Spontaneous (pathologic) rupture of the spleen in previously undiagnosed Hodgkin's disease.Report of a case with survival

Spontaneous (pathologic) rupture of the spleen in lymphoma is a rare event. A 38-year-old man with a 6-week history of fever, night sweats, and weight loss, and with known splenomegaly presented in shock as a result of a ruptured spleen. There was no known antecedent trauma. Hodgkin's disease was demonstrated in the spleen and liver. Review of the literature failed to reveal any previous report of spontaneous rupture of the spleen due to undiagnosed Hodgkin's disease. Only one survivor of spontaneous rupture of the lymphomatous spleen has been reported previously.