Lesson learnt: don't prescribe heparin for hemoperitoneum!
This paper describes a case of spontaneous rupture of the spleen that was misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism. Because of a lack of history of trauma, rarity of occurrence, and confusing clinical presentations, an unwary clinician may fail to diagnose this condition in time. It may result in erroneous treatment of a condition, which is potentially curable.
Debnath
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West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 8GJ, UK. debnath10@hotmail.com
D000925:Anticoagulants; D000075202:Contraindications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000175:diagnosis; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin