Traumatic splenic cyst

The authors report two cases of traumatic rupture of splenic cyst. In each case a previous abdominal trauma was found responsible for the presence of the cyst. A new minor abdominal trauma provoked a major haemoperitoneum. In both cases laparotomy revealed the rupture of a large cyst of the upper pole of the spleen, with extension of the lesion into healthy splenic parenchyma. Conservative splenic surgery with cystectomy was possible in both cases; microscopic examination confirmed a true pseudocyst in case 2. In presence of haemoperitoneum and ultrasonographic view of a splenic cyst, the treatment should be surgical in contrast to the more conservative attitude now recommended for the usual splenic trauma.