THE MANAGEMENT OF SPLENIC RUPTURE IN INFECTIOUS-MONONUCLEOSIS

Non-operative management of splenic trauma is now well established; ho wever, the role of conservative management in spontaneous splenic rupt ure is undetermined. The leading cause of spontaneous splenic rupture is infectious mononucleosis. We report on the management of four patie nts with spontaneous rupture, in association with infectious mononucle osis. Three patients eventually required splenectomy, and one was succ essfully managed non-operatively. The comparative risks of operative a nd non-operative management are discussed. We believe that when spleni c rupture complicates infectious mononucleosis, early splenectomy is t he most appropriate management.