Spontaneous rupture of a normal spleen: a case report and literature review

Spontaneous spleen rupture is a rare condition that occurs in less than 1% of cases without any identifiable underlying medical issues. Emergency clinicians should always include spontaneous spleen rupture in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain, as timely diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving patient prognosis and preventing fatal outcomes. Clinical manifestations may include pain in the epigastric region or the left upper quadrant, tachycardia, and shock. Some patients may show signs of an acute abdomen upon physical examination while maintaining stable vital signs. Point-of-care ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography play a pivotal role in the diagnosis. Standard guidelines for the treatment have not been established. While splenectomy remains the mainstay of treatment, some selected hemodynamically stable patients may be suitable candidates for splenic artery embolization. In this minireview, we will begin by discussing the case of a 53-year-old man who experienced left lower back pain for five days, initially misdiagnosed as renal colic, and we will then conclude by examining the current literature on this important topic.