Case report: computed tomography features of complete splenic infarction, cavitation and spontaneous decompression complicating pancreatitis.
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.
Collie
D A
DA
Department of Radiology, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK.
Ferguson
J M
JM
Allan
P L
PL
Redhead
D N
DN
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