Spontaneous Splenic Rupture in Malaria Patients: Two Case Reports

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Tropical Medicine
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Atraumatic splenic rupture is a rare but life-threatening condition.
• Severe malaria can present with non-specific abdominal pain.
• Travel history to endemic areas is a key epidemiological factor.

Observation:

• Two patients presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain.
• Both patients had a history of travel to malaria-endemic regions.
• Diagnosis revealed spontaneous splenic rupture secondary to severe malaria.

Findings:

• Splenic rupture in malaria is a critical, often overlooked, complication.
• Prompt diagnosis requires high clinical suspicion in patients with malaria and abdominal pain.
• Ultrasonography and CT scans are vital for accurate diagnosis.

Implications:

• Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for splenic rupture in malaria patients.
• Early diagnosis and surgical management (splenectomy) improve patient outcomes.
• Awareness of this rare complication is crucial for emergency medicine and infectious disease specialists.