Abstract
Atraumatic splenic rupture is a rare and life-threatening condition, if not diagnosed. We present two cases with a history of travel to endemic areas, who came to the emergency department with abdominal pain and were diagnosed to have spontaneous splenic rupture as a complication of severe malaria. Both patients were treated surgically by splenectomy. A high level of clinical suspicion is critical in every malaria patient presenting with abdominal pain, even if it is mild. Clinical imaging modalities like ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) are crucial diagnostic tools in managing such patients.
Highlights
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection caused by parasites from the plasmodium group
We present two patients who came to the emergency department with abdominal pain and were diagnosed to have splenic rupture as a complication of malaria
Malaria parasites have been around since the dawn of time. They most probably evolved in Africa along with humans, and mosquito fossils reveal that malaria vectors have been there for at least 30 million years
Summary
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infection caused by parasites from the plasmodium group. There are five parasite species that cause malaria in humans. We present two patients who came to the emergency department with abdominal pain and were diagnosed to have splenic rupture as a complication of malaria. A 34-year-old gentleman, with no past medical history, presented to the emergency department with a history of left upper abdominal pain and fever for three days. He had a history of travel to Nepal recently. No history of nausea or vomiting was noted His vitals were as follows: temperature 40.6 °C (oral), heart rate: 129 beats per minute, blood pressure: 92/50 mmHg, respiratory rate: 20 per minute, and oxygen saturation: 99%. Meningococcal and Haemophilus influenza vaccines were given on the fourth postoperative day and discharged home on Day 7 with follow-up in the surgical outpatient clinic
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