A Near Fatal Sneeze Spontaneous Splenic Rupture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine
Gregory W ReinholdDaniel T Lyman

Abstract

A 79-year-old female called 911 for abdominal pain in her left upper quadrant with radiation through to her back and left shoulder for three hours. Upon arrival to the emergency department her physical exam was positive only for tenderness in the left upper quadrant of her abdomen. The patient denied any history of trauma but reported she "did sneeze three times" just prior to the onset of her pain. Computed tomography angiography of the abdomen and pelvis was obtained to evaluate for vascular pathology. The radiologist immediately called with concern for splenic laceration. The general surgeon took the patient directly to the operating room where she underwent a splenectomy and recovered without sequelae. This is the first case report of spontaneous splenic rupture that resulted after the act of sneezing. It is important to be aware of this rare clinical entity because early recognition can be life saving.

Citations

May 26, 2018·Pediatric Emergency Care·José Juan Gómez-RamosMaria Guadalupe Ascencio-Rodríguez
Sep 3, 2021·ANZ Journal of Surgery·Sean S W ParkPaul Chen

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