[Spontaneous rupture of the spleen disclosing pheochromocytoma]

J Chir (Paris). 1990 Oct;127(10):464-7.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The authors report a case of spontaneous rupture of spleen inaugurating the symptomatology of a pheochromocytoma. After presenting the observation, clinical problems are considered with a deceptive abdominal symptomatology and myocardial ischemia that could be part of an "adrenergic myocarditis"; the mechanism of ruptured spleen is analyzed. The diagnosis approach is discussed through a reliability study of various explorations: computed tomography has a sensitivity ranging from 93 to 97% which approaches 100% when associated with magnetic resonance, methyl-iodo-benzyl-guanidine scanning seems to be provided with similar reliability. During checking up for pheochromocytoma spreading, ectopic location was not found, but a cold thyroid nodule was detected which allowed suspecting a SIPPLE syndrome. The three-stage surgical approach was required by symptomatology, hemostasis splenectomy, lateral pheochromocytoma excision after a short preparation by blocking alpha and beta, and then total thyroidectomy after extemporaneous confirmation of the existence of a medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. This pathologic association leading to a SIPPLE syndrome is listed as part of the multiple endocrine neoplasias of type II (MEN II).

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / complications
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / surgery
  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pheochromocytoma / complications
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Pheochromocytoma / surgery
  • Rupture, Spontaneous
  • Splenic Diseases / etiology*
  • Splenic Diseases / physiopathology
  • Splenic Diseases / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed