Spotaneous Rupture of Spleen Due to Plasmodium Vivax Malaria

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen is a rare complication of Plasmodium vivax malaria which may be under diagnosed. Recently we encountered such a case in an expatriate a few days after arriving from his country. The presentation was of fever; abdominal pain and vomiting. Computed tomographic scan and ultrasound were not helpful in making an initial diagnosis but the development of hypotension and a significant drop in hemoglobin later pointed to the diagnosis. The rupture was sufficiently severe to necessitate splenectomy. The case is described, treatment options are discussed and pertinent literature is reviewed.