[Splenic hematoma after extracorporeal lithotripsy: apropos of a case].

OBJECTIVE

To emphasise a case of splenic hematoma secondary to ESWL.

METHODS

We report the case of a 69 year old patient with the diagnosis of left kidney stone who underwent ESWL. The treatment was performed with an electric lithotripter after pre-treatment antibiotic prophylaxis; 2000 shock waves of 18 Kv were given to the patient.

RESULTS

Patient presented abdominal pain and hematocrit descent after lithotripsy. The diagnosis of splenic hematoma was established after abdominal ultrasound and CT-scan and the patient was treated conservatively. He required a posterior emergency splenectomy secondary to infection of the hematoma, with the result of death secondary to septic shock.

CONCLUSION

Splenic lesion is an exceptional complication after ESWL. There are no studies about the effect of shock waves on the spleen, having been reported only four cases. It is believed that extreme care should be taken in cases with splenic pathology: leukaemia, lymphoma, etc.