Splenosis: a great mimicker of neoplastic disease

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2018 Nov;43(11):3054-3059. doi: 10.1007/s00261-018-1601-5.

Abstract

Splenosis is a benign condition that can occur after splenic trauma or after surgery involving the spleen. These splenic implants are most often seen within the abdominal and pelvic cavities. On imaging, splenosis can be confused with multiple additional entities including metastatic disease, peritoneal carcinomatosis, peritoneal mesothelioma, abdominal lymphoma, renal cancer, hepatic adenomas, or endometriosis depending on its distribution. In all patients with history of splenic surgery or trauma, splenosis should be on the differential diagnosis of soft tissue nodules in the abdomen and pelvis, especially in the absence of systemic symptoms, to avoid unnecessary biopsy, chemotherapy, or surgery.

Keywords: Mimic; Spleen; Splenosis; Trauma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Splenectomy
  • Splenic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Splenosis / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Contrast Media