title: Pathological rupture of the normal spleen: Review with the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atraumatic spontaneous rupture of the spleen is an uncommon but fatal condition that may coexist with other disease. Our case was presented with obvious CT findings of a spontaneous rupture of the spleen.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 75-year-old woman admitted to the emergency service with abdominal pain. Although there was no evident splenomegaly in the abdominal CT examination, the patient was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and densities in harmony with the free air were detected in the spleen and the abdomen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is clear that a healthy spleen does not rupture without marked trauma; hence, a doctor must carefully investigate the underlying pathology. Splenomegaly, the infiltration of the spleen and the capsule and consequently a splenic infarct and hemorrhage were set forth as the causes of the rupture of the spleen in lymphomas. However, our case had no splenomegaly or splenic involvement of lymphoma in the pathological examination. Even in the absence of splenomegaly, rupture may develop for such reasons as inflammation and embolism. Splenic infarcts are also in the developmental mechanism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although atraumatic rupture of the spleen is not prevalent, it is a case which must be considered in an acute abdominal pain as it has highly fatal outcomes without CT exam.
authors: Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine Radiology Dep, Aydin, Turkey. Electronic address: ozum.tuncyurek@gmail.com.
authors: Özüm
authors: Ö
authors: Tunçyürek
authors: Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine Surgery Dep, Aydin, Turkey.
authors: Pars
authors: P
authors: Tunçyürek
authors: Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine Radiology Dep, Aydin, Turkey.
authors: Ersen
authors: E
authors: Ertekin
authors: Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine Radiology Dep, Aydin, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Gök
authors: Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine Radiology Dep, Aydin, Turkey.
authors: Emir Hüseyin
authors: EH
authors: Nevai
authors: Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine Pathology Dep, Aydin, Turkey.
authors: Füruzan Kaçar
authors: FK
authors: Döger
authors: Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine Radiology Dep, Aydin, Turkey.
authors: Yelda
authors: Y
authors: Özsunar
keywords: Abdominal pain; CT; Rupture; Spleen