Skip to main content
Erschienen in: World Journal of Emergency Surgery 1/2006

Open Access 01.12.2006 | Case report

Large B- Cell lymphoma presenting as acute abdominal pain and spontaneous splenic rupture; A case report and review of relevant literature

verfasst von: Saptarshi Biswas, Judith Keddington, James McClanathan

Erschienen in: World Journal of Emergency Surgery | Ausgabe 1/2006

download
DOWNLOAD
print
DRUCKEN
insite
SUCHEN

Abstract

Background

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen is an uncommon dramatic abdominal emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment to ensure the patients survival. Infections have been cited in most cases involving splenic rupture but are rare in hematological malignancies despite frequent involvement of the spleen.

Methods and Materials

We present a case of a splenic rupture caused by infiltration of B-cell lymphoma. A 43 year old gentleman presented with a 1 day h/o left upper quadrant pain; nausea and vomiting for 2 days with associated dizziness and anorexia. The CT showed abnormal spleen 20 × 11 cm with free fluid in the abdomen and enlarged retroperitoneal LNs. The patient underwent a splenectomy after initial resuscitation and the operative finding was that of a massively enlarged spleen with areas of tumor extruding through the splenic capsule.

Result and conclusion

Although the spleen is often involved in hematological malignancies, splenic rupture is an infrequent occurrence. In a recent literature review 136 cases were of splenic rupture secondary to hematological malignancy were identified. Acute leukemia and non Hodgkin lymphoma were the frequent causes followed by chronic myelogeneous leukemia. Male sex, adulthood, severe splenomegaly and cytoreductive chemotherapy were factors more often associated with splenic rupture. Emergency splenectomy remains the cornerstone treatment for splenic rupture.
We present a case report of a "spontaneous splenic rupture" and discuss the presentation, etiology and treatment options along with discussion of relevant literature
Hinweise

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.​1186/​1749-7922-1-35) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen is an uncommon, dramatic abdominal emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment to ensure the patient's survival. Spontaneous rupture rarely occurs in a histologically proven normal spleen and in such cases is called a 'true spontaneous rupture'. Spontaneous rupture usually occurs in a diseased spleen and is called 'pathologic spontaneous rupture' [1].
Spleen is an immunological organ commonly involved in both hematological and non hematological diseases. Infectious diseases has been cited in most cases involving splenic rupture [25] but are rare in hematological malignancies [68]. despite frequent involvement of the spleen. We report a case of 'spontaneous' splenic rupture caused by infiltration of B-cell lymphoma. The importance of rapid diagnosis and surgery is emphasized.

Case Report

43year old male presented to the Emergency Department with a day old history of acute left upper abdominal pain; nausea and vomiting for 2 days with some associated dizziness and anorexia. The patient underwent an emergency contrast enhanced CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis which showed an markedly abnormal spleen, inhomogeneous and enlarged, approximately 20 × 11 cm with fluid in the inferior aspect of the mesenteric fat, with free fluid in the abdomen and enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes.
The patient was volume resuscitated following admission to the hospital, and his Hct was serially followed. Since there was no history of trauma and the CT did not look like a traumatic splenic laceration the oncology service was contacted who felt that the findings were most compatible with lymphoma and because there was some bleeding going on did not recommend trying to treat it without a tissue diagnosis.
The patient underwent a splenectomy. He was found to have a massively enlarged spleen with areas where it appeared to be tumor extruding through the splenic capsule. There was a lot of ecchymotic tissue inferior to where the spleen had been and there was slight oozing which was controlled as much as possible as the area was quite friable. The tail of the pancreas was identified and left alone as there was no bleeding. The estimated blood loss was approx 2 L.
Following extubation the patient had some issues with agitation which was attributable to ETOH withdrawal. The patient had a history of 6pack qd ETOH abuse. He was placed on CIWA protocol. His mental status remained at the level of agitation and confusion for the next 4 days not helped by serax or ativan or haldol. Psychiatry consult was given and they felt the agitation was secondary to post op delirium vs. paradoxical ativan reaction. At that point it was thought that the agitation and delirium was secondary to possible 'pain vs. sepsis.' He was started on cefazolin 1 gm q8 hrs post op which was changed to meropenem 1 gm q 12 hr on POD#4.
In the post operative period the patient's Hct remained stable on serial examination. however his Bilirubin continually rose and peaked at 10.5 on post op day # 3. Other LFT s were mildly elevated. Gastroenterology team was consulted who felt that the increase bilirubin was secondary to sepsis. Differential diagnosis of hemolysis was considered but was thought unlikely as the Hct remained stable. Biliary obstruction was unlikely given his LFT s were only mildly elevated. A hepatitis panel was run and the patient was found to be positive for Hepatitis C. Anesthesia related rise in bilirubin was also considered but again AST and ALT were mildly elevated.
The patient was discharged home on post op day #9 on PO Moxifloxacin 400 mg q d for 5 days to complete a 14 day course of antibiotics. His liver function test lab values were almost near normal on discharge.

