What is a criterion for a positive diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL)?

A diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is a procedure used to detect intra-abdominal injury, particularly in trauma patients. One of the key criteria for determining a positive DPL is the presence of a significant number of red blood cells (RBCs) in the retrieved fluid.

When evaluating the options regarding RBC count, the threshold indicating a positive DPL for trauma assessment is typically set at 100,000 RBCs/mm³. This elevated level suggests that there is likely a significant hemorrhage occurring in the abdominal cavity, often indicative of solid organ injury or vascular damage. While lower thresholds (like 20,000 RBCs/mm³) may indicate some degree of bleeding, they are not high enough to strongly suggest major intra-abdominal injury in the context of trauma evaluation.

Additionally, while the presence of bile and an elevated amylase level can also suggest certain pathologies in the context of a DPL, they are not definitive criteria for trauma-related injuries like the RBC threshold is. Specifically, bile presence can indicate injury to the biliary tree, and amylase levels might suggest pancreatic injury but do not provide the same level of indication for trauma as the significant RBC count does.

In summary, a count of 100