Diagnostic Considerations for Splenic Infarcts

Etiologies and Diagnostic Approaches

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends considering hematologic disorders, such as sickle cell disease or trait, as a leading cause of splenic infarction in young adults 1, 2
• The European Society of Cardiology suggests that infective endocarditis occurs in 40% of left-sided endocarditis cases, with 5% progressing to splenic abscess, and recommends evaluation with echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal) 4, 5
• The European Heart Journal notes that viridans streptococci and S. aureus each account for 40% of infective endocarditis cases 5
• CT scan with IV contrast is the gold standard for diagnosing splenic infarction, with 90-95% sensitivity and specificity, according to Praxis Medical Insights 3, 5
• The American College of Cardiology recommends cardiac evaluation, including transthoracic echocardiography initially, followed by transesophageal echocardiography if endocarditis or intracardiac thrombus is suspected 4