Giant chronic splenic infarction mimicking splenic neoplasm in a patient with rheumatic heart disease: a case report - Report - MDSpire

Large chronic splenic infarction resembling splenic tumor in a patient with rheumatic heart disease: a case study

  • By

  • Wei Tian

  • Xu Deng

  • Chunyuan Yang

  • Jianxing Tian

  • Zonglong Zhu

  • Rui Huang

  • Wei Pan

  • July 21, 2026

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Clinical Report: Large chronic splenic infarction resembling splenic tumor

Overview

This case study details a 73-year-old female with a giant chronic splenic infarction misdiagnosed as a splenic neoplasm. The diagnosis was confirmed post-splenectomy.

Background

Giant chronic splenic infarction is a rare condition that can mimic splenic tumors. Understanding its clinical and imaging features is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data presented in the article.

Key Findings

  • A 73-year-old female with a history of rheumatic heart disease presented with recurrent epigastric pain.
  • Imaging revealed a large splenic mass suggestive of neoplasm, measuring approximately 18.0 × 14.2 × 19.1 cm.
  • Pathological examination post-splenectomy confirmed extensive splenic infarction with fibrosis and calcification.
  • The patient had an uneventful recovery with no postoperative complications.
  • Rheumatic heart disease may have contributed to the splenic infarction as a cardioembolic source.

Clinical Implications

Giant chronic splenic infarction should be considered in differential diagnoses for splenic masses, particularly in patients with rheumatic heart disease.

Conclusion

This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by giant chronic splenic infarction.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers, Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2026 -- Giant chronic splenic infarction mimicking splenic neoplasm in a patient with rheumatic heart disease: A case report
  2. Intensive Care Medicine — Uncommon Case of Thoracic Spleen Leading to Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding from Esophageal Varices
  3. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery — Abdominopelvic Splenosis: An Uncommon Etiology of Tenesmus
  4. Infection — A Lethal Instance of Disseminated Chronic Q Fever: A Case Study and Concise Literature Review
  5. Intensive Care Medicine — Significant embolic events caused by a large fishbone penetrating the left atrium
  6. 2025 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease
  7. 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation
  8. 2023 ESC Guidelines for the management of endocarditis
  9. https://www.acc.org/-/media/Clinical/PDF-Files/Approved-PDFs/2022/08/23/ESC22/Visual-Abstracts/INVICTUS-VA-esc-2022.pdf
  10. [The causes of splenic infarction: An almost systematic review of the literature] - PubMed
  11. https://scielo.org.za/pdf/sajr/v30n1/07.pdf
  12. Imaging of the spleen: what the clinician needs to know - PMC
  13. Frontiers | Giant chronic splenic infarction mimicking splenic neoplasm in a patient with rheumatic heart disease: A case report

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