Percutaneous drainage of spontaneous subcapsular haematoma of the spleen complicating chronic pancreatitis.

Subcapsular haematoma of the spleen is a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis. In the literature only a handful of cases have been documented. The exact aetiology and natural history of this complication remains speculative and its management controversial. A case of spontaneous subacute haematoma of the spleen in a patient with chronic relapsing alcohol-related pancreatitis was reported. A percutaneous drainage was performed with good outcome. A review of the literature has demonstrated only one previous similar report.