Spontaneous splenic rupture in plasma cell leukemia.

A case of plasma cell leukemia complicated by spontaneous rupture of the spleen is presented. Plasma cell leukemia occurs in less than 2% of patients with myeloma and is associated with an increased incidence of splenomegaly due to infiltration by malignant plasmacytes. Sontaneous splenic rupture is known to occur in patients with acute and chronic leukemia, but has been reported only once previously in a patient with plasma cell leukemia. Etiologic factors and the need for prompt diagnosis and management are discussed.