Spontaneous Splenic Rupture as a Complication of Malaria and Incidental Acute Appendicitis: A Case Report

Abstract

Malaria presents a challenge to healthcare systems globally. It is associated with severe complications, notably splenic rupture. The prognosis of malaria complicated by splenic rupture is poor and sometimes leads to death even with timely intervention. Here, we report the case of a patient who presented with complicated malaria with spontaneous splenic rupture and coincidental acute appendicitis. A 34-year-old man was successfully treated for a grade IV ruptured spleen and acute appendicitis with splenectomy and appendectomy. Postoperative care took place in the intensive care unit and the patient was shifted to the general floor on the fifth day. Upon discharge the next day, he was prescribed amoxicillin twice daily for one year. Malaria can present with life-threatening complications requiring prompt surgical intervention.

Spontaneous rupture of the Spleen due to Malaria: A Case Report

“…Some authors have described embolization of the splenic artery as an alternative, but it requires well-equipped facilities. [3] . Our case presented with acute shock and hemodynamic instability that did not respond to resuscitation, which warranted surgical intervention.…”

“…Some Authors have suggested that Malarial splenic complications are associated with plasmodium vivax infection [2] Malaria infection alone has the greatest impact on global health, affecting more than 500 million individuals with more than 2.5 million deaths every year. It can manifest as an acute febrile illness, but it can lead to severe complications such as shock, respiratory distress, severe anemia, convulsions, intra-abdominal organ inflammation, and bleeding caused by spontaneous splenic rupture [3] According to the WHO, malaria is endemic in Sudan, and over 1.8 million cases have been reported in 2019, representing 12.4% of all diseases surveyed by the health sector with a mortality rate of 13 per 10,000. [4].…”