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Splenosis is defined as the growth of ectopic splenic tissue, due to its direct seeding, usually seen after traumatic or surgical procedures to the spleen. It often occurs on highly vascularized surfaces such as the omentum or the mesentery, and grows in sessile form, supplied by adjacent vessels. Intestinal splenosis with endoluminal extension is extremely rare. We present a case of intestinal splenosis with endoluminal growth in a 14-year-old boy that provoked a small bowel intussusception requiring surgical resolution.

A 34-year-old man presented to our hospital with a 2-month history of repeated dull upper abdominal pain. Gastroscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography indicated a hemispherical mass at the junction of the greater curvature and the gastric fundus, with hypoechogenicity originating from the intrinsic muscular layer. He was diagnosed with a gastric body submucosal lesion and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and underwent endoscopic full-thickness resection. However, postoperative pathological examination of the mass unexpectedly revealed heterotopic spleen tissue (accessory spleen). Intragastric ectopic spleen tissue originating from the intrinsic muscular layer of the stomach is a rare clinical condition, with no specific clinical symptoms. This finding is of great clinical significance for the identification of gastric submucosal tumors.

Splenosis is a rare disease and defined as spleen tissue autotransplantation following spleen rupture and subsequent splenectomy in most cases. The authors report ectopic splenic tissue in pleural cavity diagnosed in 31 years after blunt thoracoabdominal trauma.Авторами описано клиническое наблюдение эктопии селезеночной ткани в плевральную полость, выявленную через 31 год после закрытой торакоабдоминальной травмы.

Accessory spleens and splenosis represent the congenital and acquired type of ectopic splenic tissue. Generally, they are asymptomatic entities posing as solid hypervascular masses at the splenic hilum or in other organs, such as the pancreas. Intrapancreatic ectopic spleen mimics pancreatic neoplasms on imaging studies, and due to the lack of radiological diagnostic criteria, patients undergo unnecessary distal pancreatectomy. We present the first case of intrapancreatic ectopic spleen in which the concomitant use of needle-based probe confocal laser endomicroscopy and fine-needle aspiration supported the final diagnosis.

Splenogonadal fusion (SGF) is a rare congenital anomaly. Less than 200 cases of SGF have been documented till date. We present a case of 14-year-old male patient with swelling in the left scrotum for 3 years. Left orchidectomy was done. Histopathology showed ectopic splenic tissue surrounding testicular parenchyma suggestive of SGF. This rare congenital malformation may occur due to the proximity of developing gonad and spleen, resulting in abnormal connection between them during gestation. SGF presents a diagnostic challenge preoperatively; however, recent imaging methods can aid with the diagnosis. SGF as a rare cause of testicular swelling should be kept in mind and evaluated to avoid unnecessary orchidectomy.

A 40-year-old man presented with a 3-year duration of intermittent upper abdominal pain. Gastroscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a tumor in the bottom of the stomach with a homogenous low echogenicity that originated from the gastric serosa. An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed that a well-marginated ovoid mass was obviously enhanced homogenously in the arterial period and weakened slightly in the venous period. The diagnosis of a gastric stromal tumor was made. Laparoscopic resection of the gastric tumor was subsequently performed. Surprisingly, postoperative pathological examination of the mass showed the typical structure of a normal splenic tissue. To our knowledge, ectopic splenic tissue originating from the gastric serosa is reported for the first time, showing important clinical significance for the identification of gastric malignant tumors.

Summary Ectopic splenic tissue in the pancreas is a rare incidental finding in man that is often mistaken for pancreatic neoplasia. This condition is documented rarely in animals. This report describes the clinical and pathological features of four cases of intrapancreatic accessory spleens in dogs and cats. This is the first description of this lesion in the dog. The lesions comprised firm, well-demarcated, dark red, spherical masses that were composed microscopically of normal splenic tissue. The possible origin, differential diagnoses and potential practical significance of these lesions are discussed.

Splenosis describes ectopic splenic tissue found in patients after rupture of the spleen. These implants are commonly located on the omentum but can be scattered throughout the body in varying number and size. Although splenosis was first documented over a century ago, the precise mechanism for its development remains unknown. The degree of immunoprotection offered by this tissue remains unclear. Much of the human data is in the form of case reports documenting failure of splenotic tissue to protect against septicemia. Even accessory spleens may not offer complete protection once the primary spleen is removed. This review of the literature demonstrates that no amount of splenosis should be considered protective against overwhelming post-splenectomy infection.

Because superparamagnetic iron oxide is actively taken into the reticuloendothelial system, the signal intensity observed on T2-weighted images is reduced not only in the liver but also in the spleen. There is no difference in the reduction in signal intensity in the liver after contrast between the ferumoxides and ferucarbotran, but the reduction in signal intensity in the spleen is considerable. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of T2*-weighted imaging to compensate for the reduction in signal intensity in the spleen by administering ferucarbotran. We examined the images obtained from 35 patients who underwent MRI with ferucarbotran. T2-weighted images and T2*-weighted images were obtained before and after administration of ferucarbotran, and the changes in signal intensity in the liver and spleen were then analyzed. A reduction in signal intensity was observed in the liver by both T2- and T2*-weighted imaging. In the spleen, the signal intensity was reduced on T2-weighted images but was not reduced on T2*-weighted images. The reduction in signal intensity due to administration of ferucarbotran is low in the spleen. Thus, it was considered necessary to approach the problem of diagnosing ectopic splenic tissue using ferucarbotran with caution.

Splenosis refers to the autotransplantation of splenic tissue in a heterotopic location after splenic trauma or surgery. 1 The implants are rarely clinically important and are incidental findings. Ectopic splenic tissue implants into the liver must be differentiated from other benign or malignant hepatic lesions.

The presence of ectopic splenic tissue in the scrotum is attributed to splenogonadal fusion, a rare congenital anomaly. This ectopic splenic tissue can be an incidental finding or less often present as a scrotal mass later in adult life. Given the rarity of splenogonadal fusion, especially in the adult population, this case highlights the clinical characteristics of the condition, with a special focus on the signs and findings that might help prevent unnecessary orchiectomy.

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly that has been encountered in all age groups. It is defined as an abnormal connection between spleen and gonad or mesonephros derivatives. We report a case of splenogonadal fusion which was diagnosed incidentally in a 38-year-old man with a history of infertility. This rare entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of testicular masses.Key Words: Splenogonadal fusion, testicular mass.

Splenosis is a condition in which splenic tissue is present in a non-anatomical position. Implants of splenic tissue can mimic neoplasms and only specific examinations can confirm the correct diagnosis. Here we report a case of a 23-year-old male patient with a history of surgical splenectomy during childhood after trauma. He was admitted to the emergency department with acute bowel obstruction. An abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed small bowel obstruction and the presence of two rounded, solid masses located in the rectal-vescical pouch. Quantitative analyses of the different density values in the arterial phase and early portal venous phase demonstrated that these lesions were highly vascularised (92 and 97 Hounsfield Units, respectively). The hypothesis of an ectopic splenic mass was made after evaluation of the CT images and clinical history. The acute bowel obstruction caused by adhesive intestinal syndrome was resolved by surgical adhesiolysis. The smallest mass adherent to the rectum was removed. Histopathologic examination confirmed the benign nature of the lesion, which consisted of splenic tissue.

Thoracic splenosis (TS) is autoimplantation of ectopic splenic tissue in the thoracic cavity that occurs following splenic injury. The majority of cases of TS are asymptomatic and are diagnosed in the course of an evaluation of incidentally discovered pulmonary lesions. Some cases may be difficult to diagnose, especially if features suggesting TS are not recognized. This may lead to an extensive work-up and unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures including thoracotomy. This case report describes a 40-year-old man, who was diagnosed incidentally with TS, several years after the initial injury. Multiple, asymptomatic, left-sided pleural based lesions associated with a history of thoracoabdominal injury and splenectomy are the key points that should alert suspicion of TS, which can then simply be confirmed by a Tc-99m sulphur colloid radionuclide scan. Most patients are treated conservatively unless they are symptomatic. Physicians must recognize the key features suggesting a diagnosis of TS, order appropriate imaging studies and avoid unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures.

