Radionuclide Imaging of the Spleen in Suspected Splenic Injury

Radiocolloid images of the spleen were obtained in 32 patients with suspected splenic trauma. Studies were positive in 11 of 12 patients who ultimately proved to have splenic injury and negative in 16 patients, one of whom proved to have splenic injury. Three studies were interpreted as equivocal, and no injury was confirmed. The results of the radionuclide procedure compared favorably with those of selective angiography. Thus although an abnormal radionuclide image is not specific for splenic injury, it is recommended as the primary method of evaluation for possible splenic trauma, with angiography reserved for unusual or equivocal cases.