To review the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis and management of blunt liver trauma. To describe the spectrum of CT findings in patients with traumatic liver injuries using the grading system by American Association Surgery of Trauma (AAST).

Abdominal blunt trauma represents the main cause of death in people of age less than 40 years. [1]. The liver is the second most frequently injured abdominal organ in the abdominal cavity and carries a significant morbidity and mortality rate. [2] The most common mechanisms of blunt liver trauma are deceleration and compression injuries, often occurring in traffic accidents and falls. [3] Liver lesions are usually accompanied by lesions of other organs, such as the spleen. The right hepatic lobe is more frequently injured than...

Imaging studies are the main diagnostic modality for evaluation of presence or absence of liver trauma. Focused assessment by ultrasound for trauma (FAST) has been advocated in initial trauma evaluation for the quick assessment of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, however, without the purpose of identifying the degree of organ injuries. CT is the imaging modality of choice to diagnose blunt liver injury in clinically stable patients, it has a high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of liver injury. The CT scan provides the most valuable details,...

CT scan plays a key role in liver trauma, it is fundamental for the initial diagnosis, management decision, follow-up in high-grade injuries in order to exclude potencial complications and even to guide intervention procedures. The vast majority of patients with blunt liver trauma are managed conservatively, based on clinical and radiological findings. The most important criteria for surgical therapy is hemodynamic instability. It is important that radiologists be familiar with the main imaging characteristics of liver trauma, including grading of liver injury and evaluation of...

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