Patrick Mc Laughlin MBBCh, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Joseph Coyle, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Cressida Brennan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sebastian Robert McWilliams BSc, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael M. Maher MD, FRCR, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Max Frederick Ryan MBBCh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kevin Noel O'Regan MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

00030490-DMT et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

In the available literature there are conflicting reports regarding volumetric changes of the spleen in response to shock in the blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) patient. Different studies describe both decreases and increases in splenic volume in response to shock. Therefore an uncertainty exists regarding the usefulness of splenic volume in the CT assessment of the BAT patient. We therefore designed a retrospective study with the aim of examining the relationship of splenic volume with physiological indicators of shock in patients with BAT.  

We included 76 consecutive haemodynamically stable patients who were referred for abdominopelvic MDCT in the assessment of BAT. Physiological parameters of shock including BP, Pulse and Revised Trauma Score were recorded for all patients prior to CT. Quantititive analysis of splenic volume was completed using OsiriX (The OsiriX Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland) for all patients. Statistical Analyses were performed using SPSS v16 and Microsoft Excel 2007  

Total splenic volume varied considerably among the group. No significant correlation existed between splenic volume and all recorded physiological indices of shock (p>0.7).  

In our cohort of patients quantititive analysis of splenic volume in patients with BAT did not correlate with physiologically recorded indices of systemic shock

Splenic volume does not seem to be a CT indicator of systemic shock in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

Mc Laughlin, P, Coyle, J, Brennan, C, McWilliams, S, Maher, M, Ryan, M, O'Regan, K, et al, 0, Quantitative Analysis of the Spleen in Patients with Blunt Abdominal Trauma: Is Splenic Volume a CT Indicator of Systemic Shock?.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8016949.html