title: Splenic and mesenteric emboli in a patient with protruding aortic arch atheroma.
abstract: Protruding atheromas in the thoracic aorta are an important cause of embolic disease. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the modality of choice for diagnosis of these lesions. We present a patient with splenic infarction in whom TEE revealed a large mobile atheroma in the aortic arch. A few hours following the disappearance of this mass from the aortic arch, the patient developed mesenteric artery embolism requiring subtotal small-bowel resection. We discuss the importance of the aortic arch as a source of peripheral emboli and the treatment modalities in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine C, Central Emek Hospital, Afula, 18101, Israel, Faculty of Medicine, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology.
authors.forename: Mazen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eliasberg
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sayfan
authors.forename: Lev
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bloch