Abstract

Background
s: Nonsurgical management is becoming the preferred treatment method for adult patients who are hemodynamically stable and have blunt splenic injuries. The issue of follow-up computed tomography (CT) for blunt splenic injury in the era of nonsurgical management has been a source of controversy throughout the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of follow-up CT in clinically stable patients with blunt splenic trauma treated conservatively. Materials and Methods : The CT scans of 78 patients with blunt splenic injuries were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into three groups: stable patients with no follow-up CT (group I, n=23), stable patients with follow-up CT (group II, n=36), and symptomatic patients with follow-up CT (group III, n=19). The serial hemoglobin values and the clinical findings at the follow-up CT were reviewed. Results: All patients in groups I and II remained clinically stable with good outcomes. In group III, follow-up CT scans demonstrated a worsening condition in 11 patients, of which 8 patients had poor outcomes. Conclusions : Follow-up CT was not useful in patients with clinically stable splenic trauma.

• Keywords: Spleen, Injuries, CT