A case of severe Plasmodium ovale malaria with acute respiratory distress syndrome and splenic infarction in a male traveller presenting in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium ovale malaria is usually considered a tropical infectious disease associated with low morbidity and mortality. However, severe disease and death have previously been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of severe P. ovale malaria in a healthy Caucasian man with a triangle splenic infarction and clinical progression towards Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome was reported despite a rapid response to oral chloroquine treatment with 24-h parasitaemia clearance. CONCLUSION: Plasmodium ovale malaria is generally considered as a benign disease, with low parasitaemia. However, severe disease and death have occasionally been reported. It is important to be aware that occasionally it can progress to serious illness and death even in immunocompetent individuals.

Splenic Subcapsular Hematoma from Commercial Air Travel: Case Report of a Unique Incident of Altitude-Associated Splenic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell trait (SCT), the heterozygous form of sickle cell disease, is generally thought of as a benign condition. However, it is possible for those with SCT to have serious complications, especially when they are exposed to high altitudes where oxygen levels are low. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 41-year-old man with a history of SCT who developed severe epigastric pain and nearly lost consciousness while traveling on a commercial airplane. His twin brother, who also has SCT, had a similar episode in the past and required a splenectomy. A splenic subcapsular hematoma was found in a computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast. He was admitted and managed conservatively until his symptoms resolved. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Though SCT is prevalent in our population, the complications that can arise, such as altitude-associated splenic syndrome, have likely not been thoroughly investigated. Physicians should add this condition to their differential if they practice at locations near airports or in areas of higher altitude and if their patients have a past medical history of SCT.

Celiac Artery Thrombosis and Splenic Infarction as a Consequence of Mild COVID-19 Infection: Report of an Unusual Case.

COVID-19 has been associated with the hypercoagulable state in the literature. Patients who are admitted to the hospital with severe COVID-19 may have some thrombotic complications. These patients have a high risk for venous and arterial thrombosis of large and small vessels. Here, a 42-year-old female with celiac artery thrombosis and splenic infarction after a history of mild COVID-19 was presented.

Acute Abdominal Pain due to Accessory Splenic Infarction in an Adult: A Case Report.

Accessory spleens are common congenital anatomic variations that are usually asymptomatic. On the other hand, they can be clinically significant if complicated by hemorrhage, torsion, or infarction. This paper describes a case of an infarcted accessory spleen in a 30-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain. Abdominal CT and MRI revealed an isolated mass, 4.5 cm in size, in the perisplenic area. An infarcted accessory spleen was suspected. The patient underwent laparoscopic accessory splenectomy. Histopathology identified the mass as splenic tissue that had undergone ischemic necrosis. A definitive diagnosis of an infarcted accessory spleen was made, and the patient was discharged on day 5 after surgery symptom-free.

Splenic infarction after left upper lobectomy: a report of a case.

We report the case of a 70-year-old man who developed a splenic infarction due to a thrombus in the pulmonary vein (PV) stump after left upper lobectomy (LUL). Preoperative imaging showed a mass measuring > 5 cm in the upper lobe of the left lung, and sputum cytology revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, video-assisted thoracoscopic LUL was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful but biochemical blood tests showed an increased inflammatory response. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed splenic infarction and a thrombus in the left superior PV stump. Prompt treatment with anticoagulants was administered, and the patient was discharged with mild recovery. However, the patient developed cerebral infarction after discharge and died 33 days after the surgery. Splenic infarction is a rare postoperative complication, with only three reported cases, including this report. However, this condition should be considered along with PV thrombus when evaluating an increased inflammatory response after LUL.

An infarcted wandering spleen leading to a sigmoid volvulus presenting with acute large bowel obstruction: a case report.

A wandering spleen is a very rare event characterised by the absence of the spleen in its anatomical position due to the hyperlaxity of its ligaments. We present a case of wandering spleen complicated by splenic vascular pedicle torsion, thrombosis and subsequent splenic infarction. Compression of the infarcted spleen on the rectosigmoid junction led to the development of a sigmoid volvulus, which presented as an acute large bowel obstruction. The patient underwent emergency laparotomy, splenectomy, sigmoid decompression and sigmoidopexy. After a follow-up period of two years, the volvulus had not recurred.

Pulmonary Embolism and Splenic Infarction after Minocycline Infusion in a Patient with Polycythemia Vera.

A 55-year-old man treated with polycythemia vera visited our hospital, complaining of left abdominal pain and dyspnea. He had received minocycline infusions three weeks earlier for mycoplasma pneumonia. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed pulmonary embolism and splenic infarction. Ultrasonography of the vein in the forearm revealed a thrombus filling the distal brachial veins to the radial veins on both sides. His condition improved after anticoagulant therapy, and right and left shunts were detected on transesophageal echocardiography. This suggested that thrombus in the forearm may have been the source of the embolism.

