Snapshot A 33-year-old man is brought to a trauma center after a motor vehicle accident. He reports a lot of pain in his chest and his abdomen. Physical exam shows multiple rib fractures on the left side. His vitals show that he is hypotensive even after several liters of crystalloid fluids. A FAST exam shows free fluid in the perisplenic space. He is taken urgently into the operating room for an exploratory laparotomy. Introduction Overview splenic injury can result from trauma or nontraumatic causes treatment is usually surgical in a hemodynamically unstable patient Epidemiology Risk factors diseases causing splenomegaly infectious mononucleosis dengue fever leukemia/lymphoma malaria malignancies penetrating trauma blunt trauma left-sided rib fracture ETIOLOGY Pathogenesis functions of the spleen helps fight infection by producing antibodies and other key immune mediators recycles old red blood cells stores platelets and white blood cells Presentation History trauma Symptoms common symptoms location login to view 3 more bullets Physical exam inspection abdominal bruising tachycardia hypotension shock provocative tests peritoneal signs login to view 2 more bullets Imaging Abdominal ultrasound FAST exam focused abdominal sonography for trauma indications at bedside for all patients findings intra-abdominal free fluid CT of abdomen indications hemodynamically stable patients with history of blunt abdominal trauma to rule out splenic injury findings splenic bleeding splenic injury pseudoaneurysm Studies Serum labs may have anemia may have leukocytosis Differential Splenic abscess key distinguishing factor often in immunocompromised patients and IV drug users fever, leukocytosis, and left upper quadrant pain Treatment Medical close monitoring and serial abdominal exams indications login to view 1 more bullet Surgical exploratory laparotomy with possible splenectomy indications login to view 2 more bullets endovascular embolization indications login to view 2 more bullets Complications Infection Acute respiratory distress syndrome Pancreatitis