Atraumatic Splenic Rupture is a Rare Complication of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Atraumatic Splenic Rupture (ASR) is a rare but life-threatening clinicopathological phenomenon with limited information on patient features, occurrence, or etiology. Case presentation: A 48-year-old man with no history of the underlying disease presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain. He was admitted with leukocytosis 145x103/µl, hemoglobin 6.4 g/dl, and platelets 15x103/µl, ESR 89mm/h, D-Dimer 1043ng/FEU ml. Sputum test (PCR) ruled out SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspiration/biopsy, AML was diagnosed for the patient. On the third day of hospitalization, the patient's abdominal pain intensifies. Ultrasound revealed medium free fluid inside the abdomen and pelvis. The patient was transferred to the operating room to undergo an emergency laparotomy. There was a large hematoma in the spleen with a rupture in its posterior surface. Splenectomy was performed. The histopathological study of the spleen showed leukemic involvement, capsular ruptures, and subcapsular hematomas. Discussion: ASR is an uncommon and lethal complication that is seen in infectious diseases (mainly mononucleosis) and hematological diseases (mainly malignant homeopathies) in more than half of cases. Mortality is approximately around 20%. Some deaths occur before the diagnosis is confirmed, while others occur after surgery, as a result of delayed management and poor patient status. Conclusion: ASR can occur for a variety of reasons, including non-traumatic or idiopathic factors. In the absence of significant trauma, emergency physicians should be aware that splenic rupture can occur. ASR is more likely to present with symptoms similar to the underlying disease.

P-O12 Atraumatic Splenic Rupture Secondary to Concurrent Cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr Virus Infection

Background Infectious Mononucleosis (IM) is a common viral illness among adolescents and young adults. While most cases are self-limiting, a small number of patient can develop life threatening complications, such as atraumatic splenic rupture (ASR). This is a rare but serious sequelae, and the commonest cause of associated mortality. While Epstein Barr Virus is commonly associated with IM, concurrent infection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and EBV is rarely reported. Both infections are associated with splenomegaly, however this is usually mild and very rarely results in ASR. Methods We present the case of an immunocompetent nineteen year old male who underwent emergency splenectomy for ASR secondary to concurrent EBV and CMV infection. He presented to the Emergency Department with a five hour history of severe, sudden onset left upper quadrant pain preceded by coughing fit. He reported a one year history of incidental splenomegaly and recent positive monospot test in community. Computerised tomography (CT) of abdomen and pelvis confirmed splenic rupture with large haemo-peritoneum and large sub-capsular haematoma. He was haemodynamically unstable and underwent laparotomy and splenectomy. Results Intraoperative findings included two litres of intraperitoneal blood and large spleen with sub-capsular haematoma; approximately seventeen centimetre diameter and weighed nine hundred and seventy grams. Pathology showed features of non-specific lymphoid hyperplasia. Serum virology confirmed high levels of CMV on polymerase chain reaction with low levels of EBV detected. Virology screening was incidentally repeated post discharge and at this time was consistent acute EBV infection. No alternative cause for splenic rupture or pre-existing splenomegaly has been identified. Conclusions The serology results in this case confirm acute CMV infection with most likely concurrent EBV infection. While we cannot confidently identify which virus caused splenic rupture in this case, ASR is a life threatening condition and an important differential in patients presenting with sudden onset LUQ pain and shock. Splenectomy remains the treatment of choice in haemodynamically unstable patients.

P-O13 Spontaneous Splenic Rupture as first presentation of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia

Background Although rare, spontaneous splenic rupture (SSR) is a potentially life threatening condition and most commonly associated with infection and malignancy. Haematological malignancies are an important differential diagnosis and among these chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) has one of the highest associations with SSR. Methods This case report follows a previously fit and healthy thirty-three year old gentleman who presented to accident and emergency with one day history of sudden onset, severe, left upper quadrant pain. CT of the abdomen and pelvis including an arterial phase, confirmed splenic rupture with moderate volume haemo-peritoneum, but no active bleeding. White cell count (WCC) was 225.8 x10^9/l and blood film confirmed suspicion of haematological malignancy. The patient was haemodynamically stable and therefore transferred to the surgical high dependency unit for observation and conservative management. He was commenced on hydroxycarbamide on the advice of haematology. Results Genetic screening detected BCR-ABL1 and Philadelphia chromosome; this along with bone marrow aspirate confirmed diagnosis of CML. His WCC decreased with hydroxycarbamide therapy. He made good clinical progress and was discharged home with haematology follow up. Hydroxycarbamide has since been stopped and he has been initiated on Imatinib therapy. His WCC has returned to normal and he has remained well with no further complications. Conclusions SSR is an extremely rare first presentation of CML. Given its associated morbidity and mortality, it should remain an important differential diagnosis in patients presenting acutely to the General Surgeon with abdominal pain and shock, especially in those with a known underlying haematological malignancy.