Splenic infarction as a rare presentation of severe babesiosis

Multiple Splenic Lesions on MRI as a Radiologic Manifestation of Babesiosis

“…Splenic infarctions are typically peripherally distributed, wedge-shaped lesions. 12,13 Considering this, the splenic lesions found in our patient may be more likely due to babesiosis-induced inflammation of spleen rather than infarction.…”

“…In these cases, there was a wide range of splenic pathology seen on CT, including splenic lacerations, hematomas, and wedge-shaped infarcts. 10 11 12 13 14 To our knowledge, there are no reports of splenic lesions as a radiologic finding of babesiosis on MRI. Interestingly, splenic lesions in our patient were not initially detected on CT, and only mild splenomegaly was detected.…”

“…Babesiosis-induced splenic lesions are theorized to occur due to large inflammatory reactions within the spleen, leading to damage of the vessels and formation of microthrombi within the splenic artery and its branches. 1,12 Large inflammatory reactions leading to splenic lesions may be more common in patients with higher parasitemia; however, one case report details a patient with mild parasitemia (0.5%) who presented with splenic infarctions. 13 This same case report found a focally thickened spleen with no evidence of splenic vessel pathology on autopsy.…”