Journal Published Online: 01 July 1977
Volume 22, Issue 3

Splenectomy and Sudden Death

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Splenectomy has become a relatively common surgical procedure, most frequently performed subsequent to traumatic rupture, incidentally in the course of other surgical procedures, or in the staging or therapy of lymphomas. Occasionally it is a therapeutic modality in a hematologic disorder. Although initially considered to be associated with few serious sequelae, the recent medical literature contains numerous reports of fulminant death from bacteremia (usually Streptococcus pneumoniae) in splenectomized or hyposplenic patients. The following case reports exemplify some aspects of this clinical syndrome.

Author Information

Jindrich, EJ
, Marin County, San Rafael, Calif.
Pages: 4
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS10635J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10635J