Non-traumatic Rupture of the Spleen. Can Splenectomy be Applied Selectively?

Purpose: Non-traumatic rupture of the spleen should be suspected when patients (especially young men) present with abdominal pain and a history of acute infectious or myeloproliferative disorders. Preoperative imaging studies in hemodynamically stable patients may obviate the need for surgery even in the presence of massive hemoperitoneum. The purpose of this research is to inform acute management where spontaneous rupture is suspected in order to avoid surgery where appropriate, rationalise angiographic intervention and blood transfusion.

Hypothesis: Indentifying the cause of injuries can help target preventative intervention.

Background: Non-traumatic rupture of the spleen is a rare condition. It may occur in the diseased spleen secondary to a variety of pathologies including malaria and myeloproliferative disorders. In some cases rupture may occur in an apparently normal spleen. The incidence, symptoms, causes, therapy and prognosis are poorly defined. The investigators, therefore, propose an extension of retrospective analysis conducted, presented and published in 2003 to examine all the cases of non-traumatic splenic rupture treated at Ziv Medical Centre from the last 26 years to present.

Methods: Analysis of the medical notes of all patients with spontaneous splenic rupture in the medical archives.

The investigators hope to determine the true incidence of this condition within the local population, increasingly diverse in origin, travel and the incidence of predisposing infectious disease; and to devise a practical protocol in their safe diagnosis and management, especially as non-operative interventions have grown in safety and effectiveness.

Discussion: Although rare, spontaneous splenic rupture may be fatal if not suspected or treated inappropriately. Understanding the pitfalls in diagnosis and management better informs decision making towards improved care of these patients.