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Laceration
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Laceration

External lateral view of a spleen.
Notice the normal slate-gray color of the spleen.
Towards the right of this specimen, extending from the very top diagonally across to the bottom of the specimen, is a large tear in the capsule of the spleen, exposing the pulp.
Splenic lacerations are common in automobile accidents and are particularly common if the spleen has undergone enlargement due to some reason.
(Description By:T.V.Rajan, M.D. )
(Image Contrib. by: Hartford Hospital )
Trauma (Rupture)
Etiology

Trauma.
Pathogenesis

Relatively unsupported parenchyma, especially if congested, becomes lacerated,
Epidemiology

Associated with blunt or crushing injury
Relatively trivial injury can result in rupture if spleen is enlarged and extending below costal margin as in portal hypertension, splenic sequestration syndromes, mononucleosis or other infection, and leukemia.
General Gross Description

Hemorrhage which may be contained by capsule
Irregularly lacerated tissue
Appearance of unlacerated spleen may reflect underlying pathology
General Microscopic Description

Disrupted parenchyma with hemorrhage.
Underlying pathology may be revealed.
Clinical Correlation

Treated by resection
Rupture results in life-threatening intraperitoneal hemorrhage
References

Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th edition. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 905-7.
Trauma (Rupture)
Synopsis by: Melinda Sanders M.D. (T07000M14430)[416]
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