title: Splenic rupture in systemic amyloidosis - case presentation and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Splenic rupture and hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity is an extremely unusual and rare complication of internal disease. Hemopathies, inflammatory or infiltrative diseases affecting the spleen are possible causes for such a complication. Splenomegaly is a factor, which may significantly increase the risk of rupture.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors present the case of a 52-year-old patient with established systemic amyloidosis. In the past he had received treatment for undefined hepatic disease and anemia, which was established during the treatment of pathological vertebral fractures. Unfortunately, during the initial treatment he did not consent to a liver biopsy, which would have determined the etiology of the disease. Systemic infiltrative disease, affecting the spleen and other organs, was confirmed posthumously. Described are those forms of amyloidosis which usually represent an unfavorable course of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Presented is a patient with a rare form of primary amyloidosis and fatal complication, spleenic rupture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Maribor University Hospital, Maribor, Slovenia. pavel.skok@ukc-mb.si
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skok
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knehtl
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ceranić
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Glumbić
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000473:pathology*