title: Delayed diagnosis of traumatic rupture of the spleen--a warning of the use of thoracic epidural analgesia in chest trauma.
abstract: Epidural analgesia is useful in controlling the pain from chest injuries. However, a case is presented where analgesia delayed the diagnosis of a splenic haematoma. Diagnosis was complicated by an initial negative peritoneal lavage.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedic and General Surgery, Southmead General Hospital, Bristol.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gillatt
mesh_terms: D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D013154:Spleen / Q000293:injuries*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013997:Time Factors