Splenic rupture and splenectomy due to fall from wheelchair

This report describes the effect of blunt abdominal trauma incurred when a quadriplegic patient slid sideways, catching his flank between the wheelchair arm and a slightly reclined wheelchair back. The patient experienced almost immediate pain in the left shoulder, and gradual cardiovascular collapse. The diagnosis of splenic rupture, followed by splenectomy, was life-saving. Pertinent literature is cited and attention is drawn to the necessity for early diagnosis in blunt abdominal trauma.