Trauma - Abdominal Injuries 3

Hidden abdominal injuries can fool even the sharpest trauma team. Don’t let seat-belt bruises, subtle CT findings, or delayed enzyme rises trip you up on exam day. In this episode, Chris and Mars unravel three shelf-favorite abdominal trauma patterns that demand a high index of suspicion: Hollow Viscus tears, Duodenal and Pancreatic “handle-bar” injuries, and the Seat-Belt Sign paired with Chance fractures. You’ll learn the tell-tale presentations, key imaging pearls, and must-know operative decisions that separate pass from honors. We cover: ✅ Why a “normal” early CT never clears a small-bowel perforation ✅ Mesenteric tears versus blow-out ruptures—and what each looks like on contrast CT ✅ Rising amylase traps and when to push for MRCP or ERCP ✅ Management ladder from NG decompression to distal pancreatectomy and pyloric exclusion ✅ Seat-belt bruises as dual clues for bowel injury and L1-L3 flexion-distraction fractures ✅ Five rapid-fire facts to lock in before test day Perfect for med students prepping for the surgery shelf—or anyone who wants to stay cool when blunt trauma gets sneaky. Hit play, trust your gut (and your repeat imaging), and get ready to dominate those abdominal trauma questions!