Atraumatic splenic rupture associated with COVID-19

Abstract

Atraumatic splenic rupture (ASR) is a rare but life-threatening condition. Several underlying pathologies have been associated with a splenic rupture in the absence of trauma, most often malignant-haematological disorders, viral infections or local inflammatory disorders. The management of ASR is similar to traumatic splenic rupture and includes early risk stratification of patients to determine those eligible for non-operative treatment versus those who need immediate surgical intervention. In this report, we discuss a rare case of a non-operatively managed ASR in an otherwise healthy young patient with SARS-CoV-2 as the likely aetiology. The multisystemic nature of the ongoing novel COVID-19 is evident, but not all manifestations are yet known. This case report underlines the challenge for physicians in terms of recognising and treating emergent complications of this new disease.