Abstract
Splenic infarction can be the result of an acute or chronic vascular event. The etiologic events commonly associated with splenic infarction include local vascular compromise secondary to trauma, atherosclerosis, arterial emboli, arteritis, erythrocyte sludging, or splenomegaly. In addition, there may be relative ischemia as a consequence of systemic conditions such as inflammatory disease, myeloproliferative syndromes or other neoplasias, bacteremia, or sickle cell disease. Patients with acute splenic infarction may be asymptomatic or have symptoms of left upper-quadrant pain. Diagnoses are often made based on clinical, pathologic, or radiologic information. The images show a splenic infarction that was first identified by radionuclide leukocyte imaging, later seen and followed by CT imaging, and confirmed by a pathologic diagnosis at autopsy.