# Unusual symptoms reveal a rare splenic lymphoma: a case report of PS-DLBCL with neck and shoulder pain as the initial presentation

## TL;DR

A rare case of splenic lymphoma presented with neck and shoulder pain, leading to a delayed diagnosis of a ruptured spleen.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the unusual presentation of primary splenic DLBCL with spontaneous spleen rupture as an initial symptom.

## Key findings

- Neck and shoulder pain can be an atypical early sign of a ruptured spleen in splenic lymphoma.
- FAST ultrasound is recommended as the first imaging method for unstable patients suspected of spleen rupture.
- Primary splenic DLBCL can present without typical symptoms, requiring careful clinical evaluation.

## Abstract

The rare occurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) limited to the spleen presents difficulties in diagnosis. A case report details a patient whose initial symptoms were neck and shoulder pain, subsequently diagnosed as spontaneous spleen rupture, a rare complication of primary splenic lymphoma. Following a splenectomy, the patient was confirmed to have primary splenic DLBCL and made a good postoperative recovery. This report highlights the diagnostic dilemmas in atypical presentations, where neck and shoulder pain may be the only early sign of a neglected spleen rupture, lacking typical symptoms of the underlying disease. In cases of patients who are not stable, the recommended first imaging method is a focused assessment using sonography for trauma (FAST), as CT scans have a high level of sensitivity. Treatment is determined by hemodynamic status, with conservative management for stable patients and surgical intervention for unstable patients. The importance of recognizing spontaneous spleen rupture as a critical yet uncommon possibility in acute abdominal cases, especially in instances of primary splenic DLBCL, is emphasized in the report.