Spontaneous splenic rupture in infectious mononucleosis: Sonographic diagnosis and follow-up

Abstract

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen occurs as a serious but relatively infrequent complication of infectious mononucleosis. Over 100 such cases have been reported. In all but one of the cases previously reported, diagnosis of splenic rupture was made at laparotomy. Three new cases are reported where the diagnosis of splenic rupture was made using sonography. The patients were followed by sonography and none required laparotomy. Aspiration of the hematoma under sonographic control confirms the diagnosis and may be curative.