Discussion

According to the criteria described by Orloff and Peskin in 1958 [1], splenic rupture should be considered "spontaneous" only if it occurs in the absence of trauma in a spleen unaffected by intra- and perisplenic diseases and in patients free of diseases that could involve the spleen. True spontaneous rupture of the spleen is extremely rare. There have been very few cases reported in the literature [1, 9, 13] and [14].
The spontaneous rupture of a diseased spleen, even if rare, is more frequent and, according to the criteria of Orloff and Peskin, should be categorized as a pathologic rupture. Diseases that more commonly may induce the spontaneous rupture of the spleen are the oncologic and hematologic diseases [2, 17], some infectious diseases such as infectious mononucleosis and malaria [3, 4], and acute or chronic pancreatitis [1012]. Other rare causes of splenic rupture include some congenital splenic lesions as hamartoma, hemangioma, and cysts and a miscellaneous group of diseases such as autoimmune diseases, hemolytic anemias, pregnancy, amyloidosis, and portal hypertension [1, 9, 13, 15, 16, 1925].
However, in most reports in the current literature, splenic rupture is commonly categorized as spontaneous when it occurs without trauma, whether or not the rupture is pathologic. Oncologic and hematologic diseases often cause spontaneous rupture of the spleen; in a review of the literature, Giagounidis et al. [2] found 136cases reported between 1861 and 1999. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the most frequently (34%) reported cause of splenic rupture followed by, in order of frequency, acute myeloid leukemia(34%), chronic myeloid leukemia(18%), and lymphoblastic acute leukemia. There has been a reported higher frequency in male: female ratio of 3:1 and considerable differences according to specific diseases. Pathological rupture of the spleen has occurred almost exclusively in adults and most ruptured spleen display moderate to severe enlargement [2]
There are three main pathogenetic factors that may explain the rupture [2]. First, and most important, the congestion of the splenic parenchyma by blast cells; second, coagulation disorders leading to intrasplenic and subcapsular hemorrage, and third, splenic infarction. Coagulation disturbance or thrombocytopenia may play major roles in the pathogenesis of splenic rupture. However, correlations between splenic rupture and coagulation disturbances have not yet been confirmed conclusively. In addition, thrombocytopenia does not seem to increase the risk of splenic rupture. A review by Bauer et al. [18] found no significant correlation between survival and platelet number, leukocyte count, or size of the spleen.
Our case occurred in a patient affected with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Here, the infiltration of the splenic parenchyma by blast cells was the main cause of the rupture because the coagulation tests of the patient were normal and no clear splenic infarcts had been demonstrated. The splenic rupture occurred before the start of antitumoral chemotherapy, which may have released lytic and vasoactive enzymes due to chemotherapy-induced cell necrosis. Giagounidis et al. reported that approximately 18% of the 136 spontaneous ruptures due to oncologic diseases occurred a few hours before beginning antitumoral chemotherapy. Moreover, we suggest that patients with oncologic or hematologic diseases and with splenic tumor-related lesions should be monitored carefully, in particular at the beginning of chemotherapy, for signs of pathologic spontaneous rupture of the spleen.
Emergency splenectomy represents the only feasible treatment for splenic rupture. Among 136 cases of pathological splenic rupture reported in the literature, 88 patients underwent surgical intervention, while 43 patients were managed without operation. No information could be obtained for the 5 remaining cases. Of the 88 patients who underwent surgical intervention, 55 (63%) survived and 33 (37%) died. Of the 43 patients who did not undergo surgery, 40 died [2]. Splenic surgery in patients with hematological malignancy carries a high mortality and morbidity, due to an increased risk of hemorrhage and infection. In patients with hematological malignancy, pathological rupture of the spleen often happens unexpectedly, with no preceding trauma. Diagnosis is therefore often difficult. The present case displayed a sudden onset of left sided abdominal pain.
Using ultrasonography or computer tomography, [26] and [27] peritoneal aspiration of fresh blood may assist in the diagnosis of pathological splenic rupture. When the diagnosis is made, emergency splenectomy should be performed. In this present case the CT diagnosis was based mainly on the hemoperitoneum and the huge infiltration of the splenic parenchyma. However, in some cases, the CT diagnosis of pathologic splenic rupture may be difficult because the infarction of the spleen may obscure the splenic lesions that are then found at surgical or anatomic evaluation.
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://​creativecommons.​org/​licenses/​by/​2.​0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
download
DOWNLOAD
print
DRUCKEN
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Orloff M, Peskin GW: Spontaneous rupture of the normal spleen, a surgical enigma. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1958, 106: 1-11. Orloff M, Peskin GW: Spontaneous rupture of the normal spleen, a surgical enigma. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1958, 106: 1-11.
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Giagounidis AAN, Burk M, Meckenstock G, Koch AJ, Schneider W: Pathologic rupture of the spleen in hematologic malignancies: two additional cases. Ann Hematol. 1996, 73: 297-302. 10.1007/s002770050245.CrossRefPubMed Giagounidis AAN, Burk M, Meckenstock G, Koch AJ, Schneider W: Pathologic rupture of the spleen in hematologic malignancies: two additional cases. Ann Hematol. 1996, 73: 297-302. 10.1007/s002770050245.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Barrier JH, Bani-Sadr F, Gaillard F, Raffi F: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen revealing primary human immunodeficiency virus infection. Clin Infect Dis. 1997, 25: 336-337.CrossRefPubMed Barrier JH, Bani-Sadr F, Gaillard F, Raffi F: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen revealing primary human immunodeficiency virus infection. Clin Infect Dis. 1997, 25: 336-337.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Papesch M, Watkins R: Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis. Clin Otolaryngol. 2001, 26: 3-8. 10.1046/j.1365-2273.2001.00431.x.CrossRefPubMed Papesch M, Watkins R: Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis. Clin Otolaryngol. 2001, 26: 3-8. 10.1046/j.1365-2273.2001.00431.x.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Zingman BS, Viner BL: Splenic complications in malaria: Case report and review. Clin Infect Dis. 1993, 16: 223-232.CrossRefPubMed Zingman BS, Viner BL: Splenic complications in malaria: Case report and review. Clin Infect Dis. 1993, 16: 223-232.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Zurück zum Zitat Lieberman ME, Levitt A: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: A case report and literature review. Am J Emerg Med. 1989, 7: 28-31. 10.1016/0735-6757(89)90079-X.CrossRefPubMed Lieberman ME, Levitt A: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: A case report and literature review. Am J Emerg Med. 1989, 7: 28-31. 10.1016/0735-6757(89)90079-X.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Zurück zum Zitat Schiødt I, Duun E, Fischer TK, Christiansen AP, Ralfkiaer E: Fatal rupture of the spleen caused by infiltration of T-cell lymphoma. Ann Hematol. 2000, 79: 158-160. 10.1007/s002770050572.CrossRefPubMed Schiødt I, Duun E, Fischer TK, Christiansen AP, Ralfkiaer E: Fatal rupture of the spleen caused by infiltration of T-cell lymphoma. Ann Hematol. 2000, 79: 158-160. 10.1007/s002770050572.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Knoblich R: Pathologic (so-called spontaneous) rupture of spleen in leukaemia and lymphoma. Mich Med. 1966, 65: 105-114.PubMed Knoblich R: Pathologic (so-called spontaneous) rupture of spleen in leukaemia and lymphoma. Mich Med. 1966, 65: 105-114.PubMed
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Tu AS, Tran MHT, Larsen CR: Spontaneous splenic rupure: report of five cases and a review of the literature. Emerg Radiol. 1997, 4: 415-418. 10.1007/BF01451078.CrossRef Tu AS, Tran MHT, Larsen CR: Spontaneous splenic rupure: report of five cases and a review of the literature. Emerg Radiol. 1997, 4: 415-418. 10.1007/BF01451078.CrossRef
