladder ruptures (2.9%). We conclude t hat abdominal and pelvic plain roentgenograms should be part of a rout ine arch aortography performed for blunt chest trauma to detect additi onal organ injuries that frequently accompany injuries from motor vehi cle crashes.