Spontaneous Normal Splenic Rupture: A Case Report

Lee,  Sung Bae; Choi,  Young Il

Case Report

Journal of Trauma and Injury 2014;27(4):208-210.

¹Department of Surgery, The Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
²Department of Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Kosin University College of Medicine, Korea. tsojc@naver.com

젊은 남자 환자에서 발생한 자발적 비장 파열: 증례보고

이성배, 최영일¹

국군수도병원 외과, ¹고신의대 복음병원 외과

Received: 15 July 2014 • Revised: 6 August 2014 • Accepted: 10 August 2014

Abstract

Rupture of the spleen is relatively common, both immediately and in a delayed fashion following significant blunt abdominal trauma. However, atraumatic splenic rupture rarely occurs. Multiple underlying pathologies have been associated with splenic rupture without trauma, including hematological, neoplastic, inflammatory and infectious conditions. In our case, a 21-year-old male without prior medical history visited the hospital with left upper quadrant abdominal pain that had started one day earlier. He had no history of trauma. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan found a collection of perisplenic fluid, accompanying a splenic rupture. Due to the patient's stable vital signs and lack of clinical progression of hemorrhage, he underwent conservative treatment. The patient was discharged at day 14 without complication. Rupture of a normal spleen without a history of trauma is not often reported, and it has long been a subject of debate. Ruptures of normal spleen almost always follow some kind of trauma, such as a car accidents or a fall from significant heights. Here, we report a case of spontaneous rupture of a normal spleen in the absence of other medical pathologies or triggering factors.

Key Words: Splenic rupture; Spontaneous