Perisplenic pseudolesion: a case report and literature review

Distinguishing a normal variant from true pathology is a frequent task of the imager. In the assessment of the trauma patient, rapid determination of the presence or absence of intraabdominal injury is of paramount importance. We present the sonographic findings of an anatomic variant detected in a patient following blunt abdominal trauma. Trauma sonogram revealed an elongated left lobe of the liver mimicking a subcapsular splenic hematoma. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing this potential pitfall in the setting of abdominal trauma. An equivocal trauma sonogram can lead to critical delays in treatment of associated injuries and unnecessary additional imaging or even surgery.