Splenosis with lower gastrointestinal bleeding mimicking colonical gastrointestinal stromal tumour

World J Surg Oncol. 2017 Apr 11;15(1):78. doi: 10.1186/s12957-017-1153-0.

Abstract

Background: Splenosis refers to the heterotopic transplantation of splenic tissue following splenic trauma or splenectomy. Splenosis is typically asymptomatic and is often identified incidentally.

Case presentation: We report a case of splenosis with colon and stomach invasion presenting as lower gastrointestinal bleeding and mimicking colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). The importance of suspicion for splenosis in patients with a history of splenic injury should be highlighted. Computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy, nuclear scintigraphy and ferumoxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can support an accurate diagnosis.

Conclusions: An accurate diagnosis of splenosis is important to avoid unnecessary operations, especially in patients with previous histories of splenic trauma or splenectomy.

Keywords: CT; Ferumoxide-enhanced MRI; GIST; Nuclear scintigraphy; Splenosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / diagnosis*
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Splenosis / diagnosis*
  • Splenosis / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed