Splenic Infarctions in Polycythaemia Vera are Not Always a Catastrophe

Abstract

Splenic infarction can occur as an infrequent thrombotic manifestation in polycythaemia vera (PV) and is usually catastrophic. We describe the case of a middle-aged woman who was diagnosed with PV 3 months before she presented to the emergency department with acute limb ischaemia. A splenic infarction detected on diagnostic imaging during her hospital stay was treated conservatively with modification of her hydroxyurea dose along with pain management, without the need for surgery.

Primary polycythaemia: A neglected risk factor

“…Abdalla et al . [ 13 ] and Qusay Abdoh et al . [ 14 ] reported splenic infarct secondary to polycythaemia vera similar to our case of portal vein thrombosis with splenic infarct secondary to polycythaemia vera.…”

Splenic infarction secondary to polycythemia Vera: Case report and literature review

“…PV has been described as a rare complication with an unknown incidence of splenic infarction by several causes, the most prevalent of which is a thromboembolic disorder. Thromboembolic events typically happen right before or right after diagnosis and become less frequent over time, most likely as a result of the effects of therapy [9] .…”