Purpose or Case Report: In a child the abdominal organs are more at risk from blunt injury, the reasons for this include the fact that the organs are relatively more anterior and inferior and lie inferior to the ribs rather than behind them as in an adult. Additionally, paediatric ribs are cartilaginous and so although rib fractures are less likely, compressive injuries secondary to the relative elasticity of the rib cage are far more common. The computed tomography (CT) features of abdominal visceral injury include lacerations, subcapsular or parenchymal haematomas, active haemorrhage, and vascular injuries, all of which the radiologists must be familiar with. Although there is an increasing trend toward non-operative management of abdominal solid organ injury, radiologists must also be aware of the key imaging features that suggest the need for surgical or interventional radiology input.

Based on our experience as one of the largest Level 1 trauma centres in Europe, the aims of this educational exhibit are to:
(i) Provide a pictorial review the spectrum of findings in blunt injury to the liver, kidneys and spleen as demonstrated on CT.
(ii) Discuss the role of Interventional Radiology in cases of associated vascular injury.
Methods & Materials: The Trauma Audit Research Network (TARN) was searched to produce a list of paediatric patients (<16 years of age) who had imaging performed in our institution institution following trauma. This generated a list of paediatric patients that had sustained liver, renal or spleninc trauma. Images were then reviewed using our local Pictures Archiving and Communications System.
Results: N/A.
Conclusions: CT accurately depicts various patterns of abdominal visceral injuries and other associated surgically important findings. Knowledge of the CT findings of visceral injury is vital for both radiologists and surgeons for optimum patient care. In particular, radiologists must be vigilant for the key imaging features that necessitate surgery or interventional radiology input.