SCAN DEMONSTRATION OF DELAYED SPLENIC RUPTURE

An initial spleen scan performed on a boy following trauma revealed only decreased ac tivily at the lower pole. A second study, 2 days later, showed separation of functional splenic tissue. Splenic rupture was confirmed at sur gery. The use of repeat spleen scans in follow ing suspected splenic injury (“delayed rup ture―) was pointed out. Since the first report of the preoperative diagnosis of splenic injury by use of radionuclide imaging in 1967 (1), the spleen scan has assumed an increas ingly important role in the evaluation of patients with suspected splenic trauma (2—6). The speed, re liability, noninvasive nature, safety, and increased availability of spleen scanning have all contribute