Computed tomography of subcapsular splenic hematoma. Clinical and experimental studies.

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 3 patients and 2 dogs with subcapsular hematoma of the spleen. When fresh blood is in the subcapsular space, the hematoma may have the same attentuation value as the adjacent spleen, making it difficult to identify unless contrast material is injected. As the hematoma ages, the attenuation value decreases. CT appears to be a simple and accurate method of diagnosing a subcapsular splenic hematoma.