Angiographic patterns of splenic lesions following blunt trauma. An experimental study in monkeys

Splenic angiography was performed before and after graded blunt trauma to the spleen in 15 monkeys. In 9 of these, followup angiography could be performed in week or more later. Pronounced spasm of the splenic artery and leakage of contrast medium into the peritoneal cavity were found to imply a serious prognosis. Local reversible spasm of arterial branches can cause transient defects in parenchymal filling. Larger defects corresponding to hematoma, extravasation of contrast medium, and displacement of vessels may be compatible with good primary prognosis. If, however, these signs indicate that the lesion is of sufficient magnitude and has a peripheral location there is a risk that extensive bleeding will occur. So-called delayed ruptures never occurred in this study.