Spontaneous rupture of the spleen: An unexpected cause and specific treatment

Abstract

Non-traumatic (or spontaneous) ruptures of the spleen (NTRS) are difficult to diagnose and are potentially fatal.The causes can be of infectious, tumoral or hematological origin. The classic treatment remains splenectomy but several recent studies have highlighted the benefit of conservative treatment.We report the case of a young man aged 32 who presented with a spontaneous rupture of the spleen during a primary infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), well controlled by embolization of the splenic artery under local anesthesia. Thus, avoiding emergency splenectomy.