Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: a case report and literature review

Traumatic rupture of the spleen has been well described in the medical literature and is found in approximately 30% of patients undergoing surgery for blunt abdominal injury. Atraumatic splenic rupture is described much less often. A case of atraumatic rupture of an enlarged spleen is described. The etiology of spontaneous rupture of the spleen in this case could not be determined. The patient was seen and discharged twice from the emergency department; the diagnosis was made at emergency laparotomy three days after subsequent admission. This case should remind the emergency physician that nontraumatic splenic rupture should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained acute left upper quadrant abdominal pain.