Splenogonadal fusion: A rare case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly occurs when splenic tissue presents near or within a gonad. It mostly involves male children. Although it is benign and rare, making a pre-operation precise diagnosis is challenging which can lead to unnecessary invasive treatments.

Case presentation: A 3-year-old boy was presented by the chief complaint of a painless mass on the left testis and left inguinal hernia. He had a previous history of bilateral cryptorchidism and orchiopexy. Ultrasonography showed a small mass on the inferior pole of left testis and left reducible inguinal hernia. He went under left orchiectomy and hernia repair. Pathological investigation of the specimen resembled normal splenic tissue next to testicular tissue and the diagnosis of splenogonadal fusion was made.

Clinical discussion: Splenogodal fusion cases can be challenging. Pain and sensation of mass in the scrotal sac are the most common presentation of splenogonadal fusion. Testicular malignancies can be considered as their main differential diagnosis, despite the fact that imaging and intra-operation frozen section can be helpful in making a definite diagnosis in some cases. It is mostly diagnosed incidentally during other procedures such as hernia repair or orchiopexy. Since it is benign, removal of tumor without orchiectomy is curative.

Conclusion: In dealing with testicular mass in children, raising awareness of splenogonadal fusion have utmost importance to prevent unnecessary radical surgical interventions.

Keywords: Congenital anomaly; Splenogonadal fusion (SGF); Testis mass.