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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Splenic infarction, splenic sequestration, and functional hyposplenism in hemoglobin S-C disease.

Splenic atrophy or evidence of hyposplenism occurs in as many as one third of all patients with S-C hemoglobinopathy. Yet there are few reports in the literature of clinically apparent splenic infarction in this disease. We describe four instances of acute splenic infarction in three patients with hemoglobin S-C disease which illustrate a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and severity. Of particular interest were the observations of coincident occurrences of splenic sequestration and functional hyposplenism with splenic infarction, suggesting a close pathophysiological relationship among these syndromes.

Adult

Thromboembolic splenic infarction.

Splenic infarction occurs as a consequence of systemic thromboembolization in association with several cardiovascular disorders. We describe a case of splenic infarction in a patient who had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after aortic valve replacement. In an autopsy series of 96 consecutive cases of splenic infarction, only 10% had been suspected clinically even though the splenic infarctions had contributed substantially to morbidity and mortality in 44% of the cases. Thromboembolic causes were responsible for the splenic infarcts in 67% of the cases, and concomitant infarcts in other organ systems were found in 62%. Embolization of atheromatous debris from the aorta, thrombotic elements from the left ventricle (in dilated cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction), and vegetations from infected valves are the most common settings in which thromboembolic splenic infarcts are noted. The clinical picture associated with splenic infarction is typically nonspecific; manifestations may include fever, tachycardia, and left-upper-quadrant tenderness. Computed tomographic scanning and, to a lesser degree, ultrasonography are the imaging techniques of choice for diagnosing splenic infarction.

Aortic Valve Stenosis

[Splenic infarction].

Splenic infarction is a recognized sequel of a number of diseases but, until recently, it has been difficult to verify. Employing the new imaging techniques, the spleen has become diagnostically more accessible and increase in the number of splenic infarctions diagnosed must be anticipated. The commonest basic cause is cardiovascular disease but the etiology may be manifold. Whereas the infarct as such is of lesser significance, splenic abscess, eg after bacterial endocarditis, is a life-threatening condition. The treatment consists of surgical drainage and, frequently, splenectomy. The lethality is reduced from nearly 100% to approximately 10% when the correct treatment is employed.

Humans

Unusual cause of acute abdomen. Sickle cell trait and nonhypoxic splenic infarction.

Splenic infarction under hypoxic conditions is a well-known complication of sickle cell trait (Hgb AS). However, this case illustrates that it may occur without any clinical conditions of circumstances associated with decreased Pao2. In addition, sickle cell trait should be included in the differential diagnoses of splenic infarction even if the patient is not of African ancestry.

Abdomen, Acute

Case report: splenic infarction and acute splenic sequestration in adults with hemoglobin SC disease.

While acute splenic sequestration and splenic infarction are commonly observed in infants and young children with sickle cell anemia, they are rarely experienced by adult hemoglobin S homozygotes because the recurrent splenic infarction that takes place during childhood is typically followed by scarring, atrophy, and splenic fibrosis. Both acute splenic sequestration and splenic infarction do remain relatively common in adults with the other sickle hemoglobinopathies. These episodes are almost certainly a consequence of the persistently enlarged and distensible spleens that often remain present in these conditions. In this report, the authors describe two adult patients with hemoglobin SC disease: one who developed acute splenic sequestration and one with splenic infarction. In neither case was there a history of recent air travel or exposure to altitude. The clinical course of these two syndromes is presented, and the hematologic, radiologic, and pathologic manifestations are discussed. Because they can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from one another, and because a failure to identify acute splenic sequestration can be catastrophic, these two entities must be included in the differential diagnosis for any hemoglobin SC patient who present with an unexplained fall in hemoglobin, left upper quadrant pain, unexplained fever, or symptomatic splenomegaly.

Acute Disease

Computed tomography in the diagnosis of splenic infarction.

The demonstration of splenic infarction by computed tomographic scanning is described in the following report. CT yields a characteristic pattern which is highly diagnostic. The role of angiography and scintigraphy in splenic infarction is discussed.

