title: Follow-up imaging studies in children with splenic injuries.
abstract: We undertook a retrospective study of pediatric blunt splenic injuries treated nonoperatively at our institution from 1990 to 1995 (n = 72) to assess the impact of serial computed tomography (CT) scans on the outcome. Median number of studies per child was three. The result showed that the appearance of the splenic injury remained unchanged or improved in 95% of the imaging studies obtained (116 of 122). Only one of five patients with an image suggesting a worsening splenic injury required operative intervention. There were no instances of missed injuries, delayed ruptures, or readmissions. We conclude that serial CT scans have limited follow-up value and should be used selectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shafi
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Irish
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Glick
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Caty
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Azizkhan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating