A Novel Case of Splenic Injury After Shockwave Lithotripsy.

Publication/Presentation Date

7-1-2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Emergency departments (EDs) are gateways for patients presenting after minor surgical procedures, particularly shockwave lithotripsy. Complications include renal and extrarenal tissue injuries, with the latter having potentially serious consequences if not detected early.

CASE REPORT: We describe a 70-year-old male presenting to the ED for syncope. The patient underwent shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for left kidney stones 1 day prior. Upon initial evaluation, the patient had normal vital signs and a normal physical examination, without complaints of abdominal pain. Close observation and regular patient re-evaluation led to the diagnosis of life-threatening injuries that included splenic rupture. Although this is a rare complication of SWL, with only eight published cases found in the literature, the patient's initial presentation of syncope without complaints of abdominal pain presented a unique diagnostic challenge. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians should be knowledgeable of the pre-existing conditions linked to higher rates of complications after shockwave lithotripsy and be able to identify and manage these potentially life-threatening complications.

Volume

53

Issue

1

First Page

15

Last Page

15

ISSN

0736-4679

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

28408232

Department(s)

Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article

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