AbstractAims and objectives: To evaluate the frequency and relevance of the "sentinel clot" sign on computed tomography scan (CT scan) for patients with blunt abdominal injury in a retrospective study.
Materials and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the CT log books and surgical registry to find the records of all patients who had CT scans done for blunt abdominal trauma during the period of 1st January 2019 to 15th May 2019. Excluding cases of retroperitoneal injury, bowel and mesenteric injuries, incomplete records, or inconclusive proof of diagnosis, we found a total of 50 visceral injuries in 42 patients.
Results and Observation: Of the total 50 visceral injuries in 43 patients, 2 cases had insufficient intraperitoneal blood to evaluate further. Of the remaining 48 injuries, 36 had evidence of a sentinel clot and 12 had generalized haemoperitoneum but no focal clot (Table 1). In 28 (78%) of the 36 cases with sentinel clot, CT also visualized a visceral injury; however, in 8 cases (22%), the sentinel clot was the only clue as to the site of injury.
Conclusion: Detection and localization of the sentinel clot sign may improve the accuracy of CT in the diagnosis of primary organ of injury in blunt abdominal trauma.
