Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and spontaneous rupture of spleen.

Pathological or spontaneous splenic rupture is a rare but well-recognised complication of haematological malignancies. The authors present a clinical report of a 78-year-old woman with known clinical history of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and atrial fibrillation under anticoagulation with apixaban which has spontaneous splenic rupture. Pathological examination revealed lymph node and splenic infiltration due to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The diagnosis of splenic rupture must be considered in all patients with haematological malignancies who experience acute abdomen. Given the severity, it requires a correct and timely diagnosis. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.