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Ruptured splenic abscess: a cause of pneumoperitoneum in a patient with AIDS

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Abstract

We encountered a case of pneumoperitoneum caused by a gas-forming splenic abscess in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Plain abdominal films and computed tomography demonstrated a large amount of free air. Pneumoperitoneum was eventually shown to represent gas liberated from fermentation by gas-forming organisms within the splenic abscess. Gas-containing necrotic tissue from the ruptured spleen mimicked the spillage of feces from colon perforation. The authors emphasize that a ruptured abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in an immunocompromised patient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Hospital and Clinics, 3885 JPP, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242–1077, USA

    Kousei Ishigami, Gerald T. Decker, Jody A. Bolton-Smith & Bruce P. Brown

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

    Isaac Samuel

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

    Scott R. Wilson

Authors
  1. Kousei Ishigami
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  2. Gerald T. Decker
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  3. Jody A. Bolton-Smith
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  4. Isaac Samuel
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  5. Scott R. Wilson
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  6. Bruce P. Brown
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Correspondence to Kousei Ishigami.

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Ishigami, K., Decker, G.T., Bolton-Smith, J.A. et al. Ruptured splenic abscess: a cause of pneumoperitoneum in a patient with AIDS. Emergency Radiology 10, 163–165 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-003-0302-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-003-0302-7

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