Abdominal multiple splenosis mimicking liver and colon tumors: a case report and review of the literature

Incidental finding of intramural splenic heterotopy in the colon mimicking subepithelial neoplasm: a case report

AIM

The aim of this case report is describe an unprecedented case with histological and immunohistochemical diagnosis of splenic heterotopy in the colon using material obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy.

BACKGROUND

Splenic heterotopia is a benign condition characterized by the implantation of splenic tissue in areas distant from its usual anatomical site, such as the peritoneum, omentum, mesentery, liver, pancreas, and subcutaneous tissue and, more rarely, in locations such as the colon and brain. It is generally associated with a history of splenic trauma or splenectomy and typically does not cause specific symptoms.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 35-year-old white male patient who was healthy, with no history of trauma or splenectomy, but had a family history of colorectal neoplasia underwent colonoscopy for screening. The examination revealed a large bulge in the proximal descending colon, covered by normal-appearing mucosa. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided puncture was performed with a 22 gauge fine needle biopsy, and the histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis results were consistent with a heterotopic spleen.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of a primary intramural colic splenosis case with histological and immunohistochemical diagnosis of splenic heterotopia in the colon, using material obtained by endoscopic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsy.

Investigation of anti-adhesion ability of 8-arm PEGNHS-modified porcine pericardium

In post-adhesion surgery, there is a clinical need for anti-adhesion membranes specifically designed for the liver, given the limited efficacy of current commercial products. To address this demand, we present a membrane suitable for liver surgery applications, fabricated through the modification of decellularized porcine pericardium with 20 KDa hexaglycerol octa (succinimidyloxyglutaryl) polyoxyethylene (8-arm PEGNHS). We also developed an optimized modification procedure to produce a high-performance anti-adhesion barrier. The modified membrane significantly inhibited fibroblast cell adherence while maintaining minimal levels of inflammation. By optimizing the modification ratio, we successfully controlled post-adhesion formation. Notably, the 8-arm PEG-modified pericardium with a molar ratio of 5 exhibited the ability to effectively prevent post-adhesion formation on the liver compared to both the control and Seprafilm®, with a low adhesion score of 0.5 out of 3.0. Histological analysis further confirmed its potential for easy separation. Furthermore, the membrane demonstrated regenerative capabilities, as evidenced by the proliferation of mesothelial cells on its surface, endowing anti-adhesion properties between the abdominal wall and liver. These findings highlight the membrane's potential as a reliable barrier for repeated liver resection procedures that require the removal of the membrane multiple times.

Splenosis in patient undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Splenosis is a benign condition that is often found in patients with a history of trauma. Most cases are intra-abdominal due to direct seeding of surrounding structures. We report a case of splenosis in the pelvis found in a 59-year-old male during a robotic prostatectomy.

A rare case of adult colocolic intussusception secondary to splenosis

Intussusception is the invagination of a segment of bowel (intussusceptum) into the lumen of an adjacent segment (intussuscipiens). Adult intussusception is rare and typically asymptomatic, although bowel obstruction can be a predominant symptom, making it difficult to diagnose. Splenosis is an uncommon and benign disease, arising from the self-implantation of splenic tissue elsewhere in the body after splenectomy or splenic trauma. Colocolic intussusception secondary to splenosis is rare. We report a case of colon intussusception with a mass in the intussusception detected by ultrasound. Abdominal ultrasound identified the intussusception location but failed to distinguish its pathological properties. Colonoscopy revealed the exudation of necrotic and fibrous tissue. Surgery was performed because of suspicions of a malignant tumor.

Abdominal and pelvic splenosis: atypical findings, pitfalls, and mimics

Splenosis is an acquired form of ectopic splenic tissue that typically arises after trauma or splenectomy. It is often an incidental image finding in an otherwise asymptomatic patient, but the spectrum of symptoms varies based on the site of implantation. Radiologists should be familiar with the imaging features of splenosis to avoid mistaking it for malignancy. Splenosis has identical imaging features to that of the native spleen on US, CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine examinations. Therefore, when the radiologic findings support the diagnosis of splenosis, the patient can be spared invasive procedures for tissue sampling.

