Case Report
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2009; 15(46): 5875-5878
Published online Dec 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.5875
Spontaneous liver rupture in hypereosinophilic syndrome: A rare but fatal complication
Yue-Sun Cheung, Shun Wong, Philip Koon-Ngai Lam, Kit-Fai Lee, John Wong, Paul Bo-San Lai
Yue-Sun Cheung, Kit-Fai Lee, John Wong, Paul Bo-San Lai, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Shun Wong, Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, China
Philip Koon-Ngai Lam, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Author contributions: Cheung YS, Lam PKN, Lee KF and Lai PBS designed the work; Cheung YS, Wong S, Lam PKN, Lee KF and Wong J performed the work; Cheung YS, Wong S, Lee KF and Wong J wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Paul Bo-San Lai, Professor, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. paullai@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk
Telephone: +852-26321411 Fax: +852-26377974
Received: August 16, 2009
Revised: October 1, 2009
Accepted: October 9, 2009
Published online: December 14, 2009
Abstract

We report a rare case of spontaneous liver rupture in a patient with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), of which the diagnosis was delayed, resulting in a fatal outcome. The diagnostic criteria and treatment of HES with hepatic involvement were reviewed. The possible cause of spontaneous liver rupture in HES and its management were also discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of spontaneous liver rupture in HES. We emphasized the need of a high index of suspicion in diagnosing HES, so that early treatment could be initiated.

Keywords: Hypereosinophilic syndrome; Eosinophilia; Hemoperitoneum; Complication; Spontaneous liver rupture