10.
Zurück zum Zitat Fishman EK, Soyer P, Bliss DF, Bluemke DA, Devine N: Splenic involvement in pancreatitis: spectrum of CT findings. AJR. 1995, 164: 631-635.CrossRefPubMed Fishman EK, Soyer P, Bliss DF, Bluemke DA, Devine N: Splenic involvement in pancreatitis: spectrum of CT findings. AJR. 1995, 164: 631-635.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Francoise Rypens, Jacques Deviere, Marc Zalcman, Philippe Braude, Jean Van de Stadt, Julien Struyven, Daniel Van Gansbeke: Splenic parenchymal complications of pancreatitis: CT findings and natural history. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1997, 21: 89-93. 10.1097/00004728-199701000-00016.CrossRef Francoise Rypens, Jacques Deviere, Marc Zalcman, Philippe Braude, Jean Van de Stadt, Julien Struyven, Daniel Van Gansbeke: Splenic parenchymal complications of pancreatitis: CT findings and natural history. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1997, 21: 89-93. 10.1097/00004728-199701000-00016.CrossRef
12.
Zurück zum Zitat Toussi HR, Cross KS, Sheehan SJ, Bouchier-Hayes D, Leahy AL: Spontaneous splenic rupture: a rare complication of acute pancreatitis. Br J Surg. 1996, 83: 632-CrossRefPubMed Toussi HR, Cross KS, Sheehan SJ, Bouchier-Hayes D, Leahy AL: Spontaneous splenic rupture: a rare complication of acute pancreatitis. Br J Surg. 1996, 83: 632-CrossRefPubMed
13.
Zurück zum Zitat Denehy T, Mcgrath EW, Breen JL: Splenic torsion and rupture in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol Surg. 1988, 43: 123-131.CrossRef Denehy T, Mcgrath EW, Breen JL: Splenic torsion and rupture in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol Surg. 1988, 43: 123-131.CrossRef
14.
Zurück zum Zitat Klinkert P, Kluit AB, Vries de AC, Puylaert JBCM: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: role of ultrasound in diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Eur J Surg. 1999, 165: 712-713. 10.1080/11024159950189807.CrossRefPubMed Klinkert P, Kluit AB, Vries de AC, Puylaert JBCM: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: role of ultrasound in diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. Eur J Surg. 1999, 165: 712-713. 10.1080/11024159950189807.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Bhagrath R, Bearn P, Sanusi FA, Najjar S, Qureshi R, Simanovitz A: Postpartum rupture of the spleen. Br J Obstet Gynecol. 1993, 100: 954-955.CrossRef Bhagrath R, Bearn P, Sanusi FA, Najjar S, Qureshi R, Simanovitz A: Postpartum rupture of the spleen. Br J Obstet Gynecol. 1993, 100: 954-955.CrossRef
16.
Zurück zum Zitat Jyoji Yoshizawa, Ryoji Mizuno, Tsuginori Yoshida, Masaki Kanai, Masashi Kurobe, Yoji Yamazaki: Spontaneous rupture of splenic hamartoma: a case report. J Pediatr Surg. 1999, 34: 498-499. 10.1016/S0022-3468(99)90512-2.CrossRef Jyoji Yoshizawa, Ryoji Mizuno, Tsuginori Yoshida, Masaki Kanai, Masashi Kurobe, Yoji Yamazaki: Spontaneous rupture of splenic hamartoma: a case report. J Pediatr Surg. 1999, 34: 498-499. 10.1016/S0022-3468(99)90512-2.CrossRef
17.
Zurück zum Zitat Kazuhiko Sugahara MD, Hitoshi Togashi MD, Masanori Aoki MD, Hideki Mitsuhashi MD, Taku Matsuo MD, Hisayoshi Watanabe MD, Takashi Abe MDab, Shigeru Ohno MD, Koji Saito MD, Takafumi Saito MD, Haruhide Shinzawa MD, Hideki Tanida MD, Masafumi Ito MD, Tsuneo Takahashi MD: Spontaneous splenic rupture in a patient with large hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999, 94: 276-278. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.00820.x.CrossRef Kazuhiko Sugahara MD, Hitoshi Togashi MD, Masanori Aoki MD, Hideki Mitsuhashi MD, Taku Matsuo MD, Hisayoshi Watanabe MD, Takashi Abe MDab, Shigeru Ohno MD, Koji Saito MD, Takafumi Saito MD, Haruhide Shinzawa MD, Hideki Tanida MD, Masafumi Ito MD, Tsuneo Takahashi MD: Spontaneous splenic rupture in a patient with large hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999, 94: 276-278. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.00820.x.CrossRef
18.
