Abstract Malaria presents a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide and is linked to serious complications, including splenic rupture. The outlook for malaria complicated by splenic rupture is often unfavorable and can result in death, even with prompt treatment. While trauma, hematological cancers, and infections are the primary causes of splenic rupture, the death rate for spontaneous cases can reach up to 38% despite early diagnosis and proper management. Although malaria may sometimes be without symptoms, it can initially appear as an acute abdomen, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Its clinical signs can vary widely, often resembling other conditions. This report describes a patient with a 1-week history of lower abdominal pain who was found to have spontaneous splenic rupture during surgery. The patient was successfully treated with a splenectomy, emphasizing the rare but serious complications of malaria and their effect on patient outcomes. The goal of this publication is to guide the management of spontaneous splenic rupture.
Yeoh et al. (Tue,) studied this question.