## Overview Splenic rupture or hematoma causes bleeding into the abdomen. It may result from blunt trauma or spontaneous rupture of a tumor. Signs of acute blood loss include colic, elevated heart rate, pale mucous membranes, weakness, and a dropping packed cell volume. Abdominocentesis yields bloody fluid. ## Causes Trauma or neoplasia. ## Diagnosis Ultrasound and abdominocentesis. Serial packed cell volume monitors ongoing bleeding. ## Treatment Stabilization, blood transfusion if needed, and surgery (splenectomy) in selected cases. Many traumatic hematomas are managed medically if bleeding stops. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable. Stable hematomas can resolve. Ongoing hemorrhage or neoplasia carries a poorer outlook. ## Prevention Trauma avoidance.
acute colic; tachycardia; pale mucous membranes; weakness or collapse; hemorrhagic peritoneal fluid; dropping packed cell volume
## Overview Splenic rupture or hematoma causes bleeding into the abdomen. It may result from blunt trauma or spontaneous rupture of a tumor. Signs of acute blood loss include colic, elevated heart rate, pale mucous membranes, weakness, and a dropping packed cell volume. Abdominocentesis yields bloody fluid. ## Causes Trauma or neoplasia. ## Diagnosis Ultrasound and abdominocentesis. Serial packed cell volume monitors ongoing bleeding. ## Treatment Stabilization, blood transfusion if needed, and surgery (splenectomy) in selected cases. Many traumatic hematomas are managed medically if bleeding stops. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable. Stable hematomas can resolve. Ongoing hemorrhage or neoplasia carries a poorer outlook. ## Prevention Trauma avoidance.
acute colic; tachycardia; pale mucous membranes; weakness or collapse; hemorrhagic peritoneal fluid; dropping packed cell volume