The Adrenal Gland: An Organ Neglected in Pediatric Trauma Cases

Bahattin Aydogdu, Hanifi Okur, Serkan Arslan, Mehmet Arslan, Hikmet Zeytun, Erol Basuguy, Mustafa Icer, Cemil Goya, Ibrahim Uygun, Kemal Murat, Cigdem, Abdurrahman Onen (+1 others)
unpublished
Purpose: Adrenal gland injury (AGI) caused by trauma may cause bleeding and life-threatening problems in children. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of AGI in final diagnoses of trauma. Materials and Methods: The records of 458 patients with abdominal trauma (out of a total 8,200 pediatric patients with trauma of any sort), who were referred to our clinic between January 2009 and July 2014, were reviewed retrospectively. The numbers of patients with AGI and their ages,
more » ... nder, trauma patterns, affected organs, pediatric trauma scores (PTSs), and injury severity scores (ISSs) were recorded, as well as the associated ultrasound (US) and tomographic scan data, treatments, and complications. Computed tomography (CT) scans obtained after trauma were subjected to both primary and secondary evaluation. Results: In total, 28 patients with AGI were detected; their average age was 8.54 ± 4.09 (3-17) years. Twenty (71%) patients were male and 8 (29%) were female. Nineteen (68%) patients had fallen from heights; the most commonly injured organs were the kidneys, spleen, and lungs. Injuries were right-sided in 26 (92.9%) patients. The mean ISS was 13.2 (range 5-50) and the mean PTS 8.6 (range 0-11). Seven patients had ISS > 16 and nine had PTS < 8. AGI was diagnosed by CT in 14 (50%) patients and in 3 (9%) by US at primary evaluation. Upon secondary scan inspection focusing on the possibility of adrenal gland injury, such injury was ultimately detected in 28 patients. All patients underwent conservative follow-up, and one died. Conclusion: We recommend calculation of the PTS, as well as other trauma scores, when pediatric patients suffering multiple or blunt abdominal trauma(s) present to the emergency. In addition, we believe that in children with trauma involving the liver, spleen or kidneys, careful evaluation using a CT scan would increase the diagnosis of AGI and reveal a realistic rate of AGI in trauma cases.
fatcat:vxrcztxev5htxngenmwkwngkmm