Splenic and renal infarction in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with anti-cardiolipin antibodies.

A 37-year-old female, known to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and markedly raised anti-cardiolipin antibody levels in association with the lupus anticoagulant, presented with a symptomatic segmental splenic infarction. There was a past history of cerebral infarction. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the area of splenic infarction, and an asymptomatic right renal infarct. This patient illustrates the unusual occurrence of multiple visceral infarcts, in association with anti-cardiolipin antibodies, complicating SLE.