Gas gangrene may rarely involve the spleen.
Risk factors for splenic gangrene may include:
(1) cirrhosis
(2) organ transplant
(3) Clostridium sepsis
(4) colon lesions at the splenic flexure
Clinical features:
(1) abdominal pain, which may be more intense in the left upper quadrant or left flank
(2) fever
Imaging studies show:
(1) intrasplenic gas collection(s)
(2) thrombosis of splenic vessels
Aspirates of the spleen show Clostridium species (Cl. perfringens, other).
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
