title: Pathological rupture of the spleen in uncomplicated myeloma.
abstract: Pathological rupture of the spleen in uncomplicated myeloma is extremely rare. We present a case of a splenic rupture which occurred in a 52 year old woman with uncomplicated multiple myeloma. The patient required an urgent splenectomy and had an uneventful recovery. Pathophysiological mechanisms leading to splenic rupture are discussed. Plasma cell leukaemias have been previously documented to present with splenic rupture. A subgroup of aggressive multiple myelomas such as in our case may have a similar tendency for splenic rupture.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jagusch
keywords: myeloma; rupture; spleen