[Sickle cell trait complications: A case series of 6 patients]. / Complications du trait drépanocytaire : à propos d'une série de 6 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with sickle cell trait (SCT) are commonly considered as asymptomatic carriers. However, some clinical manifestations may occur. METHODS: Here we present a retrospective descriptive study about SCT subjects with at least one complication diagnosed in a sickle cell disease referral center, in Paris, between 2008 and 2019. We also performed a literature review on the complications of SCT subjects. RESULTS: Six patients (between 19 and 65 years old) were included. SCT was already known only for 4 of them at the time of the complication. Four patients presented with a splenic infarct after a stay in high altitude or a plane trip, one of them was associated with papillary necrosis; one patient had isolated papillary necrosis, and the last one had splenic sequestration. These complications happened for most of them after exposure to an unusual situation of hypoxia or deshydratation. Five out of 6 patients had a marked elevated C reactive protein. CONCLUSION: SCT may cause acute ischemic complications in a context of prolonged hypoxia or dehydration. The most commonly reported are the splenic infarct and the renal papillary necrosis. A study of hemoglobin should be considered in these clinical situations in patients with compatible ethnic origin.

Splenic infarct with scrub typhus: a rare presentation.

Scrub typhus has a variety of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic to fever with chills, myalgias, hepatitis, gastric ulcerations and pancreatitis, all being attributed to disseminated vasculitis, with splenic infarction being a rare presentation. A 26-year man, a resident of north India, presented with an acute febrile illness and abdominal pain, computed tomography scan of the abdomen was suggestive of a splenic infarct. After ruling out other aetiology, a positive IgM (ELISA) for scrub typhus led to treatment with oral doxycycline, following which the patient was discharged symptom-free. Rarely can splenic infarction be attributable to scrub typhus; so far, five such cases have been reported in the published literature.

Infarto esplénico como complicación de gastrectomía vertical laparoscópica. Reporte de caso / Splenic infarction as a complication of laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy. Case report

La gastrectomía vertical laparoscópica es actualmente la cirugía bariátrica más empleada a nivel mundial. Aunque es un procedimiento seguro y efectivo pueden ocurrir complicaciones mayores. En el presente trabajo reportamos el caso de un infarto y absceso esplénico como una rara complicación de esta técnica, que requirió finalmente de esplenectomía como tratamiento definitivo. Caso clínico: Mujer de 22 años con obesidad grado I, a quien se le practicó gastrectomía vertical laparoscópica con buena evolución intrahospitalaria y egreso a las 48 horas. Al 4to día posoperatorio consultó por fiebre, dolor abdominal, taquipnea y taquicardia. Mediante tomografía computada de abdomen se diagnosticó infarto esplénico parcial. Recibió tratamiento médico con remisión inicial de los síntomas, los cuales reaparecieron a la 3era semana. Se reinició el tratamiento médico, esta vez sin respuesta, y con evolución al absceso esplénico. Se decidió esplenectomía como tratamiento definitivo logrando la recuperación completa de la paciente. Conclusión: El infarto esplénico es una complicación infrecuente de la gastrectomía vertical. Su tratamiento inicial es médico, reservando la esplenectomía para los casos que no responden(AU)

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is currently the most performed bariatric surgery worldwide. Although it is an effective and safe procedure major complications can occur. In the present manuscript we report a case of splenic infarct and abscess as a rare complication of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, finally requiring a splenectomy as a definitive treatment. Case report: A 22 years old woman with grade I obesity underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with good hospital evolution and 48 hours discharge. On the 4th postoperative day she return because fever, abdominal pain, tachypnea and tachycardia. By means of a computed tomography a splenic infarct was diagnosed. She received medical treatment with initial remission of symptoms, which reappear at the third week. Medical treatment was restarted, this time without success, and with progression to splenic abscess. We decided a splenectomy as definitive treatment achieving a complete patient recovery. Conclusion: Splenic infarction is a rare complication after sleeve gastrectomy. The treatment is non surgical, reserving the splenectomy for the non responded cases(AU)

Splenic Infarct on Exposure to Extreme High Altitude in Individuals with Sickle Trait: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Sickle cell trait (SCT) is a common genetic abnormality in the so-called "sickle belts" in India. Splenic infarction often brings to medical attention an underlying SCT, when appropriately looked for. The hypoxic environment of an extreme high-altitude area (HAA) is conducive for developing a splenic infarct in an SCT individual not a native of these areas. Aims: We studied retrospectively 27 cases who presented with a splenic infarction during the last 4 years. Results: Twenty-five patients (92.5%) were diagnosed to have SCT, and 85% patients had developed splenic infarct on exposure to very HAAs. Clinically, splenomegaly was seen in 33% of patients with splenic infarct at presentation. The mean hemoglobin S was 36.92% in SCT individuals. A thrombus in the splenoportal axis was demonstrated in 22.2% of cases. Splenic rupture was a rare event, seen in only 3.5% of patients. Splenectomy was not required in any of the cases. Splenic abscess was not seen, and antibiotics were not required in any of the cases. We discuss the profile and management of these patients and review the literature on splenic infarction in HAA. Conclusion: SCT is commonly overlooked cause of splenic infarction and conservative management is effective in most of the cases. Splenectomy is required only in the rarest of rare cases. The profile and management of these patients and a review of the literature on splenic infarction in HAA has been discussed.