Adult

[Splenic infarct in the computed tomogram].

Splenic infarcts are represented by wedge-shaped, oval or linear areas. Haemorrhagic infarcts are characterised by being hyperdense. Disseminated infarction occurs predominantly in myeloproliferative diseases. During the early stages, the infarct appears as an ill-defined hypodense defect, with non-homogeneous contrast enhancement. During the acute and sub-acute stage, the density of the infarct is low and there is no contrast enhancement. During the chronic stage, its density increases and there is slight contrast enhancement. Complications following splenic infarcts, such as abscesses, bleeding and rupture can be demonstrated by CT with great accuracy. Problems in differential diagnosis may occur if there are atypical manifestations of the infarct, with respect to abscess or leukaemic infiltrations.

Abdomen, Acute

Splenic infarction: sonographic patterns, diagnosis, follow-up, and complications.

Forty splenic infarcts in 23 patients were examined with ultrasound (US). At clinical presentation, splenic infarction was associated with severe left upper quadrant pain (n = 10) or diffuse abdominal pain (n = 4) or was asymptomatic (n = 9). In this retrospective study, predominantly wedge-shaped (n = 17) or round (n = 23), irregularly delineated (n = 33) or smooth (n = 7), hypoechoic (n = 40) and anechoic (n = 5) lesions were found at first examination. During follow-up observation, four patients died because of complications unrelated to infarct, and five patients underwent splenectomy as a consequence of US findings. Expanding intralienal liquefaction, increasing subcapsular hemorrhage, free peritoneal blood (even in spleens shown to have an intact surface at sonography), and flow phenomena in the area of infarction demonstrated at B-mode pulsed Doppler US were identified as infarct-related complications associated with the risk of splenic rupture. Despite the high self-healing tendency in splenic infarction, short-term follow-up with US is recommended for early recognition of these possible complications.

Abdominal Pain

Splenic infarction complicating pediatric liver transplantation: incidence and CT appearance.

In children it is often necessary to ligate the splenic artery and the main collateral supply to the spleen during liver transplantation. The complication of splenic infarction has been observed on postoperative CT in such patients. The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence and CT appearance of splenic infarction and to correlate its occurrence with a vascular cause related to the operative procedure. During a 2 year period, 26 of 94 (28%) children receiving liver transplants developed splenic infarction as shown by CT. Infarction generally occurred within 2 weeks of transplantation. Computed tomography demonstrated variable portions of splenic involvement with hypodense lesions. Twenty-two of 39 (56%) patients whose splenic artery was ligated developed splenic infarctions. Only 4 of 55 (7%) patients whose splenic artery was left intact had splenic infarctions on postoperative CT. We conclude that there is an increased incidence of splenic infarction in pediatric liver transplant recipients. The incidence of infarction is related to ligation of the splenic artery and collateral pathways.

Adolescent

The natural history of splenic infarction.

Our experience at the Cleveland Clinic and that in the literature with splenic infarction were reviewed to describe the natural history of splenic infarction and provide guidelines for management. Data for this review included 75 patients identified by clinical studies or at autopsy during a 10-year period and a review of 77 cases reported in the literature. The cause of the infarct varied with age; patients under 40 years old most often had an associated hematologic disorder, while those older than 41 years old most often had an embolic event. Other etiologic factors included splenic vascular disease, anatomic abnormalities, collagen vascular disease, pancreatic disease, and nonhematologic malignancy. Left upper quadrant pain was the predominant symptom. Changes in the blood count included anemia (53%), leukocytosis (49%), and thrombocytosis (7%). Liver-spleen scans were diagnostic in 90% of patients and computerized tomography identified the infarct in 75%. Initial management consisted of hydration, analgesics, and frequent monitoring, with resolution of symptoms in 7 to 14 days. Splenectomy was performed for persistent symptoms or a complication of the infarct (splenic pseudocyst, abscess, or hemorrhage). An uncomplicated splenic infarction can be managed safely with medical treatment, but early surgical intervention (splenectomy) is necessary to lower the mortality rate of a complication of the infarct.

