Sonographic detection of splenic injuries after blunt abdominal trauma

During one year 150 patients with blunt abdominal trauma were scanned by ultrasound on the day of admittance. In 18 patients a splenic lesion was diagnosed by ultrasound. These lesions consisted of 12 splenic ruptures and of 6 splenic haematomas. The diagnosis was confirmed in 9 cases by laparotomy, in 7 cases by computed tomography and in 2 cases by sonographic follow-up. In all patients ultrasound was used in the follow-up assessment. Emergency sonography was not only a reliable diagnostic tool, but was also appropriate as an easy follow-up imaging.