Splenic Rupture in a COVID-19 Patient – A Case Report

Authors

  • Anna C. Crowley BS, Medical student, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
  • Raul R. Magadia MD, Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center, Infectious Disease, United States
  • Arianna B. Lanpher BA, Medical student, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2021.912

Keywords:

Infectious Disease, COVID-19, Splenic Rupture, case report

Abstract

Background: It is well known that the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes coagulation changes, requiring frequent monitoring for potential sequelae such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Non-traumatic splenic rupture is a rare and poorly understood occurrence in the clinical setting. Possible causes of nontraumatic splenic rupture include neoplasm, infection, inflammatory disease, iatrogenic and mechanical causes. Furthermore, increased intrasplenic tension, increased abdominal pressure, and thrombotic vascular occlusion are possible mechanisms.

The Case: We report a case of splenic rupture in a COVID-19 patient. Our patient was a 52-year-old black man, presenting with diarrhea and moderate dyspnea, who was found to be COVID-19 positive. He had a past medical history significant for end-stage renal disease, chronic anemia, and aortic valve replacement. In an otherwise uneventful, 7-day hospital course, the patient’s stay abruptly resulted in a nontraumatic splenic rupture and demise. In this report, we have evaluated the likelihood of COVID-19 causing splenic rupture in a patient with no prior splenic disease.

Conclusion: This case highlights the possibility of splenic rupture in otherwise normally recovering COVID-19 patients, particularly in the presence of comorbid conditions of renal failure and anticoagulation, with increased abdominal pressure during routine defecation. This information may assist in furthering the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and its life-threatening complications. In patients with COVID-19, non-traumatic splenic rupture should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in patients who present with abdominal pain and early recognition of the same, owing to a high index of suspicion, can be lifesaving.

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Published

2021-07-16

How to Cite

Crowley, A. C., Magadia, R. R., & Lanpher, A. B. (2021). Splenic Rupture in a COVID-19 Patient – A Case Report. International Journal of Medical Students, 9(3), 219–222. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2021.912

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2021)

Section

Case Report

Categories

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