Splenic subcapsular hematoma--ultrasonic diagnosis.

In five patients with varying histories of blunt abdominal trauma, examinations were carried out with ultrasonography and other imaging modalities. In all five patients, large, fluid-filled masses were noted in the left upper quadrant. Two patients had nonpalpable hematomas, but examinations were done because of history and vague clinical symptoms. Three patients had palpable masses. In all five patients there was surgical confirmation of the ultrasonic findings, and all recovered without complications. Ultrasonic tomography offers a convenient noninvasive method for assessing suspected splenic hematoma and can also exclude the possibility in a careful examination.