Atraumatic splenic rupture due to metastatic lung cancer: A case report

Atraumatic splenic rupture is a rare, but potentially fatal condition typically associated with hematologic, infectious, or inflammatory diseases. Malignancy, particularly metastatic lung cancer, is an exceedingly rare cause. Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential due to the risk of rebleeding and high association with mortality. We report a case of a patient with a known diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer who presented with persistent left flank pain, anemia, and imaging consistent with atraumatic splenic rupture. This patient underwent splenectomy, and pathological analysis confirmed the presence of metastatic lung cancer in the specimen. This case highlights the importance of considering atraumatic splenic rupture in oncology patients presenting with abdominal pain, even in the absence of trauma. Surgical intervention remains the mainstay of treatment in such pathology.

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Publication Details

Journal
Surgery Case Reports
Published
2026-02-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sycrs.2026.100166
Primary Topic
Abdominal Trauma and Injuries
Type
article
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article

Atraumatic splenic rupture due to metastatic lung cancer: A case report

Carma Goldstein, Gregory R. Stettler, Jingmei Lin, Christopher S. Thomas
Surgery Case Reports
Abdominal Trauma and Injuries
article

Atraumatic splenic rupture due to metastatic lung cancer: A case report

Carma Goldstein, Gregory R. Stettler, Jingmei Lin, Christopher S. Thomas
article en

Abstract

Atraumatic splenic rupture is a rare, but potentially fatal condition typically associated with hematologic, infectious, or inflammatory diseases. Malignancy, particularly metastatic lung cancer, is an exceedingly rare cause. Prompt diagnosis and intervention are essential due to the risk of rebleeding and high association with mortality. We report a case of a patient with a known diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer who presented with persistent left flank pain, anemia, and imaging consistent with atraumatic splenic rupture. This patient underwent splenectomy, and pathological analysis confirmed the presence of metastatic lung cancer in the specimen. This case highlights the importance of considering atraumatic splenic rupture in oncology patients presenting with abdominal pain, even in the absence of trauma. Surgical intervention remains the mainstay of treatment in such pathology.

Surgery Case ReportsVol. 7
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 54%
Abdominal Trauma and Injuries
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Atraumatic splenic rupture due to metastatic lung cancer: A case report — Carma Goldstein, Gregory R. Stettler, et al. · Surgery Case Reports (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS