Ruptured splenic abscess: a cause of pneumoperitoneum in a patient with AIDS.
We encountered a case of pneumoperitoneum caused by a gas-forming splenic abscess in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Plain abdominal films and computed tomography demonstrated a large amount of free air. Pneumoperitoneum was eventually shown to represent gas liberated from fermentation by gas-forming organisms within the splenic abscess. Gas-containing necrotic tissue from the ruptured spleen mimicked the spillage of feces from colon perforation. The authors emphasize that a ruptured abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in an immunocompromised patient.
Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Hospital and Clinics, 3885 JPP, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242-1077, USA. kousei-ishigami@uiowa.edu
Kousei
K
Ishigami
Gerald T
GT
Decker
Jody A
JA
Bolton-Smith
Isaac
I
Samuel
Scott R
SR
Wilson
Bruce P
BP
Brown