Multimodality imaging of developmental splenic anomalies: tips and pitfalls

Anomalies in number and location may occur during splenic development. This review aims to offer a brief overview of splenic function and embryology and a detailed account of the imaging appearances using different imaging techniques of the normal spleen and various congenital splenic anomalies including (1) abnormal viscero-atrial situs, (2) splenogonadal fusion, (3) intrapancreatic accessory spleen, (4) wandering spleen, and (5) splenosis. Emphasis is placed on the salient features that help radiologists recognise important associations (e.g., asplenia/polysplenia in situs abnormalities), avoid diagnostic pitfalls (e.g., mistaking intrapancreatic accessory spleen as pancreatic neoplasms), and potential complications (e.g., acute torsion in wandering spleen). The correct identification of the said anomalies from more sinister causes, such as malignancies, are essential, where early intervention is necessary.

Splenosis as an incidental finding in a patient with multifactorial anemia

A clinical case of a patient from our institution under study for anemia of multifactorial origin in whom splenosis was detected as an incidental finding.

Perirectal intraperitoneal splenosis: A case report of MRI with laparoscopic correlation

Splenosis is a benign acquired condition, which appears after rupture of the spleen and heterotopic auto-transplantation. Mostly found as an incidental finding on cross-sectional imaging, definitive diagnosis is frequently made histologically after resection or tissue sampling. We report a case of a 36-year-old male patient who presented with increased susceptibility to infections, chronic fatigue, and a history of traumatic splenic rupture. Cross-sectional imaging showed perirectal formations within the mesorectal fascia, and extraperitoneal splenosis was suspected. Due to the radiologically unclear entity of the masses, diagnostic laparoscopy with tissue sampling was performed. Intraoperatively the masses turned out to be intraperitoneal. Histological workup showed splenic tissue, consistent with intraperitoneal splenosis after splenic rupture. In this article we want to discuss important imaging findings and their differentials, as well as clinical implications for this rare entity.

Abdominal Splenosis Mimicking a Colon Tumour

Splenosis is a benign condition which results from the self-implantation of splenic tissue on intra or extraperitoneal surfaces, after splenic trauma or splenectomy. Patients are usually asymptomatic but may present with varied symptoms related to the implantation site. The diagnosis is a challenge because abdominal splenosis can mimic several diseases, including neoplasm. The gold standard examination for its diagnosis is scintigraphy with 99mTc-labelled heat-denatured erythrocyte. When splenosis is found in an asymptomatic patient, surgical removal is not indicated. A 57-year-old male patient presented with sporadic epigastric pain and a suspected mass in the recto-sigmoid transition. Abdominal ultrasound, CT and MRI identified this mass, its characteristics and location, but failed to distinguish its nature. However, given the patient's past history of splenectomy and because the mass showed a similar sign to that of the splenic parenchyma, a hypothesis of abdominal splenosis was raised, which was confirmed by scintigraphy with 99mTc-labelled heat-denatured erythrocyte. In this case, the diagnosis was obtained before the patient was subjected to more invasive procedures, which are associated with high morbidity, and, as in most cases, no targeted intervention was necessary.

LEARNING POINTS

Increasing numbers of cases of abdominal trauma will result in more frequent splenosis.Diagnosis is sometimes complex as splenosis mimics several diseases.The usual complementary imaging studies often fail to diagnose this entity so clinical suspicion is fundamental for correct diagnosis and treatment.

Intrahepatic and intra-abdominal splenosis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Splenosis is defined as the process by which tissue from the spleen disseminates through the body and grows in an ectopic location following trauma or a splenectomy. Visceral sites of splenosis are rare.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a case of intrahepatic splenosis in a 57-year-old man with a history of trauma over 40 years ago who initially presented with chest pain. Findings initially mimicked malignancy but a diagnosis of intrahepatic splenosis was confirmed using computed tomography and scintigraphy with technetium-99m heat-denatured red blood cells (Tc-99 DRBC).

CONCLUSION

Scintigraphy with Tc-99 DRBC is a reliable technique to diagnose splenosis and should be performed before using more invasive procedures are carried out. Splenosis should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis for a hepatic nodule in any patient with a history of abdominal trauma, previous splenectomy or atypical radiological features on imaging.

Hepatic splenosis: Rare yet important - A case report and literature review

Hepatic splenosis is an uncommon condition that occurs following traumatic splenic rupture or splenectomy. The case of a 41-year-old male patient with multiple isolated liver masses indistinguishable from primary and metastatic liver tumours is reported. Following laparotomy, the liver lesions were resected and histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of hepatic splenosis. At an 18-month follow-up examination, no abnormalities in routine blood test, liver function, and liver computed tomography (CT) scanning were observed. After review of the literature, the following diagnostic criteria for hepatic splenosis are proposed: (1) a history of splenic trauma or splenectomy; (2) lesion(s) with a surrounding rim, particularly near the liver capsule identified by CT scanning; (3) findings on superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging or technetium-99m heat-damaged red cell scanning; and (4) histopathological findings (needle biopsy or surgical pathology). The following diagnostic process is also proposed: suspect diagnosis when criteria 1 and 2 are met; make diagnosis when criterion 3 is met; confirm diagnosis when criterion 4 is met. Laparotomy is recommended for either diagnosis or treatment when invasive procedures are necessary.

Simultaneous small bowel and colon obstruction due to splenosis. A case report and review of literature

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Splenosis is an autotransplantation of splenic tissues throughout the body post splenic rupture or splenectomy.

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Symptomatic when hematological diseases have recurred.

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Abdominal splenosis may rarely be associated with abdominal pain and/or gastrointestinal symptoms.

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Further evaluation and treatment is mandatory when bowel obstruction is present.

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Treatment consists of resection of problematic splenic nodules.

Introduction

Splenosis, an autotransplantation of splenic tissues in another compartment of the body, is only symptomatic when hematologic diseases have recurred or compression of other adjacent structures have occurred. Therefore, we report a clinical case of a patient with bowel obstruction due to splenosis.

Case presentation

A patient with a history of splenectomy, presented to the emergency room for abdominal pain and obstipation, suggesting intestinal obstruction which is also seen on CT scan. During laparotomy, multiple splenic nodules were seen on the mesentery of the small bowel and colon, with vascular bridges between them, resulting in bowel obstruction. Resection of splenic nodules was performed. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged a week after.

Discussion

Although very rare, gastrointestinal symptoms may sometimes be described in patients with splenosis. Bleeding or obstruction can occur because of intramural grow or external compression, respectively. Treatment consists of resection of these nodules.

Conclusion

Splenosis should always be thought in patients with previous splenic rupture and presenting with incidental nodules seen on imaging, with further investigations when symptoms are present.

Splenosis of the Liver Capsule

Splenosis, a form of ectopic splenic tissue, is generally caused by heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissues after traumatic splenic rupture or splenectomy. The implants are often localized intraperitoneally, mostly in the left upper quadrant and splenic region. Hepatic foci are seen only on rare occasions. The differential diagnosis of splenosis foci from malignant masses can be challenging by conventional imaging and lead to unnecessary invasive procedures. This manuscript presents radiological and scintigraphic images of splenosis foci located in the peritoneal cavity and liver capsule of a 46-year-old man who underwent splenectomy due to traumatic splenic rupture 30 years ago.

Non-invasive evaluation of a liver mass in a patient post splenectomy

INTRODUCTION

Numerous conditions may cause liver lesions, solitary or multiple, benign or malignant. It can be crucial to establish the correct diagnosis. Splenosis is a rare condition that may result from the spillage of cells from the splenic pulp following abdominal trauma, accidental lesions to the spleen during operation or elective splenectomy. These splenic 'implants', which are often multiple, can be located anywhere in the peritoneal cavity, although they are most often found in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. They may be confused with neoplasms or endometriosis, and may rarely be the cause of small bowel obstruction.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 35-year-old man presented with a hepatic mass, and malignancy was suspected. After extensive investigation, it was diagnosed as splenosis using Tc-99m-labelled heat-denaturated red blood cells scintigraphy, without the need for liver biopsy. We consider this the most effective method for diagnosing splenosis.

CONCLUSION

When splenosis is suspected, Tc-99m-labelled heat-denaturated red blood cells scintigraphy can be used to confirm the diagnosis, and may avoid invasive investigation.