Embolism

Case report: computed tomography features of complete splenic infarction, cavitation and spontaneous decompression complicating pancreatitis.

Splenic infarction is a rare complication of pancreatitis. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman, who had undergone previous drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst, and who represented with left upper quadrant pain. Absence of enhancement of the splenic parenchyma during contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) allowed confident diagnosis of complete splenic infarction. A later CT scan revealed splenic cavitation with spontaneous decompression into the stomach. The aetiology of these unusual complications of pancreatitis is discussed.

Acute Disease

CT patterns of splenic infarction: a clinical and experimental study.

The computed tomographic (CT) appearance of splenic infarction has classically been described as peripheral, wedge-shaped, and low in density. Two investigations were designed to determine the appearance of splenic infarcts: (a) a clinical study of 12 patients and (b) a canine experimental model. In the clinical study, two previously undescribed patterns of splenic infarction were found. The classic peripheral, wedge-shaped defects were seen in four patients; multiple, heterogeneous lesions were seen in five; and massive hypodense lesions were noted in three. In three of the nine patients who had both precontrast and postcontrast CT scans, the unenhanced images alone would not have permitted the diagnosis. Contrast enhancement markedly improved infarct visualization in the remaining six. The experimental study of splenic infarction in dogs indicated that CT images can accurately depict the various phases of an infarct as it evolves through stages of congestion, hemorrhage, inflammation, organization, and fibrosis. In addition, a new contrast material--liposome-encapsulated diatrizoate--was used in one of the dogs and was found to produce greater and more sustained differences between normal and abnormal tissue than did conventional contrast material.

Adolescent

Recent subsegmental splenic infarction: hypervascular appearance on angiography.

The authors describe a case of a focal splenic infarction with a hypervascular appearance on selective splenic arteriography. This appearance of splenic infarction has never before been reported. Angiographers should be aware of this unusual presentation of splenic infarction when they encounter an unexplained focal hypervascular area.

Angiography

[Splenic infarction in Plasmodium falciparum malarial attack].

Splenic infarct during P. falciparum malaria is rare but well known. We report one case where ultrasonography and computed tomography suggested the diagnostic, showing respectively in splenic parenchyma a peripheral hypoechoic lesion and a low attenuation lesion. Diagnostic was confirmed by spontaneous regression during following days. We shall encounter more frequently than nowadays this rare entity due to expanding tourism and P. falciparum resistance.

Adult

Massive splenic infarction in cirrhosis: report of a case with spontaneous disappearance of hypersplenism.

A cirrhotic patient with massive splenic infarction is described. Celiac angiography showed normally opacified splenic artery and vein and a markedly enlarged spleen with large avascular zones. Splenic infarction was associated with the spontaneous disappearance of a syndrome of hypersplenism. The spleen was surgically removed. Histological examination showed multiple thromboses of the small arterial and venous vessels. The cause of this infarct remained unclear.

Alcoholism

[Contribution of sectional imaging, echography and MRI, for the diagnosis of splenic infarction in Osler endocarditis. Apropos of a case].

A case of symptomatic splenic infarct in an 11 year-old girl suffering from bacterial endocarditis is reported; this occurrence is a rare and serious condition in this disease. The diagnosis of haemorrhagic splenic infarct was suggested by ultrasonography and confirmed by MRI. No splenic abscess developed and this was correlated to a rapid improvement of the clinical state following an antibiotic treatment only. The authors discuss the role of sonography and MR in the etiologic diagnosis of splenic involvement in patients suffering from bacterial endocarditis.

Child

Hepatic and splenic infarctions: complications of therapeutic transcatheter embolization.

Two cases are described in which therapeutic transcatheter Gelfoam embolization was complicated by fatal hepatic infarction in one patient and splenic infarction with abscess formation in another patient. These are unusual complications of this widely used therapeutic technique. The probable pathophysiology of these complications is discussed and suggestions for managing and avoiding them are made.

Abscess