[Pseudoaneurysm in splenic injury].

Blunt splenic injuries are increasingly being managed non-operatively. Consequently, radiological examinations in the follow up of these injuries must aim at detecting lesions like pseudoaneurysms that can cause delayed bleeding. Two patients are presented. They were both diagnosed at a local hospital and treated at the regional trauma centre. In both patients pseudoaneurysms were detected on CT examination with arterial contrast phase. Angiographic embolisation was performed successfully. The cases are discussed with reference to relevant literature. Pseudoaneurysms may not be detected at the initial CT scan and can cause delayed bleeding. Thus it seems wise to perform a CT scan in arterial and venous contrast phase 5-7 days after the injury. Interventional angiography should be offered haemodynamically stable adult patients with serious splenic injury and in the absence of other indications for laparotomy.