Additional information should be sought regarding blade length or the presence of bruising or a "hilt mark" at the skin entry site when evaluating stab wounds. Single-acquisition whole torso-imaging is preferred over segmental imaging so that the tract of the wound can be followed [2]. CT Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Without And With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature regarding the use of CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis without and with IV contrast for initial evaluation of penetrating torso trauma. The addition of a noncontrast does not provide additional information pertinent to penetrating trauma [31]. CT Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Without IV Contrast There is no relevant literature regarding the use of CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis without IV contrast for initial evaluation of penetrating torso trauma. Although noncontrast CT may be helpful in determining trajectory, demonstration of internal injuries, specifically solid organs, is much more apparent with IV contrast. During the global shortage of contrast in 2022, unenhanced CT scans were used for acute and posttraumatic patients in emergency departments at some institutions [36]. CTA Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis IV Contrast In the hemodynamically stable patient population, multiphasic imaging can provide additional useful information regarding the source of active bleeding. Additionally, it is important to remember that imaging can be performed after damage control surgery to identify injuries that may need definitive treatment [29,33]. In their retrospective study, Nummela et al [29] found that arterial and venous phases of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis CT facilitated recognition of active bleeding in patients with penetrating thoracic trauma. Differentiating between arterial and venous hemorrhage may have treatment implications.
Penetrating Torso Trauma. Additional information should be sought regarding blade length or the presence of bruising or a "hilt mark" at the skin entry site when evaluating stab wounds. Single-acquisition whole torso-imaging is preferred over segmental imaging so that the tract of the wound can be followed [2]. CT Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Without And With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature regarding the use of CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis without and with IV contrast for initial evaluation of penetrating torso trauma. The addition of a noncontrast does not provide additional information pertinent to penetrating trauma [31]. CT Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Without IV Contrast There is no relevant literature regarding the use of CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis without IV contrast for initial evaluation of penetrating torso trauma. Although noncontrast CT may be helpful in determining trajectory, demonstration of internal injuries, specifically solid organs, is much more apparent with IV contrast. During the global shortage of contrast in 2022, unenhanced CT scans were used for acute and posttraumatic patients in emergency departments at some institutions [36]. CTA Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis IV Contrast In the hemodynamically stable patient population, multiphasic imaging can provide additional useful information regarding the source of active bleeding. Additionally, it is important to remember that imaging can be performed after damage control surgery to identify injuries that may need definitive treatment [29,33]. In their retrospective study, Nummela et al [29] found that arterial and venous phases of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis CT facilitated recognition of active bleeding in patients with penetrating thoracic trauma. Differentiating between arterial and venous hemorrhage may have treatment implications.