Zurück zum Zitat Bauer TW, Haskins GE, Armitage JO: Splenic rupture in patients with hematologic malignancies. Cancer. 1981, 48: 2729-2733. 10.1002/1097-0142(19811215)48:12<2729::AID-CNCR2820481229>3.0.CO;2-K.CrossRefPubMed Bauer TW, Haskins GE, Armitage JO: Splenic rupture in patients with hematologic malignancies. Cancer. 1981, 48: 2729-2733. 10.1002/1097-0142(19811215)48:12<2729::AID-CNCR2820481229>3.0.CO;2-K.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Zurück zum Zitat Hyun BH, Varga CF, Rubin RJ: Spontaneous and pathologic rupture of the spleen. Arch Surg. 1977, 104: 652-657.CrossRef Hyun BH, Varga CF, Rubin RJ: Spontaneous and pathologic rupture of the spleen. Arch Surg. 1977, 104: 652-657.CrossRef
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Lam KY, Ng WF, Chan AC: Miliary tuberculosis with splenic rupture: A fatal case with hemophagocytic syndrome and possible association with long standing sarcoidosis. Pathology. 1994, 26: 493-496. 10.1080/00313029400169262.CrossRefPubMed Lam KY, Ng WF, Chan AC: Miliary tuberculosis with splenic rupture: A fatal case with hemophagocytic syndrome and possible association with long standing sarcoidosis. Pathology. 1994, 26: 493-496. 10.1080/00313029400169262.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Zurück zum Zitat Fishman D, Isenberg DA: Splenic involvement in rheumatic diseases. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1997, 27: 141-155. 10.1016/S0049-0172(97)80013-3.CrossRefPubMed Fishman D, Isenberg DA: Splenic involvement in rheumatic diseases. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1997, 27: 141-155. 10.1016/S0049-0172(97)80013-3.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Zurück zum Zitat Karassa FB, Isenberg DA: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: An unusual complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2001, 10: 876-878. 10.1191/096120301701548535.CrossRefPubMed Karassa FB, Isenberg DA: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: An unusual complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2001, 10: 876-878. 10.1191/096120301701548535.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Oran B, Wright DG, Seldin DC, McAneny D, Skinner M, Sanchorawala V: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen in AL amyloidosis. Am J Hematol. 2003, 74: 131-135. 10.1002/ajh.10389.CrossRefPubMed Oran B, Wright DG, Seldin DC, McAneny D, Skinner M, Sanchorawala V: Spontaneous rupture of the spleen in AL amyloidosis. Am J Hematol. 2003, 74: 131-135. 10.1002/ajh.10389.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Bennett SR, Greer JP, Stein RS, Glick AD, Cousar JB, Collins RD: Death due to splenic rupture in suppressor cell mycosis fungoides: A case report. Am J Clin Pathol. 1984, 82: 104-109.PubMed Bennett SR, Greer JP, Stein RS, Glick AD, Cousar JB, Collins RD: Death due to splenic rupture in suppressor cell mycosis fungoides: A case report. Am J Clin Pathol. 1984, 82: 104-109.PubMed
25.
Zurück zum Zitat Debnath D, Valerio D: Atraumatic rupture of the spleen in adults. R Coll Surg Edinb. 2002, 47: 437-445. Debnath D, Valerio D: Atraumatic rupture of the spleen in adults. R Coll Surg Edinb. 2002, 47: 437-445.
26.
Zurück zum Zitat Rabushka LS, Kawashima A, Fishman EK: Imaging of the spleen: CT with supplemental MR examination. RadioGraphics. 1994, 14: 307-332.CrossRefPubMed Rabushka LS, Kawashima A, Fishman EK: Imaging of the spleen: CT with supplemental MR examination. RadioGraphics. 1994, 14: 307-332.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Zurück zum Zitat Arimura K, Arima N, Kukita T, Inoue H, Arai A, Matsushita K, Taguchi S, Yoshida H, Ozaki A, Kawada H, Akimoto M, Tei C: Fatal splenic rupture caused by infiltration of adult T cell leukemia cells. Acta Haematol. 2005, 113: 255-257. 10.1159/000084679.CrossRefPubMed Arimura K, Arima N, Kukita T, Inoue H, Arai A, Matsushita K, Taguchi S, Yoshida H, Ozaki A, Kawada H, Akimoto M, Tei C: Fatal splenic rupture caused by infiltration of adult T cell leukemia cells. Acta Haematol. 2005, 113: 255-257. 10.1159/000084679.CrossRefPubMed
Metadaten
Titel
Large B- Cell lymphoma presenting as acute abdominal pain and spontaneous splenic rupture; A case report and review of relevant literature
verfasst von
Saptarshi Biswas
Judith Keddington
James McClanathan
Publikationsdatum
01.12.2006
Verlag
BioMed Central
Erschienen in
World Journal of Emergency Surgery / Ausgabe 1/2006
Elektronische ISSN: 1749-7922
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-7922-1-35

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 1/2006

World Journal of Emergency Surgery 1/2006 Zur Ausgabe