M. Haj et al., Pathologic-spontaneous-rupture of the spleen as a presenting sign of splenic T-cell lymphoma - Case report with review, HEP-GASTRO, 46(25), 1999, pp. 193-195
A 39 year-old man presented for surgery with epigastric pain, tachycardia,
hypotension and a progressive decrease of hemoglobin due to blood loss. Imm
ediate abdominal ultrasonography followed by prompt paracentesis revealed m
assive intraperitoneal hemorrhage. During emergency laparotomy, a linear, a
ctively bleeding rupture of an enlarged spleen was found and splenectomy wa
s performed. The patient survived and the post-operative course was unevent
ful. Histopathology of the spleen as well as bone marrow biopsy confirmed t
he diagnosis of T-Cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy was initiated 3 weeks after s
urgery.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of previously
undiagnosed T-Cell lymphoma presenting as pathologic rupture of the spleen
.