Abdominal computed tomographic findings in adults with hypovolemic shock

The clinical charts and contrast medium-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) examinations of 15 adults with a history of serious shock and resuscitation were reviewed. Several hypovolemia-related abnormalities were recognizable and were variably associated with each other. Diminished caliber of the abdominal vessels with intense vascular contrast medium enhancement and renal abnormalities were the most common findings; decreased and/or increased enhancement of the abdominal organs and other hypovolemic changes were also present. Most of the series in the radiologic literature describe findings in pediatric subjects, but the various vascular and extravascular CT findings with regard to shock in adults may be different from those reported in children. Although the diagnosis of shock is based on clinical signs, hypovolemia-related CT abnormalities must be distinguished from organic lesions. CT may also identify a previously unsuspected shock state.