The roles of scintigraphy in splenic trauma

A case is presented of an accessory spleen that was identified on nuclear scan at the time of diagnosis of splenic rupture. This information, proven by subsequent angiography, alerted the surgeons to the ease with which functional splenic tissue could be preserved in this patient. A sulfur colloid scan obtained post surgery confirmed the success of this more conservative operation. In addition, free peritoneal blood was also demonstrated preoperatively as the patient was rotated for a left anterior oblique view.