Management of intrahepatic splenosis:a case report and review of the literature

Background

Splenosis is the heterotopic autotransplantation and implantation of splenic tissue after splenic trauma or splenectomy. Considering that splenosis often occurs in the mesentery, omentum, and peritoneum, intrahepatic splenosis has seldom been reported. We report a rare case of isolated intrahepatic splenosis in a 54-year-old man who presented with a liver mass thought to be hepatocellular carcinoma.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further evaluation of a liver lesion. The patient was asymptomatic and had a history of emergent splenectomy after a high-altitude falling accident. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a 4.5 × 3.3 cm lesion that was located in segment IV of the left liver lobe. The lesion had an inhomogeneous enhancement during the arterial phase and diminished enhancement during the portal and equilibrium phases. Similar radiological features were also observed on a contrast magnetic resonance imaging scan. Partial hepatectomy was performed with the suspicion of hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathological examination of the liver specimen revealed intrahepatic splenosis.

Conclusion

Splenosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of a liver mass discovered years after splenic trauma or surgery. A proposed scoring system may be helpful in evaluating the suspicious degree of intrahepatic mass to be splenosis. Invasive treatments are not recommended for asymptomatic patients, since the splenosis can provide beneficial immunologic function.

Multiple intra-hepatic and abdominal splenosis: an easy call if you know about it

Hepatic splenosis represents the heterotopic implantation of splenic tissue caused by the spillage of cells from the spleen usually after splenectomy or splenic trauma. This condition is usually an incidental finding during surgery and its real incidence is unknown. Splenic implants, which can be placed anywhere in the abdominal cavity, are usually multiple and may be confused with different benign and malignant conditions such as renal tumors, abdominal lymphomas, and endometriosis. We hereby report an unusual case of multiple abdominal splenosis, with a particular intra-hepatic location, that could be misinterpreted as an hepato-cellular carcinoma.

Intrahepatic splenosis mimics hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with chronic hepatitis B: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Splenosis is a benign and relatively uncommon condition caused by trauma or splenectomy or other procedures involving splenic tissue. It is usually asymptomatic, and often diagnosed accidentally, especially misdiagnosed as malignant tumor.

METHODS

A 54-year-old man with prior history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection and underwent splenectomy for traumatic splenic rupture following a traffic accident 23 years previously was admitted to our hospital and found a hepatic mass in the right upper quadrant during an imaging examination. The diagnosis of his was not clear and finally he agreed to receive a surgical treatment.

RESULTS

During the operation, we found a mass in the right posterior lobe of the liver and a hard nodule on the right side of the diaphragm, both were completely resected, and postoperative histopathologic examination revealed that all excised tissues were proved to have histological structure typical for the spleen.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of intrahepatic splenosis is rare with only few cases previously reported in the literature. It is a benign disease and sometimes difficult to distinguish from diseases of the liver. The need for positive surgical resection of splenosis is still controversial.

Spleen implanting in the fatty liver mimicking hepatocarcinoma in a patient with hepatitis B&C: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Ectopic splenic autotransplantation refers to the heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue and no treatment is necessary for it when patient is asymptomatic. Its incidence rate is reported up to 67% among patients with a history of splenic trauma and splenic surgery. The diagnosis of it before operation is really difficult, and it is easy to mimic as other tumors.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We reported a 42-year-old man with hepatic splenosis, with history of splenectomy for traumatic splenic rupture 16 years ago and hepatitis B&C. The patient was enrolled with recurrent low back pain for more than 1 month without any treatment.

DIAGNOSES

Radiological imaging revealed a subcapsular hepatic nodule, showing "fast-in and fast-out" enhancement. Surgery was performed, and the result of histological diagnosis was hepatic splenosis.

INTERVENTIONS

No intervention before segmentectomy of the liver.

LESSONS

When imaging of a patient with history of traumatic splenic rupture or splenectomy shows1 or few well circumscribed hepatic nodules with enhancement in dynamic study, we should suspect hepatic splenosis, for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary surgery.

