title: Unusual presentation of pancreatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma by spontaneous splenic rupture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are uncommon tumors with varying potential for malignancy. Although traumatic splenic rupture is common, spontaneous rupture is a rare event.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present an unusual case of spontaneous splenic rupture, due to an otherwise asymptomatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the tail of the pancreas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A tumor of the tail of the pancreas may uncommonly present as spontaneous splenic rupture, probably due to venous congestion and infiltration of the spleen, requiring emergency surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Patras Medical School, University Hospital of Patras, Rion Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patrinou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Skroubis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zolota
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vagianos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018282:Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed