Abstract
Blunt abdominal trauma is an important cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality.
The spleen and liver are the most common abdominal organs injured. Trauma to either
organ can result in life-threatening bleeding. Controversy exists regarding which
patients should be imaged and the correct imaging modality depending on the level
of clinical suspicion for injury. Nonoperative management of blunt abdominal trauma
is the standard of care for hemodynamically stable patients. However, the optimal
protocol to maximize patient safety while minimizing resource utilization is a matter
of debate. Adjunctive therapies for pediatric spleen and liver trauma are also an
area of ongoing research. A review of the current literature on the diagnosis, management,
and follow-up of pediatric spleen and liver blunt trauma is presented.
Keywords
blunt abdominal trauma - spleen injury - liver injury - hepatic injury - pediatric
- nonoperative management - angioembolization
