Patterns of liver injury in childhood: CT analysis

Forty-eight consecutive cases of liver injury diagnosed by CT in hemodynamically stable children were analyzed retrospectively for anatomic location, type of injury, associated nonhepatic injuries, and complications. It was found that the right lobe was involved in 83% of all injuries, and that the posterior segment of the right lobe was injured most often. Right-sided injuries were usually superficial and simple, while left-sided injuries were more likely to be deep and complex. Significant complications were associated with deep, complex, perihilar injuries. Retroperitoneal blood collections were noted around the adrenal, in a distribution not previously described. Injuries of the hepatic dome were most characteristic and were often associated with injuries of the lung base, kidney, ribs, and pneumothorax.