Delayed Splenic Rupture After a Percutaneous Transsplenic Approach to Treat Portal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To report a case of delayed splenic rupture after percutaneous transsplenic portal vein stent deployment. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old male patient presented at a medical center with abdominal pain and reduced liver function according to laboratory tests. Due to a history of right hemihepatectomy and left portal vein occlusion, the percutaneous transhepatic approach was considered inappropriate. Instead, percutaneous transsplenic access was selected as a suitable procedure for portal vein catheterization. Eight days following the procedure, the patient developed abdominal pain, and a computed tomography scan showed a small splenic pseudoaneurysm that was underappreciated at the time. Patient suffered acute splenic rupture 32 days post-procedure. Subsequent embolization was performed, achieving complete hemostasis. CONCLUSION: The transsplenic approach should be considered when the transhepatic or transjugular approach is unfeasible or difficult to implement. A careful plugging of the puncture tract is necessary to prevent or minimize hemorrhage from the splenic access tract. In addition, careful serial follow-up computed tomography should be used to evaluate the splenic puncture tract.

Spontaneous splenic rupture in a patient with infectious mononucleosis.

We present a case of spontaneous, atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, in a young, female patient. Splenic rupture is a rare complication of EBV infection, but is associated with the highest mortality. Additionally, this case illustrates the diagnostic challenge in a patient presenting in atypical manner, with only left-sided pleuritic chest pain, and lacking any of the classical tonsillitis symptoms associated with EBV infection.

Spontaneous splenic rupture: a rare first presentation of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Spontaneous splenic rupture (SSR) is a rare but potentially life-threatening entity. It can be due to neoplastic, infectious, haematological, inflammatory and metabolic causes. An iatrogenic or an idiopathic aetiology should also be considered. Depending on the degree of splenic injury and the haemodynamic status of the patient, it can be managed conservatively. A 61-year-old man presented to the emergency department with an acute abdomen, hypovolaemic shock and clotting abnormalities. However, his focused assessment with sonography for trauma showed no evidence of an aortic aneurysm, rupture or dissection. Further investigation with a CT angiogram aorta confirmed a subcapsular splenic haematoma with free fluid in the pelvis and a mass in the superior pole of the spleen. He was diagnosed with an SSR. He was initially managed non-operatively. However, his repeat CT showed an enlarging haematoma and he underwent embolisation of his splenic artery. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy of his splenic mass confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This paper will discuss the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis and management of SSR. Furthermore, it provides an important clinical lesson to maintain a high index of clinical suspicion for splenic injury in patients presenting with left upper quadrant abdominal pain radiating to the shoulder. This case also reinforces the importance of close observation and monitoring of those individuals treated conservatively for signs of clinical deterioration.

[Spontaneous rupture of the spleen in a child]. / Rupture spontanée de la rate chez un enfant.

Non traumatic or spontaneous splenic ruptures are rare but potentially fatal. Mortality is mainly due to delayed and therapeutic diagnosis as well as to the risks associated with a predisposed condition and with the severity of underlying pathologies. Splenectomy is necessary in the majority of cases. They can occur either in subject with macroscopically healthy spleen but, for instance, with infectious mononucleosis (IMN) or malaria or in subjects with pathologic spleen due to tumor, for example, but even in patients with some coagulopathies. We here report the case of a 6 year old child followed up for coagulopathy, admitted with diffuse violent abdominal pain, cutaneous-mucous paleness with hemodynamic stability. Laboratory tests showed macrocytic normochromic anemia; the diagnosis of splenic rupture was based on ultrasound and abdominal CT scan. Because the patient was hemodynamically stable, conservative treatment with 2 packed red blood cell transfusions was proposed. Patient's outcome was favorable.

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.

Three cases of spontaneous splenic rupture in malignant lymphoma.

Spontaneous splenic rupture is a rare but often life-threatening condition. However, there is no consensus on appropriate management for this condition, due to its rarity. Here, we report three cases of malignant lymphoma with spontaneous splenic rupture. In each case, progression of splenic bleeding was rapid and complicated by malignant lymphoma. Spontaneous splenic rupture complicated by malignant lymphoma may cause exacerbation of anemia and hypovolemic shock. When splenic rupture is indicated by abdominal pain, tachycardia, or hypotension in a patient with splenomegaly, abdominal examination should be performed immediately, and emergency transcatheter arterial embolization and/or splenectomy should be considered.

Blunt liver trauma: a descriptive analysis from a level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to review liver injury experience in a level 1 trauma center; namely clinical presentation, grading, management approach and clinical outcomes. METHODS: It is a retrospective analysis to include all blunt liver injury patients who were admitted at the Level 1 trauma center over a 3-year period. Data were compared and analyzed based on the liver injury grades and management approaches. RESULTS: Blunt liver injury accounted for 38% of the total blunt abdominal trauma cases with a mean age of 31 ± 13 years. Liver injury grade II (44.7%) was most common followed by grade I (28.8%), grade III (19.1%), grade IV (7.0%) and grade V (0.4%). Blood transfusion was more frequently required in patients with grade IV (p = 0.04). Out of 257 patients with blunt liver trauma, 198 were initially treated conservatively, that was successful in 192 (97%), whereas it failed in 6 (3%) patients due to delayed bleeding from hepatic hematoma, associated splenic rupture and small bowel injury which mandate surgical intervention. Fifty-nine patients (23%) underwent emergent surgery in terms of packing, resection debridement, left lobe hepatectomy and splenectomy. Hepatic complications included biloma, pseudoaneurysm and massive liver necrosis. Subanalysis of data using the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) classification revealed 19 patients were categorized as a WSES grade IV who needed surgical intervention without having an initial computerized tomography scanning. The overall mortality was 7.8% which was comparable among the conservative and operative group. CONCLUSIONS: In our center, low grade liver injury in young males prevails. NOM is successful even for high graded injuries. All conservatively treated patients with high-grade liver injuries should be closely monitored for signs of failure of the non-operative management. Introducing the new WSES classification makes clear how is important the hemodynamic status of the patients despite the lesion. However, further larger prospective and multicenter studies are needed to support our findings.

[Complications in the conservative managemennt of splenic rupture]. / Complicaciones en el tratamiento conservador del traumatismo esplénico.

INTRODUCTION: Management of splenic rupture in haemodynamically stable children is non-surgical treatment. However, complications can occur during follow-up. Objective: to study the frequency, evolution and treatment of complications of conservative treatment of splenic rupture. Secondary objective: to evaluate the results of the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) clinical guideline in conservative treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with abdominal trauma between 2010-2016. We included children under 15 years of age with splenic injury after blunt abdominal trauma. Demographic variables, mechanism and degree of injury of American Association for the Surgery of Trauma were studied in the sample. The complications, the time of onset and their treatment were analyzed. The treatment was based on the recommendations of the APSA with the exception of ultrasound follow-up. In case of complications and according to the clinical and characteristics, embolization was indicated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were attended, 21 males (75%). The median age was 8.35 years (6.28-11.35). Seven patients (25%) presented complications: two arteriovenous fistula (AVF), three pseudo-aneurysms and two hemorrhages. The median time to diagnosis of complications was 5.67 days (P25 4- P75 5.75). Embolization was performed in two patients with pseudo-aneurysm. Another patient underwent emergency splenectomy for rebleeding. The rest of the complications resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: In splenic rupture, unlike APSA, ultrasound monitoring is useful to rule out early complications.

INTRODUCCION: El manejo estándar de las lesiones esplénicas en pacientes hemodinámicamente estables es el tratamiento no quirúrgico. Sin embargo, durante el seguimiento pueden surgir complicaciones. Objetivo: estudiar la frecuencia, evolución y tratamiento de las complicaciones del tratamiento conservador del traumatismo esplénico. Objetivo secundario: evaluar los resultados de la guía clínica de la American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) en el tratamiento conservador. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con traumatismo abdominal entre 2010-2016. Se incluyeron menores de 15 años con lesión esplénica tras un traumatismo abdominal cerrado. En la muestra se estudiaron variables demográficas, mecanismo y grado de lesión según la American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Se analizaron las complicaciones, el tiempo de aparición y su tratamiento. El tratamiento se fundamentó en las recomendaciones de la APSA a excepción del seguimiento ecográfico. En caso de aparición de complicaciones y en función de la clínica y de las características se indicó tratamiento con embolización. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron 28 pacientes, 21 varones (75%). La mediana de edad fue 8,35 años (6,28-11,35). Siete pacientes (25%) presentaron complicaciones: dos fístulas arteriovenosas (FAV), tres pseudoaneurismas y dos hemorragias. La media de tiempo para el diagnóstico de las complicaciones fue de 5,67 días. En dos pacientes con pseudoaneurisma se realizó embolización. Un paciente fue sometido a esplenectomía de urgencia por resangrado. El resto de complicaciones se resolvieron espontáneamente. CONCLUSIONES: En el traumatismo esplénico, a diferencia de la APSA, el seguimiento ecográfico en pacientes con lesiones de alto grado es útil para descartar complicaciones de forma precoz.

Atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus infection.

We present a case report of atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. A woman aged 36 years presented to a London teaching hospital's Accident and Emergency department with severe abdominal pain following a 6-day history of diarrhoea and vomiting, which had been under review by her GP. A CT scan demonstrated free intraperitoneal fluid and abnormal appearance of her spleen. Blood tests demonstrated EBV infection with positive serology and leucocytosis. She underwent a laparoscopic washout, which confirmed a subcapsular splenic haematoma that was initially managed conservatively. However, she subsequently re-presented with increasing pain and required an elective splenectomy. This case demonstrates the risk of splenic rupture following EBV infection, even in the absence of trauma, and highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate counselling in patients with infectious mononucleosis.

Successful medical management of a neonate with spontaneous splenic rupture and severe hemophilia A.

Splenic rupture in neonates is a rare event, usually occurring in the setting of underlying predisposing conditions. Here, we present the case of a term neonate who presented with worsening anemia in the setting of known hemolytic disease during the newborn period and was later found to have a spontaneous splenic rupture. He was subsequently diagnosed with severe hemophilia A, and was managed medically with recombinant factor VIII replacement therapy without any surgical intervention. This is the first reported case of a neonate who had spontaneous splenic rupture and severe hemophilia A, and underwent successful medical treatment without any surgical intervention.

A Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to a Post-Traumatic Splenosis: "Wait and See" Represents a Feasible Attitude: A Case Report.

Splenosis represents a benign condition due to an ectopic localization of splenic tissue caused by pathologic or traumatic spleen rupture. Generally, it is asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed during imaging performed for other reasons. Occult gastrointestinal bleeding due to an extraperitoneal localization is a rare occurrence. Differential diagnosis may be very hard and includes benign and malignant neoplasms.We describe the case of a 68-year-old Caucasian man that was admitted for an increasing lower gastrointestinal bleeding associated to a vague abdominal pain.He was assessed by means of laboratory tests, as well as by endoscopic and radiological examinations, and successfully treated with an exclusive medical approach.The patient was discharged on the ninth day and currently he is doing well.This case shows that wait and see could prove a feasible attitude for the management of clinically stable patients.