Splenic infarction as a complication of covid-19 in a patient without respiratory symptoms: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a pro-thrombotic state and thrombotic events have been recorded in several organs and systems. We report a patient with no respiratory symptoms, presented with abdominal pain and an extensive splenic infarction after COVID-19. Case report: A 67 year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with a moderate, dull, left-sided abdominal pain. The patient denied respiratory symptoms but referred contact with family members positive for COVID-19. He tested positive for COVID-19 and had increased D-dimer levels. Imaging studies revealed splenic infarcts and ground-glass opacities in bilateral pulmonary bases. He was treated with full-dose anticoagulation and was discharged home on oral Rivaroxaban. Discussion: Although rare in the literature, cases of acute abdomen in COVID-19 patients associated with vascular infarctions have increased. Coagulopathy may be present even without clinical respiratory manifestations of the disease. Patients meeting disseminated intravascular coagulation criteria or with markedly elevated D-dimer may benefit from anticoagulant therapy. Conclusion: Clinicians should suspect of abdominal visceral infarctions in COVID-19 patients presented with acute abdominal pain, despite the absence of respiratory symptoms.

Keywords

• Splenic infarction
• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation