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Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(IPMN)are common type of pancreatic cystic tumor, and because of their malignant potential, regular imaging follow-up is necessary. In this report, we described a surgically treated case of IPMN in which a malignant tumor could not be ruled out by preoperative diagnosis. The patient was a 75-year-old woman. An enhanced abdominal CT performed during the follow-up after surgery for uterine cancer revealed a cystic lesion with calcification in the tail of the pancreas. Maximum diameter of the cystic lesion was approximately 26 mm. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)showed a cystic lesion in the tail of the pancreas connected to the main pancreatic duct, and the main pancreatic duct was dilated. We followed up the images, assuming it was IPMN, but the tumor size increased over time and the diameter of the main pancreatic duct was dilated. Therefore, malignant diseases could not be ruled out, then laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed. The pathological findings showed a diagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma(IPMC).

An 83-year-old woman was referred for the surgical treatment of early gastric cancer. FDG-PET/CT showed multiple space-occupying lesions in the spleen with abnormal FDG accumulation. Robot-assisted distal gastrectomy(D1+), Billroth Ⅱ reconstruction, and robot-assisted splenectomy were simultaneously performed for the diagnosis of splenic tumors without any intraoperative complications. Histopathological examination revealed early gastric cancer[M, Less, por+sig>tub2, 27×15 mm, pT1a, N0, M0, pStage ⅠA], and based on the findings of non-caseating granulomas, the multiple splenic tumors were diagnosed as splenic sarcoidosis. Histopathological diagnosis is necessary for the definitive diagnosis of splenic tumors. Although laparoscopic splenectomies have become increasingly common, the safety of robot-assisted splenectomies remains controversial. In the present case, robot-assisted splenectomy was performed safely during the simultaneous resection of gastric cancer, and a histological diagnosis was possible. However, further evidence on the usefulness of robot-assisted splenectomy is required.

A 73-year-old man was transferred to our hospital with high fever. Computed tomography(CT)showed pancreatic tail cancer invading the stomach, colon, spleen and retroperitoneum around the left kidney. Splenic abscess with air was also observed. Marked increase in WBC and CRP were observed and the CA19-9 level was also elevated to 1,030 U/mL. The patient was diagnosed with pancreatic tail cancer invading to surrounding organs with splenic abscess due to penetration of the colon. Then emergency surgery was performed. Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, total gastrectomy and partial colectomy was performed. Pathological examination showed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic tumor with invasion of other organs (stomach, colon, spleen and greater omentum). The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 22 days after surgery. The patient is currently receiving adjuvant chemotherapy without recurrence. In the case of pancreatic tail cancer invading surrounding organs with splenic abscess, it is important to perform en bloc resection of tumor and invading surrounding organs and to start early postoperative chemotherapy for better survival.

Case 1: The patient was an 80-year-old woman with a history of chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer 4 years ago. Splenic tumor was detected on contrast CT. On PET-CT showed accumulation of FDG in the splenic tumor. The tumor size increased over time, and a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy(HALS)was performed. Pathological findings were consistent with splenic metastasis from cervical cancer. Case 2: The patient was a 64-year-old woman who had undergone partial mastectomy for right breast cancer 14 years ago. A splenic tumor was detected on an abdominal ultrasound performed for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Contrast CT revealed progressively increasing contrast enhancement. PET-CT showed accumulation of FDG in the tumor. Although sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation(SANT)was considered first, HALS was opted for due to the possibility of malignancy. The pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of SANT. Splenic tumors are rare, and preoperative diagnosis is generally difficult. HALS is a less invasive surgical approach compared to laparotomy and appears to be safe and suitable for splenectomy in patients with splenic tumor.

