SPLENIC INFARCTION REPORT OF 3 CASES OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC EMBOLIZATION ORIGINATING IN THE AORTA AND RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 64 CASES

The authors report 3 cases of thromboembolic splenic infarction due to atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta and the splenic artery. On this occasion, a retrospective analysis of 64 splenic infarcts showed that , in contrast to the literature, the leading aetiology in our series c onsisted of haematologic disorders (50%), followed by cardiovascular d iseases (29%) and by digestive disorders (20%). Mean age was 58 +/- 17 years and 50% of the patients were aged below 60 years. Hospital mort ality rate was high (34%) but not directly related to splenic infarcti on, suggesting that splenic infarction often occurs in the setting of severe underlying diseases. Splenic infarct is part of the differentia l diagnosis of the left upper quadrant pain and can also mimic renal d isorders. Laboratory values may show an inflammatory syndrome and an i ncrease, in serum lactate deshydrogenase. Diagnosis is often made by C T scan and can be confirmed by a selective spleen scintigraphy. Transo esophageal echocardiography is essential in the detection of cardiac a nd thoracic aorta embolic material.