title: Ruptured mesothelial cyst of the spleen causing acute peritonitis.
abstract: Congenital splenic cysts are rare (only 40% of all true cysts). A case report is presented of a young male adolescent patient with a ruptured mesothelial splenic cyst causing acute peritonitis. Abdominal ultrasound and CT-scan are very useful tools to obtain the preoperative diagnosis. Spleen saving resections, if possible, are preferred to splenectomy because of the risk of severe post-splenectomy sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St-Elisabeth Hospital, Herentals, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vanhemelen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sebrechts
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Storms
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed