Isolated Duodenal Injury in Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Children: A Series of Five Cases

Abstract

Blunt abdominal trauma is one of the leading causes of trauma-related deaths in children. The commonly affected organs include the spleen, liver and kidneys, followed by uncommon ones such as the pancreas and intestine. Isolated duodenal injury is very rare and, at times, poses a diagnostic challenge due to the paucity of clinical symptoms and signs. Hence, delayed presentation is not uncommon. In this write-up, five such cases are presented with emphasis on their clinical presentation, diagnosis, management and outcome.

Keywords

• blunt abdominal trauma
• feeding jejunostomy
• handlebar injury
• isolated duodenal injury
• pneumoperitoneum
• primary repair