Splenic Trauma

Abstract

Although ultrasonography was rapidly adopted for exploration of the traumatized spleen, there are few recent reports on the actual value and limitations of such examinations. Large, homogeneous study populations are difficult to collect as the quality of sonographic investigations at a given institution can vary with time and as a function of the examiner. Many reports deal with retrospective series, but correlations with histology findings can be complicated by changing concepts concerning the indications for splenectomy (Farthmann et al. 1985; Solheim and Hoivik 1985). The introduction of gray scale equipment confirmed the utility of the technique for evaluating splenic trauma, inasmuch as hemoperitoneum could be demonstrated (Asher et al. 1976). The successive development of real-time apparatus and sector scanners saw notable improvements in the quality of sonographic images (Weill et al. 1981). By this time, ultrasonography had proven its reliability for examination of the solid abdominal organs (Amici et al. 1982; Aufschnaiter and Kofler 1983; Halbfass et al. 1981; Hauenstein et al. 1982) and had become a valid alternative to computed tomography for both adult and pediatric patients (Babcock and Kaufman 1983; Berger and Kuhn 1981; Filiatrault et al. 1984; Kaufman et al. 1984; Klels et al. 1983; Viscomi et al. 1980).