title: Delayed rupture of the spleen. A case report.
abstract: The diagnosis of delayed rupture of the spleen is demonstrated and discussed by presenting a case in which the patient had significant thoracoabdominal trauma with an initially normal liver/spleen scintigram and benign hospital course. Twenty-three days after the trauma, the patient developed an acute abdominal crisis that brought him to the emergency room where an emergency ultrasound revealed hemoperitoneum and a subcapsular hematoma. At laparotomy, a splenic rupture was found. A splenectomy was not performed. Postoperative liver/spleen scintigram showed a persistent defect which was not present on the initial liver/spleen scintigram.
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013154:Spleen / Q000293:injuries*; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid