Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen Following a Carbuncle

Traumatic rupture of the spleen, as the result of a contusion, a fall or a blow, is not uncommon. Spontaneous rupture is much less frequent, although cases are reported in patients with certain diseases, particularly malaria 1 and typhoid fever. 2 In a few of these cases the rupture seems entirely spontaneous, but in most of them it accompanies some exertion, usually severe, but at times very slight. Connors 3 reported a case of a man who, except for some constipation extending over a period of three weeks, seemed in good health until he experienced a sudden, sharp pain in the left hypochondrium. Operation showed a rupture of the spleen with a subcapsular hematoma. No history of injury or exertion could be obtained. Connors compiled from the literature twelve cases of spontaneous rupture of the spleen. Five of these were in tropical countries, so, although no diagnosis of malaria is