Penetrating injury to the buttock: an update

Massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery following buttock gunshot injury: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Arterio-enteric fistula is one of the extremely rare complications of penetrating trauma.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 27-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a gunshot to the right buttock. Initial assessments revealed a left femoral shaft fracture, the right buttock as the bullet inlet and the medial portion of the left thigh as an outlet, with no other significant findings. He underwent external fixation for the left femoral fracture. On the seventh day of admission, the patient experienced two episodes of massive melena and hypovolemic shock. The patient underwent an upper endoscopy without any remarkable findings. Also, we performed an emergent laparotomy to find the source of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB); however, no evidence of upper GIB was found. Then, the patient underwent CT angiography, which subsequently identified a deep femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. Also, we performed a colonoscopy to investigate the source of GIB, revealing an orifice on the rectal wall. The patient underwent open surgery for a pseudoaneurysm. During surgery, a tract from the pseudoaneurysm of the deep femoral artery to the rectum was discovered, leading to the ligation of the deep femoral artery branch. After recovery from the operation and completion of the orthopedic treatment, the patient was discharged in an appropriate condition.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Traumatic arterio-enteric fistulas can present with fatal gastrointestinal bleeding, requiring crucial investigations and proper imaging evaluations.

CONCLUSION

In case of new-onset massive melena during hospitalization, upper GIB should always be considered. However, in penetrating trauma patients, repeating CT angiography should be considered.

Gunshot vaginal trauma

Nonobstetric vaginal or vulva trauma is an extremely rare occurrence, with an incidence of < 0.2% of traumas. CT represents the gold standard in the diagnosis of gunshot lesions due to its ability to detect and stage injuries with very high sensitivity and specificity. A standardized protocol for penetrating trauma is still under debate for the use of intravenous contrast only or also rectal and oral contrast. Herein, we report a case of gunshot vaginal trauma in a 43-year-old patient presenting with vaginal bleeding. In our case, the protocol was "patient's tailored," the intravaginal selective use of air was administered due to symptoms (vaginal bleeding) and CT findings, this 2-step protocol increased diagnostic confidence and allow a correct and challenging diagnosis.

Penetrating buttock trauma is morbid but rarely fatal - A South African experience

BACKGROUND

Penetrating injuries to the buttock are relatively rare but are associated with significant morbidity. This study aimed to review our experience in managing penetrating trauma to the buttocks to contextualize the injury, document the most common associated injuries, and generate an algorithm to assist with the management of these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at a major trauma center in South Africa over 8 years (January 2012 to January 2020). All patients presenting with a penetrating buttock injury were included.

RESULTS

Our study included 40 patients. Gunshot wounds accounted for 93% (37/40), stab wounds accounted for 5% (2/40), and 1 case was gored by a cow. The majority (98%) underwent further investigation in the form of imaging or endoscopy. Forty percent (16/40) required surgical intervention. Of these 16 cases, 14 required a laparotomy, and 2 required gluteal exploration. Fifty-six percent (9/16) required a stoma. Five percent (2/40) experienced one or more complications, both of whom had stomas. The median length of stay for all patients was 3 days, whereas for the patients with stomas was 7 days. There were no ICU admissions or mortality in this study. Only 3 of the 9 stomas were reversed, and the median time to reversal was 16 months.

CONCLUSION

Penetrating trauma to the buttock may result in injuries to surrounding vital structures, which must be actively excluded. Rectal injury was the most common injury, and most required a defunctioning colostomy as part of the management resulting in significant morbidity.

Superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm after a gunshot wound to the buttock: A case

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Gunshot and stab wounds are common causes of penetrating trauma to the buttock.

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Penetrating trauma to the upper zone of the buttock can result in vascular injury.

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Pseudoaneurysms are rare complications of traumatic arterial injuries.

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Pseudoaneurysms can be treated with embolization.

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There are no guidelines for screening of gluteal pseudoaneurysms after trauma.

Introduction

Penetrating trauma to the buttock can rarely result into the development of a gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm. Here we present the case of a patient with a superior gluteal pseudoaneurysm after a gunshot wound to the left buttock.

Presentation of case

A 48-year-old male presented with fullness and tenderness at the left gluteal wound that resulted from a gunshot 18 days prior. At the time of initial trauma, imaging showed minimal extravasation of contrast at the left superior gluteal artery, but the bleeding stopped and patient was discharged. On his return, examination showed palpable fluctuance but no bleeding. A superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm was identified on CT scan. Patient also complained of intermittent subjective fever and new onset of SOB. CT chest demonstrated a pulmonary embolism at the right basilar segmental artery. Coil embolization was performed to treat the pseudoaneurysm and patient was subsequently started on anticoagulation therapy.

Discussion

Penetrating wounds to the buttock can result in associated vascular or visceral injuries. Pseudoaneurysms can develop days to years after the initial injury. On exam, presence of pain, swelling, tenderness, bleeding from wound, thrill, bruit or a pulsating mass should raise suspicion for pseudoaneurysm, which can be diagnosed on CT scan and treated with embolization.

Conclusion

Proper management of traumatic wounds to the buttock with associated vascular injuries, with follow up protocols and patient education is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications such as hemorrhage from pseudoaneurysm.

Buttock wounds: beware what lies beneath

A 25-year-old man presented to a major trauma centre with multiple stab wounds, most significantly to the right buttock. Triple-phase CT revealed no acute bleeding and his wounds were closed. In the month following injury, he re-presented seven times to the emergency department (ED) complaining of bleeding and wound breakdown. After his seventh ED attendance, he was examined under general anaesthesia. Intraoperatively, profuse arterial bleeding was encountered and the local major haemorrhage protocol was activated. The on-call consultant vascular surgeon attended and definitive control was achieved. A large haematoma had acted to tamponade ongoing arterial bleeding and an underlying pseudoaneurysm: a finding not reported, but present, on the initial CT angiogram. Following 24 hours in the intensive care unit, he was transferred to the surgical ward and discharged 4 days later. Regular review in the outpatient department over the following 9 weeks monitored successful wound healing.

The spectrum of injuries in buttock stab wounds

Buttock stab wounds are a surprisingly common and increasing source of presentations to emergency departments. These injuries can have a significant impact on quality of life, and there are a number of often subtle, but significant, injuries that the radiologist must be alert to when interpreting computed tomography examinations in these patients. In this review, we will examine briefly the sociological reasons for the increase in these injuries, discuss appropriate imaging techniques, and provide imaging examples of the clinically important injuries that may be encountered in this region. These injuries include rectal or colonic perforation; genito-urinary trauma, for example urethral injury; injury to the sciatic nerve; and a spectrum of vascular trauma including transection and pseudoaneurysm or arteriovenous fistula formation.