Rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm in a previously healthy 53-year-old male

Splenic artery aneurysms are unusual clinical conditions that may be ruptured resulting into adverse health outcomes. Pregnancy, portal hypertension and atherosclerosis are conditions that predispose to the formation of splenic artery aneurysms. A rare case of a previously healthy man referred to our department by his general practitioner complaining of acute abdominal pain is presented. During the hospital stay, the patient presented hemodynamic instability. Abdominal computed tomography disclosed perihepatic and perisplenic fluid accumulation. A diagnosis of ruptured splenic artery aneurysm was performed and the patient was operated successfully with splenectomy and ligation of the splenic artery. Although the condition is rare, physicians have to be aware of the high mortality rates caused by a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm and include this in the differential diagnosis when they encounter patients with acute abdominal pain and hemodynamic instability.

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum by a wood splinter in a 4-year-old child: a case report

Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum by a foreign body represents an unusual and serious clinical occurrence. We present a case of a 4-year-old male who was admitted with symptoms of abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa, raising the suspicion of acute appendicitis. Exploratory laparotomy disclosed normal appendix and perforation of Meckel's diverticulum caused by a wood splinter. Meckel's diverticulectomy was performed and the child had an uneventful postoperative course. Preoperative diagnosis of perforated Meckel's diverticulum remains a challenging issue. Diagnosis should be considered in the presence of a right lower quadrant abdominal pain or a positive history of ingestion of a sharp foreign body.