splenic rupture


splenic rupture

An abdominal catastrophe marked by severe, often pleuritic pain, hemodynamic instability, blood loss into the peritoneum, and occasionally cardiovascular collapse and death. It may occur as a result of trauma or rarely in patients with infectious mononucleosis. Treatment may be conservative or may involve removal of the spleen. In delayed rupture of the spleen, a catastrophic illness may not present until days or weeks after the causative injury. See also: rupture