Splenic infarction caused by a large thoracic aortic thrombus

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Splenic infarction can present with left upper quadrant pain.
• Thoracoabdominal aortic thrombus is a rare but serious condition.
• Celiac axis involvement complicates aortic thrombus management.

Observation:

• A patient presented with left upper quadrant pain.
• Imaging revealed a thoracoabdominal aortic thrombus extending into the celiac axis.
• The thrombus was identified as the cause of splenic infarction.

Findings:

• Successful aortic thrombectomy was performed.
• Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guided the procedure.
• TEE provided real-time visualization of the thrombus and aorta.

Implications:

• This case highlights the utility of TEE in complex aortic interventions.
• Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing aortic thrombus complications.
• This approach offers a potential treatment strategy for similar cases.