Demanding Diagnosis of Splenic Angiosarcoma as Cause of Delayed Treatment of Spontaneous Splenic Rupture: A Case Report and Literature Review. (2nd February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coppola, Sara; Leva, Andrea; Pagni, Fabio; Famularo, Simone; Gianotti, Luca
• Other Names: Mantas Dimitrios Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in surgery. Volume 2017(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-02-02
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Operative; General Surgery; Surgery; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Case studies; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/6256102
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6900

Abstract

Abstract : Background. Primary splenic angiosarcoma is a very rare mesenchymal malignant tumor associated with a poor prognosis due to its high metastatic potential. This disease can be easily neglected and spontaneous splenic rupture is a frequent manifestation at the time of diagnosis leading to a poor outcome because of peritoneal dissemination. Case Presentation. We describe the case of a 49-year-old man who presented with asthenia, left upper quadrant abdominal pain, and anemia. Computerized tomography scan showed an enlarged spleen with no nodules and a nontraumatic rupture of the splenic capsule. Splenectomy was performed on account of the severe anemia and histopathology examination showed a primary angiosarcoma. Conclusions. Splenic angiosarcoma should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in patients with nontraumatic spleen rupture and a specific previous medical history. Regrettably, splenectomy allows for a definitive diagnosis but not a curative treatment.