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DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1109186
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Hemorrhage into a Preformed Splenic Cyst as a Rare Complication of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Einblutung in eine präformierte Milzzyste als seltene Komplikation einer Epstein-Barr-VirusinfektionPublication History
received: 11.7.2008
accepted: 12.1.2009
Publication Date:
26 March 2009 (online)
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Introduction
Spontaneous rupture of the spleen and splenic hemorrhage are a very rare complication of infectious mononucleosis (IM) (Jeffrey I. Cohen. Harrison’s Innere Medizin. 15. Aufl. Deutsche Ausgabe. Berlin. ABW Wissenschaftsverlag
2003; 184: 1221). Although this viral infection usually follows a benign and self-limited clinical course and resolves within four weeks, about 5 % of patients experience complications including a chronic clinical course, involvement of other organs, and rupture of the spleen. The incidence of spontaneous splenic rupture stands at 0.1 – 0.5 % of all patients with confirmed IM (Steiner-Linder A et al. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 2000; 130: 1695 – 1698). The management of spontaneous splenic rupture, whether spontaneous or secondary to trauma, has gone through a general transition. Although splenectomy was once considered the treatment of choice due to the increased risk of hemorrhage, there is currently increased justification under certain circumstances for a conservative approach in hemodynamically stable patients.
Prof. Wolfgang Kratzer
Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum Ulm
Albert-Einstein-Allee 23
89081 Ulm
Germany
Phone: + + 49/7 31/50 04 47 30
Fax: + + 49/7 31/50 04 46 20
Email: wolfgang.kratzer@uniklinik-ulm.de