The new guidelines for pediatric immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) not only include changes to the name and staging of the disease, but also introduce the modified Buchanan's bleeding score for the assessment of bleeding symptoms. Treatments should aim to improve patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) based on a multidimensional assessment of not only platelet counts but also bleeding symptoms, as well as activity level, lifestyle, and access to healthcare. First-line therapy includes intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG) and short-term corticosteroids. Second-line therapy includes thrombopoietin receptor agonists, rituximab, and splenectomy. Many novel agents are also in development, with splenic-derived tyrosine kinase (Syk), Bruton's kinase (BTK), and fetal Fc receptor (FcRn) attracting attention as target molecules. Future developments in the treatment of pediatric ITP are eagerly awaited.

A 59-year-old woman underwent simple abdominal total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, partial omentectomy, and extirpation of intrapelvic disseminated nodules for right fallopian tube cancer with rectal metastasis and peritoneal dissemination as primary debulking surgery(PDS). The histopathological diagnosis was high grade serous carcinoma( HGSC)of the right fallopian tube. After adjuvant chemotherapy with 4 courses of paclitaxel-carboplatin(TC), low anterior resection of the rectum for rectal metastasis and pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection were performed as interval debulking surgery(IDS). Histopathologically, lymph node metastasis was detected only in the right obturator lymph node. After adjuvant chemotherapy with 4 courses of TC, bevacizumab maintenance monotherapy was administered. Three years after PDS, laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic metastasis and extirpation of the solitary peritoneal metastases were performed as secondary debulking surgery(SDS). After adjuvant chemotherapy with 4 courses of TC, olaparib maintenance monotherapy was administered. The patient has remained alive without recurrence for 4 years after SDS and for 7 years after PDS. No case of metachronous splenic metastasis from fallopian tube cancer with synchronous rectal metastasis has been reported; however, long-term prognosis may be expected with PDS, IDS and SDS for platinum-sensitive HGSC.

Splenic metastasis of gastric cancer is rare. Cases of long-term survival after the resection of metachronous solitary splenic metastasis have been reported, and proactive resection should be performed. A 77-year-old man was presented to our hospital with anorexia. Further investigation showed type 2 gastric cancer in the greater curvature of the stomach in the lower body. Subsequently distal gastrectomy was performed on October 2018. The pathological stage was T3N2M0, Stage ⅢA, and the patient was treated with S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy for 1 year. Two years after surgery, enhanced computed tomography(CT)showed a solitary splenic tumor with a diameter of 10 mm. Six months later, the tumor had grown to 25 mm, and PET-CT revealed no other tumors. Thus we diagnosed the patient as metachronous solitary splenic metastasis of gastric cancer, and splenectomy was performed on June 2021. Histopathological diagnosis was a metastasis of gastric cancer. The patient was treated with S-1 and remains recurrence-free for 1 year after the second operation.

An 82-year-old woman presented to our hospital with chief complaints of lower abdominal pain and nausea. Contrast- enhanced CT showed ileus of sigmoid colon cancer and a solitary splenic tumor. A metallic stent was placed for the primary lesion. FDG-PET showed high FDG accumulation in the solitary splenic tumor, and synchronous solitary splenic metastasis was diagnosed. Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy and laparoscopic splenectomy were performed without changing the intraoperative position or port arrangement. Postoperative progress was favorable. The patient was discharged 9 days after surgery, and no sign of recurrence has been observed to date, at 4 months after surgery. Solitary splenic metastasis of colorectal cancer is extremely rare. This is the first case report of synchronous solitary splenic metastasis of colorectal cancer treated with laparoscopic resection in Japan. This procedure is considered effective and minimally invasive. We review and discuss the Japanese literature on this rare disease.

We report a case of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation(SANT)5 years after remission of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL). A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed a nodular mass at the spleen by a contrast-enhanced CT scan 5 years after the relief for DLBCL. The mass showed accumulation of FDG. Because the possibility of the recurrence of malignant lymphoma could not be ruled out, laparoscopic splenectomy was performed for diagnosis and treatment. Immunohistologically, the resected mass revealed 3 different vascular components pattern(CD31, CD34 and CD8), so we diagnosed SANT. It is difficult to distinguish from malignant lymphoma or cancer even with various examination, so laparoscopic splenectomy is useful for diagnosis and treatment.

