What is the name given to the subcutaneous bruising in this pattern and why is it important?
Seatbelt sign - its presence increases the likelihood of intraperitoneal injury (especially to hollow viscera) as well as lumbar spine fractures.
What sort of injuries can occur in solid organs from blunt trauma?
Lacerations, contusions, subcapsular haematoma, vessel rupture (with active bleeding), pseudoaneurysm, AV fistula, devascularisation - to name a few.
Hypodensity is identified at the liver hilum, straddling the portal vein bifurcation, and on the left, extending to the ligamentum teres. The main, left and right portal veins are opacified normally.
Further subtle rounded, subcapsular low density within liver segment IVb is separate from the hilum.
8 - 9mm subcapsular haematoma within the lateral aspect of the right kidney, without a focal, visible underlying renal laceration.
L2 vertebral body crush fracture, with loss of approximately 20% anterior vertebral body height, without appreciable bony retropulsion. Fractures involve the right anterosuperior and left posteroinferior corners. Associated scoliosis convex to the left centered at L2. Non-displaced left L3 transverse process fracture. No further vertebral fracture identified.
Seatbelt distribution subcutaneous fat stranding.
Conclusion:
- Liver hilar laceration and right subcapsular renal haematoma.
- L2 vertebral body crush fracture. Left L3 transverse process fracture.