ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF A TRAUMATIC SPLENIC HEMATOMA AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

This report describes a presumed traumatic splenic hematoma in a six-y ear-old neutered male Greyhound presented for abdominal pain, vomiting , and anorexia. Multiple right-sided rib fractures and minimal pneumot horax were detected on radiographs. Using ultrasonography, an irregula r, mixed anechoic and hypoechoic splenic mass was detected. Based on h istory and ultrasonographic findings, a traumatic splenic hematoma was diagnosed. In follow-up ultrasonographic evaluations there was progre ssive, and ultimately, complete resolution of this lesion. The animal was clinically normal at ten week follow-up and remains healthy. Clini cal, radiographic, and ultrasonographic features of splenic hematomas are discussed, with emphasis on the changing ultrasonographic appearan ce over time. The different imaging modalities used in people to diagn ose traumatic splenic hematoma are reviewed.