Non-traumatic ruptured splenic abscess presenting with pneumoperitoneum in an immunocompetent patient: a diagnostic dilemma.

Splenic abscess is a rare life-threatening clinical entity. There are only a handful of reported cases of spontaneous splenic abscess rupture with pneumoperitoneum. Rupture of splenic abscess associated with gas-producing pathogens may lead to pneumoperitoneum. We hereby report the case of a ruptured splenic abscess with pneumoperitoneum in a young immunocompetent woman masquerading as hollow viscus perforation peritonitis. Ruptured splenic abscess should be kept in mind for treating surgeons as a differential diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum or peritonitis, particularly for immunocompromised patients.

Tuberculous pancreatitis complicated by ruptured splenic artery pseudoaneurysm.

Tuberculosis involving the pancreas is rare. We report a patient with pancreatic tuberculosis complicated by haemorrhage from a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm. As far as we are aware, the development of a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm in association with a large caseating mass of tuberculous pancreatic lymph nodes has not been reported previously. We review the literature and discuss the varied presentations of tuberculosis involving the pancreas or the pancreatic bed and its draining lymph nodes.

Peritonitis secondary to ruptured splenic abscess: a grave complication of typhoid fever.

Splenic abscesses are increasingly being identified, possibly due to widespread use of imaging modalities in clinical practice. The commonest clinical features are high grade fever and exclusively localised left upper quadrant abdominal pain. These symptoms are similar to most infectious diseases prevalent in the tropics, making imaging by ultrasonography or computer tomography a necessity in the diagnosis. There are reports from different geographic areas on splenic abscesses associated with typhoid fever. We reported ruptured splenic abscess presenting with peritonitis as a rare and grave complication of typhoid fever.

Splenic rupture as a presenting feature of endocarditis.

We describe the first case of infective endocarditis presenting with spontaneous splenic rupture. Our patient, a known intravenous drug user presented with hypovolaemic shock secondary to splenic rupture. The patient was resuscitated and underwent an emergency splenectomy. Subsequent clinical examination revealed a systolic murmur and a diagnosis of mitral valve infective endocarditis was made after echocardiography. Splenic tissue, blood cultures and mitral valve tissue all cultured Enterococcus faecalis. The patient had a successful mitral valve replacement and was discharged home after 44 days. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of enterococcal endocarditis presenting with splenic rupture. This case highlights the need to consider endocarditis in spontaneous splenic rupture particularly in those patients in a high risk group, such as IV drug users, especially if they lack a clear history of trauma.

Disseminated infection with Bartonella henselae as a cause of spontaneous splenic rupture.

A 65-year-old man developed massive hemoperitoneum secondary to spontaneous splenic rupture. Histopathological analysis of the spleen demonstrated necrotizing granulomas. Results of serological tests indicated infection with a species of Bartonella, and immunohistochemical staining established Bartonella henselae as the cause of splenitis. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of spontaneous splenic rupture caused by infection with a species of Bartonella.

Ischemic stroke and splenic rupture in a case of Streptococcus bovis endocarditis.

A 58-year-old man with an acute stroke suffered from splenic rupture. Streptococcus bovis was found in blood cultures, and gram-negative cocci were found in the infarcted spleen. Hemorrhagic transformation of the stroke occurred. Echocardiography showed aortic endocarditis. Cardiac surgery was not performed because of concern about cerebral bleeding. The patient died due to cerebral rehemorrhage after 3 weeks.

Spontaneous splenic rupture in typhoid fever.

Three cases of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhi infection presenting as spontaneous splenic rupture are presented. One patient died and two recovered completely. This is a previously unreported presentation of typhoid fever.

Splenic abscess caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis.

We have reported a case of fungal splenic abscess caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Splenic abscess is an uncommon disorder, and fungus as the causative organism is rare. The diagnosis of splenic abscess can be rapidly made with radionuclide and CT scanning and ultrasonography. Splenectomy with appropriate antifungal chemotherapy is the currently recommended therapy.