A fatal case of spontaneous rupture of the spleen due to dengue virus infection: case report and review
Pungjitprapai, A.; Tantawichien, T.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 39(3): 383-386
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 18564675 Document Number: 627523
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is being seen more frequently in adults as a consequence of shifting patterns of infection and immunity and there has been an apparent increase in the complications of dengue infection. Spontaneous splenic ruptures are rare but life-threatening complications of infectious diseases. We describe a fatal case of spontaneous splenic rupture in an adult patient with DHF. A case of spleen rupture may be misdiagnosed as shock syndrome. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of splenic rupture in areas where dengue infection is endemic. Early diagnosis and treatment of splenic rupture should improve clinical outcomes.