Rupture of a malarial spleen

Rupture of a malarial spleen

In tropical countries, rupture of a spleen enlarged as a result of malaria is not uncommon (see Tropical splenomegaly Delayed presentation following a ‘trivial’ injury is not infre quent. In such patients, radiological embolisation may be performed if available, and splenectomy should be considered before a perisplenic haematoma ruptures, a complication that is associated with a w orse prognosis. Surgery in such patients is challenging and early ligation of the splenic vessels along the superior border of the pancreatic body should be considered before disturbing the haematoma.