Fatal rupture of the spleen caused by infiltration of T-cell lymphoma

Pathological or spontaneous rupture of the spleen has been described in a v ariety of diseases affecting the spleen: with infections being cited as the cause in most cases. In hematological malignancies it is a rare event, des pite the frequent involvement of the spleen in these diseases. It: has, how ever, been described in patients with acute and chronic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell origin, mycosis fungoides, and s o-called histiocytic lymphoma. Here, we present a fatal case of splenic rup ture caused by infiltration of a peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified ac cording to the REAL classification. The importance of a correct diagnosis a nd fast surgery is emphasized.