Brian Wood

Abstract We present the case of a patient who presented with evidence of pneumonia, sepsis and anaemia but no significant abdominal signs. A routine abdominal ultrasound scan revealed evidence of spontaneous splenic rupture. He underwent splenectomy but passed away subsequently from respiratory complications. The many associations of spontaneous splenic rupture are discussed. The diagnosis should be considered in any patient presenting with shock and non-specific abdominal signs and in those with pre-existing conditions known to cause splenomegaly. References Kumar S, et al. Spontaneous Rupture of Normal Spleen – An enigma recalled. Brit J Clin Pract. 1992; 46(1): 67-8 Paulvannan S, et al. Spontaneous Rupture of a Normal Spleen. Int J of Clinl Pract 2003; 57(3): 245-6 The New Aird’s Companion in Surgical Studies. 2nd edition. Churchill Livingstone. 1998pp. 969-996 Rothwell S, et al. Spontaneous Splenic Rupture in Infectious Mononucleosis. Emerg Med. 2004; 13(3): 364-6 Yagmur Y, et al. Spontaneous Rupture of the Malarial Spleen: Two case reports and a review of the literature. Critical Care 2000;. 4(5): 309-13 Domingo P, et al. Spontaneous Rupture of the spleen associated with Pneumonia. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1996; 15(9): 733-6 Rajagopal A, et al. Acute Myeloid Leukaemia presenting as Splenic Rupture. J Assoc Phys India 2002. 50: 1435-7 Lashley PM, et al. Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen. West Indian Med J. 1998; 47(4): 172-3 Torricelli P, et al. Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen: Report of two cases. Abdominal Imaging 2001; 26(3): 290-3. Sherwood P, et al. Spontaneous Splenic Rupture in uncomplicated Multiple Myeloma. Leukaemia and Lymphoma. 1996; 20(5): 577-9 Winslet MC, et al. Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen in association with Idiopathic Thrombocytopaenia Purpura. Postgrad Med J. 1993; 69(815): 744-6 Shoemaker MT, et al. Acute Splenic Rupture in an adult with Homozygous Sickle Cell anaemia treated with chronic transfusions. Journal of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology 2004; 26(12): 849-51 Oran B, et al. Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen in AL Amyloidosis. American Journal of Haematology 2003; 74(2): 131-5 Burg MD, et al. May 01 Rupture of a previously normal spleen in conjunction with enoxaparin: An unusual case of shock. Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2001; 20(4): 349-52 Blankenship JC, et al. Spontaneous Splenic Rupture complicating anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy (Review). American Journal of Medicine. 1993; 94(4): 433-7 Full Text File size: 172 KB Downloads: 596...