Infarto esplénico masivo en un paciente pediátrico sin factores predisponentes / Massive splenic infarct in a pediatric patient without predisposing factors

El infarto esplénico es una entidad rara en la edad pediátrica que, cuando se encuentra, se asocia a otros factores predisponentes, como enfermedades oncológicas, hematológicas o infecciosas. Su presentación es asintomática o sintomática con dolor abdominal, fiebre y esplenomegalia. No existe consenso sobre cuál es la mejor opción de tratamiento, y se decide, en la mayoría de los casos, un manejo conservador o quirúrgico de acuerdo con las características individuales del paciente. Se presenta el caso de un paciente escolar que acude por un cuadro de dolor abdominal agudo y fiebre con diagnóstico de infarto esplénico masivo sin etiología aparente que fue manejado de manera conservadora, con evolución favorable. Es importante considerar este padecimiento como causa de dolor abdominal asociado a esplenomegalia y destacar la relevancia de esta presentación de caso, ya que se presenta sin relación con enfermedades subyacentes.

Splenic infarction is a rare entity in the paediatric age that, when found, is associated with other predisposing factors such as oncological, haematological or infectious diseases. It is whether asymptomatic or symptomatic with abdominal pain, fever and splenomegaly. There is no consensus on which is the best treatment option, in most cases deciding conservative or surgical management according to individual patient characteristics. We present the case of a patient with acute abdominal pain and fever with a diagnosis of massive splenic infarction without apparent aetiology that was managed conservatively with favourable evolution. It is important to consider this condition as a cause of abdominal pain associated with splenomegaly.

[Massive splenic infarct in a pediatric patient without predisposing factors]. / Infarto esplénico masivo en un paciente pediátrico sin factores predisponentes.

Splenic infarction is a rare entity in the paediatric age that, when found, is associated with other predisposing factors such as oncological, haematological or infectious diseases. It is whether asymptomatic or symptomatic with abdominal pain, fever and splenomegaly. There is no consensus on which is the best treatment option, in most cases deciding conservative or surgical management according to individual patient characteristics. We present the case of a patient with acute abdominal pain and fever with a diagnosis of massive splenic infarction without apparent aetiology that was managed conservatively with favourable evolution. It is important to consider this condition as a cause of abdominal pain associated with splenomegaly.

El infarto esplénico es una entidad rara en la edad pediátrica que, cuando se encuentra, se asocia a otros factores predisponentes, como enfermedades oncológicas, hematológicas o infecciosas. Su presentación es asintomática o sintomática con dolor abdominal, fiebre y esplenomegalia. No existe consenso sobre cuál es la mejor opción de tratamiento, y se decide, en la mayoría de los casos, un manejo conservador o quirúrgico de acuerdo con las características individuales del paciente. Se presenta el caso de un paciente escolar que acude por un cuadro de dolor abdominal agudo y fiebre con diagnóstico de infarto esplénico masivo sin etiología aparente que fue manejado de manera conservadora, con evolución favorable. Es importante considerar este padecimiento como causa de dolor abdominal asociado a esplenomegalia y destacar la relevancia de esta presentación de caso, ya que se presenta sin relación con enfermedades subyacentes.

[Infectious mitroaortic endocarditis complicated by valve perforation, mycotic aneurysm and splenorenal infarction]. / Endocardite infectieuse mitro-aortique compliquée de perforation valvulaire, d'anévrisme mycotique et d'infarctus spleno-rénal.

Infectious endocarditis is regarded as a potentially serious pathology despite the advances in diagnostic and treatment options. Valves on the left side of the heart are most affected and embolic events, mycotic aneurysms, abscesses as well as valve perforations are life-threatening consequences of this disease. We here report a case of endocarditis with aortic and mitral valve involvement complicated by splenic and renal infarction, cerebral mycotic aneurysm and mitral valve perforation. The interest in the subject of this case study is the positive medico-surgical treatment outcome obtained despite a multitude of complications.

You're the Flight Surgeon.

Dillard S. You're the flight surgeon: splenic infarct following altitude exposure with sickle cell trait. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(1):63-64.

Vanishing spleen syndrome post right partial nephrectomy in a sicklemic patient.

Splenic infarction after contralateral laparoscopic renal surgery has not, to our knowledge, been reported. The spleen is the most affected organ in sickle cell disease and the mechanism of auto infarction is thought to result from the crystallization of abnormal hemoglobin during periods of hypoxia or acidosis resulting in parenchymal ischemia and ultimately tissue necrosis. We report a case of 45 year old female with sickle cell disease who had an unremarkable spleen at the time of a laparoscopic right partial nephrectomy and was subsequently found to have marked diminution in her splenic volume.