CASE REPORT |
|
Year : 2008 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 2 | Page : 99-101 |
|
Splenic infarct as a diagnostic pitfall in radiology
Sanjeev C Joshi1, Ishita Pant2, Aditya N Shukla1, MA Anshari1
1 Department of Oncology, Palliative Care Unit, Radiology Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pinang, Malaysia 2 Department of Pathology, Palliative Care Unit, Radiology Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pinang, Malaysia
Correspondence Address:
Sanjeev C Joshi Department of Oncology, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Lot 1-8, PSN Seksyen 4/1, Bandar Pura Bertam 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang Malaysia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.42262
|
|
Follow-up of colorectal carcinoma after therapy is based on symptoms, tumor markers, and imaging studies. Clinicians sometimes face diagnostic dilemmas because of unusual presentations on the imaging modalities coupled with rising serum markers.
We report a case of colorectal carcinoma that presented with gastrointestinal symptoms 14 months after completion of treatment. Investigations showed rise in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Suspecting disease recurrence, complete radioimaging workup was performed; the only abnormality detected was a smooth, hypodense area in the posterior third of the spleen on contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen.
In view of the previous diagnosis of carcinoma colon, the symptoms reported by the patient, the elevated CEA, and the atypical CECT appearance, a diagnosis of splenic metastasis was made. The patient was subjected to splenectomy as a curative treatment. However, the histopathological report revealed it to be a splenic infarct.
The present case reemphasizes the limitations of radiological studies in the follow-up of carcinoma colon. |
|
|
|
[FULL TEXT] [PDF]* |
|
 |
|