THE APPLICATION OF SPLENIC ARTERIOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF RUPTURE OF THE SPLEEN

¹ Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
² Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine

Splenic arteriography proved to be an accurate, prompt and safe method for the diagnosis of rupture of the spleen in 20 of 25 patients studied. In the other 5 arteriography showed that the spleen was intact and unnecessary surgery was avoided. Arteriography should be done in all patients suspected of having splenic trauma when the diagnosis is uncertain and when other clinical and roentgenographic diagnostic techniques are inconclusive. The procedure can be performed quickly on an emergency basis with essentially no morbidity and the results are available immediately.

The arteriographic features of rupture of the spleen are striking and consist of extravasation of contrast material into the splenic parenchyma, irregular splenic opacification, loss of the continuous splenic contour and simultaneous visualization of the splenic artery and vein.

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