Intrahepatic Splenosis: Incidental Liver Lesion after Splenectomy

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2018 Sep/Oct;42(5):730-731. doi: 10.1097/RCT.0000000000000762.

Abstract

We describe the case of a 50-year-old man with history of remote splenectomy who underwent routine lung cancer screening chest computed tomography and was incidentally found to have a liver lesion. Dedicated liver protocol computed tomography demonstrated "archiform" enhancement pattern in the arterial phase and homogenous filling-in enhancement on portal venous and delayed phases. Multiple other smaller enhancing intraperitoneal lesions were also found. These findings along with history of splenectomy confirmed a diagnosis of intrahepatic and intraperitoneal splenosis and helped avoid biopsy. Intrahepatic splenules can be challenging to diagnose owing to its unusual location and similarity in appearance to a liver neoplasm or metastasis. However, careful evaluation of enhancement pattern and review of medical history can lead to an accurate diagnosis and avoidance of invasive biopsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Splenectomy*
  • Splenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods