Varicella zoster virus infection is an unusual cause of splenic rupture.
A 22-year-old man presented with a 1-day history of severe abdominal pain. He developed a generalised vesicular rash 12 h prior to admission. On examination, he was maximally tender with peritonism in the lower abdomen. Working diagnosis was perforated appendix and a decision to investigate with CT was made, which showed intra-abdominal haemorrhage likely arising from a ruptured spleen. After a period of observation, he subsequently underwent laparotomy and emergency splenectomy. Viral PCR from vesicular fluid was positive for varicella zoster virus. Viral serology was otherwise negative.
Department of General Surgery, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Aylesbury, UK.
Laura J
LJ
Clifton
Department of General Surgery, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Aylesbury, UK.
Kawaljit Singh
KS
Dhaliwal
Department of Histopathology, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, High Wycombe, UK.
Danah
D
Saif
Department of General Surgery, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Aylesbury, UK.
Pepe
P
Mullerat
D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013156:Splenectomy; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult