Littoral cell angioma

Abstract

Splenic rupture secondary to blunt trauma is a common condition. Non-traumatic, also known as spontaneous or pathological splenic rupture is an uncommon, but potentially life-threatening condition. Spontaneous splenic rupture caused by a primary splenic tumor is rare. In this case study, we present a special, benign tumor causing splenic rupture. Our 78-year-old female patient was hospitalized due to left shoulder pain and chest discomfort. Her blood pressure was low, the laboratory tests showed anemia, and the chest CT scan involving also the upper abdomen raised the suspicion of a splenic rupture. During the emergency splenectomy, there was a large amount of blood in the abdominal cavity. Macroscopic pathological examination of the removed spleen showed multifocal cystic lesions that led to splenic rupture. Immunhistochemical analyses revealed a littoral cell angioma. Littoral cell angioma is a rare, benign vascular tumor of the spleen, which is thought to originate from the red pulp sinuses lined with littoral cells. The aim of our report is to describe an unusual cause of sudden splenic rupture without traumatic history, the histologically benign littoral cell angioma that has not been published in Hungary. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(10): 393-397.