no hepatosplenomegaly was found. All laboratory investigations were normal except for an asymptomatic thrombocytosis (592 ! 10 9 /l, normal range 150–450). Ultrasound scan demonstrated cholelithiasis with multiple perisplenic masses. The latter were further investigated with contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and radiological findings were suggestive of multiple inAccessory spleens are congenital ectopic splenic tissue. Their most frequent location is perisplenic, posteromedial to the spleen. Usually, these features are clinically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. A 56year-old male was admitted for acute abdominal pain. His past medical history was unremarkable and no splenic injuries were reported. At physical examination, Published online: May 20, 2009

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital malformation that involves an abnormal connection between the spleen and the gonad or mesonephric derivatives. It manifests itself as a mass consisting of splenic and testicular or ovarian tissue. Splenogonadal fusion has been classified into two types; continuous, where there is a direct connection between spleen and gonad; and discontinuous, where ectopic splenic tissue is attached to the gonad, but there is no connection to the spleen. Many cases had an associated other anomalies either genital or systemic. Knowledge about the existence of such an uncommon entity is essential even to be suspected preoperatively as the appearance at exploration can be misleading as a malignant mass and often results in unnecessary gonadal removal.

A 64-year-old patient who underwent splenectomy presented clinically with ectopic splenic tissue simulating a solid renal mass. The splenic origin of the mass was assessed by radionuclide spleen scan. Nephrectomy was avoided.

Twenty-three subjects who had a splenectomy as a result of trauma underwent scintigraphic evaluation with a sensitive heat-denatured 99mTc-labeled red blood cells (DRBC). This method enabled detection of ectopic splenic tissue foci (ESTF) as small as 1 X 1 cm in diameter. ESTF splenosis or accessory spleen was detected in 15 cases (65%), a higher incidence than previously reported. The size of the ESTF ranged from 1 X 1 to 5 X 10 cm (0.8-40 cm2), and 53% were less than 2 X 2 cma (3 cm2). A new multiparametric scintigraphic evaluating technique is described, which estimates the quantity of ESTF and its grade of activity, relative to that of the liver. The technique is a highly efficient assessor of ESTF function. Good correlation was found between the size and activity of the ESTF and the presence of Howell-Jolly bodies (HJB), but with a low sensitivity for detecting small ESTF. Correlation was low between residual splenic tissue and concentrations of IgM, IgA and IgG immunoglobulins. The 99mTc-DRBC method described is recommended for verification of ESTF existence, localization, and function.

A patient with bilateral cryptorchisnt had ectopic splenic tissue adherent to his left testicle and an adrenal cortical rest adherent to his right testicle. The embrylogic basis for these disorders is discussed and the literature reviewed. Either ectopic splenic or adrenal tissue is occa- sionally found in the scrotal compartment or adherent to the gonadal-mesonephric struc- tures. Herein we report the first case of both entities occurring in the same patient.

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital malformation in which there is an abnormal fusion between the spleen and the gonad or derivatives of the mesonephros. It can occur in both sexes but has been reported far more frequently in males. There are two types of this malformation: the continuous and the discontinuous type, depending on the presence or absence of a structural connection between the regular spleen and the ectopic splenic tissue that is fused to the gonad. In one-third of all reported cases splenogonadal fusion is associated with other congenital defects. This association is predominantly found within the continuous type. Peromelia is present in a high percentage of cases, varying from total absence of all limbs to absence of parts of the lower limbs. On the basis of a case report and a review of 84 published cases, the causal, pathogenetic and nosologic aspects of this malformation are discussed. We hypothesise that splenogonadal fusion with peromelia and splenogonadal fusion without peromelia represent two ends of one spectrum determined by the developmental stage during which the causal factor acts.

Despite heterotopic splenic tissue, fatal fulminating pneumococcal septicaema occurred in 2 patients who had had splenectomy for trauma. A girl aged 12 who died 8 years after splenectomy had over a hundred nodules, the largest weighing 3 g. A man of 19 who died 9 years after splenectomy had splenic tissue weighing 92 g. The presence of splenic tissue did not itself protect these patients from overwhelming infection and its ectopic situation with the consequent alteration in blood-supply may be of greater importance than the amount of splenic tissue present.

SUMMARY At autopsy on an apparently otherwise normal sow five haemorrhagic areas, each about 0.75 cm. in diameter were found within the pancreas. Histological examination showed that they were composed of ectopic splenic tissue, while surrounding pancreatic tissue was normal. The lesions were not associated with death of the sow, the actual cause of which was not determined.