Scenario
A 19 year old football player presents to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain following a tackle during a match 5 days previously.
A CT scan has been performed.
Question
a. Describe and interpret the CT scan. (30%) b. Outline your management of this patient. (70%)
Answer
FACEM VAQ Exam 2004.2 – Question 7
- Overall pass rate for this question was 52 / 64 (81.3%).
- The CT shows evidence of splenic trauma.
- Examiners expected a comprehensive description of the splenic injury. Given that the majority of the marks were allocated to the management it was expected that more than just basic resuscitation be described.
- In particular options were expected given that patient factors (e.g. shock, informed
preference) may be dominant in formulating a management plan.- Failures were due to making an incorrect diagnosis or omission of several major management issues.
ACEM Fellowship Visual Aid Questions
About Mike Cadogan
