[Splenic rupture in infectious mononucleosis]

A 22 year old male with infectious mononucleosis, who stated a history of trauma to his left thoracic wall, developed an acute abdomen with symptoms of shock. A ruptured spleen was suspected. This working diagnosis, which was supported by ultrasound led to a splenectomy the initial diagnosis. The case report of this rare complication--due to the increased vulnerability of the spleen capsula in infectious mononucleosis--is highlighting the possible danger of splenic rupture. As of today, emergency splenectomy without any compromise ist still the safest state of the art therapy.