Chronic Recurring Infarction of the Spleen: Sonographic Patterns and Complications

Abstract

CI develops in 17.5% of patients with infarctions. It occurs predominantly in patients with sickle-cell anaemia and myeloproliferative disease. Two characteristic morphologic patterns were found and associated with an increased risk of spontaneous splenic rupture: Therefore sonographic follow-ups might be useful.

Contrast Enhanced Sonography of Focal Splenic Lesions with a Second-Generation Contrast Agent

“…Conventional B-mode and colour Doppler sonographic patterns of splenic infarction are described [1,2]. In our experience, CES may increase diagnostic accuracy for infarction regarding sensitivity and specifity.…”

Molecular Genetic Advances in Cardiovascular Medicine

“…The same question can be raised for highly proliferating organs including the skin, the intestine, the liver, and the spleen. Occlusion of dermal arteries in the skin, mesenteric artery in the intestine, hepatic artery in the liver, and splenic artery in the spleen all result in infarcts of the supplied tissue [35][36][37][38] similar to what happens in the heart or in the brain, the two most recently discovered self-renewing organs. 29,39 The inevitable evolution in all these cases is the formation of a scar.…”

Contrast Enhanced Sonography for Diagnosis of (Peri-) Splenic Pathology

“…lymphoma, infarction, rupture, and metastasis) are more common and often demonstrate a hypoechoic pattern on B-mode sonography [1][2][3][4][5][6]. On CES splenic infarction as well as rupture is characterized by an unenhanced pattern.. Splenic lymphoma and metastases to the spleen usually demonstrates a reduced enhancement by CES in comparison to the surrounding splenic tissue enhancement as an in vivo reference [16].…”

“…The most common cause of pain is splenic infarction. It is well known, that splenic infarction in the acute phase is characterized by a nearly isoechoic pattern which became increasingly hypoechoic after some days [1,2]. The shape of the infarct depends on the plane of section but always extends to the surface of the spleen and may therefore produce pain (Fig.…”

“…In recent years B-mode and color Doppler sonographic patterns of various common splenic lesions have been described [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. The poor correlation between sonographic appearances and specific pathology causes difficulties in clinical diagnosis.…”