Computed Tomography for the Evaluation of Knife Impalement Injuries

Abstract

A patient with a stab wound to the back with suspected major vascular injury was evaluated by computed tomography instead of arteriography. The computed tomographic (CT) scan demonstrated no injury to the aorta, inferior vena cava, or esophagus, which were adjacent to the blade, and excluded a hematoma. The information from the CT scan made possible a less extensive surgical procedure than might have otherwise been necessary.