Computed tomography and scintigraphy in the diagnosis of splenic injury

In a prospective study of 48 patients suspected to have splenic injury, the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) and scintigraphy was investigated. Both methods showed high sensitivity, demonstrating 27 of 28 ruptures. The specificity was 100% for CT and 80% for scintigraphy, since the latter method gave four false-positive diagnoses with regard to rupture and bleeding. Scintigraphy, however, has advantages over CT in children and noncooperative adults and is highly suitable in local trauma to the left lower thorax. CT is preferable in cases with possible trauma to multiple organs, such as commonly occurs in traffic accidents, and also provides a rough estimate of the extent of bleeding.