Occult abdominal bleeding following blunt force trauma. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound

A relevant intra-abdominal hemorrhage was diagnosed in a 12-year-old boy after an abdominal trauma of unknown origin. In the initial ultrasound examination and in a laparatomy the bleeding source could not be identified. With contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) a splenic lesion could be shown. After multiple blood and plasma transfusions stabilization of the patient was possible without the need for surgical intervention. In selected cases the use of intravenous contrast agents in children after traumatic intra-abdominal bleeding can be useful even though pediatric approval is still currently lacking.