@article{ref1,
title="Splenic artery avulsion in a high school football player: a case report",
journal="Journal of athletic training",
year="2004",
author="Ralston, David J. and Scherm, Michael J.",
volume="39",
number="2",
pages="201-205",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To present the case of a high school American football player who sustained avulsion of 2 branches of the splenic artery from his spleen as he was tackled and landed on the football. <br><br>BACKGROUND: A high school football player was tackled and fell onto the football, left side first. He was examined by a certified athletic trainer and an internist. On evaluation, he had a positive Kehr sign, exquisite left upper abdominal quadrant tenderness, and complaint of nausea. He also exhibited signs of the onset of shock, including diaphoresis, a rapid pulse, and hypotension. He was immediately transported by ambulance to the local emergency facility. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Splenic rupture, splenic laceration, splenic artery avulsion, or ruptured viscus. TREATMENT: Emergency surgery was performed, with removal of 2800 mL of blood and ligation of the 2 arterial branches avulsed from the spleen. The patient fully recovered within 6 weeks and was cleared to resume all sports activities. UNIQUENESS: Injury to the spleen in American football is a known yet very uncommon injury. Even more unusual is the avulsion of splenic artery branches from the spleen. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: It is critical that athletic trainers and team physicians have an understanding of the mechanisms, signs, and symptoms of splenic injury. Because the spleen is a highly vascular organ, severe hemorrhage can be fatal in just minutes if not recognized and appropriately treated.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1062-6050",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}