Do signs of abdominal wall injury on computed tomography predict intra-abdominal injury in trauma patients with a seatbelt sign?

Background: A seatbelt sign in patients with blunt abdominal injury is associated with both abdominal wall and intra-abdominal injuries. This study aimed to assess the association between signs of abdominal wall injury on computed tomography (CT) and rates of intra-abdominal injury in patients with a blunt abdominal injury and a clinical seatbelt sign.

Methods: This study includes hemodynamically stable trauma patients with blunt abdominal injury and a clinical seatbelt sign who were hospitalized in two regional trauma centers in Israel, during 2014-2019.