[Hemorrhagic shock due to splenic rupture in non-severe acute pancreatitis].

A 54-year old man was hospitalized for a non severe acute pancreatitis of alcoholic aetiology. Four days after his admission, whilst symptoms and laboratory findings were on the mend, he suddenly presented with acute shock. A CT-scan demonstrated a massive haemoperitoneum due to splenic rupture which necessitated an emergency splenectomy. The causes of shock in acute pancreatitis and the factors that may lead to splenic rupture are discussed. In this patient, a possible role of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment remains undetermined.