Splenic trauma: pictorial review of contrast-enhanced CT findings.
Splenic trauma is a common entity of high clinical significance that may have a variety of imaging manifestations. This article reviews splenic anatomy and function, mechanisms of splenic trauma, and the classification and grading of splenic trauma, with a particular focus on contrast-enhanced CT. Heterogeneous early enhancement of the spleen and technical suggestions to minimize this artifact are discussed. Mechanisms of trauma and their classification under the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma are discussed and illustrated. The merits of an alternative classification system by Marmery et al. are also considered. We conclude that knowledge of the mechanisms, classifications, and grades of splenic trauma can assist the clinician in clinical decision making and promote improved patient outcomes.
Department of Radiology, Nassau University Medical Center, 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY, USA. tclark@numc.edu
Toshimasa James
TJ
Clark
Supriya
S
Cardoza
Nalini
N
Kanth
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003287:Contrast Media
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