Splenic trauma: pictorial review of contrast-enhanced CT findings

Splenic trauma is a common entity of high clinical significance that may have a variety of imaging manifestations. This article reviews splenic anatomy and function, mechanisms of splenic trauma, and the classification and grading of splenic trauma, with a particular focus on contrast-enhanced CT. Heterogeneous early enhancement of the spleen and technical suggestions to minimize this artifact are discussed. Mechanisms of trauma and their classification under the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma are discussed and illustrated. The merits of an alternative classification system by Marmery et al. are also considered. We conclude that knowledge of the mechanisms, classifications, and grades of splenic trauma can assist the clinician in clinical decision making and promote improved patient outcomes.