An 83-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypothyroidism, and osteoporosis developed neutropenia. He was diagnosed with agranulocytosis based on suppression and maturation arrest of myeloid series in the bone marrow. All of his prescriptions were stopped, and he was given granulocyte colony-stimulating factor because he was suspected to have drug-induced agranulocytosis. His neutropenia improved for a while, but it returned a month later. Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels were elevated in his blood, and an abdominal computed tomography scan revealed splenomegaly with no lymph node enlargement. However, due to his old age, a splenectomy was not performed, and no definitive diagnosis was given. He received rituximab therapy after being considered for splenic marginal zone lymphoma or autoimmune neutropenia. His splenomegaly improved, but his neutropenia did not. He was then given ciclosporin, which resulted in a complete response. Because of the presence of large granular lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and bone marrow but no T-cell receptor gene rearrangement, the case was defined as chronic idiopathic neutropenia with activated T cells.

A 50-year-old woman underwent laparotomic anterior resection(D3)and total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy (type 2, 3.0×4.5 cm, pT4a[SE], N1a, M1c2[ovary and peritoneum], H0, P1, PUL0, stage Ⅳc, tub2>por, Cur B)for ovarian metastasis from rectal cancer in June 20XX. During the outpatient visit in May, 2 years and 11 months after surgery, a splenic tumor was found on abdominal contrast-enhanced CT, without distant metastasis in other organs. In July 20XX, laparoscopic splenectomy was performed for suspected splenic metastasis of rectal cancer. The specimen of the resected tumor showed pathological findings consistent with metastasis of rectal cancer. Currently, the patient is being followed up without any sign of recurrence. Herein, we report a rare case of isolated metachronous splenic metastasis, whose associated prognosis might be improved by surgical treatment, in reference to the literature.

Helicobacter eradication therapy is the first-line therapy for patients with Helicobacter positive idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in Japan. Indications for treatement in patients with Helicobacter negative, or post-Helicobacter eradicated ITP are platelet counts less than 20×10 6 /l or severe bleeding. The first-line treatment for these patients is corticosteroids. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), rituximab, and splenectomy are second-line treatments for patients with corticosteroid refractory ITP. The choice of a second-line treatment should be determined in consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment. TPO-RAs are effective in over 80% of patients; however, long-term administration is usually needed. Rituximab treatment ends in four weeks, but its durable response rate is relatively low. The durable response rate of splenectomy is relatively high; however, it causes long-term complications. Effective treatments for patients with ITP who are refractory to second-line treatments have not been established. Some novel drugs are under clinical trials, and a treatment strategy for these patients is expected to be established.

Splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) can increase the number of platelets. However, patients without functioning spleen become vulnerable to bacteria. Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection( OPSI), its most fulminant form, is rapidly progressive and is highly fatal. A 76-year-old male, who had undergone splenectomy for refractory ITP and taken a vaccination for treptococcus pneumoniae 4 years previously, was admitted to undergo cardiac surgery for severe aortic regurgitation and coronary disease. Prior to operation, high dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (400 mg/kg/day) for 5 days successfully increased platelet count. Surgery and early postoperative course were satisfactory. However, on 6th postoperative day, the patient had sudden high fever and became septic. After adequate antibiotic treatment for OPSI, the patient recovered well. Blood culture yielded methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The patient discharged in good condition 30 days after the operation.

A 75-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a history of fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, and fatigue. Computed tomography(CT)revealed systemic lymphadenopathy with prominent splenomegaly. Axillary lymph node biopsy results revealed diffuse proliferation of atypical lymphoid cells with arborizing high endothelial venules. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CD3, CD5, and CD10, but negative for CD20 and CD79a. Given these findings, a diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma(AITL)was made. Due to the extremely high tumor burden, pre-therapy with corticosteroids was initiated. However, the patient suddenly went into hemorrhagic shock. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed abdominal bleeding due to splenic rupture. Bleeding was rapidly controlled using transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE). Five days after TAE, mini-CHOP therapy was initiated. Splenomegaly is common in hematologic disease. Owing to the lethality of the condition, in cases of progressive anemia with splenomegaly in patients with hematologic disease, the possibility of splenic rupture should be considered. Since TAE carries no risk of post-splenectomy infection and allows timely resumption of chemotherapy, it could be considered as one of the preferred treatment choices for splenic rupture in hemodynamically unstable patients.

