16 Questions
What is the most common cause of splenic infarction in individuals under 40 years of age?
Infiltrative hematologic diseases
Which symptom is commonly associated with splenic infarction?
Abdominal pain and fever
How is splenic infarction typically diagnosed?
Abdominal CT scans
What type of care may be sufficient for asymptomatic splenic infarcts?
Supportive care with analgesia
Which demographic is more likely to have splenic infarction caused by infiltrative hematologic diseases?
Over 40 years
In the presence of complications like splenic abscesses, what treatment may be required?
Surgical intervention
What is the primary goal of splenic salvage techniques?
To preserve the spleen while treating complications
What is the major concern associated with overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis?
Prohibitive mortality in unvaccinated patients
In which cases may percutaneous catheter drainage and antibiotic therapy be used?
Selected cases of well-unilocular abscesses
What is a common complication of splenic infarction?
Pseudocyst formation
What is the approximate incidence rate of overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis in adult patients?
0.5%
What are typical symptoms of splenic infarction?
Abdominal pain and fever
How is splenic infarction usually diagnosed?
Laboratory tests and imaging studies
What can a CT scan or ultrasound help with in relation to splenic infarction?
Identifying potential causes
Which of the following is a common complication associated with splenic infarction?
Splenic abscess
What determines the treatment approach for splenic infarction?
The underlying cause and complications
Study Notes
Splenic Infarction: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Splenic infarction is a rare condition characterized by the death of splenic tissue due to insufficient blood supply. It is most commonly associated with sickle cell disease, myeloproliferative disorders, and hematologic malignancies. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of splenic infarction.
Causes
The most common causes of splenic infarction are thromboembolic disease and infiltrative hematologic diseases. In individuals under 40 years of age, the most common cause is thromboembolic disease. In contrast, in those over 40 years, it is typically caused by infiltrative hematologic diseases such as myelofibrosis.
Symptoms
Splenic infarction often presents with abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis, although many cases are clinically silent and diagnosed only incidentally.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of splenic infarction is typically made through imaging studies such as abdominal CT scans, which can detect infarctions that are not palpable on physical examination.
Treatment
The treatment for splenic infarction varies depending on the underlying cause. For asymptomatic infarcts, supportive care such as analgesia with narcotics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be sufficient. However, in the presence of complications such as splenic abscesses, surgical intervention may be required.
Complications
The main complications of splenic infarction include infection (septic emboli), hemorrhage, and the development of pseudocysts or abscesses.
In conclusion, splenic infarction is a rare condition that can be caused by various underlying diseases, including sickle cell disease and myeloproliferative disorders. It often presents with abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis, and is typically diagnosed through imaging studies. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, with supportive care being sufficient for asymptomatic infarcts and surgical intervention being required for complications.
Explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of splenic infarction - a rare condition characterized by the death of splenic tissue due to insufficient blood supply. Learn about the different underlying diseases that can lead to splenic infarction, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options available.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
