Failure of conservative management of splenic rupture in a patient with mononucleosis

"Conservative" management of splenic rupture in patients with mononucleosis has not been adequately evaluated because of its infrequent occurrence. Splenic rupture can be lethal in this setting and is the most common cause of death from mononucleosis. We report a case of spontaneous splenic rupture in a young girl with mononucleosis. The initial management was nonoperative but because of recurrent pain and rebleeding, a splenectomy was later performed. We do not recommend observation of splenic rupture in patients with mononucleosis because of the danger of delayed hemorrhage.