Severe meningococcal septicaemia associated with splenic rupture.
OBJECTIVE
To present the first report of ruptured spleen associated with meningococcal septicaemia.


METHODS
A 13-year-old girl presented with an acute abdomen and clinical signs of meningococcal septicaemia. Features of her illness placed her in a high mortality group.


RESULTS
She required cardiovascular and respiratory support in the Intensive Care Unit. Failure to initially identify the organism led to percutaneous fine-needle aspiration of fluid in the lesser sac. A laparotomy revealed free intraperitoneal blood and a ruptured spleen. During the course of her illness she was given penicillin and methylprednisolone, and required haemodialysis. She made a complete recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Ruptured spleen does occur with severe meningococcaemia, and may complicate management.
Buist
M D
MD
Intensive Care Unit, Adelaide Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA.
Power
R G
RG
Keeley
S R
SR
Matthews
N T
NT
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000209:etiology*