We report a case of multiple lung metastasis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated with chemotherapy, in which laparoscopic splenectomy was effective for thrombocytopenia. A 74-year-old woman was diagnosed with multiple lung metastasis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 6 years after partial liver resection(S3). She was undergoing treatment for post-transfusion hepatitis C infection since the age of 46 years and developed thrombocytopenia due to splenomegaly. The previous hospital determined that there was no indication for chemotherapy due to thrombocytopenia. Elective laparoscopic splenectomy resulted in an increase in the platelet count and facilitated the initiation of gemcitabine(GEM)and cisplatin (CDDP)combination chemotherapy. The patient has maintained a good treatment course without interruption due to thrombocytopenia during chemotherapy. In advanced cancer patients with thrombocytopenia complication due to splenomegaly, laparoscopic splenectomy may offer an effective auxiliary means for the safe implementation of chemotherapy.

The splenic artery and vein are important to the remnant stomach after distal gastrectomy(DG). Hence, total gastrectomy is recommended when performing gastrectomy and distal pancreatectomy(DP)with splenectomy(S). In the present case, a man in his 70s was diagnosed with early gastric cancer. Abdominal CT detected a dilated main pancreatic duct. Chronic pancreatitis was suspected, but malignancy could not be completely ruled out. Thus, DG with Roux-en-Y reconstruction and DP with S were performed simultaneously. The remnant gastric blood flow was evaluated with intraoperative indocyanine green(ICG)fluorography and the blood flow was confirmed. Finally, the remnant stomach was preserved. The postoperative course was uneventful, except for the occurrence of anastomosis edema. This result suggests that ICG fluorescence is useful to evaluate remnant gastric blood flow and that it may be possible to perform DG and DP with S simultaneously depending on the case.

The treatment strategy of adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in Japan had consisted of corticosteroids as the first-line option, splenectomy as the second-line option, and others as the third-line option, respectively, for a long time. However, thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) have been widely adopted recently for corticosteroid-resistant ITP, and indications for rituximab have been extended to adult ITP in Japan, suggesting that ITP treatment is dramatically changing. In the "Reference guide for adult ITP treatments in Japan" revised in 2019, TPO-RAs and rituximab are equally recommended as second-line treatments alongside splenectomy. It is suggested to select from among the second-line treatments with careful consideration of not only their advantages and disadvantages but also aspects of the condition and situation of each patient such as any comorbidities or lifestyle factors. Moreover, since multiple effective therapeutic options are now available as second-line options, it is preferable to consider an early transition to second-line treatments for corticosteroid-refractory/dependent ITP patients.

A 76-year-old male with lower-limb weakness was admitted to our hospital where thrombocytopenia and anemia were noticed. CT showed massive splenomegaly and multiple nodules inside the spleen. Bone marrow examination showed an increase of macrophages with large cytoplasm. Suspected of splenic lymphoma, the patient underwent splenectomy. Spleen specimens were histologically analyzed and suggested the probability of Gaucher's disease (GD). Leukocyte glucocerebrosidase (GBA) enzyme activity had decreased to 1.25 nmol/mg, and mutation analysis of GBA revealed two missense variants, p.D448H (D409H), p.L483P (L444P), which confirmed the diagnosis of type I GD. Fourteen months after splenectomy, he developed right buttock pain, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a fragile right pubic and pelvic fracture. We initiated injection of imiglucerase as enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and administered bisphosphonate. His symptoms gradually improved without surgical treatment. In addition, thrombocytopenia and anemia also improved, and angiotensin-converting enzyme levels decreased. Type I GD should be considered a differential diagnosis of giant splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, even in the elderly. ERT or substrate reduction therapy should be administrated to GD patients, while paying attention to the development of bone lesions.

