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Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 2/2011

01-04-2011 | Original Article

Doppler ultrasound for the assessment of conservatively treated blunt splenic injuries: a prospective study

Authors: D. Soffer, O. Wiesel, C. I. Schulman, M. Ben Haim, J. M. Klausner, A. Kessler

Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery | Issue 2/2011

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Abstract

Introduction

The type and need for follow-up of non-operatively managed blunt splenic injuries remain controversial. The use of Doppler ultrasound to identify post-traumatic splenic pseudoaneurysms, considered to be the main cause of “delayed” splenic rupture, has not been well described.

Patients and methods

A 5-year prospective study was performed from 2004 to 2008. All patients with blunt splenic injury diagnosed with computerized tomography, who were treated non-operatively, were included in the study. Doppler ultrasound examination was performed 24–48 h post-injury. Consecutive Doppler ultrasound examinations were done on 7, 14 and 21 days post-injury for patients diagnosed with a splenic pseudoaneurysm. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Ambulatory follow-up continued for 4 weeks after hospital discharge.

Results

A total of 38 patients were enrolled in the study. Grading of splenic injury demonstrated 19 (50%) patients with Grade I, 16 (42%) with Grade II and 3 (8%) with Grade III injuries. Two patients (5%) had pseudoaneurysms. All pseudoaneurysms underwent complete resolution within 2 weeks after diagnosis. No patients received blood products, or had angio-embolization or surgery during the study period. All patients were found to be asymptomatic and stable at the 4-week follow-up.

Conclusions

Doppler ultrasound can be an effective and a safe noninvasive modality for evaluation and follow-up of patients with blunt splenic injury. The utility and cost-effectiveness of routine surveillance requires further study.
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Metadata
Title
Doppler ultrasound for the assessment of conservatively treated blunt splenic injuries: a prospective study
Authors
D. Soffer
O. Wiesel
C. I. Schulman
M. Ben Haim
J. M. Klausner
A. Kessler
Publication date
01-04-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 1863-9933
Electronic ISSN: 1863-9941
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-010-0044-7

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