Splenic infarction

Changed by Joshua Yap, 7 Sep 2022
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Disclosures - updated 15 Jul 2022: Nothing to disclose

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Splenic infarction is a result of ischaemia to the spleen, and in many cases requires no treatment. However, identification of the cause of infarction is essential.  

Epidemiology

Splenic infarcts can occur due to a number of processes, involving either arterial supply, the spleen itself or the venous drainage. As such there is no one affected demographic; rather the demographics will vary with the underlying cause.

Clinical presentation

Patients with a splenic infarction may present with left upper quadrant pain. Some may have constitutional symptoms such as fevers and chills while others may even have diffuse abdominal pain 5,9. Due to the location of the spleen, tucked under the left hemidiaphragm, referred pain to the left shoulder is also a feature 9. 

It should be noted that ~40% (range 30-50%) of patients with splenic infarction are asymptomatic 9. 

Pathology

Aetiology

The majority of patients with splenic infarcts have one of the following three aetiologies: 

Other aetiological factors include 1,2:

Radiographic features

The appearance of splenic infarction depends on the timing of imaging and the size of the infarct. Although once the infarct has become established, both ultrasound and CT are sensitive to the diagnosis, in the hyperacute setting CT with contrast is the modality of choice if the diagnosis is suspected 9. 

Morphologically the typical infarct is of a pyramidal wedge of affected splenic tissue with the apex pointing towards the hilum, and the base on the splenic capsule. 

As the infarct matures, the wedge of infarcted tissue can undergo one of three processes which will dictate imaging features:

  1. resolution: no imaging findings
  2. contraction/scarring
  3. liquefaction
Ultrasound

Typically infarcts are hypoechoic compared to the rest of the spleen, although acutely they can be isoechoic and hard to identify. The bright band sign can be seen within infarct lesions 17. Sonographic features of acute splenic infarcts regarding shape can vary and include 5,9:

  • wedge-shaped (classic)
  • round 
  • irregularly
  • smooth (uncommon)

During contrast-enhanced ultrasound, the infarcted area remains hypointense throughout all phases of the study 10. 

As the infarct matures, if it undergoes contraction and scarring it will appear as a hyperechoic region with retraction of the capsule 9. If liquefaction occurs, the area may be rounded and anechoic (splenic pseudocyst).

CT

CT is often considered the imaging investigation of choice, ideally performed during the portal venous phase, to avoid confusing heterogeneous enhancement normally seen during arterial phase 2,7,9. Imaging features may vary with the stage of the infarct. 

In the hyperacute phase, CT may show areas of mottled increased attenuation, representing areas of a haemorrhagic infarction. 

There are various classical and non-classical patterns of established splenic infarcts on CT, which include 3,9:

  • peripheral, wedge-shaped hypoenhancing region: typical
  • multiple infarcts appear as hypodense non-enhancing lesions, with normal intervening enhancing splenic tissue.
  • global splenic infarction, entire spleen is hypoenhancing, e.g. in splenic torsion
  • infarction of a splenunculus 9

In the chronic phase, infarcts may disappear completely, but more commonly, they may reveal progressive volume loss caused by fibrotic contraction of the infarct, with hypertrophy of the surrounding normal spleen 7,9. Alternatively, if the infarct liquefies, a cystic lesion may be left with fluid density centrally 9. 

Treatment and prognosis

Initial management usually consists of hydration, analgesics, and frequent monitoring, with the resolution of symptoms in 7-14 days. Splenectomy can be performed for persistent symptoms or complications.

Complications

Some complications are encountered, more frequently in patients with an embolic aetiology. These include:

Differential diagnosis

Often, when imaging appearances are typical, there is little differential diagnosis. When less typical, or when imaging is suboptimal, alternative diagnoses should be entertained, including 9:

See also

  • -<li><a href="/articles/splenic-embolisation">splenic embolisation</a></li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/splenic-artery-embolisation-1">splenic embolisation</a></li>
  • -<a href="/articles/leukaemia">leukaemia</a> (CML most common) <sup>16</sup>
  • +<a href="/articles/leukaemia">leukaemia</a> (<a title="Chronic myeloid leukaemia" href="/articles/chronic-myeloid-leukaemia">CML</a> most common) <sup>16</sup>
  • -<li><a title="Gaucher disease" href="/articles/gaucher-disease">Gaucher disease</a></li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/gaucher-disease">Gaucher disease</a></li>
  • -</ul><p>In the chronic phase, infarcts may disappear completely, but more commonly, they may reveal progressive volume loss caused by fibrotic contraction of the infarct, with hypertrophy of the surrounding normal spleen <sup>7,9</sup>. Alternatively, if the infarct liquefies, a cystic lesion may be left with fluid density centrally <sup>9</sup>. </p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Initial management usually consists of hydration, analgesics, and frequent monitoring, with the resolution of symptoms in 7-14 days. Splenectomy can be performed for persistent symptoms or complications.</p><h5>Complications</h5><p>Some complications are encountered, more frequently in patients with an embolic aetiology. These include:</p><ul>
  • +</ul><p>In the chronic phase, infarcts may disappear completely, but more commonly, they may reveal progressive volume loss caused by fibrotic contraction of the infarct, with hypertrophy of the surrounding normal spleen <sup>7,9</sup>. Alternatively, if the infarct liquefies, a cystic lesion may be left with fluid density centrally <sup>9</sup>. </p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Initial management usually consists of hydration, analgesics, and frequent monitoring, with the resolution of symptoms in 7-14 days. <a title="Splenectomy" href="/articles/splenectomy">Splenectomy</a> can be performed for persistent symptoms or complications.</p><h5>Complications</h5><p>Some complications are encountered, more frequently in patients with an embolic aetiology. These include:</p><ul>
Images Changes:

Image 18 Ultrasound (Longitudinal) ( update )

Caption was changed:
Case 18: Postpost-meningococcal splenic infarction

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