Atraumatic splenic rupture secondary
to infectious mononucleosis: a
case report and literature review
Alex Looseley, Alex Hotouras, Quentin M. Nunes and Antony P. Barlow
Corresponding address:
Dr. Alex Looseley,
Derby City General Hospital, Uttoxeter New Road,
Derby DE22 3NE, UK.
E-mail: alex.looseley@nhs.net
Although splenomegaly is found in approximately two thirds of patients with infectious
mononucleosis (IM), splenic rupture is uncommon. However, it constitutes the single largest
cause of mortality in this group. True atraumatic splenic rupture is very rare and is seen in only
0.5% of all cases of IM. We present a case of a 22-year-old man with atraumatic splenic rupture
associated with infectious mononucleosis and highlight key considerations in diagnosing and
managing this potentially fatal complication.
Keywords
Atraumatic splenic rupture; diagnosis; infectious mononucleosis; glandular fever.
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