title: Case report: computed tomography features of complete splenic infarction, cavitation and spontaneous decompression complicating pancreatitis.
abstract: Splenic infarction is a rare complication of pancreatitis. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman, who had undergone previous drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst, and who represented with left upper quadrant pain. Absence of enhancement of the splenic parenchyma during contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) allowed confident diagnosis of complete splenic infarction. A later CT scan revealed splenic cavitation with spontaneous decompression into the stomach. The aetiology of these unusual complications of pancreatitis is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Collie
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Redhead
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed