CT scan of bowel trauma in the pediatric patient.

In the CT evaluation of children with blunt abdominal trauma, bowel injury may represent the most problematic condition that the radiologist encounters. In cases where there is a large, unexplained pneumoperitoneum or extravasation of oral contrast, the diagnosis is straightforward. Significant, potentially life-threatening injuries, however, may be manifest only by focal bowel wall thickening and peritoneal fluid accumulation. Meticulous attention to detail with regard to scanning, administration of contrast, and review of the images along with the recognition of patterns and sites of more common injuries can improve the sensitivity of the radiologist in the detection of bowel trauma.