title: [Spontaneous splenic rupture as complication of infective mononucleosis: a clinical case].
abstract: Spontaneous splenic rupture is a very rare complication of infectious mononucleosis, already described by other authors. In this case report we show the findings occurring in a young man who presented with sudden left thoracic pain and dyspnea. The initial work-up was oriented towards a suspected diagnosis of left spontaneous pneumothorax. Initially, little attention was paid to the clinical history that was characterized by flu-like symptoms during the previous 2 weeks; this, along with a rushed physical examination, could have had dramatic consequences, due to the unavoidable diagnostic delay. A thorough clinical evaluation by Internists, coupled with the essential ultrasonographic diagnostic support, allowed an earlier diagnosis followed by definitive cure, i.e. splenectomy.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Medicina Interna, Ospedale S. Massimo di Penne, PE.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delle Monache
authors.forename: Dante
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frassanito
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sciarra
authors.forename: Manlio Tullio
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000209:etiology*