Changes in Approach to Solid Organ Injury: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

Can Assoc Radiol J. 2020 Aug;71(3):352-361. doi: 10.1177/0846537120908069. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Abstract

This review aims to examine the challenges facing radiologists interpreting trauma computed tomography (CT) images in this era of a changing approach to management of solid organ trauma. After reviewing the pearls and pitfalls of CT imaging protocols for detection of traumatic solid organ injuries, we describe the key changes in the 2018 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scales for liver, spleen, and kidney and their implications for management strategies. We then focus on the important imaging findings in observed in patients who undergo nonoperative management and patients who are imaged post damage control surgery.

Keywords: AAST OIS; damage control surgery; kidney; liver; nonoperative management; solid organ injury; spleen; trauma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Kidney / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney / injuries*
  • Kidney / surgery
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver / injuries*
  • Liver / surgery
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spleen / injuries*
  • Spleen / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Trauma Severity Indices