A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis 30 years ago and underwent splenectomy. She presented to the hospital with lower abdominal pain and was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer(cT3N3M1[LYM], H1, Stage Ⅳ)for which sigmoidectomy was performed. On the 7th postoperative day, a fever of 40℃ and an inflammatory reaction were observed. She developed a consciousness disorder the next day, and her condition rapidly deteriorated along with the development of septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC). With the aid of a ventilator, immediate treatment for DIC was started, but reversion of septic shock and DIC was not possible, and the patient died of multiple organ dysfunction on the 17th postoperative day. Computed tomography and urinalysis performed during the course of treatment showed no infected lesion, but Citrobacter spp. was detected thrice in venous blood culture. Hence, the patient was diagnosed as a case of Citrobacter overwhelming post splenectomy infection(OPSI). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Citrobacter spp. infection following an abrupt course of OPSI.

We report a case of myeloid sarcoma(MS)that primarily developed in the spleen. The patient was a 60s man with a chief complainant of low-grade fever following a dental implant. Although he underwent intensive antibiotic treatment, including levofloxacin, meropenem, and vancomycin, no significant decline in fever was observed. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT revealed an LDA occupying the majority of his spleen, which was diagnosed as a splenic abscess. Although a CT-guided biopsy and drainage for the spleen were considered, a puncture of the spleen was not performed due to the substantial concern of bleeding. Subsequently, a splenectomy was performed and HE staining revealed mitosis of tumor cells and massive necrosis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumor cells were positive for myeloperoxidase, CD43, CD45, and CD68. Finally, the splenic LDA was diagnosed as MS instead of a splenic abscess. He was treated with systemic chemotherapy. MS primarily develops in the spleen is quite rare: we found only 2 case reports of this disease. The prognosis of MS is poor due to the complications of AML. Accordingly, MS should be considered as a differential diagnosis for accurate diagnosis and treatment of splenic LDA.

The patient was a 72-year-oldwoman. She had been diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP), hepatitis B, and diabetes mellitus. She was admitted to our hospital because of anemia andvomiting of blood vomiting and was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma at S6. A splenectomy was performed, with a temporary improvement of her platelet count. We tried to control the platelet count with medication and performed transcatheter arterial embolization(TACE)3 times. However, the tumor size decreased only slightly anda new tumor was observed on S2. Therefore, we increased the patient's platelet count to 109×10 4/mL and performed a partial hepatectomy of 4 lesions. The postoperative complications included intraabdominal abscess, but there was no bleeding and the patient was discharged on POD 114. Platelet count is often difficult to maintain in patients diagnosed with ITP. We report our experiences and also provide a discussion of a case of operated hepatocellular carcinoma complicated with refractory ITP.

A 46-year-old woman with cervical cancer with multiorgan metastasis visited our hospital. She underwent a total gastrectomy, splenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, left adrenalectomy, and left partial diaphragmatic resection. Postoperatively, she developed pleural effusion with high level of amylase secondary to a pancreatic fistula, consequently causing left-sided empyema. She developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. Urgent surgical treatment was scheduled, and left lower lobectomy, with diaphragmatic partial resection were performed under the venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. After surgery, intensive care for 45 days was necessary and she was discharged home 6 months post operatively.

A 47-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of left hypochondrium part pain and was diagnosed with splenomegaly with splenic infarctions in May 2016. His complete blood cell count was almost within normal limits, and a bone marrow biopsy revealed normal cellularity with no fibrosis. In addition, no abnormal uptake was noted on FDG PET/CT. In August 2016, he underwent splenectomy for splenomegaly. The histological examination revealed fibrotic stenosis of the blood vessels in the spleen. After splenectomy, his platelet count elevated and remained at >1,000×10 9 /l 3 months later. Finally, he was diagnosed with latent essential thrombocythemia (ET) because the JAK2V617F mutation was positive. Accordingly, oral hydroxyurea was initiated. Thrombosis could be a complication in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). In our case, ET was masked, perhaps, because of hypersplenism and splenomegaly because of splenic vein thrombosis. Hence, examination of the JAK2V617F mutation in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis is recommended because of the possibility of latent MPN.

