What is an infarcted spleen?

Splenic infarction is the death of tissue (necrosis) in the spleen due to a blockage in blood flow.

What happens when part of your spleen dies?

Complications. The main complication of a ruptured spleen is bleeding and the problems that can come from it, such as cysts and blood clots. Delayed bleeding and spleen death may also result from a ruptured spleen. It is often these serious complications that result in surgery.

What are the symptoms of splenic infarction?

Approximately one third of splenic infarcts are clinically occult. The most common presenting symptom is left-upper-quadrant abdominal pain (up to 70%). Additional symptoms include fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, pleuritic chest pain, and left shoulder pain (Kehr sign).

Does splenic artery thrombosis cause venous infarction?

Splenic infarct has also been reported in association with postpartum toxic shock syndrome. Splenic vein thrombosis, most commonly the result of pancreatitis or surgery, can result in venous infarction.

What causes an infarcted spleen?

The most common causes of splenic infarction are haematological disease or thromboembolism. Other rarer causes include vasculitis, trauma (including blunt trauma or torsion of a ‘wandering’ splenic artery), collagen tissue diseases, or surgery (pancreatectomy or liver transplantation).

How common is a splenic infarct?

Splenic infarcts are rare cases. It may not be noticed in the emergency department because the clinical picture is likely to mimic various acute abdominal pains. The splenic infarct is often the result of systemic thromboembolism associated with cardiovascular disorders.

What are the symptoms of spleen problems?

An enlarged spleen

• feeling full very quickly after eating (an enlarged spleen can press on the stomach)
• feeling discomfort or pain behind your left ribs.
• anaemia and fatigue.
• frequent infections.
• easy bleeding.

Is splenic infarction serious?

Dangerous complications of splenic infarct include pseudocyst formation, abscess, hemorrhage, splenic rupture, and aneurysm. In some instances, the infarcted splenic tissue may become infected and lead to abscess formation. Infarcted tissue may also undergo a hemorrhagic transformation.

How is splenic vein thrombosis treated?

Asymptomatic patients do not require further intervention. Splenectomy is the first line treatment in variceal bleeding with splenic artery embolization and percutaneous recanalization available as options for non-surgical candidates. TIPS and BRTO are not useful and may be contra-indicated.

What causes splenic flexure syndrome?

Splenic flexure syndrome occurs when gas builds up or becomes trapped in your colon. Thought to be the primary cause of this condition, gas accumulation causes trapped air to push on the inner lining of your stomach and digestive tract. As a result, pressure can build on surrounding organs, causing pain and discomfort.

What doctor treats the spleen?

For example, hematologists (doctors who specialize in treating blood disorders), oncologists (cancer specialists), and gastroenterologists (liver and digestive tract specialists) all commonly take care of patients who may have enlarged spleen as a response to another condition.

What blood tests show spleen function?

Blood tests, such as a complete blood count to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in your system and liver function. Ultrasound or CT scan to help determine the size of your spleen and whether it’s crowding other organs. MRI to trace blood flow through the spleen.

What causes splenic thrombosis?

The most common cause of isolated thrombosis of the splenic vein is chronic pancreatitis caused by perivenous inflammation. Although splenic vein thrombosis (SVT) has been reported in up to 45% of patients with chronic pancreatitis, most patients with SVT remain asymptomatic.

How is splenic vein thrombosis diagnosed?

Computed tomography (CT) is the diagnostic method of choice in splanchnic vein thrombosis. In cases of right upper quadrant abdominal pain, the first study to perform is typically a Doppler ultrasound. Doppler ultrasound is less costly and more comfortable to achieve than CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

How do you know if you have splenic flexure syndrome?

The symptoms of splenic flexure syndrome include bloating, pain in the upper left abdomen, and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. Causes. People with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, are most likely to have splenic flexure syndrome, with some experts even considering it to be a type of IBS.

How common is splenic flexure syndrome?

Splenic flexure volvulus (SFV) is a very rare condition that is unlikely to be suspected even when a patient has repeated episodes of abdominal pain and dyschezia. We describe the case of SFV diagnosed and treated laparoscopically in the non-volvulus condition.