A case of intraperitoneal splenosis: clinical history and imaging features avoided the need for invasive diagnostic procedures

So Young Bang,; Chang Hee Paik,; Yong Woo Chung,; Myung Hee Chang,; Ji Eun kim,; Yong Soo Kim,; Dong Soo Han,

Korean J Med > Volume 74(1); 2008 > Article

Original Article

The Korean Journal of Medicine 2008;74(1):33-36.

A case of intraperitoneal splenosis: clinical history and imaging features avoided the need for invasive diagnostic procedures

So Young Bang, Chang Hee Paik, Yong Woo Chung, Myung Hee Chang, Ji Eun kim, Yong Soo Kim, Dong Soo Han

경희대학교 의과대학 순환기내과학교실

증례 : 핵의학 검사로 진단이 가능하였던 복강내 비장증 1예

방소영, 백창희, 정용우, 장명희, 김지은, 김용수, 한동수

Abstract

Splenosis is defined as autotransplantation of splenic tissue, which is a sequel to traumatic or surgical injury to the splenic capsule with intraperitoneal seeding of splenic pulp. These splenic implants may be located anywhere in the abdominal cavity. Splenosis is usually asymptomatic and is an incidental finding. We report a case of a 43-year-old man in whom multiple abdominal masses were identified as splenosis. Rather than go through the risks associated with invasive tissue diagnosis, we used 99mTc heat-damaged red cell scintigraphy, a non-invasive and specific test, to confirm the diagnosis. Intraperitoneal splenosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses in patients splenectomized as a consequence of trauma. Many aggressive diagnostic techniques and unnecessary surgical treatments can be avoided.

Key Words: Splenosis; Splenectomy