A 26-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic-assisted distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy for a tumor in the tail of the pancreas. Although the preoperative diagnosis was a solid pseudopapillary tumor, pathological tissue examination revealed that the tumor was a pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma. She was treated with S-1 chemotherapy for 6 months without severe side effects, and no recurrence was detected on several imaging inspections. Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare tumor in young patients, and there are few reports of treatment with postoperative chemotherapy.

A 50-year-old woman with abdominal fullness, lower abdominal pain, elevated serum CA125, and ascites, underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 6 courses of PTX/CBDCA followed by total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and intrapelvic peritoneal stripping based on a diagnosis of serous surface papillary carcinoma(SSPC) of the peritoneum. Complete response(CR)was shown after adjuvant chemotherapy with 3 courses of the same regimen. After 6 months, serum CA125 level re-increased and abdominal CT showed small low density areas in the patient's spleen and the perisplenic fat tissue. After the additional chemotherapy with 3 courses of PTX/CBDCA were performed based on a diagnosis of metastatic lesion from SSPC, anaphylactic shock occurred as the severe adverse event. The patient was given 9 more courses of the chemotherapy changed the regimen to PTX/CDDP. The splenic metastatic lesion had grown rapidly in the followed CT and then, laparoscopic splenectomy with peritoneal resection was performed based on a diagnosis of splenic metastasis from SSPC. The pathological examinations showed the tumor to be a splenic metastasis and peritoneal dissemination from SSPC. No recurrent lesion has been detected in the 9 months since removal of the splenic metastasis without adjuvant chemotherapy and the patient has survived for 4 years and 6 months since initial treatment.

An 80-year-old man reported at our hospital with the chiefcomplaint ofconstipation. He was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer(T4aN0M0, Stage II). He also had steroid-resistant idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP)since 2001. After a high dose g-globulin therapy, he underwent sigmoidectomy and splenectomy simultaneously because ofthe steroidresistant ITP. While some reports suggest that ITP is dominant when it occurs with blood cancer, others suggest that it can be immunologically dominant even when it occurs with solid tumors. ITP has a significant effect on solid tumors.

A 30-year-old primigravid woman without a history of thrombocytopenia was referred to our hospital because of severe thrombocytopenia (<1,000 thrombocytes/µl) at 16 weeks of gestation and diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). There was no improvement in the platelet count after treatment with 0.5-1.0 mg/kg/day prednisolone, and the 400 mg/day intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) administered for 5 days gradually became ineffective; therefore, a laparoscopic splenectomy was performed at 25 weeks of gestation. The increase in the platelet count after the splenectomy was temporary, but the effects of IVIg therapy improved, and the patient received IVIg therapy seven times in total during her pregnancy. Her platelet count ranged between 10,000 and 70,000/µl after the splenectomy, compared with <5,000/µl before the surgery. The patient underwent an elective cesarean section at 34 weeks of gestation without any significant bleeding. The baby was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia at birth (34,000 thrombocytes/µl) and was administered only one dose of IVIg, which increased the baby's platelet count to a normal level after 14 days. The patient's platelet count also increased after delivery. Splenectomy and repeated IVIg therapy can be considered for refractory severe ITP during pregnancy.

A 62-year-old man presented to the hospital with thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly was detected. His blood films prepared by natural air drying revealed medium-sized lymphocytes with unevenly distributed large and small villous projections. The cytoplasm was basophilic, nuclei were oval with clumped chromatin, and nucleoli were absent in most cells. Immune phenotypes CD19+, CD20+, CD11c+, FMC7+, IgM+, and Igκ+ were detected. TRAP stain appeared negative, IgH JH chain genes were monoclonally rearranged, and BRAF V600E mutation was not detected. On the basis of these findings, hairy cell leukemia-Japanese variant (HCL-JV) was strongly suspected. The patient was followed up for >4 years without treatment. However, because thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly gradually progressed, splenectomy was performed. Microscopic examination confirmed that the splenic white pulp was atrophic. Moreover, infiltrates comprising small-to-medium-sized atypical lymphocytes with inconspicuous nucleoli were predominantly detected in the congested red pulp. On the basis of these results and immune histochemical findings, the patient was diagnosed with splenic diffuse red pulp small B-cell lymphoma (SDRPL). Here we discussed whether the aforementioned diseases (HCL-JV and SDRPL) are the same; however, further accumulation of cases is essential to draw a definite conclusion.

