Spontaneous Splenic Rupture: A Rare Complication of Acute Pancreatitis

The spleen and its vasculature due to the close proximity with the pancreas are prone to complications during any inflammatory process affecting the pancreas. Spontaneous subcapsular splenic haematoma with rupture is one of the rarest complications of pancreatitis. In this case report one such rare complication of splenic rupture as a sequel of acute pancreatitis was reported. A 45-year-old male with a history of gall stone induced severe acute pancreatitis had presented to the emergency with abdominal pain and swelling after one month of initial attack. On evaluation, there was an ill-defined tender lump was palpable in the left hypochondrium with a drop in haemoglobin level from 10.2 gm/dL to 6 gm/dL when compared to the previous admission one month back. Imaging was suggestive of grade four splenic injury with rupture. The patient underwent splenectomy along with cholecystectomy. Spontaneous splenic rupture is one of the rarest complications of acute pancreatitis and one must consider other vascular complications as differential diagnosis.