Splenic infarction: An uncommon presentation of acute infectious mononucleosis

Abstract

Splenic infarction is a relatively uncommon diagnosis. It occurs when the splenic artery or one of its sub-branches is occluded with an infected or bland embolus or clot. Splenic infarction may be caused by atrial fibrillation, bacterial endocarditis, sickle cell disease, antiphospholipid syndrome, and trauma whereas an infectious etiology is uncommon. It is considered a rare presentation of acute infectious mononucleosis. Currently, its pathogenesis is still unclear. We describe a 24-year-old African American female who was admitted for evaluation of left-sided chest pain. Chest imaging, an abdominal ultrasound, and initial laboratory data were normal, followed by a negative hypercoagulability panel. Signs and symptoms of infectious etiology were absent, however, both IgM and IgG antibodies for Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen were high. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed splenomegaly and multiple infarcts in the spleen, which eventually led to the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis-associated splenic infarction, resolving the diagnostic dilemma.