A 73-year-old male who underwent splenectomy was diagnosed with splenic non-caseating granuloma in May 201X, and sarcoidosis was disregarded from the differential diagnosis. Owing to the persisting inflammation, the patient was carefully followed up with no treatment. Four months post splenectomy, the patient was hospitalized due to progressive dyspnea. Chest computed tomography revealed an encapsulated pleural effusion and lymphocytic infiltration in the left lower lung, with subclavian and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Although the patient was treated with antibiotics, his condition showed no improvement; therefore, prednisolone 40 mg was administered, resulting in lung lesion improvement. A re-examination of the tissue obtained from the previously removed spleen revealed splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), a specific low-grade, small B-cell lymphoma. As a result, the patient was treated with rituximab combined with chemotherapy. During the fifth course of the chemotherapy, a subcutaneous abscess appeared in the cervical region, and Mycobacterium shigaense was isolated from the pus discharge, suggesting that the splenic granulomatous lesion formed due to M.shigaense, and dissemination of the Mycobacterium infection occurred following splenectomy and chemotherapy, when the patient was immunosuppressed. Overall, we consider that SMZL developed because of chronic inflammation resulting from a nontuberculous mycobacterial infection.

A 35-year-old man who previously underwent splenectomy for hereditary spherocytosis at age 29 visited our hospital complaining of fatigue that had started 7 days ago and right upper abdominal pain. Laboratory data showed increased white blood cell and eosinophil count accompanied by severe transaminitis and clotting abnormalities. Computed tomography scan showed multiple embolisms in the portal vein, superior mesenteric vein, right pulmonary artery, and inferior vena cava. Severe liver damage presumably caused by portal vein thrombosis was also observed. Anticoagulant therapies consisting of continuous arterial infusion of urokinase from the superior mesenteric artery and an intravenous infusion of recombinant human thrombomodulin and heparin dissolved the systemic thrombosis. Concurrently administered prednisone decreased the eosinophil count. With regard to eosinophilia, we were unable to find any connective tissue diseases, antibodies to parasites, or genetic anomalies including PDGFRA, PDGFRB, and FGFR1. Hence we diagnosed the patient with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Although thromboembolisms in patients with HES have been reported, the literature on portal vein thrombosis associated with HES is scarce. In the present case, the previous splenectomy may have contributed to the portal vein thrombosis.

Solitary splenic metastasis from cancer is known as a rare disorder in cancer patients. In the present study, we report our experience regarding pathophysiology and treatment tactics of the splenic metastasis caused by ovarian cancer after perioperative chemotherapy. A 50s female presented to our clinic complaining of growing solitary splenic hilar node in CT. Hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, omentectomy and adjuvant therapy was performed after neoadjuvant therapy with TC regimen. Five years and 3 months after surgery, she presented growing solitary splenic hilar nodule in CT. After staging laparoscopy, this lesion is judged to be able to be resected absolutely. Splenectomy and pancreas tail resection was performed. She has survived 39 months after 2nd surgery without recurrence. She recieved a diagnosis of solitary splenic metastasis from past ovarian cancer with whitch pattern of immunostaining was accord closely. Therapeutic tactics for solitary splenic metastasis is splenectomy because of the prognosis after complete resection is thought to be well.

