title: Arterial phase CT for the detection of splenic injuries in blunt trauma: would it improve clinical outcomes?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the addition of an arterial phase abdominal computed tomography (CT) improves clinical outcomes in patients with blunt splenic injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of patients who underwent CT of the abdomen revealing splenic injuries. Clinical management in these patients was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one of three thousand five hundred twenty-five patients had splenic injuries. Twenty-five patients underwent nonsurgical management, and 3 failed. The theoretical additional arterial phase resulted in a 62% increase in mean effective dose compared to the portal venous phase alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine use of arterial phase CT in blunt trauma patients may not be warranted as there is minimal improvement in outcomes.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 4860 Y Street, ACC Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA 95817. Electronic address: Michael.corwin@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 4860 Y Street, ACC Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA 95817.
authors.forename: Ghaneh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fananapazir
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 4860 Y Street, ACC Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA 95817.
authors.forename: Ramit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lamba
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis Medical Center, Department of Surgery, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817.
authors.forename: Edgardo S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Salcedo
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, 4150V Street, PSSB Suite 2100, Sacramento, CA 95817.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013154:Spleen / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Arterial phase; Blunt trauma; Dual phase; Spleen