Spontaneous rupture of a splenic hamartoma

Spontaneous rupture associated with infectious mononucleosis, malaria, or lymphoma has been reported; however, spontaneous rupture resulting from splenic hamartoma is a distinct occurrence that has only been reported three times in the world's literature.1-3 Hamartomas are defined as nonneoplastic tumors composed of an abnormal mixture of normal tissue components of the organ in which they are found. Patients at increased risk for rupture (i.e., large size) and uncontrollable hemorrhage (i.e., receiving chronic anticoagulation therapy) should be referred to a surgeon who can discuss operative and nonoperative management options: conservative management with regular follow-up, partial splenectomy, or prophylactic splenectomy.