A 71-year-old man was diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer(cT4b[Panc], N2, M0, cStage III C). He was treated with a triplet neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen including docetaxel, oxaliplatin and S-1, followed by laparoscopic total gastrectomy with pancreatosplenectomy which achieved R0 resection. He had no pancreatic fistula, leakage and abscess and was transferred to other hospital on POD18 for rehabilitation. Adjuvant chemotherapy wish S-1was started on 7 weeks after surgery. Although multidisciplinary treatment such as perioperative chemotherapy and radical surgery is necessary, careful and precise interpretation of diagnostic image is mandatory for undergoing curative surgery with composite resection laparoscopically. In this report, we demonstrated that totally laparoscopic radical surgery safely and allowed the patient to initiate adjuvant chemotherapy in the early postoperative period.

A 45-year-old man was admitted because of necrolytic migratory erythema. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen revealed a 4.5cm mass in the tail of the pancreas. We performed distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, and a definitive diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor(WHO class grade 2)was made histopathologically.

A 64-year-old female patient underwent radical left nephrectomy in 2005 after being diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma. The pathological diagnosis was pT2b pN0 M0 clear cell carcinoma. Three years postoperatively, metastatic recurrence in the para-aortic lymph node was noted, and the patient underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in 2008. The pathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma (a combination of clear cell carcinoma and type 2 papillary cell carcinoma). Five years later, she exhibited splenic metastasis on computed tomography, but no other distant metastases were observed. She underwent splenectomy in 2013, and the pathological diagnosis was splenic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (type 2 papillary cell carcinoma). Three months after the splenectomy, she developed multiple bone metastases but refused to undergo treatment with molecularly targeted drugs ; hence, she was transferred to palliative care services. Fourteen months after the splenectomy, she died of cancer. Most metastatic splenic tumors occur as part of multiple organ metastases in the terminal stage of renal cell carcinoma. If splenic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma is observed, further imaging studies should be performed, and splenectomy should only be considered if a definitive diagnosis of sporadic splenic metastasis is made.

A 53-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a 40-mm splenic tumor, which was detected incidentally on abdominal computed tomography during hospitalization for pyelonephritis. The tumor was hypointense on T2-weighted imaging and gradually enhanced on dynamic study. The tumor increased in size over a six-month period. Since we could not exclude splenic malignancy, we performed laparoscopic partial splenectomy. Histological examination revealed multiple angiomatoid nodules with three distinct vessel types. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT). We then examined the correlation between the imaging and pathological findings, and performed a review of previous reports, concluding that contrast-enhanced MRI was the most useful modality for diagnosing SANT.

Discovery of the Coombs' test was an epoch-making event in the history of managing autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). The Coombs' test allows immune-related hemolytic anemia to be distinguished from nonimmune acquired hemolytic anemia, but also creates a complicated category; Coombs-negative AIHA. To resolve this problem, several trials have been conducted to detect immunoglobulin (Ig) G molecules on erythrocytes (RBC-IgG) that the Coombs' test cannot detect. In Japan, RBC-IgG can be quantitated using a radioimmunoassay, but this procedure is time-consuming and expensive. Convenient quantitative analysis of RBC-IgG has recently been reported using flow cytometry, a semi-quantitative method. In the treatment of warm AIHA, corticosteroids represent the first-line therapy. For refractory and relapsed cases, the choice may be between splenectomy and rituximab, which is becoming the preferred second-line treatment. Progress in the treatment of warm AIHA is also reviewed in this article.

A 65-year-old male was referred to our hospital 2 years ago for a multilocular cyst accompanied with a protein plug in the pancreas tail. He was diagnosed as having branch duct-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and was followed-up. Two years later, endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic lesion, 10mm in diameter, near the cyst-like lesion. Finally, he was diagnosed with small pancreatic adenocarcinoma concomitant with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and underwent radical distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. Resected specimen revealed that the protein plug in the main pancreatic duct had caused distal pancreatic duct dilatation, resembling a multilocular cyst and pancreatic duct stenosis with inflammatory changes and fibrosis around the pancreatic parenchyma. Here, we report a rare case of protein plugs in the pancreatic duct mimicking pancreatic cancer concomitant with branch-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.