Spontaneous Splenic Infarction Research Articles

Splenic infarction as a rare cause of abdominal pain in older adults: A case report

Spontaneous splenic infarction has been rarely reported within aged population. The diagnosis of the condition is based on clinical findings and splenic imaging. In recent years, ultrasonography and computed tomographic scan have gained in popularity for the diagnosis of splenic infarction. Most reported cases are focal infarctions, and treatment is mostly conservative. We described the case of a 82-year-old female with cured breast cancer, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension who had left upper quadrant pain within 15 days. Physical examination on admission revealed a palpable splenomegaly. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed many subcapsular infarct zones of the spleen measuring 16 cm in length and 4.5 cm conglomerate lymphadenopathies within periportal region. Doppler ultrasound revealed wedge-shaped heterogeneous hypoechoic avascular areas and lymphadenopathies. After laboratory tests, the underlying cause was found as marginal zone
 lymphoma. The patient was treated with conservative management and chemotherapy was planned for specific cause. Splenic infarction must be kept in mind for older patients with underlying comorbidities presenting with acute left upper quadrant pain.

Spontaneous splenic rupture, mesenteric ischemia and spinal infarction after aortic repair for acute type A dissection in a patient with sickle cell trait

Sickle cell trait (SCT), a benign hematological condition affecting approximately 300 million individuals globally, is associated with an increased risk of vaso-occlusive disease. However, the risks related to surgery employing cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with SCT are not well established. Herein, we report the case of a 27-year-old African American man with SCT who underwent an emergency aortic repair for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection using hypothermic circulatory arrest. The patient developed a sickle cell crisis, which was followed by spontaneous splenic infarction and rupture, nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, and spinal infarction.

2274 Splenic Infarction in Alcoholic Hepatitis

INTRODUCTION: Case reports can be found in the literature describing elderly cirrhotic patients developing splenic infarctions (1,2). Herein, we describe a relatively young female who developed splenic infarction likely secondary to alcoholic hepatitis (AH). CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 40-year-old Caucasian female with past medical history of alcohol abuse and irritable bowel syndrome presented with jaundice, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory showed ALT 54, AST 246, alkaline phosphatase 589, total bilirubin 14.0, INR 1.9, and ethanol level 240. WBC count was elevated to 20,900 with a 92% neutrophilic predominance. Leukocytosis was initially thought to be secondary to UTI as she also presented with urinary symptoms and urinalysis concerning for UTI. After a 5 day course of IV ceftriaxone, her WBC count decreased only to 18,400. Her abdominal exam began to worsen. RUQ ultrasound showed hepatic steatosis. CT scan with contrast showed moderate hepatomegaly and borderline splenomegaly with mild ascites. Abdominal pain, leukocytosis, and total bilirubin continued to worsen. Because of her severe abdominal pain and WBC count >50,000 despite a 7-day course of meropenem, contrast CT scan was repeated. At this time, lesions in the spleen concerning for infarction were seen. From here on, she was managed conservatively and her condition improved until discharge. DISCUSSION: Splenic function has been shown to decrease in patients with AH, but the exact pathophysiology is unclear (3). Splenic infarctions have been described in the literature in cirrhotic patients with co-morbidities (e.g. primary biliary cirrhosis), but to the authors’ knowledge there is not much mention in the literature of spontaneous splenic infarction in AH. In the right clinical context, physicians should consider splenic infarction in AH patients, especially in those with persistent leukocytosis which could be classified as a leukemoid reaction. Our report shows splenic vasculature infarction may be worth investigating in the future as an explanation for hyposplenia in AH.

Spontaneous Splenic Infarction as an Uncommon Cause of Fever in a Cirrhotic Patient

Summary Spontaneous splenic infarction is a relative rare disease and usually happens in patients with some disorders that have potential of thromboembolism formation. The symptoms are often subclinical and non-specific so physicians easily forget this diagnosis. However, splenic infarction could cause destructive consequences such as hemorrhagic shock, especially in old or weak patients. In this article, we present one case with fever and unexplained abdominal pain; the patient was ultimately diagnosed spontaneous splenic infarction. Although early suspicion or diagnosis may be challenged, physicians should remember this disease and arrange associated investigation to make correct management.

Spontaneous Massive Splenic Infarction in the Setting of Renal Transplant and Septic Shock: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Massive splenic infarction (MSI) is a rare phenomenon that results from compromised blood flow to more than half of the spleen. Causes of MSI include hematological disorders, coagulopathies, infection, and embolization, and, rarely, MSI is spontaneous. The mainstay of treatment is splenectomy. We report the case of a 50-year-old man with a history of renal transplant who presented with diffuse abdominal pain and rapidly developed septic shock. A computed tomographic study (CT scan) of the abdomen demonstrated MSI. The surgical team was consulted for splenectomy but conservative management was maintained and immune function preserved. The patient's clinical condition was resolved over a three-week period. This report demonstrates successful nonoperative management of a spontaneous MSI most likely secondary to hypoperfusion and a hypercoagulable state from both septic shock and renal transplant.

Spontaneous splenic infarction in an elderly cirrhotic patient with multiple comorbidities

Spontaneous splenic infarction has been seen rarely in cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The clinical presentation can mimic other causes of acute abdominal pain. The diagnosis of the condition is based on clinical findings and splenic imaging. In recent years, ultrasonography and computed tomographic scan have gained in popularity for the diagnosis of splenic infarction. Most reported cases are of focal infarction, and treatment is mostly conservative. Herein, we describe a rare case of spontaneous splenic infarction in an elderly cirrhotic patient with portal hypertension who also had comorbidities. A 72-year-old female previously diagnosed with cirrhosis was admitted for left upper quadrant abdominal pain for two days. Her medical history included cryptogenic cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypertension. Physical examination on admission revealed a palpable splenomegaly. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed splenomegaly and a hypoechoic area with lobulated contours measuring 62 x 35 mm extending from the subcapsular area to the hilus in the middle section of the spleen. Abdominal computed tomographic showed a subcapsular hypodense lesion of the spleen measuring 64 x 58 mm. Doppler ultrasound revealed a wedge-shaped heterogeneous hypoechoic avascular area extending from the central zone to the lateral zone of the spleen. In our case, diagnosis of splenic infarction was made by computed tomographic and Doppler ultrasonography. Our patient received conservative treatment for the underlying diseases. Spontaneous splenic infarction must be kept in mind in cirrhotic patients with underlying comorbidities presenting with left upper quadrant pain.

A case of polysplenia syndrome associated with spontaneous splenic infarction

Polysplenia syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly which presenting with multiple spleens associated with various thoracic and visceral anomalies. We herein report a case of polysplenia syndrome associated with spontaneous splenic infarction, which is an extremely rare condition. The diagnosis was established by only diagnostic tools (US, CT and MR), but confirmed by the detailed assessment of the imaging findings of the progression over 3 months.

Spontaneous splenic infarction associated with sumatriptan use

Triptans are specific agonists of the serotonergic 5-HT1B/1D receptors that have increasingly been used in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches. Though they are generally considered safe, there have been a few reports of myocardial infarction and stroke associated with triptan use. We report a patient who developed spontaneous splenic infarction after the use of sumatriptan for the treatment of migraine headache.