Delayed Splenic Rupture – a Case Report

Abstract

The concept of delayed rupture of the spleen was first described in the late XVII century. It is defined as splenic bleeding that occurs after more than 48 hours after blunt trauma. We presented the case of a 33-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital for sharp abdominal pain, which increased with inspiration. Thirty days ago, he was involved in a motor vehicle collision and was hospitalized for 25 days in the orthopaedic department. At that time, the abdominal CT didn’t find any splenic lesions or perisplenic hematoma. The patient presented to the emergency room with splenic rupture, 30 days after the initial accident. An emergency total splenectomy was performed without splenic preservation. This case supports the theory that an apparent normal spleen can rupture sometime after trauma. It is very important to be aware of the delayed splenic rupture in patients presenting with hemodynamic instability, especially after a motor vehicle accident.