Traumatic liver laceration - importance of portal venous phase CT

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fell from bike at 40 kph onto right side of abdomen. Now abdominal pain

Patient Data

Age: 17 years
Gender: Male

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

Typical "bear claw" laceration of the right hepatic lobe due to blunt trauma - note no rib fractures thus this is a "burst-type" injury really only seen on the portal venous phase.

Case Discussion

Liver typically has this type of laceration in the right lobe with impaction force to the right upper quadrant. 

May be associated with vascular or bile duct disruption.

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