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

Int J Med Sci. 2012;9(2):174-7. doi: 10.7150/ijms.3983. Epub 2012 Jan 26.

Abstract

Splenosis is not an uncommon disease. However, it is often misdiagnosed as malignant tumors, and then the patients underwent unnecessary operations. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to diagnose it prior to operation. We report a rare case of a 49-year-old female patient with liver and colon splenosis, misdiagnosed as liver and colon tumors, and summarize experience how to diagnose it preoperatively according to literatures. We come to conclusion that in patients who ever underwent splenectomy especially owning to trauma, and were found mass in abdomen, clinicians must consider the existence of splenosis, and take some measures, such as scintigraphy with (99m) Tc labelled heat-denatured erythrocyte rather than biopsy, to diagnose it correctly to prevent unnecessary operations.

Keywords: Abdominal splenosis; colon.; computed tomography; liver; splenectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Colonic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Colonic Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Colonic Diseases / surgery
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Liver Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Diseases / surgery
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Spleen / injuries
  • Spleen / surgery
  • Splenectomy / adverse effects
  • Splenosis / diagnosis*
  • Splenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenosis / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Ultrasonography