Cocaine-induced splenic rupture

Splenic rupture is a rare but serious complication from cocaine abuse. Given the ubiquitous prevalence of abuse and the potential for death from intraperitoneal bleeding, the prompt diagnosis and treatment of cocaine-induced disease including splenic rupture is essential. The management for splenic rupture from traumatic and atraumatic etiology has shifted from emergent laparotomy and splenectomy to non-operative approach with transcatheter splenic artery embolization. We report a 39-year-old male with a significant substance abuse history who presented with atraumatic splenic rupture. He was managed nonoperatively with adjunctive transcatheter splenic artery embolization. His post-procedure course was complicated by an intra-abdominal abscess requiring drainage via interventional radiology guided pigtail catheter placement and intravenous antibiotics. This case report is intended to raise awareness of the potentiating effects of cocaine use in this patient population and highlight questions raised during this patient's management.