Splenunculi mimicking metastases in a patient with locally advanced prostate cancer

A 61-year-old man with locally advanced prostate cancer was found to have multiple solid intra-abdominal solid lesions during staging investigations. While some were in the pelvis, they were not located in the common landing sites for prostate cancer metastases, and his prostate specific antigen was not significantly elevated to suggest a high burden of metastatic disease. He reported a history of a blunt abdominal trauma due to a motor vehicle accident more than forty years ago which had been conservatively managed. His staging imaging revealed a lack of a discrete spleen in his left upper abdomen and this raised the suspicion that these solid lesions may represent ectopic splenic tissue. Imaging with nuclear medicine scintigraphy confirmed the lesions in his upper abdomen and pelvis to be splenunculi. He proceeded with a combination of androgen deprivation therapy and external beam radiotherapy for locally advanced, non-metastatic prostate cancer. Although it has been described in patients with low risk prostate cancer, this is the first case report of splenunculi mimicking metastases in a patient with locally advanced prostate cancer.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-ECTOPIC SPLEEN MIMICKING HEPATIC TUMOR WITH INTRA-ABDOMINAL METASTASES INVESTIGATED VIA TRIPLE-PHASE HELICAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN A DOG

A 10-year-old castrated male miniature dachshund was presented with an abdominal mass. The dog had a history of splenectomy. Triple-phase helical computed tomography was utilized, revealing a hepatic mass and multiple intra-abdominal solid masses. In triple-phase helical computed tomography the images, hepatic mass and two of four intra-abdominal masses were heterogenous in all phases. Therefore, we diagnosed a malignant hepatic tumor and presumed intra-abdominal metastases. The masses were surgically removed and were histologically composed of normal spleen tissues, findings which were consistent with ectopic spleen.

Ectopic Spleen Tissue - an Underestimated Differential Diagnosis of a Hypervascularised Liver Tumour

Background

Patients with liver cirrhosis have an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Implantation metastasis following diagnostic biopsy is a well-known complication. Therefore, primary resection of a hypervascularised tumour suspicious for HCC is often performed with curative intent.

Case Report

An exophytically growing mass was diagnosed between liver segments III and IVb by means of ultrasound in a 53-year old male patient with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Computed tomography confirmed a 3.5 cm large hypervascularised tumour with given resectability. Intraoperatively, the tumour appeared like a HCC. Thus, an atypical resection was performed. Histopathology revealed ectopic spleen tissue without any signs of malignancy. As enquiries revealed, the patient had undergone splenectomy after a blunt abdominal trauma 9 years prior to admission.

Conclusion

In the present patient, hepatic splenosis in a cirrhotic liver was misinterpreted as HCC. In patients with a history of traumatic rupture of the spleen or splenectomy, splenosis has to be considered as a potential differential diagnosis of a hypervascularised tumour. Specific diagnostics should be performed to rule out splenosis.

Solitary perihepatic splenosis mimicking liver lesion: a case report and literature review

Hepatic splenosis, one type of manifestation of ectopic spleen tissue, is rarely reported. It cannot be distinguished from hepatic malignancies because of lack of significant radiological features. By means of this case report and 31 literature reviews, potential treatment modalities concerning clinical diagnostics, patient's management could be discussed.The report presents the case of a 33-year-old man with a liver lesion. Finally, after a mini-incision laparotomy, the lesion was resected and the diagnosis confirmed it as hepatic splenosis. A literature search for case reports published between January 1, 1900, and August 1, 2014, was performed on PubMed.Approximately 80% (27/34) of patients diagnosed with hepatic splenosis had a history of splenectomy. The mean time interval between splenectomy and hepatic splenosis detection was 25 (1.5-47) years. The median size of reported hepatic splenosis is 30  mm in diameter. Technetium-99m-labeled heat denatured red-blood-cells scintigraphy or superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is now considered to be the optimal method of diagnosing splenosis.Hepatic splenosis requires no treatment in most cases. Operation should be performed if it is accompanied by hypersplenism in hematological diseases. When the diagnosis remains unclear, further biopsy or laparoscopy is recommended. If hepatic splenosis is confirmed, careful follow-up is beneficial.

Intrahepatic splenosis mimicking liver cancer: report of a case and review of literature

Intrahepatic splenosis is a rare situation occurred after traumatic splenic rupture or splenectomy. We report a 33 year old man with multiple isolated liver masses indistinguishable from primary and metastatic liver tumor by standard evaluation. The man underwent a splenectomy due to trauma at the age of three so that the hepatic splenosis was suspected. The final fine-needle biopsy pathological examination proved the diagnosis of intrahepatic splenosis. The importance of suspicion for this diagnosis should be highlighted when tumor-like lesions disclosed on imaging occurs in a patient with a splenic injury in the past. (99m)Tc labelled heat-denatured erythrocyte scintigraphy can be helpful to the diagnosis since it may avoid the performance of biopsies or surgical resections.

Experimental splenosis in the liver and lung spread through the vasculature

To demonstrate that intra-organ splenosis can engraft and develop after being distributed through the vasculature, tiny fragments of splenic tissues were injected into the inferior vena cava or the portal vein to induce intrapulmonary and intrahepatic splenosis in rats. After 1 month, splenic autograft structures in the lung and liver were assessed for structure by histology, for immunologic compartments by immunohistochemistry, for phagocytic function by carbon uptake and for vascular formation by Microfil (a silicon rubber compound) injection. Intrapulmonary and intrahepatic splenoses were indeed able to spread through the vasculature. The intrapulmonary splenic autografts were trapped and spread out in the interstitium, without forming a capsule. White pulp was markedly developed, showing lymphocyte aggregations that consisted in B cells surrounding the dilated vessel. Splenic sinuses were not definitively observed. Although macrophages were detected by immunohistochemistry, they showed no indication of having phagocytized carbon particles from the vessels, implying a closed circulation. In contrast, intrahepatic splenic autografts formed well-developed capsules, trabeculae and red pulp with splenic sinuses. Macrophages detected by immunohistochemistry were observed capturing carbon particles, which clearly revealed an open system circulation, as seen in normal rat spleen. The development of white pulp was poor and lymphocytes consisting in B cells aggregated in the peripheral margins. These results demonstrate that intra-organ splenosis can spread through the vasculature and that the morphologic and immunologic structures formed in these regenerated autografts are influenced by the organ vasculature and extracellular matrix wherein the tissue fragments settled.

Case report of tc-99m sulfur colloid single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography study differentiating tumor from accessory spleen

We present a case report where Tc-99m sulfur colloid single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) scan was useful in characterizing a soft tissue abdominal mass and helped with patient management. A 63-year-old male with no previous history of trauma had an incidental finding of a soft tissue nodule adjacent to the splenic hilum, unchanged in size over 4 months and with similar enhancing features as the spleen. A Tc-99m sulfur colloid SPECT/CT scan was performed to determine the nature of the nodule. It showed no uptake of tracer within this mass, therefore excluding splenic tissue. This prompted subsequent investigations and this tissue was found to represent a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, which was excised.

Abdominal splenosis mimicking peritoneal deposits - A case report

Splenosis is a benign condition among patients with a history of splenic trauma or surgery. Most cases of splenosis are intra abdominal due to direct seeding of surrounding structures, although these heterotopic rests may occur almost anywhere in the body, and its diffuse nature may raise the suspicion of metastatic cancer. The increased prevalence of abdominal trauma due to road accidents and the growing armamentarium of available imaging modalities suggest that abdominal splenosis may be expected more often than ever. We, in this article emphasize the crucial role of taking a thorough patient's medical history concerning splenic trauma in the past and the use of novel non invasive diagnostics modalities that allow accurate diagnosis.

Splenic anomalies of shape, size, and location: pictorial essay

Spleen can have a wide range of anomalies including its shape, location, number, and size. Although most of these anomalies are congenital, there are also acquired types. Congenital anomalies affecting the shape of spleen are lobulations, notches, and clefts; the fusion and location anomalies of spleen are accessory spleen, splenopancreatic fusion, and wandering spleen; polysplenia can be associated with a syndrome. Splenosis and small spleen are acquired anomalies which are caused by trauma and sickle cell disease, respectively. These anomalies can be detected easily by using different imaging modalities including ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and also Tc-99m scintigraphy. In this pictorial essay, we review the imaging findings of these anomalies which can cause diagnostic pitfalls and be interpreted as pathologic processes.