Isolated congenital spleen agenesis: a rare cause of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in an adult

Respirology. 2008 Nov;13(6):913-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2008.01323.x. Epub 2008 Jul 24.

Abstract

This report describes a case of isolated congenital spleen agenesis complicated by chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTPH) in a 44-year-old female patient. The patient had increasing exertional dyspnoea and thrombocytosis. An echocardiogram showed severe pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy, and contrast-enhanced chest CT revealed multiple thromboemboli within both pulmonary arteries. A perfusion lung scan demonstrated multiple segmental defects and no spleen was detected by abdominal CT, ultrasonography or scintigraphy. Comprehensive clinical examinations disclosed no evidence of a thrombus elsewhere or of an associated malformation such as a cardiac anomaly. Anticoagulation therapy was started, and a perfusion lung scan revealed partial improvement of the hypoperfusion in the right lower lobe. However, repeat echocardiography showed the pulmonary hypertension persisting for 1 year. The multiple segmental defects in the perfusion lung scans were also persistent. Collectively, a diagnosis of CTPH with isolated congenital spleen agenesis was established. This is the first documented case of CTPH in an adult with isolated congenital asplenia. Although congenital spleen agenesis is a rare condition, this case report suggests that this possibility should be considered when a diagnosis of CTPH and thrombocytosis is made.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Spleen / abnormalities*
  • Thrombocytosis / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed