[Spontaneous rupture of a splenic artery].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture of a visceral vessel may result from a variety of underlying pathologies. However, its idiopathic form does not show evidence of any predisposition.

PATIENT AND METHODS:

An abdominal CT scan for acute abdominal pain yielded the unexpected diagnosis of a ruptured splenic artery in a 21-year-old patient. Hemostasis was achieved by endovascular coiling of a segmental splenic artery lacking any evidence of pathological transformation. An extensive intraabdominal hematoma was evacuated in a consecutive laparoscopy which, furthermore, confirmed interventional success. Despite extensive diagnostic efforts, the cause of the bleeding remained undefined.

CONCLUSION:

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum may occasionally be considered as a cause of acute abdomial pain and is diagnostically challenging. An interdisciplinary approach is desirable to meet the objective of modern organ-preserving therapy in splenic artery rupture.

• Authors: J Scheele, S Huttner, L Stettinger, P Sterk
• Journal: Zentralblatt fur Chirurgie (Zentralbl Chir) Vol. 135 Issue 4 Pg. 377-9 (Aug 2010) ISSN: 1438-9592 [Electronic] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Idiopathische spontane Milzarterienruptur.
• PMID: 19842079 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York.

Topics

• Abdomen, Acute (etiology)
• Angiography
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Embolization, Therapeutic
• Hemoperitoneum (etiology, therapy)
• Humans
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional
• Male
• Rupture, Spontaneous (diagnosis, pathology, therapy)
• Splenic Artery
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Young Adult